In the 1960s, when the audio industry moved en masse into transistor amplifiers, Luxman stood apart. They recognized the ineffable beauty of vacuum tube audio, and continued to build tube components without interruption. Part of Luxman’s NeoClassico II Series, the SQ-N150 is the latest heir to that proud tradition, delivering music reproduction of exceptional warmth and clarity.
Vacuum sound for most demanding listeners
You’ll enjoy surpassingly detailed, open music reproduction thanks to the exceptional linearity of Luxman P-K split phase inversion circuit. Luxman married an input stage of two JJ Electronic ECC83 miniature double triodes to a push-pull output with four JJ Electronic EL84 pentodes. And with their deep knowledge of tube design, they configured the SQ-N150 for consistent performance and long operating life. On paper, Luxman rates power output at 10 Watts + 10 Watts at 6 ohms. In practice, the sound is fit for the most demanding listeners.
Versatility above all
Luxman provides three line inputs and a phono section that accommodates both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, so you don’t need to purchase a separate MC preamp. They plated the RCA jacks in gold and pitched them at 18 mm to accommodate high-end cables. For minimum crosstalk between left and right channels, Luxman used the same input selector IC as on our top-of-the-line C-900u control amplifier. For ultimate sonic purity, the Line Straight mode can bypass the Bass, Treble and Balance controls. The headphone output jack is ideal for late night listening.
Beauty and elegance
The 5 mm thick aluminum chassis has a modest “A4” footprint, just 210 x 297 mm (8-1/4 x 11-3/4 inches), not including projecting parts. The blasted white inish contrasts nicely with the hairlines on the machined aluminum controls. The orange LED lighting of the analog level meters provides a visual counter-point to the glow of the vacuum tubes.
