Luxman C-10X Control Amplifier

an elegant sounding and performing single chassis preamp with tone controls makes a statement

I believe most hi-fi consumers and professionals hop scotch (my term) in the pursuit of audio nirvana. The reasons are, by and large, obvious: Upgrade neurosis coupled with a strong dose of financial considerations. This has been my story going back to my first audio purchase in 1968. 

I would listen to my system for a certain period of time and then decide which unit (turntable, cartridge, receiver, amp, preamp, speakers) would get the next upgrade.  

Back in the early days, these options were reasonably affordable and therefore happened with stunning frequency. These choices fell into the $500-$1,5000 range, 

All it took was a review in Stereo Review, a local hifi show or one of the many NYC hifi showrooms to get my juices flowing. Well, maybe some of the drugs and parties I attended had something to do with it as well…

But I digress.

How far I/we have come. The subject of this review is the Luxman C-10X Control Amplifier (preamp) which lists for $17,495.00

Gear hop-scotching these days can be a very expensive habit and one I don't take lightly. In all my years of gear acquisition I rarely owned an amp and preamp from the same company at the same time.

I recently went from Pass to Luxman gear but still hop scotch’d along the way. It so happens I have just done that for only the third time in over 50 years. Oh well, in case you were wondering about the first time it was in 1971 when I got a Harmon-Kardon Citation 11 & 12 pre power combo…

In this case, three months ago I replaced my Pass XA30.8 amplifier with a Luxman M-10x ($17,495) after hearing it at the AXPONA trade show in 2024 driving Magico S3 speakers and again about 3 months ago at Innovative Audio in NYC and this time with Wilson Sabrina X’s.  I have an ownership history with both of those speaker companies.

During each audition, a Luxman C-10X unit was running the Luxman M-10X amplifier and I loved the sound of the music emanating from the speakers.

I had decided to switch to Luxman from the Pass 30.8 for 2 reasons. As a class A amp, the Pass ran so hot that in my studio I couldn't use it in the summer months and sonically although it is as close to a tube amp as a solid state amp can get, the power and bass control wasn't up to my needs.

I had been using a Pass XP-32 (which replaced a PS Audio BHK preamp) and, for practical matters, I was looking to downsize from a 3 box unit back to a 1 box preamp solution.

The Luxman C-10X, introduced in 2023, seemed like the perfect one box solution. I hop scotch’d and pulled the trigger on a Luxman C-10X Control Amplifier (which, to be clear, is a preamplifier). After 2 months of critical listening these are my observations

It is reasonable to assume that hi-fi gear from the same company should be compatibly voiced and so sound good together so I auditioned the combo.

The Heart of the Matter

C-10X

Let's get directly to the heart of the matter here: no surprise! The C-10X sonically, ergonomically, and aesthetically couples with the M-10X power amp to bring some of the most neutral and natural sound I have ever experienced in my home system.

M-10X

The front panel of the elegantly stylish C-10X unit consists of 2 large rotating dials:

An “Input selector” that accesses the three inputs with 2 options each, line & balanced and the “volume control” dial. The on/off stand-by button is on the lower left followed by these 3 small push buttons:

1) "Output mode": Unbalanced out, Balance out and Bi-amp out (factory default is set to "unbalanced out')

2) "EXT PRE": when ‘on’ External preamp out allows for the connection to a passthrough AV device. ‘Off’ keeps the input selectors in the C-10X active

3) "LIne straight": Bypasses the tone control and loudness circuitry for those who want a purer direct signal path

A pair of bass and treble tone control dials are next.

The fluorescent screen situated between the tone controls and the “balance’ dial shows volume, input selection. loudness, output mode and balance inversion option should you connect to a power amp with a reverse ground pin.

The rear of the C-10X has the three inputs (balanced and single ended options), outputs for 2 power amps (balanced and single ended) should you use monoblocks, a set of RCA A/V pre inputs, 2 sets of trigger connections (in & out) one for Luxman devices and one set of non Luxman devices that can also be trigger controlled. A small master power button is located on the lower right corner.

The power cord receptacle is a non grounded 2 pin connector however it is not as deep and robust as I believe it should be given that prospective buyers at this level will more than likely use heavy aftermarket power cords and the third grounding pin usually acts, besides providing ground protection, as a cable stabilizer. I chose to use the power cord that the unit came with.

