Enleum AMP-23R VS Luxman 595ase - Is this a fair fight, which is better?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- #Luxman #hifi #Enleum
Hello everyone!
Not a review, instead a short VS video between the Luxman 595ase and the Enleum Amp-23r. Both are frankly amazing, but I was curious to compare them, and see if the cheaper amp could beat the more expensive one! Interesting results to say the least!
Enjoy the music! :-)
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Tested using:
Klipsch Forte IV
Dynaudio Heritage Special
Tidal through Roon
Mola Mola Tambaqui Dac
High Fidelity CT-1 RCA cables
Atlas 4dd power cables
Supra Ethernet cable - บันเทิง
Hey everyone! I recorded this in one single shot, so speaking/rambling non-stop for 25 minutes I’ve inevitably missed a couple of things:
1. Yes - I know it’s pronounced En-Le-Um not En-U-Lum, facepalm moment
2. I didn’t cover dynamics - both are excellent here but the Luxman stretches ahead with more demanding speakers. It’s very close with the Forte IV though. As John Darko explained in his review of the 23-R, there’s a certain elasticity here, with micro dynamic ability a real stand out on both amplifiers.
3. The Luxman isn’t twice the price in all territories, so let’s just say ‘more expensive’
4. I need a shave…
I agree with your assessment and ime if you have high efficiency drivers, especially at the woofer driver, there is a less of a dependency for the amp to have a high or higher DF. When your woofers are stiff paper cone compliant (no flabby rubber surrounds) then you’d want them to perform on its intended design. Refrain the woofer to act in such a way that they don’t “need” excessive control which will be negatively impacting reproduction, almost choking the woofer. Amps like the Gryphons do this wonderfully. For example, they hit your woofer during kick drums or “when the bass arrives” and almost instantaneously “stops” the woofer with its immense control. It’s great to hear but unnatural when again your woofers are highly efficient in design, stiff paper cone complaint.
The review is right on the money when it is mentioned the Luxman can perform better than the Enleum with more demanding speakers. Which makes it a better all-arounder for enthusiasts that like to rotate speakers often or generally find themselves with harder to drive, box design speakers.
With Enleum or this type of sound amplification brings the enthusiast “around the block” with more a focus to a particular type of reproduction performer; horns, high efficiency woofers and other ultra high bandwidth drivers like cube audio drivers. With these types drivers, you can squeeze out the articulation and delicacy from the music without any of the gear getting in the way.
@@labalo5 Great reply, I was just thinking about throwing in a comment emphasizing the same points you so sensibly did.
I often find reviewers not thinking about what the product is actually meant for !!!
Would Enleum be enough to drive speakers of 85 db, like Harbeth’s P3ESR ? Thanks, keep up the good work !
In a small room, I’d say yes, just about. You’ll lose a bit of punch 🥊 but the midrange should be lovely. Medium to larger rooms, I’d steer clear as it won’t have enough power to do those speakers justice.
I found the Enleum an interesting proposition but on reflection it is pretty expensive. I'm also unsure how long it would last me. Something like a Luxman or an Accuphase has legendary build quality. I'm more inclined to fork out the extra and hope for an amp that might last me my day. Amps don't seem to change that much and I think I prefer the sound of older technologies (valves and class A.) Pity Luxman headphone amp seems to be a bit of an afterthought.
Have watched this review several times and read and watched pretty much all the English speaking reviews I think on balance what we’ve ended up with here is a review of two very different kind of speakers as many reviewers have found the bass/treble to be exceptional on the Enleum when matched with the right speakers. The Klipsch tends toward thumpy/one note bass regardless of its sensitivity and is relatively rough on treble.
My other observation is that the premise is whether the Enleum is better than the Luxman when the latter is double the price. I’m not sure why that’s the proposition though as no other reviewers have said that. All that has been said is that the Enleum competes with integrated amps at twice the price. That’s a different thing. The conclusion of the review then is wrong when talking about “better”. The conclusion is surely that it does compete?
Great video!! Watching this video gave me a better perspective on how it compares to another solid state amp. I now understand the context of what other reviewers are saying about this amp. Your final thoughts on the Enleum’s listening applications REALLY gave me a better understanding of this small integrated amp. I hope to watch more reviews from you, mate. Cheers!!
