Kinki EX-M1 215W x2 (8ohm) class A/B Luxman L-590AXii 30W x2 (8ohm) class A Song : Sukiyaki - instruments Artist : Lhin & Oletar Album : Memoir of Japanese Oldies
Kinki 0:37 Luxman 1:42 Toggle quickly between these two timestamps repeatedly playing each for about 4 seconds then switch again quickly. Compare the drum stick strikes on the dfferent tom-tom drum's rim or hoops (it sounds like a wood block), and the guitar plucks between the two. Also, there are 3 hand slaps onto the front sound board or body of the guitar (thump, thump, thump) during these timestamps. Listen to the difference in regards to the pitch or note of those hand slaps, the amount of detail, the midbass body/weight, and the transient attack and decay.
Well done…Tone depth, clarity, transients, decay and realism. It’s all the important stuff that both makes us a bit crazy, but much more rewarded for noticing. Yeah, the Luxman 👍🏼
In case this is helpful to anyone else: I was on fence about spending the extra money on Luxman when this Kinki seemed to have considerably better soundstaging and a delightfully smooth nature in this video. I found a great deal on the Luxman L-590ax II, so I went for it. Using the various DDF filters on my Wandla DAC paired with the voltage adjustments of its Hypsos power supply, I can 100 percent confirm I am getting the perceived soundstage I heard from the Kinki along with the meatier sound of the Luxman. And I am using the same speakers. This is not a very scientific take considering all of the variables, but I will say it is possible to get a relatively impressive soundstage out of this Luxman / MoFi pairing (since neither is known for wide soundstage), while not losing the other liquid, pinpoint imaging and meaty attributes they are known for.
I have the Luxman L-590AX MKII paired with Holo Audio May DAC KTE and Focal Sopra No1 speakers. I stream Tidal via Roon to Holo RED streamer. My rig makes the most beautiful music I've ever heard in the 40 years of being in the hobby. I honestly feel I've reached the pinicle of sound reproduction.
Hi, do you not have way too much bass into the Sopra 1s from the 590axII? Are you using the Focal foam bungs with the Sopras? Finally, would you mind sharing which speaker cables you're currently using? Many thanks.
The first thing you should have done was to point out the price difference between the two amplifiers, I believe the Luxman is 3 times the price of the Kinki, and it is a class A vs a class AB amplifier, so you are not only comparing at different price levels, but also different amp classes. the manufacturers of Kinki should be proud of themselves.
I watched this before and just came back and was thinking that Luxman makes some lovely gear but it has to be more $. And really wow, it is up there about $9k msrp. If anything though, it is nice to hear a difference, even through you tube. There are some that say all amps are the same at the same output as long as no distortion.
In my system, the Luxman sounded more sweet, the stage was comparable, the Kinky had a more natural, better timing at the bottom of the range. It all depends on what plays with what. And the price is in favor of Kinka.Ah sorry, I had akinki studio ex m1 plus.Kinki is revelation.
The Luxman definitely sounds better, and this was only a 30-watt amplifier. I hear the new Luxman L-507Z is an excellent match for Audiovector speakers!
Both are great....But even through here, can note the Luxman as way more full bodied, natural, coherent and non fatiguing. This all providing everything was properly volume matched. So now I want a Luxman. Thank you for posting this!
@@tongton853 Love all these equipment pairings and recordings. I wonder how the Kinki Choco amp would compare. Not as high in price class, but many say it gets into tonal nuance very well. Pairing dependent.
That’s the key, less fatiguing, so many times we are impressed with dynamic punch but can’t listen for more the an hour or so. I’ve had the Luxman now for 6 months and find even streaming sounds so much better to my ears. It took me months to find this unit, local dealer demo, 30% discount, after years of McIntosh gear this Luxman is my forever amplifier. 🥰
I'm a big fan of most Luxman's pieces. Sometimes when two good pieces are compared it comes down to the synergy they have with a given speaker . Sometimes it can be dramatic
Luxman sounds so much richer and fuller. Narrower soundstage but more depth at the same time. Amazed at how different the recording sounds. Was the volume matched carefully. Wondering if Luxman was not a bit louder? Thanks for the video
There are a couple of clicks at 0:12 and at 0:18 when listening to the Kinki Studio amp that distracts from the comparison when listening through my headphones, these should not be there as they take away from the Kinki's presentation. having said that, I prefer the $9,000 Luxman to the $2,400 Kinki's presentation, as a whole it feels more organic, but I do like the soundstage better by the Kinki and its base control. How about matching different speakers to enhance one amp's performance vs the other? I think the winner is Kinki for being compared to an amplifier that costs more than three times as much.
I will have to audition this Luxman. It has a lot to offer, including balance control, tone control, and tape loop. And all things considered it’s priced ok. To my very average ears this sounded nicer than the other amp. And Luxman would be easier to get serviced vs a Chinese amp. Just wish it had mid tone adjustment, and those tone controls could be adjusted on the remote. But that’s asking for a lot.
