New Here - Tube Receiver Question (Luxman Brid)

[Bruce]

Hi folks - I just found this forum, and it seems like an excellent place to ask a question I've had for some time.

Some background:
About 20-25odd years ago, while Active Duty (Military), I became a Chief Hanger-On at an Audiophile store and learned a LOT (I actually once demo'd & sold a B&O system to a customer one day when the shop was real busy).
At the time, I fell in love with (then new) Klipsch Forte's, which the store carried, and quickly bought a set (1st Gen).
Way back then I also had some top-line Harman-Kardon equipment & belt-drive turntable with a high-end sapphire cartridge, and a few other long-forgotten esoteric pieces.
The system sounded sweet, and the HK put out HUGE power which the Forte's turned into MASSIVE (yet sweet) music.

In my travels since then, I was forced to part with the HK & other stuff, but managed to keep the Forte's.

Nowadays I have a mediocre mid-range Sony 5.1 Home Theater receiver & 300 CD "jukebox".
It's nowhere near as nice to listen to as my old gear, and I want to replace it with a nice, but economical setup (very limited budget).

I remember back in those days (early-mid 80's) that the shop carried the Luxman LV-105 "Brid" receiver (tube front end), which I mated to a demo set of Forte's, and thought it really brought out the best in the Klipsches.

I've kicked myself ever since for not getting the Brid.

My questions:

1) Anyone know where I might be able to find an LV-105 in decent condition?
I've done several internet searches, as well as eBay & a couple of audio auction sites with no luck.

2) Anyone know of anything similar for a reasonable price?
I'd prefer:
- Tube output
- 50 or so watts/ch (The Forte's are 98db efficiency - don't need a whole lot of power, but the more the better).
- Receiver, or a combo amp with a matching tuner.

3) At one point I also had a 1st generation Carver Receiver & 1st gen Carver CD player which also seemed a good match with the Forte's, so I'd also consider a good deal on better Carver pieces, or something similar.

4) Your knowledgeable & considered opinions & suggestions to once again achieve audio near-nirvana, on a tight budget, with the Forte's.



Thanks in advance for any assistance!
Bruce

ps - My Sony pieces are FOR SALE the moment they're replaced with better stuff.

 

[jaxvon]

Welcome!

First off, I apologize for having absolutely NO knowledge of the Luxman. But I do know how awesome vintage gear is.

Have you checked out Audiogon for it? I assume you have. But if you can't find that piece, you can always find some other great vintage stuff on there.

What exactly is your budget for some new stuff?

I think you might want to consider this integrated amp from AV123.


Here's an older Carver tuner for sale, at a good price too:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misctunr&1126294570

There's lots of other great stuff on Audiogon too...just gotta look.

 

[JoeE SP9]

If you like and want tubes you might want to look at Jolida integrated amps. They make a full line of tube based equipment. One of my buddies has a Jolida integreted tube amp and another has a Jolida CD player with tube output stage. I have been favorably impressed with both devices. If they make a receiver, I am unaware of it. Of course you could always add a vintage tuner to one of their integrated amps.Their prices are in the reasonable area. Not Japanese receiver reasonable but not Audio Research money either.

 

[Xsound]

I sold audio equipment in the mid 80s. I practically forced my mother to buy the lv105. She was convinced at first that she would never use it, nor could she tell the difference. Within a month after I set it up for her, she told me that she never turned the musci off and couldn't believe how much difference her new stereo made. She loved it! I still love it. It's a great piece. Every once in awhile you can find one for sale in some places, I believe I have seen one or 2 on audiogon.

good luck finding it and I hope you enjoy whatever you get.
X

 

[Bruce]

Thanks for the feedback (no pun intended ) everyone!
Sorry to take so long to reply; I just started a new job and I've been swamped from the start - Finally able to breathe!

jaxvon - I had checked out the Audiogon site previously (no luck), and I also checked out the AV123 info.
The AV123 looks like very nice stuff, and undoubtedly beautiful sound, but they sure are proud of them... (read: spendy).
Too much $$ for my budget.

As it turns out, my budget will be nonexistant (for the forseeable future) due to unforseen circumstances.

JoeE - The Jolida stuff also looks sweet (the 1704RC would be perfect!), but also likely too much dinero for the time being.

Xsound - Glad to hear that someone else knows of the Brid/LV105, and it wasn't just some frigment of my imagination!

Alas, I guess I'll just have to put that particular wish on the back burner again for a while...
(hopefully not 20-odd years again this time!)

Thanks again everyone for the responses.

Hey - If anyone ever hears about a nice LV105 or other similar integrated hybrid amp (tube/MOSFET), I'd appreciate y'all letting me know about it (PM me here; I'll check back occasionally).
I just might be able to swing it (soon) if it's a really good deal.

Bruce

 

[musician7w]

Lv-105

I have an LV-105 that I am putting up for sale.

I am in the Toronto Ontario area.

regards, Wally


musician7w@yahoo.com

 

[Henri]

Looking for a Luxman

I have a Luxman LV-104 tube amp that has been sitting in storage for the past 2 years while we are renovating the house. I thought I would use the amp in my office but now it won't work because we are installing a complete multi-room sound system with key pad controls. The amp is in very good condition and work great. I really don't want to part with it but there is no sense letting it sit in the basement doing nothing. If you would be interested get back to me. email hgummesen@telus.net

 

[gladiator335]

Luxman gear

Hi,

I have Luxman set for sale. LV103 amp, D100 CD player and T100 tuner. All in good condition.
Drop me a line if interested.

 

[Ron_Phelps]

LV-105 For Sale

I have a Luxman LV-105 in excellent condition for sale on Audiogon otherwise just e-mail me ronphelps@alltel.net

thx

Ron

 

[Bruce]

Holy resurrected thread Batman!!