The all new Luxman L-507z is very special indeed !
I’ve heard great things! Would love to take it for a spin! 👍
I took delivery of a Luxman L-590AxII about 2 months before the introduction of the 595. Ooof! Until I compared specs and interior shots and found that the two amps are almost identical. The published specs for both amps are identical. However the 595 has a newer version of the ODNF feedback circuit. But, the 595 loses the monitor loop (one less input & fixed output), and also missing are those gorgeous front panel meters found on the 590. And the 595 has a 25% increase in price. Both Luxman amps are far more powerful than their specs lead you to believe. Past the 30 wpc in 8 ohms and 60 wpc into 4 ohms, the amps move from Class A into Class A/B and were Luxman measured (by the labs at HiFi World and HiFi News) at 90 wpc @ 8 ohms and 156 wpc @ 4 ohms (HFW) or 95 wpc @ 8 ohms and 165 @ 4 ohms and 303 wpc peak into 2 ohms (HFN). The Enleum AMP-23R specs read 25 wpc @ 8 ohm at 1 kHz and 1% distortion. Big difference! Power supply is everything. Too bad about the Luxman headphone output. According to the block diagram included with my 590, the headphone output is fed directly from the output of the power amp and that would involve a couple of hefty power resisters in series raising headphone output impedance and generally throwing a veil over the sound. Maybe the Luxman L-550 AxII might be a better comparison to the Enleum amp since they are priced about the same. The 550 has 1/3 less power in class A and one less balanced input than the 590/595, but otherwise seems very similar. In either case, unless you are a dyed in the wool headphone junkie, the lack of inputs (Just 2 line level only plus a proprietary one for a component not yet manufactured??) and the meager power makes the Enleum AMP-23R a rough sale at that price point.
Your name................
Are you the only family with that name? Mine is. It was misspelled at Ellis Island. It was originally "Iannaco".
Couldn't agree more 590axii is one of the best intregated amp so far on my hifi journey
In your opinion, please, what would pair best with the Luxman 595... Wilson Sabrina x or focal kanta 3?
Sabrina X are far superior speakers to the Kanta, and as such, if you go that way save up for the Luxman M10X monos. You need rocket fuel to make a rocket fly! 🚀
@@SmallRoomAudio What about Sabrina X versus Focal Sopra 2s for the Luxman 595? Monos would be out of my budget
Only the very better components are capable to create HEIGHT , so do some amplifiers , some speakers and the better MC transformers..........
UPFRONT sounding speakers or amplifiers are a NO NO for me......
Il take even non woring luxman over this EndShit
Phenomenal presentation, and, very relatable. Your description of the treble on the Luxman really sold me. Treble is hard to get right, I think. Thank you again.
Thank you for your kind comments! 😃 🙏
The Enleum AMP-23R Class AB and weight just 4.00 kg (net), 8.8 lbs. I own luxman L-550AX, great with ESL-63, it outperformed one of the Hegel amp!
if I had a dollar for every time someone said, "it competes with products twice the price", well, you know the rest!
Six Grand for a cereal box sized amp?
Maybe if I was in solitary confinement in prison.
Like almost everything has killer mid- range when there is no bass. Really why a lot of speaker demos showcase Diana Krall and her piano. Ian Anderson and his flute.
This thing looks like a 500€ product 😂
Always an interesting watch.
Even if I had the money I just couldn’t see me auditioning either of these. Hearing is believing, I suppose but one looks like a unusual modern box of tricks and the other I bet is supplied with brown slippers and slacks.
Thoroughly enjoyed the comparison ,buts its luxman for me
Great comparo. Enleum/Bakoon are amazing. I had a chance to get a 595 but passed on it for the Bakoon AMP 51R (enleum) sound! I am using high efficiency horn speakers.
Strange thing to say whilst watching a review for expensive amplifiers but I like the rugby top…where can I get one?
Oh nice review 😂
Haha I think it came from Sainsburys mens range!
@@SmallRoomAudio finally something I can afford 😂 reminds me of one I wore in the mid 90’s which is probably why I like it 👍
@@mdjhill2001 I was gonna say you can get one from year 1994, lol. But I like it too!
Wonderful review...!!! I'm subscribing...!!!
