Luxman C-02

The Status Series C-02 and M-02 didn't begin their lives as such : they were planned as C-400 and M-400, taking over the C-300 / M-300 combo, with the styling of the L-550 for the C-400.

Both prototypes were presented at the march 1983 french Hi-Fi Fair but were revised quickly thereafter to become the C-02 and M-02, smaller siblings of the already available C-05 and M-05.

Unlike the M-400 which barely changed when becoming an M-02, the C-400 did change a lot to become the C-02 - see the Invisibilia section of TVK for the one (and only ?) image of it.

The C-02 however saw an intermediary version which landed in the catalogs as late as 1985 (!) but which wasn't produced : same design but large finish differences which clearly lean toward the C-120A in its later/european matte version, better specifications and 1,5kg heavier, too- see Knobber images #5 and #6.


The C-02 was export-only but technically typical of those last pre-Alpine years which were to last only a few more months :
Duo-ßeta, Circuit S, plus-X power-supply, Single-Stage amplification - if you know the L-430 or L-550 circuits, then you know the C-02 !

Class A stages, OFC wiring for the MC transformer, variable gain "special device" at the EQ stage for low-output MC carts compatibility (sans sacrificing tonal quality), NF tone controls in an NFb loop around the output stage, 220 Ohm low impedance output and I believe a 4-gang ALPS attenuator.


However, it seems the planned high-end status of the original "400" combo was well kept in the M-02 but not in the C-02 : construction is rather banal with lots of wiring and sturdy but pressed metal chassis.

Luxman didn't care to show the inside of it in its catalogs and this is probably the result of that : Alpine was very near indeed.

Cover of the (june ?) worldwide 1983 catalog.


The previous image comes from a magnificent, luxurious and xxx-rare canadian general catalog published c. 1985/86 by... Alpine Electronics of Canada Inc..


Note that this canadian C-02 has its "Duo-ßeta - Circuit/S" scripting above the source selector and not under it as on all production C-02s.
This C-02 may come from a later, last, production run... or a remnant sample from an early run ;-)

This is all you'll see from Luxman of the inside of the C-02...

Part of the "special transformer" (not an EI core - but what ?) is barely visible where the blue ribbon for the phono selector ends ; that transformer is normally covered/hidden with a metal plate.

This OCF-wired MC transformer.

Probably the same as that of the C-120A.

Basic schematic : high Gm / low-noise FETs for the head-amp at the first stage allow to remove the second stage alltogether.

The "bypass" makes the phono input go straight from input to output.