The remote that comes with the C-10X is very well constructed with a great ‘feel’ and purposeful design.

You can access all the input options (line or balanced), output mode, bal invert, external pre,line straight, loudness, mute and zoom via the remote

The ‘zoom’ feature on the remote alters the LED screen information on the control unit and allows you to see the volume levels from across the room. The access to the loudness button is only on the remote.

As an apartment dweller, I can't say enough about having tone controls and a loudness option especially for late night listening. It makes the C-10x much more ergonomically useful for my needs.

Purists would naturally assume that using the ‘line straight’ circuit (accessible on the remote so quick comparisons are very easy) would give the purist audio signal a superior sound unencumbered by the extra circuitry involved with the tone controls. However, I preferred the option of the tone control circuitry in the loop but not used in the ‘line straight’ circuit. I felt the music had a bit more presence.

The C-10X remote also can turn on all Luxman units via a 12 volt trigger connection. The switching on the remote between the features clicks with a firm smoothness. While it has become somewhat typical of high end electronics to have outboard power supplies, the Luxman power supply is internal.

One of the hallmarks of its technical achievement in sound quality and In order to embody the idea of abundant energy that accurately drives the power amplifier stage within sufficient margins, the power supply section of the C-10X is equipped with a powerful CI core type power transformer and seven custom specified 3,300 μF filter capacitors achieve dedicated highly stable power supply smoothing for each channel. Clean and stable regulation suppresses voltage fluctuations due to load.

Audio circuit boards, according to Luxman "... use a 100 μm- thick non resistive gold-plated peel-coated substrate that eliminates the resistivity coating which adversely affects sound quality due to dielectric effects. The non-angled wiring pattern is claimed to achieve "smooth and stress-free signal transmission by keeping the trace width of the signal line as constant as possible and drawing a smooth curve".

The C-10x, which weighs in just shy of 44 pounds, has a beautiful fit'n'finish but more importantly it is dead silent. The 3 inputs work for me as I have a turntable/phono stage, CD/ SACD player and a streamer. The TT and streamer are connected through the balanced inputs and the Luxman D-07X SACD is connected through single ended cables.

.As the cost of the Luxman C-10X and the Pass XP-32 preamps are nearly identical, this change was a lateral one and based on my previously stated requirements.

Luxman is one of the most legendary audio companies from Japan and exudes a Japanese luxury aesthetic. One could say that Luxman is the Mcintosh of Japan (though some might name Accuphase there).

What Pass and Luxman have in common is that they build products that are built to last decades.

The difference though is that Luxman exudes a quiet luxury and I wanted a cosmetically unified look as well and I already knew how great the C-10X was going to pair with its power amp partner.

My turntable is a VPI 40th anniversary Direct Drive with an Ortofon A95 cartridge connected to a Pass XP-27 phono stage. Hi-rez Streaming was done through Qobuz using a DCS LINA DAC and clock. Speakers used were Magico A3's, Franco Serblin Accordo Goldbergs and PS Audio FR5’s. Subwoofer was a single REL T/x7

The bottom line sonically is that, no matter what I played through the system i.e. rock, jazz, classical, metal, vocal oriented, and, no matter which format  from vinyl, streaming and, through my Luxman D-07x SACD player, red book, SACD and MQA disks, listening was a rich, clear and emotionally engaging experience and isn't that, after all, the whole point of this hobby?

Ultimately, moving from all Pass amplification to an all Luxman amplification can best be described this way:

Both vinyl and digital, at their best can sound incredible…but different. I have been listening to Pass gear for the last 5 years and grew accustomed to its warmth (both sonically and, as I mentioned earlier, the heat that emanates from the class A amplification). There is however, a softening of the edges around stringed instruments and piano key strokes that is palpable to me. Some would describe the reproduction of music through the Pass gear as euphonic in the same way that analog is euphonic because it distorts though even order harmonics and digital distorts though odd order harmonics. This distinction is a hallmark of the high end audio listening experience and matters to those persons that have interest in such distinctions.  

Many albums and tracks were used to evaluate the C-10X and are all listed below. Ultimately, moving from all Pass amplification to an all Luxman amplification can best be described this way: the Luxman gear presents a more neutral and cleaner soundscape. You know it when you hear it and at this level of audio technology, nuance matters.