Thank you 🙏 😊
I have the Enleum 23R which I use with Cube Audio Mini Nenuphar speakers.
The sound quality is brilliant.
In addition to the very wide and deep soundstage, the instruments within the soundstage are VERY holographically presented.
You say that the midrange of Luxman 595ase is somewhat thin sounding. The 23R is definitely not thin sounding.
I want the presentation of my system to come as close as possible to the real thing. I want instruments to sound like they really do when heard live.
Two important factors which contribute to the attainment of this are timbral accuracy and tonally density.
Holographic imaging, accurate timbres, and tonal weight/density and wide deep soundstage are all factors which help to create the impression that I am listening to a real performance in a
wide open space.
For me this sense of realism makes for a greater emotional attachment.
Thinner sounding midrange wouldn't do it for me.
With respect to bass performance... or what you refer to as a slight lack of control by the 23R... not only are the Cubes higher sensitivity speakers but the the damping is done in the speakers themselves. The drives, whose excursion is very linear, are controlled so that their excursion never goes beyond the reach of the magnetic field.
Further damping by an amplifier is not recommended... especially with respect to bass performance. The Cube drivers need to be free to do their thing.
The 23R is a zero negative feedback (which apparently is also helpful with the Cubes) amplifier with a low damping factor of about 20.
The Luxman 595ase has a damping factor of 370. It wouldn't work as well with Cube Nenuphar speakers.
Of course the Enleum's very low damping factor is what makes for its diminished bass control with some speakers.
I personally wonder why damping factor is not mentioned by reviewers when they talk about amplifier-speaker matching.
One thing you didn't mention is that the Enleum is a true variable gain amplifier. It doesn't employ a preamp. This is a positive factor if someone wants to add an external preamp to the mix.
I am presently listening to an album with all percussive instruments... xylophones, marimbas, cymbals, drums, etc. and the sense of realism is stunning.
Great to hear you are enjoying your system 👍 I’ll be reviewing some Cube speakers later in the year, so stay tuned for that!
@@SmallRoomAudio I will! Which Cubes will you be reviewing?
@@peterborelli3877 Not sure yet…can only hope I get the Nenuphar Basis!
@@SmallRoomAudio I want to share an experience I had.
I live in Italy, my daughter who lives in the US and her husband came to visit me last summer.
He is a professional stand up bass fiddle player. I played some well recorded tracks featuring the bass fiddle and asked him his opinion. He said that it sounded exactly like a bass fiddle.
"But would an actual bass fiddle sound bigger?"
"No, he said, it would sound just like that."
Then he said, "As a matter of fact, the only thing that keeps me from thinking that there is a bass fiddle in this room is that I am not hearing the acoustics of this room. I am hearing the acoustics of the room in which it was recorded."
To me this makes the cost of the Enleum Amp 23R well worth it.
I am very happy with the bass reproduction of my Enleum/Cube Mini combination.
Great review!
Nice review...ive owned the Bakoon amp 13R and loved it with Pure Audio Projects Trio 15.
Lovely speakers! 👍
should test pass lab int25 against the luxman 595
Do you think the Luxman drove the Heritage Specials well? Better than the Hegel 590? I have the Luxman 590AXII and its very similar to the 595ase curious on purchasing the HS but on the fence due to the HS DB sensitivity.
The HS is truly epic, and the Luxman will be a fine dance partner, unless you need to light up a big room, or are a bass hunter, then Hegel is the way!
@@SmallRoomAudio Awesome might be on the hunt for a pair of HS now. Happy with my Luxman 590SAXII and Cornwall 4 rig at the moment. Cheers!
I drive my HS with a H390 - great match
The Luxman 590 is far more powerful than the specs lead you to believe. I auditioned my 590 with a pair of Magico’s @ 84 dB sensitivity and the Luxman lit up the big showroom with them. (I didn’t consider the Magico speakers. I won’t buy a component I need a hand truck to move.)
