I thought I would give people a quick review/opinion of the new Luxman C10X Preamplifier- Not much has been posted so far on this preamp.
Associated Equipment:
Luxman M10X Amplifier
Chord Dave DAC
Aurender N200 Streamer
Magico S3 Mk II Speakers
(average speaker cables/interconnects/powercords)
I've had the C10X for one day as new, so it's not really broken in yet - fyi. The M10X is 2 weeks old with limited use as well.
I did use the M10X with the Chord Dave as a Preamp/DAC just so I could use the M10X temporarily.
As soon as I connected the C10X to the system, WOW!!! No joking, this Preamp was an ENORMOUS improvement to the sound compared to the Chord Dave as Preamp/DAC.
I heard a level of CLARITY that I've never heard before.
The top end is crystal clear-I've never heard cymbals sound so real/metallic with realistic decay (I'm a drummer and cymbal accuracy/realism has always been something I've listed for). There is what I would consider to be an excellent airiness to the overall sound.
The mid range sounds very open with singers voices sounding very convincing and live. Drums, guitars, instruments have a realness that you immediately hear.
Low end sound is tight, accurate and not boomy. I'll still use a subwoofer but for folks that don't want a lot of bass it's probably good enough.
Two other things stand out as well:
1. Musicality----This C10X Preamp adds a musicality to ALL music that I've also never heard before. When I'm listening to music with the C10X I get drawn into the music, the song...it seems to portray music in a very cohesive way. You can turn off the analytical side of music listening if you wish. At the same time, the details are all there. I would say the level of detail is close to Soulution Audio gear (300 series) that I've heard in the past. (my ears my system)
2. Timbre and Tone-----this immediately jumped out and is part of the musicality. I feel that the timbre portrayed on different instruments seems very realistic. Whether it's a trumpet, electric guitar, tom tom, snare, violin-the tone is palpable well. It's not making me be overly critical of the tone-again giving the analytical side of listening a break. Believable would be a good word.
If the C10X continues to get better as it breaks in (again it's one day old)- I may have just reached as close to audio perfection as my ears could want!!!
There's a bit of a clean sheen on music that to my ears, is extremely appealing. It makes you just want to listen to the entire SONG rather than skip around to the next best audiophile quality recording.
I'm sure there is a synergistic effect between the M10X and C10X---however, I would suggest people audition the C10X with other amps as well. I did hear the M10X with Luxman CL-1000 Preamp and can say that the CL-1000 Preamp did not sound as clear, or clean. It had a warmer sound with edges/transients not as noticeable as with the C10X.
If the C10X does get better with time (again it's one day old), I may have just found as close to 'audio nirvana' for my tastes!!!
Associated Equipment:
Luxman M10X Amplifier
Chord Dave DAC
Aurender N200 Streamer
Magico S3 Mk II Speakers
(average speaker cables/interconnects/powercords)
I've had the C10X for one day as new, so it's not really broken in yet - fyi. The M10X is 2 weeks old with limited use as well.
I did use the M10X with the Chord Dave as a Preamp/DAC just so I could use the M10X temporarily.
As soon as I connected the C10X to the system, WOW!!! No joking, this Preamp was an ENORMOUS improvement to the sound compared to the Chord Dave as Preamp/DAC.
I heard a level of CLARITY that I've never heard before.
The top end is crystal clear-I've never heard cymbals sound so real/metallic with realistic decay (I'm a drummer and cymbal accuracy/realism has always been something I've listed for). There is what I would consider to be an excellent airiness to the overall sound.
The mid range sounds very open with singers voices sounding very convincing and live. Drums, guitars, instruments have a realness that you immediately hear.
Low end sound is tight, accurate and not boomy. I'll still use a subwoofer but for folks that don't want a lot of bass it's probably good enough.
Two other things stand out as well:
1. Musicality----This C10X Preamp adds a musicality to ALL music that I've also never heard before. When I'm listening to music with the C10X I get drawn into the music, the song...it seems to portray music in a very cohesive way. You can turn off the analytical side of music listening if you wish. At the same time, the details are all there. I would say the level of detail is close to Soulution Audio gear (300 series) that I've heard in the past. (my ears my system)
2. Timbre and Tone-----this immediately jumped out and is part of the musicality. I feel that the timbre portrayed on different instruments seems very realistic. Whether it's a trumpet, electric guitar, tom tom, snare, violin-the tone is palpable well. It's not making me be overly critical of the tone-again giving the analytical side of listening a break. Believable would be a good word.
If the C10X continues to get better as it breaks in (again it's one day old)- I may have just reached as close to audio perfection as my ears could want!!!
There's a bit of a clean sheen on music that to my ears, is extremely appealing. It makes you just want to listen to the entire SONG rather than skip around to the next best audiophile quality recording.
I'm sure there is a synergistic effect between the M10X and C10X---however, I would suggest people audition the C10X with other amps as well. I did hear the M10X with Luxman CL-1000 Preamp and can say that the CL-1000 Preamp did not sound as clear, or clean. It had a warmer sound with edges/transients not as noticeable as with the C10X.
If the C10X does get better with time (again it's one day old), I may have just found as close to 'audio nirvana' for my tastes!!!
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