Luxman EQ-500

Technical specifications

Circuit System        SRPP, final stage cathode follower, non-feedback CR type equalizer (RIAA)

Vacuum tube compliment 4 of 12AX7, 2 of                                       12AU7, 1 of EZ81

Input sensitivity (1kHz, when the gain switching 36dB)      MM 4mV, MC high                                             0.44mV, MC low 0.18mV

Input impedance   MM 30kΩ ~ 100kΩ                                            (variable), MC high 40Ω,                                    MC low 2.5Ω

Rated output / output impedance 250mV / 850Ω

Gain (1kHz, when the gain switching 36dB) MM 36dB, MC high 55dB, MC low 67dB

Maximum permissible input (1kHz) MM 300mV, MC high 34mV, MC low 13mV

External dimensions {mm} 17.3" {440} (W) × 3.6" {92} (H) × 15.6" {397} (D: front knob 3/4″, including the rear terminal 1/2″) mm

Weight 27.5 lb. (12.5kg)

Power consuption 36W

1W (at standby)

Dimensions 400(w) x 154 (h) x 413 (d) front side knob of 2mm and rear side terminal of 11m included in depth

Net weight 22.5kg

Accessories Remote Control (RD-21)

Power Cable

Install Software CD

Prix: 6,490€ TTC

Luxman's Best Phonostage

The Luxman EQ-500 phono stage is the best-looking, best-built, and best-sounding phonostage that Luxman has ever made.

Luxman's last top of the line phono stage, the E-1 (solid state) was released in 2001 and was only recently discontinued. Since the introduction of the award-winning PD-171 in 2011 and the subsequent PD-171A and PD-171AL turntables, Luxman's engineers were eager to return to the drawing board and deliver a fresh design using all of the best parts at their disposal for a complimentary phono stage.

Given that Luxman spent almost four years designing the PD-171, it makes sense that they took their time designing the Luxman EQ-500.

In order to deliver the tonal density that the best vinyl playback is capable of, the vacuum tube design is not a surprise. Nor that they reached out to Mundorf (Germany) for their "Audiophile" series of capacitors. Many of the Japanese designers feel that the best amplification of the super low output of a moving coil cartridge is with a step-up transformer. Considering that Luxman has been designing transformers for ninety years, it is perfectly logical that four moving coil step-up transformers (two per channel) are employed.

Features of the Luxman EQ-500

In order to deliver all of the harmonic density available in the best analogue recordings, its a vacuum tube design. All stages are vacuum tube (1, 2 stage SRPP {Series Regulated Push Pull}, the final stage (cathode follower parallel) and non-feedback CR type phono-equalizer amplifier (RIAA standard only).

Vacuum tube rectifier to the power supply circuit for supplying a stable voltage to the amplifier circuit and (EZ81) employing a choke-coil.

Luxman have been designing audio transformers for ninety years. Moving coil step-up transformers (super permalloy), four in all, two per channel for high & low output moving coil cartridges deliver up to 18dB of gain.

Individually adjustable gain & loading up to 67dB for low output moving coil cartridges.

Balanced & single-ended outputs.

Three separate, single ended inputs.

Highest quality parts employed: Mundorf "audiophile" series capacitors (Germany), JJ vacuum tubes (Slovakia) and Takamisawa capacitors (Japan).

Filter switches: low cut (20Hz / 3dB), high cut (8kHz / 3dB).

Mono / Stereo switch.

Articulator switch = cartridge demagnetizer.

Phase invert (for balanced output).

VU meters.