Same question over here. Seems that i am not the only one any more pairing a 595 with the HS. Still have the feeling that bass control is not on par with my previosly used Hegel 190 but on the other hand you definitely feel/hear the Class A smoothness, the 595 melts music into magic especially mids/vocals and higher frequencies are exceptional while having everything clean, detailed, pure but never harsh or too analytical. I also confirm to not use the Lux's headphone amp - i am using my RME DAC instead
Nevertheless... still not sure if this is really my endgame stuff albeit i love both 595 and HS and can't imagine to swap out any of both . would definitely miss it ;-)
Luxman 595ase
€ 19.000,00
Price include 21% VAT
Price exclude VAT € 15.702,48
Have you ever listened to Boenicke speakers? It came to mind as Enleum is one of Srajan’s fav amplifiers.
I’d love it if they sent me a pair to try! 👍
Love your videos and glad to see this comparison! I miss your Klipsch Cornwalls. What happened to those and how do they compare to the Forte IVs? Would love to see a review of the Forte IVs if you get a chance :)
Thank you! 😃….I happen to be sitting in my listening chair staring at a pair of Forte IV right now!! Give me a few weeks and I’ll put something together!
Most important criteria for hifi reviews: immediacy, timing, coherence, dynamics, soundstage, low volume performance.
Superb presentation, thank you!
Thank you, that’s very kind 🙏
How would the Enleum handle the neat petite speakers?
In a small room, no problem at all. However, they might need more juice if you have a bigger space.
Thank you for the lovely content! Have you ever felt lacking in the base department with the Enleum Klipsch Forte combo? I’m currently considering pairing this amp with Cornwalls but hesitant about the base control. Thanks!
Very helpful, brilliant review.
Thank you kindly sir 🙏 😊
I wonder if the feet are meant for heat dissapation? Like with the Naim 50a, i am not impressed with the limited connectivity on the Embelem. There is minimalist- my preference, and then there is, where is it? And i start looking and find the feet.
This matchup doesn’t make any sense, price aside the Luxman offer so much more.
Excellent and welcome back
Thank you 🙏 😃
Luxman hands down. What do you think will hold its value longer?
Luxman will hold value longer for sure 👌
@@SmallRoomAudio I had the Luxman C05 pre and M05 amp for years and Luxman is something special. Build quality, sound and tactile presence......sad they are getting out of Class A (I hope this is not true).
Not to mention that it's a limited edition .. one of those in 10 or 20 years in mint condition would be worth a mint.
Can we agree on how Enleum is actually pronounced ! En-lee-um? As that’s not what you keep saying ……..
I refer to the pinned comment at the top of the page - yes I said it wrong, and no, you won’t let me live it down!
Enleum looks cheap and severely overpriced.
Bakoon Japan over both of these 🇯🇵👍🇯🇵
thats awesome comparison!!
Thank you 🙏 😊
Have heard both, owned the Enleum. The Enleum is a far better sounding amp, and the build quality is at least as good, probably better. Granted, it is not as attractive, from the front at least (while the Luxman looks like standard-fare Denon from the rear). Because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s not quality-engineered or not quality-built. It is. The Enleum is fast, resolving, amazing soundstage, highly musically engaging/non-fatiguing; has a sparkle to it. I found the Luxman boring, standard, blunted.
Agree with your experience of the Enleum (Bakoon)
@@labalo5 I also agree with your assessment of the Enleum 23R. But I haven't heard the Luxman 595ase.
In any case, the the Luxman would not match well with my Cube Nenuphar speakers which need an amp with a low damping factor.
The Enleum not only offers a very wide and deep sound stage but the instruments within the sound stage are VERY holographically presented. A very "you-are-there" experience.
It often amazes me.
Very gratifying
@@peterborelli3877 yep. I commented a more detailed response in this review and even mentioned cube as an applied application to get what Bakoon/Enleum is aiming for.
what is the damping factor on the 23.?thanks
That spark & zing! Like my smartphone.
As far as prices go both are probably overpriced when compared to their BoP. But the Luxman easily costs more than 2X as much to produce.
Its all a matter of the configuration in which the amps are run: The Enleum Amp has been made to be used in an environment where you would normally use Tube Amps: Very efficient Speakers, Horns etc. Those speakers usually don't need that tight low end control. In that pairing, I have been told it offers a sound not of this world. And I'm willing to believe that.
You can believe it.
I have the 23 R. I use it without Cube Nenuphar speakers. And if does offer that sound quality with those speakers. The Luxman 595ase would not match well with my speakers.