@@henriksrensen3220 You have a good ear but I know what he means. My Focal Electra 1008 BE’s are brighter with a more forward presentation. Paired with my Hegel H90, it’s a match made in sonic heaven.
its bcs they used to better sound, so 'cheaper' might seem bad, but actually not youll get there with upgrades, which is advisable, but str8 yolo top of the line also why not
Luxman is dark and has details. Funny the 595 moves a bit away from it and sounds more like the kinki but still with a dark tone just not as dark as the 590.
Yes, no doubt Luxman sounds better, but looking at the prices: Kinki Studio EX M1 $2,898 and Luxman L-590AXII $9,495, you understand that the comparison is not at all correct and there is no choice here, and given what I hear how good Luxman sounds, through the $1,300 amplifier, the question arises: what am I supposed to pay $9,495 for? 🤔
Luxman sounds like its set louder, possibly sounds a little more compressed than the Kinki but need to listen through a better system. Update, through a better system Luxman is defs louder an old sales trick. I thought the Kinki sounds more natural, relaxed and nuanced but having heard the Luxman in the flesh it sounds different to here
For this test, it is presented Luxman may be better to drive Audiovector, or class A is more suitable for Audiovector, but not means Luxman is better than Kinki.
Change the op amps in the Kinki ex-m1. The stock ones sound like garbage. I hated the thin sound. Upgraded to full staccato op amps . Night and day difference.
Kinki has wider and deeper soundstage. Very accurate and more truthful to its recording. Luxman on the other hand, feel like fuller sound but it's colored, somehow unnatural.
Kinki will indeed have less tendency to 'stamp' it's own sound on the music. This can be seen as both a good or a bad thing, depending on the quality of the recording and the character of other components, especially the speakers. Most people will like the Luxman sound, because it sounds warmer, more forgiving, which most will call 'musical'. That's fine I guess, and I guess Luxman is pretty good at 'stamping' it's own sound in a subtle way (compared to other less sophisticated consumer products). Kinki has a different concept - it will just amplify - and with it easily draw out flaws in the recording and the rest of the chain.
@@alphaniner3770 Good summary, it is a matter of taste really (and also matching speakers to amps). Don't forget you can roll opamps in the M1/M1+ to have even more clarity or just more color
Were they set to the same loudness volume? Anyway... it is Luxman for me, 1'12 somewhat bigger soundstage, 1'28 the nylon strings sound fuller and in 1'34 the drum sounds more holographic and defined to me. Just my 2 cents listening from a pair of good btooth headphones i.e. AKG n700 mk2
Ok, I compared with the original track and both amps sound very bad, the Luxman yes better overall but louder and stereo image is not close compared to original track. Now, I presume you recorded this with your phone's integrated microphones ? If yes, it's like discribing the colors of a landscape when wearing sunglasses ;-)
In the UK, the Luxman is 3 times the price. Is this a fair and balanced comparison? Probably not! *Xavian Premio Esclusivo Pass Labs XP 12 Bryston 4B SST3 Yamaha A S2200* Having said that, I've just heard this near £4,000 Yamaha integrated, hold its own against Pass Lass/Bryston pre/power costing around 4 times the price ... so it is possible … just not for Kinki
Thank you for this comparison. Can you also share your opinion about both amps? I was thinking to move to L-590axII or ex-7m and Denafrips preamp for my Vivid B1's. Currently using Devialet 120.
Sorry but you can't compare two amps on RU-vid. The sound quality depends on a number of factors , the sound processing done by RU-vid, our own equipment, the listening environment...It's difficult to appreciate the most subtle details of your equipment.
Luxman for me as well, even if the price for the Kinki is around €2900 while for the Luxman is €8900😬 The difference between the 2 is not justified by such a great amount of money!
Well Luxman ofc but it’s way way more $$$ than the Kinki and only puts out a mere 30W vs 225W Kinki , so unless your spkrs r above 90dB , it’s not going to sound great. You can also buy a Willsenton R800i 50W class A with PSVane rolled tubes might b a better comparison which also costs less $ ( 1/2 )
@@tongton853 I’m very happy with it , but you need upgrade the tubes which can cost more than the amp , but still it’s a SET class A amp with exceptional detail , musicality and control. Ofc the associated equipment is also important. I have the Eversolo A6 Master E as streamer into an Iris DDC n Pontus 2 DAC.
I think I’d prefer to watch a blind man compare an IPS panel with a VA panel! I can never comprehend the futility of an audio comparison over the compressed algorithms of RU-vid listen to on a 3rd party device.
I’m listening on my HD6XX, the Luxman sounded too full body and too warm, bass not well controlled. Do you think it was contributed by the room acoustic?
thank you for your comment,.. yes, i think room acoustic plays big part of it... i've been trying to improve the bass but didn't find the best solution so far.. any suggestion?
