Feeler: Luxman R-117 Receiver and matching CD Player.

billbillw

OK, I'm contemplating this. I've had this somewhat legendary 'monster receiver" since about 2009 and its been boxed up mostly. I had plans for it. I got it, tested it really good, cleaned inside/out, deoxit on controls, etc. Listened to it here and there as I sold other equipment and had voids that a receiver could fill. But by and large, I haven't used it now in 2+ years. I was saving it for another system (to power a pair of LSI-9 or Vandy 2C perhaps), but I just don't see that happening.

This receiver was modestly rated at 160W/ch but Luxman used a special circuit to boost power when needed (much like NAD), so it made gobs of on demand power. I think a reviewer tested back in the 80s and found it to make more than 250w/ch before clipping and more than that into 4ohms. It is a 4ohm capable receiver. It also has a top of the line digital tuner that was based almost entirely on the vaunted T-117 4-gang tuner. This was a top of the line receiver in the mid/late 1980s. I had a copy of the review somewhere, I'll try to dig it up. Many of the guys at Audiokarma believe this is one of the best sounding receivers of all time. I don't have much to compare it against (with respect to vintage receivers), but it did hold its own to my vastly more expensive separates (Parasound A21 with various preamps)

Its boxed up now, but if there is interest, I'll get it out and take photos. From my recollection, my unit is pretty much mint. I bought it from the original owner who was very anal about his gear. Unfortunately, the remote was not available, however, I have had no problem using my Harmony remote to control it.

This is a pretty rare beast, and I'm not going to give it away. If anyone is interested at $400+shipping , I also have the matching mid-80s Luxman single disc CD player that I'll throw in for free. It needs the belts replaced, but it still reads disks just fine and I believe it had coax output so you can run it as a transport for a DAC.

billbillw

I found the review for this beast. Makes me question selling it. Perhaps I should keep it and ditch my separates
This thing was hitting more than 800w in dynamic power!


luxman R-117 Review.pdf

billbillw

I couldn't resist pulling this beauty out of storage. I took it out last night, hooked it up, and enjoyed some tunes for a few hours. It was just as pretty as I remembered. Not much as far a cosmetic flaws. A slight rub on the edge of the bass knob, a few tiny edge marks on the front panel (the kind that can easily be concealed with a black sharpie). Operationally flawless. Tuner pulls them in with a simple 1/2 wave dipole, background noise is virtually non-existent, even when cranking the volume past 12 o'clock (which is way louder than you will ever want to listen most sources). The CD Player is the DZ-111, which was not their top model at the time, but it does have digital coax out. I listened to one disc through the 111's outputs and it was pretty laid back. Not nearly as detailed as my Pioneer Elite D9 (which is a modern SACD/Upscaling player), but a nice mellow sound. I sourced a belt for the player and plan to change it out when it arrives.

George Grand

I had a -115 here for awhile, the middle brother. Come to think of it I had a -113 here for the longest time too, the littlest brother It was in Stephie and Tiff's bedroom for a while, polishing up the audio on Disney and Little Rascal video's. First 35wpc receiver I ever saw with a huge toroidal transformer. I shipped the -113 to Russman Gates, and Ed Savignon did a midnight, no-notice, hospitality check for the -115. It might've been 11PM not midnight.

Bill is offering up a special deal in my opinion, and he is not mistaken about the performance of these products. The -117 is almost twice the rated power of the -115, and I was pretty impressed with the -115's ability! I would be all over this if I didn't have a small collection myself. If a local P/U was possible it would be the icing on the buyer's cake.

mshan242700

I remember reading that this receiver is supposed to be very good budget amplification for Magneplanar 1.6.

Photos seem to indicate this particular Luxman is in really great shape, too.

