Luxman C-05
Luxman M-05
(1982 - 1988+)

Quite a long production run for these two biggies - almost Accuphase-like !

First presented in october 1982 in Japan (as the "DAD" input recalls) as replacements for the C-300 and M-300. Still very good looks and, of course, typical LUX quality - but we already are in ALPINE ownership...

Both units are dual-mono, with Duo-ß circuits, Plus-X power supplies and superlative componentry, housed in non-magnetic & copper-plated aluminium chassis, of course.

The M-05 is a Class A design so it does double up as a room heater for the winter ; it can be used in BTL mode, too, but in Class AB. A special set of taps for electrostatic speakers is present, taking the shape of tiny little female plugs !
CC or DC inputs are available along a 15Hz subsonic filter and an input attenuator which can be circumvented. The whole monster is powered with TWO AC cords and a triple push-pull of HiFt per channel feeds the speakers. No heat-pipes for the M-05 as too much heat is dissipated but 2 large fans located on the back convey fresh air from there, pushing it toward the top cover opening ; a three-position switch is present to choose fan speeds.

The pre-production C-05 had a little twist:
besides a phono and phono+subsonic input position which was carried onto the production model, the DAD/Aux input could also be switched with a subsonic. What subsonic-inducing warp could be present in a CD is anybody's guess :) That position was subsequently changed for a regular "line". Also, the third Phono 2 position was initially set at 47kOhm but later changed to 50kOhm

The day my ES separates fall apart, if I still can't afford Accuphase separates or find Sony R1 units, this is probably the combo I'll choose. Or maybe I'll a C-5000a with an M-05.

The images for this post come from a japanese 1983 ad, two german catalogs and (thanks to Roger Bownds :) a 1984/85 australian brochure. More can be read about the M-05 and C-05 at K.Nisi's website, of course ; K.Nisi has a "nudie" of the C-05 which I haven't got ; the others I need not post since he already has.

14/10/05: UPDATE!
Thanks to Rick at AllegroSound for this enlightment about the M-05's outputs:
The Luxman M-05 has 2 sets of outputs:
1. the standard outputs, using the clamp-connectors, are direct-coupled to the output devices,
2. the female banana jacks, labled "electrostatics" have a Zobel network for added stability into reactive loads.

Click the images below for the respective specs and more!