I don't understand the fascination with Luxman; their products look like they were designed in the 70s.
No match, Luxman any day….
Thx for the review. I have a question for you as you have the same context as I do, mainly small room audio. I brought my speaker into the room so I get a lot more spatial information. But I’m often annoyed by the fact that I hear music coming from my speaker when the rest of the performance I backward. Is it normal and something you can’t get out in small room? (I had to make a comment as I couldn’t find an other way to contact you), feel free to delete my message if it’s not relevent. Cheers from France, David
Happy to help if I can - But not sure what you mean by ‘backwards’
@@SmallRoomAudio I mean that the performance is behind the speaker plane. And sometimes I hear some instrument coming out of the speaker. So I would have different field of listening. If that makes sense
You keep giving the wrong prices
Feel free to give the right ones
Great video! I personally would go for the luxman just based on looks. Hope the reviews keep coming!
That’s a dusty table!
😂 My wife said exactly the same thing! I don’t think the light helped my cause there, but dusters out for next time!
The Luxman is a hand it down to your kids kind of product. Adding that it’s the way better product. For some:😮
You must be old af, lol. The younger generation doesn’t want something that weighs 30kg. Way better product in what way? The Luxman sound is overly warm and smooth, boring.
@@JohnLee-db9zt you have a different opinion- that’s okay, of course. But, why immaturely insult and devalue a fellow enthusiast? It’s unproductive discourse, mate 😕
The enleum basically spanks the luxman 595ase with high efficiency speakers
I agree luxmans tilt towards warmer sounding. In some ways remind of Macintosh but to each their own, all preference.
@@JohnLee-db9zt are you always this rude? what's your problem?
You are mad
I do the madness so you don’t have to 😃
@@SmallRoomAudio sorry I didn't mean to be rude but the comparison was senseless. I have yet to see a class D amp beat a good classAB and here you are comparing with a pretty good class A amp. Also there is a lot more to an amp then just the sound. The build quality, the ruggedness and the ease of use and also the options. I find balance cables do improve sound even at short distance cause complete balance designs are very good. You could have compared the luxmsn to an Accuphase. That would make more sense.
The problem I have with the Enleum is there can't be more than $500 worth of parts and labor in that amplifier. If you add another $500 for the cost of design it's $1000. If you double that price for sale in audio shops that brings the total to $2000. Even sold at $2500-3000 would be fair considering the audio industries inflated prices. However this little amplifier is selling for $6250! The cost of 4 Apple iMac computers. It's just ridiculous! Hi-end audio is absurd sometimes.
Boy you don’t know what goes into amplifier design, build, and pricing.
If you look at Audio GD master 9p integrated with bigger case, more parts and similar build quality, design costs, it is after shipping 2000$. Enleum is overpriced, i wouldn't mind the price if it would be around 4000$ with nice beautiful cnc fabricated case like soul note has...
Totally get that. Why I left high end audio. Just can't afford or justify that kind of investment. Being a Boutique brand is a fancy way of saying abuse your clientele with overly inflated price. The other deal is low production count, and few distributors it boost the price up too. Economies of scale work against high end. It was made for the chosen few. Like it or not, this limited snob appeal deal is another reason I left. Audiophile maybe. Audio fooled, not at all. High End has its purposes. I just don't think it is relevant for me in my life.
@@JohnLee-db9zt Why don't you educate us all then?
The Luxman looks and feel like a real high end. Enleum, not so much. I agree with you partially.
Topping LA90 vs Enleum would be interesting as well
This amp is best paired with high efficiency speakers. It fell flat with my Spendor classic 4/5 (85db).
I also found the HP section on the Enleum to be just ‘ok’…when compared to my LTA MZ3 & Hafler 75…it wasn’t even close. The Enleum lacked body, mid range soul, soundstage depth, musicality.
No usb input
The luxman looks like a real amplifier. The Enleum looks like a plastic toy. I would be embarrassed showing the Enleum to my friend and telling them it cost more than $5000.
Luxman looks like "real" amplifier, performs like shit.
The Enulem is really a HPA.
Nothing worse than a reviewer who can’t pronounce a product name properly. The name is E N L E U M, the L before the E.
Nothing worse than a person who doesn’t read the pinned comment where I admit and apologise for that mistake.