“Powerful yet refined”
FOR Refined sound; fluid dynamics; feature-packed
Phono stages aren’t the most glamorous item in a hi-fi chain – but if you want to hear your record player at its best, a good one is essential. Regardless of price, we’ve heard few better than Luxman’s EQ500.
Phono stages are usually nondescript boxes, but not this one. Luxman has built the EQ500 into a full-sized casework and packed it with toggle switches, dials and signal-level meters. It’s hard to think of a more feature-packed alternative, and the majority are useful too.
Top-class demands
There are switches to govern whether the unit sends out the signal balanced or single-ended, and its phase. Further toggles govern impedance (movingmagnet cartridges only), high and lowpass filtering, type (moving magnet, high and low output moving coil), stereo/mono and inputs.
This phono stage has an unusual two-stage gain adjustment for each of the three cartridge type settings, allowing up to 4db extra to the basic gain steps of 36DB(MM), 55DB(MC high) and 63db (MC low). Confusingly, the control is marked with three values, 36db, 38db and 40db, which are the correct numbers only when using the moving magnet setting. Of course, when you use either of the moving coil options the base setting changes accordingly.
Two-stage adjustment allows the user to fine-tune the balance of gain between the phono stage and preamp circuitry, and helps to give the volume control a more useable range of adjustment. Switch the control marked “Articulator” on and it demagnetises the cartridge. The signal mutes while the control is activated. We don’t notice much change in the sound, but it’s worth a try.
Inside the EQ500 you’ll find step-up transformers for the moving coil part of the circuit and six small valves (4x ECC83, 2x ECC82) used for amplification duties. An extra valve (EZ81) is used in the well-specified power supply section. There’s extensive internal shielding to keep noise levels and distortion low.
AGAINST Demands a top-class system
Build quality is as good as we’d expect from Luxman’s higher-end products. The casework feels solid and is finished to a high standard, while the front panel switches all work with precision.
The EQ500 is hefty for a phono stage, weighing in at just under 13kg, which is around the same as a decent integrated amplifier. At 44cm, it’s a touch wider than the standard full-size width too.
A phono stage costing five grand demands a top-class record player as well as suitably talented amplification and speakers. We use our reference Clearaudio Innovation Wood package, with a Clearaudio Stradivari V2 moving coil cartridge, a Goldring 1042 cartridge for MM duties, Gamut D3i/d200i amp and ATC SCM 50 speakers. Don’t judge the Luxman too quickly. On initial powering it sounds thick and a little timid. There are signs of exceptional detail resolution and class-leading refinement, but the sludgy attitude doesn’t impress. But allow that valve-driven circuitry to stabilise properly and the presentation gains transparency, life and openness.
Passion intact
The first thing that strikes us is just how quiet it is. Background hiss is at a very low level, which is testament to the Luxman’s carefully considered electrical internals and extensive shielding. Once firing on all cylinders, this is a wonderful sounding unit. Being valve-driven, the Luxman sounds smooth and refined as you’d expect, but there’s plenty in the way of punch and power too.
Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit tears along with all its passion and aggression intact. We’re impressed by the EQ500’S rhythmic drive and its ability to turn things up when required. Kurt Cobain’s vocals come through with conviction, but this phono stage stays composed throughout. Instrumental strands are organised with skill, without forgetting that the hard-charging attitude of the track comes before any hi-fi.
Orff’s Carmina Burana allows the Luxman to show its fine stereo imaging. It renders an expansive soundstage, populating it with nicely layered and convincingly sized instruments and voices. The presentation is stable too, no matter how complex the music. It’s one of the most challenging compositions around, and yet it brims with ferocious dynamics and complex interplay.
The EQ500 delivers crescendos with poise while digging up instrumental textures and vocal nuances with ease. This phono stage uncovers class-leading levels of detail, but always presents it in an unforced and natural manner.
Tonally, it’s rounded and refined, but things are never taken too far. The sweet highs are balanced by rich and textured lows – a really nice balance to have when the midrange is so fluid and revealing.
If you have a system that’s worthy of such a premium phono stage, you should certainly consider the Luxman. It is beautifully made and a pleasure to use.