Luxman R-113 Review

RuSsMaN

Circa 1993 give or take, 35 wrms/ch integrated receiver. Other models in the line, R-115 (50 wrms/ch), R-117(70 wrms/ch).

WOW. If your needs call for an audiophile-grade stereo receiver, PICK ONE UP!!!!

They had THIS???? in 93????

After opening the well-packed double-box from Tony Rome, my initial impressions are as follows:

1. Black, all black finish, nice, clean, well laid out.

2. HUGE binding posts for 4-speaker hookup. Takes anything, bananas, spades, bare wire....name it, it'll handle it.

3. Transformer the size of my fist along with monster heat sinks.

Features to take note of. (Outside of the usual bells & whistles):

1. 2 tape monitors.

2. Subsonic filter.

3. Pre-in/outs for system flexibility/upgrades.

4. Switchable impedance.

5. CD Direct function (not sure what this is yet, but its gotta be cool)

Listening evaluation:

Other equipment used:

AMC CD8B DAC CD Player, Audioquest Sidewinder Interconnects, 10 awg lamp cord spade terminated, Polk R10 and B&W 303 speakers. (Entry level bookshelves from the US and GB) Sanus 24" Basic Foundations stands. 12'x12' room, acoustically treated on all walls/ceiling.

Granted, I have had a couple, uh six packs, but here goes. Talk about flat, if I wasn't schnockered, I would swear I was listening to separates. Is that BASS I hear??? Low, I mean LOW end extension from small bookshelves??? (everything FLAT on the rec. - no loudness, nothing....)

This thing brings back memories of the way receivers USED to be built. Thoughts of Marantz 22xx series, or the mid 80's NAD power envelope series.....

Listening to everything from Alice In Chains to Vivaldi, this unit came through, and with flying colors. I do notice a slight, ever so slight, coloration in the upper mid-range on some vocals and horns, but if it is truly there, it makes it only sound better. This is hard to tell, I will do some more listening with Thiel .5's this weekend (about the absolute flattest speaker I have access to). Anyone familiar with B&W will recognize this 'tilt' in the upper mids.....

The R10's sound TOTALLY different compared to both my Onkyo SV-454 and Yamaha RX-V390. I am talking night and day here brothas. Everything seems so much fuller, or richer, if you will. Once again, are my ears deceiving me? Is this really a RECEIVER?????

All I can say, if you find one, GET IT. I could not be more pleased. This is a unit that once you get a demo from, you want to go home and sell your gear to get one....(comparable gear that is).

Props to Mr. Grand for once again providing unprecedented value for a fellow in need. My hat is off to you sir.

Cheers,
Russ

PS. For the record, 'made in Japan'

George Grand

The CD direct function bypasses tone controls and all the other pre-amp functions except for volume control.

Yes they had that in 1993. Actually, my daughter had it in '93. At 8 yrs old, I don't think she appreciated it's qualities as you do today. Can you imagine what the more powerful ones will do?

I take it you are happy with this transaction? Put your hat back on. I told you I thought I got the better of the deal when we traded your KLH 17's for my Polk M-3's. I wanted to set it straight. There you are.

George Tony (of the Jersey Rome's)

Nice to make someone happy. Seems like I'm going to get beat up someplace else on this Forum though, although I am hard pressed to see why. Somebody's imagination running away with them again. Oh well, "You can't make EVERYBODY happy".

TroyD

I concur, George is the MAN. Wendi says so. She also says that she will deal sternly with anyone who mistreats Senor Grande.

That sounds like a very cool reciever...I too, am fond of the Marantz 22 series (courtesy of George). The other day I stopped in to the only decent hifi shop in town. He is pretty much a big believer in Marantz power. He has a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 60's hooked up to a pair of Marantz mono blocks. VERY cool.

Good on ya Russ!

Troy

eugenewasserman

Anybody know how well a Luxman R-115 can handle a 6 ohm load? It doesn't have switchable impedance, and in the rear of the receiver it says to use in conjunction with 8~16 ohm speakers. I gather its kind of powerful. I get room filling sound at 9 o'clock on the volumte dial. I don't think I've ever turned it up above 12 o'clock. Think I'll be safe?
appreciate it...

George Grand

That shouldn't be any problem at all.

hearingimpared

George Grand wrote:

Nice to make someone happy. Seems like I'm going to get beat up someplace else on this Forum though, although I am hard pressed to see why. Somebody's imagination running away with them again. Oh well, "You can't make EVERYBODY happy".

Take heart GG, when we (Antny, Billy, & me) were at pearsall001's house Friday night we had nothing but good fun things to say about you. . . by the way when are you going to come and join us. I promise we will not be meeting in Philly. LOL:D

PS: My favorite GG saying; "Hey Sniffles." LOL that one cracked me up!!!

shack

Of course he said that 5 1/2 years ago. Still feel that way today George?

hearingimpared

shack wrote:

Of course he said that 5 1/2 years ago. Still feel that way today George?

I wasn't around 5 1/2 years ago . . . I was referring to this thread inwhich George had me rolling on the floor, laughing my ever lovin butt off with his replies to the A-hole who posted the thread.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=526404&postcount=58

audiobliss

hearingimpared wrote:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=526404&postcount=58

Oooh, I think I remember that. That was funny!!! :P

hearingimpared

We should start a new thread call: FUNNIEST GEORGE GRANDISMS We could all post the funniest things we think George has said.

steveinaz

shack wrote:

Of course he said that 5 1/2 years ago. Still feel that way today George?

You beat me to it Shack-master...

cfrizz

Classic George! Even when he is deservedly chopping someone into little pieces he is funny as hell about it!

heiney9

I sold Luxman right around that time and the larger R-115 & R-117 were very popular units. Luxman had quite a rep back then as being at the top of mid-fi pack. Nak and Luxman made outstanding receivers in the day so I'm not suprised. It's one of those little audio gems either forgotten or never known.

My next computer/office rig might be that generation Luxman rec or integrated. I have always also been intrigued by the LV-105 and LV-107 integrated with the tube front end. They are pricey to fix these days so I've stayed away from them, but always thought they looked cool and had a good idea going there.

Rock on

H9

nadams

I have a Luxman R-113, that I got from Russ... possibly the same one he praised all those years ago!

heiney9

Dammit.......:mad: . I hate when I reply to an old thread. My thoughts are the same, but dammit...........who keeps bringing back these old threads.

Ok....I'm done. Luxman makes a nice piece.

nadams

heiney9 wrote:

but dammit...........who keeps bringing back these old threads.

Mostly new folks, who I'm sure are getting here via Google searches and the like.

amulford

heiney9 wrote:

Dammit.......:mad: . I hate when I reply to an old thread. My thoughts are the same, but dammit...........who keeps bringing back these old threads.

Ok....I'm done. Luxman makes a nice piece.

Look at post #4...

Yes they do. I've got a tubed CDP that does a REAL nice job...

heiney9

Nadams was kind enough to Karma this item to me for no cost whatsoever. Keeping the piece in the family so to speak. Eventually I'll move it along the same way.

See thread

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49457

nadams

did it arrive, then?

heiney9

nadams wrote:

did it arrive, then?

Yep, you have a PM

nadams

Glad to hear it made it safe and sound... enjoy!

audiobliss

Sweet! Great karma, nadams!