Since 1975, Luxman has produced the C-1000 preamplifier, which they called a control amplifier. Decades later, engineers decided to update it – and released the CL-1000 model. The main difference is that the model has become more modern. The sound is now controlled by the LECUTA system, which stands for Luxman Electronically Controlled Ultimate Transformer Attenuator. In the previous version – LECUA – there was no transformer. The rotary volume control has 34 steps and drives 34 relays that have no effect on the signal path.
The relays in turn activate the corresponding stages on the right and left transformers, providing precise volume control. Since the material of the transformer core can affect the audio signal, the brand’s engineers decided to use FineMet from Hitachi Metals, which features a “unique nanocrystalline structure”, thanks to which, according to the developers, they were able to achieve excellent sound quality even at low volumes.
The preamplifier is a tube one, but not a simple one. Its input transformer has a core made of Super Permalloy material, and the output transformers of the right and left channels have such cores. Moreover, the preamplifier automatically demagnetizes the cores every time the device is turned off (but you can do this manually by clicking on the regulator called Articulator). The system uses six JJ Electronic E88CC dual triodes on both the attenuator and output. The capacitors are taken from the MQ-300 power amplifier.
Much attention was paid to the design of the body. The front panel is made of three-layer aluminum, the outside of the case is decorated with solid walnut, which additionally dampens vibrations, and inside the chassis there are many rubber gaskets that protect against unwanted resonances. The same problem is solved by cast iron legs.
Characteristics of Luxman C-900u
Input sensitivity
LINE / BAL.LINE: output 180 mV / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kOhm
EXT-IN (PHONO)
MM 100 kOhm (38 dB): output 2.2 mV / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kΩ
MM 50 kΩ (38 dB): output 2.2 mV / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kΩ
MM 33 kΩ (38 dB): output 2.2 mV / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kOhm
MC-H 1 kOhm (57 dB): output 0.26 mV / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kOhm
MC-M 40 Ohm (57 dB): output 0.26 mV / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kOhm
MC-L 10 Ohm (66 dB): output 87 µV / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kOhm
Input impedance
LINE: 90 kOhm / 1 kHz
BAL.LINE: 70 kOhm / 1 kHz
EXT-IN (PHONO)
MM: 100kΩ, 50kΩ, 33kΩ
MC: 1kΩ, 40Ω, 10Ω
Frequency response
LINE/BAL.LINE ： +0.3, -0dB/1V output, 20Hz to 20kHz, 50kΩ load
EXT-IN (PHONO): Output ±0.3dB/1V, 20Hz to 20kHz, 50kΩ load
Total Harmonic Distortion
LINE/BAL.LINE: Output 0.016%/1V, 1kHz, 50kΩ load
EXT -IN (PHONO)
MM: output 0.3% / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kΩ
MC (H, M): output 0.3% / 1 V, 1 kHz, load 50 kΩ
MC (L): output 0.5% / 1 V, 1 kHz, 50 kOhm load
Signal to noise ratio
LINE / BAL.LINE: 120 dB (IHF-A) / 1% distortion, 1 kHz, 50 kOhm load
EXT-IN (PHONO)
MM: 108 dB (IHF-A) / 1% distortion, 1 kHz, 50 kΩ load
MC (H, M): 92 dB (IHF-A) / 1% distortion, 1 kHz, 50 kΩ load
MC (L): 83 dB (IHF-A) / 1% distortion, 1 kHz, 50 kΩ load
Tone control
Max. amount of change: ± 8 dB
Low frequency change: 150 Hz, 300 Hz, 600 Hz
High frequency rotation frequency: 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz, 6 kHz
Low frequency 30 Hz (-6 dB / oct.)
Circuit design 2-way step gain type PK NF, tone control type PG NF, phono equalizer type NF Others
Power
supply 230 V 50 (50 Hz) / 115 V～ (60 Hz)
Power consumption 52 W
Dimensions 460 (W) x 166 (H) x 454 (D) mm
Net weight 24.4 kg
