Luxman L31 Solid State Amplifier

In the seventies, the product engineering at Luxman was probably one of the best among high-fidelity companies. For this series of amplifiers, the sum of talent erected a circuit design considered one of the best ever elaborated, while their solid state sound was acheiving to be damn close to tube amplification.

The press was acclaiming the work of Luxman for these integrated amplifiers in that time, and their clear goals. The L series were designed with "simplicity" in mind, with their shallow footprint, but at no cost at all for the quality, while the fantastic SQ range was embarking even more refined controls.

Visually, the real Brazilian Rosewood woodcase, associated with the thick brushed aluminium fascia and the refinement of control buttons and actioners is just delightful to the eye.

Now, if ever it is still needed to mention… the sound. It's so warm, so tube-like, so there with you in the room, singers are singing, brass is brassing, drums are drumming… Words are missing. It's an emotional thing. 

In a search for investing in quality vintage equipment, you can't be wrong with this Luxman model, when specialist revised like here. The next level being heading towards niche brands like Accuphase, or for separate components for pre- and main- amplifiers, all this leading us to a totally different story, mainly budget-wise, where Luxman and other brands were also top of the list.

Beware, the prices are rising on these ranges as the number of worthy examples are getting scarce.