Good luck with the sale!

billbillw

Might have to hold on to it for a while now. My 6 month old Yamaha Aventage seems to have a bad HDMI out (since the storms last night...) Might need to use the Lux for a bit until I get the Yamie back from service. Funny, but we didn't even have a power outage, the whole system was off, and I've got surge protection on everything. Damn sensitive HDMI connections.

vstarkwell

I had a R-115 connected to a pair of 5jr's and loved it, they've since left the nest. I currently have minty fully serviced Luxman R-1070 using the pre-outs into an equally minty Luxman M-2000 connected to my 7C's. Loves me some Luxman, here's hoping you hold onto yours if not best of luck with the sale and that's a fair price.

billbillw

Replaced the belt on the CD the other night. Works perfect now. $375+shipping for this nice Luxman combo?

billbillw

BTW, local pickup is definitely possible. Polkies are always welcome to audition, etc. I am about 20 minutes straight west of the Marietta square.

schwarcw

Bump for a good Polkie, buy with confidence from Bill!

billbillw

Also wanted to mention, I will include a pretty nice universal remote with this package. It will be setup to control the receiver and CD player (and of course, you can program it to control any other gear you want). Should sweeten things and lessen the fact that I don't have the original remotes.

billbillw

A bump for this pair of semi-vintage Luxman beauties.

ZLTFUL

Any interest in trades Bill?

billbillw

ZLTFUL wrote: »

Any interest in trades Bill?

Probably not, but tell me what you had in mind via PM.

ZLTFUL

Sorry...didn't mean for me specifically, but more in general to see if there was something to get this beast of a receiver back out into the world.

billbillw

Bump. Got my Yamaha AVR back from service and its back in place. I enjoyed the Luxman for the last few weeks, but its time for it to find a permanent home. I have it working fine with a URC-R7 remote that will be included.

billbillw

I still have this pair. Any one interested? Don't be afraid to make offers. This gear is just sitting collecting dust now that I have my AVR back.

mopar paul

I remember being in my teens when this stuff came out & was in love with it, the sound was great. The place that sold it here also sold Polk SDA stuff & often had them paired. That started my obsession for sure.
If I didn't have a room full of old stuff I would take this off your hands. Anyone wanting some great 80's stuff should jump on this.

stretchl

Wonder how this would work as a pre for a GFA 555ii ?

pitdogg2

I bet it would hold its own against the Adcom you might just end up selling that Adcom

billbillw

stretchl wrote: »

Wonder how this would work as a pre for a GFA 555ii ?

It would be a waste to use it as a pre-only. It has a 'monster' amp section, at nearly 300wpc into 4 ohms (at low rated distortion), its no slouch. Might not handle the really heavy loads as well as the 555ii, but for most speakers under normal listening, it would be more than sufficient.

If you haven't read it, be sure to read the review PDF file that is attached to Post #2.

stretchl

I was really posting pretty much in jest. I bought a 115 in 1987 and used it as a primary until I bought the Adcom a year or so ago. Now I use the 115 as a pre with the Adcom as an occasional SS alternate to my Yaqin MC-10t.

I actually think the 115/Adcom combo sounds a bit harsh on the high end compared to the Yaqin. I think I might should get the 115 recapped. It's never been in for service and we have a really good shop here in town.

pitdogg2

yes there are more than one in your area know it well. I often go to Glen Poor's and Good Vibes

billbillw

Still have this combo collecting dust. Offers? Might just box it up again if nobody wants it.

CLPolk

Any idea what shipping would be to 17754?

billbillw

Looks like I probably have a pending sale on this.

CLPolk, Sorry, but someone made an offer before you posted. I'll let you know if the other deal I have falls through for some reason. BTW, I'd expect shipping to be ~$50.

billbillw

OK, officially sold. Thanks Dan.

Conradicles

Great deal!

SDA1C

Right on! I am anxious to get the 5jr+ in the mix. Most likely be paired with a 1360 Technics TT. Gonna be a sweet office rig to be sure.

SDA1C

Thanks Bill! This thing sounds fantastic and looks like it just came out of the box. Much Appreciated!