Luxman L-81

Solid State Intergrated Amplifier

A tremendous amount of time and energy was spent to achieve excellent tonal quality through unique and innovative circuit design. That combined with sophisicated styling makes these units beautiful to the ear and eye.

The power amplifier section is a whole-stage direct-coupled OCL system and the output stage is pure complementary. The differential amplifier circuit is composed of 2 stages to ensure DC stability throughout the entire power amplifier section.

Selected transistors are used especially at the 1st differential stage which have high treble cut-off frequency and large collector output capacity. At the same time, the pre-driver stage is driven by constant current so that crossover distortion triggered by class "B" operation of the output stage is suppressed. This is a technical feature common to all current Luc amplifiers as crossover distortion could impair sound quality and should be minimized.

An important feature of the pre-amplifier section is the equalizer circuit wherein the same basic circuit as the C-1000 control center is used. The operation amplifier is composed of a special IC which inherently has high loop gain and the closest frequency to that of the RIAA equalizer,, which ensures unconditional stability and overall improvement of various characteristics such as distortion, etc, throughout the entire bandwidth with sufficient amount of negative feedback.

The buffer amplifiers incorporate an orthodox 2-stage direct-coupled circuit and also LUX's well known NF (Negative Feedback) type potentiometers for the tone controls. The turn-over (roll-off) frequency for tone control is interchangeable in 2 steps with a useful "defeat" position.

We know the true measurements of minimum performance standards of a quality amplifier must be of a very high level. However, these figures are not the only requirements.

Despite every effort to make amplifier design a pure science one amplifier among many with similar absolute specification can still have, relatively, far better sound quality.

The reson there are more comprehensive theories of amplifier design which account for such problems as harmonic intermodulation, and notch distortion, stbility, filters, and equalization as they relate to statements of power.

Whatever the scientific theory, Lux conducts the most detailed listening test with engineers and musicians in different fields from what is considered good in article.

The Lux sound is not only a science but an art.

Specifications

Power Output :  45 watts minimum continuous per channel (into 8 Ω, both channel driven, 20 - 20,000 Hz , at no more than 0,1% T.H.D.))

 Total Harmonic Distortion:  no more than 0,05%

I.M. Distortion:  no more than 0,1%  (8 Ω loads, 45 W/ch 60 Hz : 7 kHz = 4 : 1)

Frequency Response:  5 - 50,000 Hz (-1 dB)

Input Sensitivity:

Phono 1 and 2 :  2,6 mV

Tuner, Aux 1, 2 :  120 mV

Input Impedance:

Phono 1 and 2 :  65 k Ω

Tuner, Aux 1, 2 :  50 k Ω

Monitor 1 and 2 :  50 k Ω

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:

Phono 1 and 2 :  better than 65 dB

Tuner, Aux1, 2 :  better than 80 dB

Monitor 1 and 2 :  better than 80 k Ω

Residual Hum and Noise:  no more than 1,2 mV

Crosstalk:

Phono 1 and 2 :  -60 k Ω

Tuner, Aux 1, 2 :  -65 k Ω

Monitor 1 and 2 :  -65 k Ω

Tone Control:  Lux NF type with turnover frequency selector

Treble  :  3 kHz, 6 kHz  defeat

Bass  :  150 Hz, 300 Hz defeat

Filters: 

Low Cut (Subsonic) :  20 Hz

High Cut :  70 Hz at 7 kHz, 12 kHz

Damping Factor:  40 dB (8 Ω)

Power Supply:  110-120, 220-140 V 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption:  200 W (8 Ω, max output, both channel driven);  150 W (CSA, UL rated)

Dimensions (W x H x D):  450 x 160 x 300 mm (17-23/32" x 6-5/16" x 11-13/16")

Weight:  10,1 kg (22,2 lbs) net