Luxman L-3 Amplifier

 

General:

Around 1980 Luxman company came with its L3 "high quality" amplifier of the SSS: "Studio Standard Series".

Flyer ^

Silver version ^

Black version ^

 

Specifications:

Luxman L3

effective output (both channels driven) RMS:

Minimum 35W+35W (8 ohm, 20Hz - 20kHz)

THD (20Hz - 20kHz): 0.04% or less (8ohm, 35W)

IM distortion (60Hz:7kHz=4:1): 0.08% or less (8ohm, 35W)

Output bandwidth: 10Hz - -60kHz -3 dB

Input sensitivity/impedance:

Phono: 2.5mV/50kohm

Tuner, Aux: 145mV/50kohm

SN ratio (input short-circuit)

Phono: 72dB or more

Tuner, Aux: 95dB or more

Damping factor: 65 (8-ohm, 1kHz)

Tone control:

Separated Low and High control

Filter:

Subsonic: 25Hz-6dB / oct

high cut: 7kHz-6dB / oct

Tape dubbing circuit

Loudness control

Speaker selector

Mode switch

AC outlet

Supply voltage AC-100V/220V, 50Hz/60Hz

Power consumption: 100W

Dimensions: Width 438x height 105x depth of 313mm

Weight: 8kg

 

 

Owners manual:

click here to download the owners manual of the L3 in PDF.

 

 

Special futures:

This amp has the input connectors on the bottom. This amp is the little brother of the L5 and other amps in this series.

click here to download the brochure of the L3 in pdf format

 

Schematic:

click here to download the L3 service manual in pdf format
 

 

Modifications:

Upgrade some capacitors. Check DC offset and idling current.
Check transistors: Q401 & Q402, sometimes they produce noise.
The power supply caps may be replaced by 10000 uF 50V, the amp will benefit from this: 2x40 Watts output power is no exception.
Check the voltage on D401 in L & R amps.
Also check the following parts: C404, R406, C403, C411, C405, R420, C415, C416, C115, C308,
these parts are sometimes the cause of problems.
You may replace C401 with a 50V non electrolytic cap, like polypropylene, do not use huge caps here: keep C401 small.

You may make a little input-box with extensions to the input panel.

Owners in Europe should consider to change the mains transformer tap used for the mains connection, it is historicaly set to 220 V.
But since Europe is suffering a detrimental increase of main voltage to 240 V over a 20 years time frame, and now being on plus 230 V ~.
So using the 240 V tap is the most sane thing to do now, do not wait until your L3 breaks.

 

Upgrading ^

 

Sound:

This is a very good amplifier, it was at the time it was issued the best value for money in this series,
the L4 & L5 were quite expensive and the L2 was hardly cheaper but had lower power.
The sound is very good.

 

© Hans Hilberink - PE1MMK ® 2003 - thanks to Ton Verfaille for the manual - Last update: 02-12-2018.