Chris (you may know him as the great Vintagestereo) was over today and we did the 16.5 v. R-117 comparo. First some primers. Our consensus is the 16.5 is the best sounding silver faced monster bar none. Better than any Marantz, better than the KR-9050, better than the SR-2004. We also agree the R-117 is the best of the Eighties receivers. So, onto the comparo. We used the on board preamps and switched at the CDP using a switchbox. The Concept was noticeably warmer and had fuller mid-bass and bass. The R-117 was clearer all across the board with tighter bass and better defined highs. We could discern the brassy overtone in the cymbals and that is the key to HF fidelity. So, a win for the R-117. We then uncoupled them and ran the amps through my L-07C. Again, the R-117 proved to be clearer and crisper. It was more forward and better resolved. Again, another win for the Luxman. Interestingly, the Lux literature claims the R-117 has a tube-like sound but we felt the Concept's warmth was closer to tubey goodness. We are ready to declare the best sounding receiver. The R-117 takes the crown.

Speakers?

Yamaha NS-200M's, one pair for each amp.

ah!! i remember VINTAGE STEREO from my AK days!!
hey there, sam, can you tell me where VS is on the net these days?
from what i read of his posts back on AK, it sounds like him and me
would really hit it off well! (i was unable to contact him on AK, as he was banned long before i ever joined up there)

Send me a PM and I will give you his email addy. BTW, great guy. His vintage product knowledge is second to none.

Your sample size is small. Are you planning to compare the Lux against any other Receivers? A TOTL Denon might be interesting, or a Mac, or an Accuphase (did they even make any?), or a SABA, or a B&O, or an Arcam, etc, etc, etc. You'll never know until you explore the less-known world of Euro Receivers.

PM sent...

Sample size is not too small but thanks for raising this important question. Chris used to be a stereo salesman back in the day and he has owned about 150 different receivers, most of which were TOTL. I think he is qualified. I've owned maybe 50 different receivers of which perhaps 30 were TOTL.

That's important to know - now your post has more credibility.

If there is something that sounds better than my 16.5, I'd sure like to hear it!!!!



Nice comparison!

I think hearing the Luxman R-117 back to back against the 16.5 would be most informative. Don't know if you would agree with me...

Its good to know that something rivals it, or bests it.

One more thing to add to my want list!

I always find interest in speaker synergy. I was jazzed when I picked up a set of Wharfedale W70Ds. Hooked them up to a Sony 6055 or 6065, sounded like crap. Very flat and lifeless. Later swapped in a Pioneer SX-3800 and did they ever come alive . Same with a Sansui 9090DB. Didn't care for the sound with JBL L100 or Pioneer HPM 100 so out it went. When I delivered it we hooked it up to stacked KLH 23's. Brought tears to my eyes knowing I made a mistake. I have since come to appreciate the Sansui/KLH synergy (also picked up three more 9090DBs).

I have been a Pioneer fan for a long time.
But I will be the first to admit that a SX-1250 has to be mated to the right set of speakers.
I have been keeping an eye out for a Concept since I heard one at a stereo gathering a couple of years ago.

I use a 1250 with ADS L-810's as my main rig now .
My hearing may be a little off but it sounds good to me.

IIRC, the SX-1250 has a DF of 45 so it is mellow, which suits the L-810 just fine.