LUXMAN MQ-88U SE

Pre owned. In excellent condition. Free from any obvious signs of wear. Supplied with original packaging.

The Luxman MQ-88uC is a stereo tube power amplifier that draws on elements of the MQ-60 design, introduced in 1969, reinterpreting them through updated engineering solutions and technology. The chassis features a dark brown finish, while the front panel adopts a classic design with straightforward controls, knobs and toggle switches. Its appearance reflects Luxman's tradition of tube amplifier design while retaining a functional layout suited to a contemporary audio system.

The amplification circuit employs KT88 output tubes manufactured by JJ Electronic, a Slovakian company selected by Luxman for the reliability and longevity of its components. The push-pull configuration, combined with a driver stage based on Mullard circuitry, delivers 25 W per channel and supports loudspeaker connections at 4, 8 and 16 ohms. Operating the output tubes in triode mode contributes to transparent reproduction and balanced tonal characteristics while keeping distortion levels low.

Particular attention is paid to component selection and the layout of the internal circuitry. The OY-series output transformers draw on the designs used in earlier Luxman amplifiers, while the power transformer and filter capacitors are designed to ensure stability and provide an adequate power supply to the output stage. High-voltage metallised polypropylene coupling capacitors and optimised internal wiring contribute to the overall quality of the signal path. A significant part of the wiring is point-to-point, following a construction approach that prioritises an orderly layout and component accessibility.

The input section provides two pairs of RCA connections: one linked to the level control on the front panel and the other operating at a fixed level, allowing the control to be bypassed. This enables the amplifier to be used either with its integrated level control or connected directly to a source or device equipped with volume adjustment. The rear panel also features separate loudspeaker terminals for 4-, 8- and 16-ohm loads, allowing a more appropriate match with different loudspeakers.

The design builds on Luxman's long-standing experience in tube amplification, which began with the SQ-5A integrated amplifier in 1961. The MQ-88uC combines this heritage with carefully executed construction and circuitry designed to prioritise tonal naturalness, transparency and musical detail, making it a suitable choice for a stereo system built around a separate tube power amplifier and preamplifier.

Technical specifications:

• Rated output power: 25 W + 25 W (4 Ω; 8 Ω; 16 Ω)
• Input sensitivity: 890 mV for 25 W
• Input impedance: 32 kΩ
• Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz (+0; -0.5 dB); 10 Hz–100 kHz (+0; -3 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.1% (1 kHz; 1 W); 0.5% (20 Hz–20 kHz; 1 W)
• Signal-to-noise ratio (IHF-A): 105 dB
• Driver circuit: Mullard
• Output tube configuration: Triode
• Vacuum tubes: 2 × ECC83S; 2 × ECC82; 4 × KT88
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 440 × 184 × 230 mm (including 17 mm front knob and 28 mm rear terminals)
• Weight: 16.1 kg