When I listened to familiar music at the trade shows through the Luxman gear I was surprised by the intensity of my emotional connection to the music. That fact was inescapable and the same thing happened through my home system.

Conclusion

At this point in my audio journey I craved more detail and that response got me closer to the artist—it’s that simple. The combination of the Luxman C-10X preamp and the Luxman M-10X power amp delivered a very satisfying musical picture. One that will make me happy for a long time.

These days, the established hi end audio companies all make gear that is sonically closer in their respective price classes than ever before. Because of the financial investment involved, I believe that for most buyers at this level, considerations will be made equally in terms of sonic quality, features, appearance and resale value. For me, the Luxman C-10X Control Amplifier fulfills all those considerations.

If a beautifully designed, state of the art, one box with tone controls preamp solution is something you are looking for, than the Luxman C-10X could be your next preamp!

These are the albums I used to evaluate the C-10X

CD/SACD  Assorted tracks:

CD

>Lou Reed Rock n Roll Animal

RCA  07863-67948-2

>Guns N Roses Appetite For Destruction

Geffen GFLD 19286

>Joe Williams     I Just Want To Sing 

DELOS D/CD 4004

>Jazz Arts Trio   Tribute

JRI recordings J124

>Johnny Johnson    Johnnie B Bad

Elektra/Nonesuch American Explorer Records 9-611492

>Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters  Grateful Heart:Blues & ballads

Bullseye Blues CD88 9565

>Miles Davis Kind of Blue

Columbia/ Legacy CK 64935

SACD

>Son House The Legendary Son House Father of Folk Blues

Analog productions CAPB  092 SA

>Blue Coast Collection 2 Various artists

Blue Coast Records BCRSA  3012a

>Supertramp  Breakfast in America

Universal Music UIGY-15006

MQA discs

Chesky Ultimate demonstration Disc

Chesky Hi-fi Experience

Stevie Wonder “The Definitive Collection”

Vinyl

>Janis Ian   Breaking Silence

Analog productions APP 027

> Neil Young     Live at Massey Hall 

Reprise 43328-1

>Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section

Fantasy OJC-338 stereo

>Dream of Dean The Intimate Dean Martin

Analog Productions  076-45rpm

>West Side Story  Orig Broadway Cast album

Columbia Masterworks 19430761791

>The Beatles Abbey Road  Anniversary edition

Apple/EMI/Universal B0030719-01

>Keb Mo   Good To Be 

Rounder Records 1166101543

>Tony Bennett/Bill Evans

Fantasy/ Analog productions 45rpm  F-9489

>Audiophile Analog Collection Vol 1

Fidelio Technologies, Inc  2XHDFT-VD1143

>Patrick Leonard 

RUDDY 6 Recordings

>Paul Simon There Goes Rhymin” Simon

Columbia  88883761061

Streaming  (Albums) 

Taj Mahal/Keb Mo    TajMo  Hi-Rez                 

The Who                  Who’s Next   Hi-Rez

Judas Priest         Stained Class  Hi-Rez

                              Screaming for Vengeance Hi-Rez

Trijntje Oosterhuis   The look of Love

Keb Mo                    Good to Be  Hi-Rez

Gear:

Turntable       VPI 40th ann Direct drive

Cartridge        Ortofon A-95, Stein Music interface record mat, SRS record weight, Black Ravioli record ground puck

Degritter record cleaning machine

Phono Stage  Pass XP-27

Amplifiers        Pass XA30.8, Luxman M-10X

Preamps          Pass  XP-32, Pass XP-22 

Disc player       Luxman D-07X

DAC/Streamer  DCS  Lina/Clock

Speakers         Magico A3, 

Franco Serblin Accordo Goldberg,  PS Audio FR5

Power conditioner  AQ Niagara 5000

Speaker Cable Wireworld Gold Eclipse Platinum

Interconnects  AQ Dragon  Wireworld Platinum Eclipse

Power Cords  AQ Dragon

Ethernet cable Wireworld platinum Eclipse

(John "Jay Jay" French is manager/founder/guitarist for Twisted Sister. He hosts the podcast: The Jay Jay French Connection Beyond The Music, on Spotify, Apple Music & PodcastOne. He also contributes to Goldmine and Copper magazine).