Yeah, I know it's been a LONG time, but I haven't forgotten everyone's kind responses and input.
Thanks!

Life has taken a few odd turns for me and whatever minimal budget I had for such an extravagance as extra stereo equipment had to go towards higher priorities.
But, I still want a Brid!

I had also forgotten my Audioholics Login & Password, and indeed even the name of this forum (Audioholics...), I'm sorry to say.

Lo and Behold, upon entering another Google search for "Luxman Brid", my very own thread was one of the first entries to pop up!
So I'm back!

Wally & Ron,
I may still be interested in your LV 105's if they are still available.
Are your 105's "u" designation?

I would actually prefer an LV 107u if anyone knows of one, and a D 107u CD Player to go with it.
(or something similar and similarly priced)

Thanks!
Bruce

 

[gretz]

luxman lv-105

350.00 for the luxman

 

[Zaxdad]

lv105

I have one I haven't opened since moving from California 2.5 years ago. Also have a d103 which was their transport. Used it with a
California audio labs delta 2. PM if your interested. Also I'm trying to get the feel for the resale value of an Onkyo TX-SR702 if anyone has an idea.

Zaxdad

 

[highfihoney]

Call me old fashoned & maybe a little on the paranoid side but does it seem strange to anybody else that this thread drew a bunch of responses from noob posters with the exact gear this guy's looking for,what are the odds of that.

Buyer beware.

 

[Zaxdad]

I can take pics if need be. I worked for a Luxman dealer in the SF bay area for 15 years in the 80s and 90s. Luxman was known for wonderful employee accommodation sales.

Zaxdad

 

[Bruce]

Call me old fashoned & maybe a little on the paranoid side but does it seem strange to anybody else that this thread drew a bunch of responses from noob posters with the exact gear this guy's looking for,what are the odds of that.

Buyer beware.

Duly noted.
Thanks!
B

 

[Bruce]

I can take pics if need be. I worked for a Luxman dealer in the SF bay area for 15 years in the 80s and 90s. Luxman was known for wonderful employee accommodation sales.

Zaxdad

Zax - Please check your PM's.

B

 

[symons wj]

Hi,

I have Luxman set for sale. LV103 amp, D100 CD player and T100 tuner. All in good condition.
Drop me a line if interested.

Good Morning
I wish to buy your amp what is the price and general overall condition of the unit?
Thanks for yor time
John

 

[Bruce]

Update

An Update:

After an ongoing PM & Email discussion with Zaxdad, it turns out that we may have crossed paths some years ago.

It turns out he was a Sales Rep for a number of high-end audio brands carried by the store where I was Chief Hanger-On (Paradyme, Sacramento, CA) at about the same time period.

During the course of my patronage at Paradyme I once had occasion to assist "real customers" one day when the sore was extremely busy.
I was largely responsible for the successful Sale of a Bang & Olufsen 5000 complete System, one of the companies he Rep'd.
I Demo'd, explained, and provided technical info, and the Sale was Closed by one of the actual employees (I was spiffed a 20ft set of Monster Cable Powerline 4 speaker cables at the time).
It seems I may have inadvertently sold one of his products for him...

So, we agreed on a very fair price for his LV-105u.
(Thanks Howard!)
It will be cherished (& gently exercised) for many years.

It would appear my long awaited dream is soon coming true!

For now, I plan to use it as my primary amp/preamp, running the Sony Receiver Pre-Out/Main-In to input its Tuner section into the Luxman, and using the Sony 300 CD unit until I can find a nice sounding single-disc CD Player.

Now, where can I find a matching Lux D-105u CD Player...??
I'm also on the hunt for a matching Tuner.

I'll give another Update after I get it set up and listen to all my favorites.

Bruce

 

[xcb5]

sorry, I don't mean to practice bad forum etiquette and highjack your thread but this is the only remotely active Luxman 105u thread I could find. So I was digging around the basement of my parents house and I came across my father's old stereo. He was rockin an old Luxman 105u he bought when I was a kid. Didn't know that he was that cool!

So far the amp sounds amazing and its paired with a set of KEF C80 speakers which are still in pretty good condition. The only problem is that the Balance knob is broken (you can keep turning it in both directions and doesn't stop or do anything) and the Bass/Treble knobs dont seem to work (or I've become severely tone def ).

Anyway, since I'm a complete n00b when it comes to audio stuff... Is this something a local a/v or electronics shop can take care of or should I just leave it alone? Is it possible/reasonable to get this thing cleaned and tuned up? Any other thoughts?

I really appreciate the help and thanks in advance.

Anthony

 

[Stuart Blair]

Holy resurrected thread Batman!!

Yeah, I know it's been a LONG time, but I haven't forgotten everyone's kind responses and input.
Thanks!

Life has taken a few odd turns for me and whatever minimal budget I had for such an extravagance as extra stereo equipment had to go towards higher priorities.
But, I still want a Brid!

I had also forgotten my Audioholics Login & Password, and indeed even the name of this forum (Audioholics...), I'm sorry to say.

Lo and Behold, upon entering another Google search for "Luxman Brid", my very own thread was one of the first entries to pop up!
So I'm back!

Wally & Ron,
I may still be interested in your LV 105's if they are still available.
Are your 105's "u" designation?

I would actually prefer an LV 107u if anyone knows of one, and a D 107u CD Player to go with it.
(or something similar and similarly priced)

Thanks!
Bruce

Did you get the holy grail of the Hybrid series...the lv-105u? I want it too but it's like trying to spot Big Foot. And if you do find o e if the price of a small house in the south pacific. Lol.
ANYWAY how did it go..
I have one down ...the lv105u, aND a d-103u and 2 lv105's. A pair of Lx105, a t-105,


Stu