I got the L-505Z and its absolutely stunning! Voice is so organic, musical, warm and I am enjoying my music again, so much. They have done such a good job with the new LIFES circuit.
I had the 509X (which i very sadly had to give up due to personal circumstances change), and it was simply one of the greatest bits of equipment I've ever owned. Combined with Harbeth SHL5+ it was probably one of the most "complete" sounding systems I've ever owned, and I wouldn't hesitate to have it again. I'm keen to hear a Z and see how it differs from the X, as i can't imagine ther being much more to extract from the last model. X's can be had for good money, and the phono stage is identical.
Ed great review, worry not, you're definitely getting the hang of this. I think the concept of "is it worth it?" when it comes to Hi Fi, is a wholly subjective thing. Basically if you can afford it and you like what it does, then it's worth it. I also think there is a definite place for all analog designs such as this, which aren't about practicality or value for money, whatever that is. Basically you can plug anything you want into it and the kind of people that can afford this kind of thing, will spend a commensurate amount on sources. Anyway, it isn't about how many people will buy this, who doesn't love abit of unobtainable Hi Fi porn?
Considering what true high end, monobloc setups cost, with dac, interconnects, and speaker wires and isolation, this is an absolute bargain imo, if one does not want a valve preamp. Considering you do away with the need for a separate headphone amp even. All one needs is a good DAC over XLR balanced
I'm interested in the av racks on display. Certainly the Mac or a Luxman would need more room around it than what you are showing. I know it's a silly point. It looks great and provides the right image. I wonder why av racks I often see in these videos are not ventilated shelves? I'm just curious why that hasn't really been a thing, especially as I observe that the heat building up under amps that are class A and some that are class AB, really adds to the heat being generated by such amps, generally, often. Are ventilated shelves generally thought unnecessary? Probably the dumbest question yet. So, my apologies. I love your content, by the way.
Same here---wonder why they decided to remove it? My 505uxii has the monitor function and I use it with my vintage Denon cassette deck. Sounds great! The 509X had it.
Nice review Ed. My time with the X version gave me much pleasure. With mainly a single source in a streamer and using the bypass feature for AV I had too little excuse to use the wonderful controls. Occasionally I would turn a knob just for the hell of it. If I had taken more to the turntables I tried, I'd still have it.
No digital inputs? No ARC, HDMI or digital output? Get real. That would not work for me. I could care less about the phono stage. Not even Bluetooth for a quick connection. Well over half my listening is with video content. Except for a rare recording I don’t understand why anyone would want to listen to a sub par recording (mostly) on a warped, dusty, or scratched piece of vinyl. Modern digital > most 33s, off center 45s or 78 monos.
I got the L-505Z and its absolutely stunning! Voice is so organic, musical, warm and I am enjoying my music again, so much. They have done such a good job with the new LIFES circuit.
Amazing performance from this amp coupled with all the features. Great improvement over predecessors. It is here to stay for this and next decade
Great video! Greetings from Germany from an ex-pat. I myself cannot afford 11 grand, but I've got the L505 UX MKII and it's great!
I have this amplifier, paired with B&W 802D. Absolutely stunning.
I had the 509X (which i very sadly had to give up due to personal circumstances change), and it was simply one of the greatest bits of equipment I've ever owned. Combined with Harbeth SHL5+ it was probably one of the most "complete" sounding systems I've ever owned, and I wouldn't hesitate to have it again. I'm keen to hear a Z and see how it differs from the X, as i can't imagine ther being much more to extract from the last model. X's can be had for good money, and the phono stage is identical.
Any experience how this compares to the L-505/507z and the Hegel H400/600?
Thanks for the nice video
Ed great review, worry not, you're definitely getting the hang of this. I think the concept of "is it worth it?" when it comes to Hi Fi, is a wholly subjective thing. Basically if you can afford it and you like what it does, then it's worth it. I also think there is a definite place for all analog designs such as this, which aren't about practicality or value for money, whatever that is. Basically you can plug anything you want into it and the kind of people that can afford this kind of thing, will spend a commensurate amount on sources. Anyway, it isn't about how many people will buy this, who doesn't love abit of unobtainable Hi Fi porn?
Considering what true high end, monobloc setups cost, with dac, interconnects, and speaker wires and isolation, this is an absolute bargain imo, if one does not want a valve preamp. Considering you do away with the need for a separate headphone amp even. All one needs is a good DAC over XLR balanced
Love these videos, keep them coming
More to come!
Thanks Ed.
I'm interested in the av racks on display. Certainly the Mac or a Luxman would need more room around it than what you are showing. I know it's a silly point. It looks great and provides the right image. I wonder why av racks I often see in these videos are not ventilated shelves? I'm just curious why that hasn't really been a thing, especially as I observe that the heat building up under amps that are class A and some that are class AB, really adds to the heat being generated by such amps, generally, often. Are ventilated shelves generally thought unnecessary? Probably the dumbest question yet. So, my apologies. I love your content, by the way.
That's a stunning statement piece of HiFi heaven
Don't think Mac build quality is as good as Luxman these days Nice video
It’s not. That’s not presumption, it’s fact.
No measurements. No room treatment.👏🏻
and 10000 over priced
Great review 👍🏻
Thanks! 👍
Beautiful piece. However, no tape loop is a deal breaker
Same here---wonder why they decided to remove it? My 505uxii has the monitor function and I use it with my vintage Denon cassette deck. Sounds great! The 509X had it.
I bought one and I love it..
When I got the money, I will buy one
Did you use the rca or xlr.
Would this unit play well with a Hanna Red cart
Where are the comparisons… ? No use of reading out specs .. see Tarun how he does review ..
is this class a or ab?
Good looking and plenty powerful amp, but not worth $11K...
Hmmm... looks a lot like something i had in champagne colour in the 80's...
how about reviewing some kit more than 5 people are going to buy....
You mean, like we did three days ago?
@@edselley2319 you're quite right of course, at least 10 people will be buying dedicated audio streamers this year.
Looks like a stunner, but the price, ouch,
Nice review Ed. My time with the X version gave me much pleasure. With mainly a single source in a streamer and using the bypass feature for AV I had too little excuse to use the wonderful controls. Occasionally I would turn a knob just for the hell of it. If I had taken more to the turntables I tried, I'd still have it.
Vintage appeal 😮
theres no way any amp worth that such amount ofmoney!Ridiculous prices for this amps with 40 y ago topology.
What is your experience that you base your opinion on?
I second you on that. No matter how good the amp this is just too ridiculous of a price
@@jm-vq4cm for an old topology like this one ,yes,is just too much
Topping make better performance amplifiers.
@@r423fplip topping are garbage like MG cars
No digital inputs? No ARC, HDMI or digital output? Get real. That would not work for me. I could care less about the phono stage. Not even Bluetooth for a quick connection. Well over half my listening is with video content. Except for a rare recording I don’t understand why anyone would want to listen to a sub par recording (mostly) on a warped, dusty, or scratched piece of vinyl. Modern digital > most 33s, off center 45s or 78 monos.
For you only vacuum cleaner would work.