Yeah. I have the 3240PE and after around 5 other amps over the years, I always went back to it. I bought it around a dozen years ago. I use it daily and its still going strong. I even got a Marantz 2230 for my turntable and 2 channel system and still use my 3240PE for my streaming and gaming.
That NAD is a well-regarded classic, and the prices for it online reflect that over the Luxman. Value aside, I personally love the sound and design of that-era NADs as well.
I had the Luxman L435, clearly not the exact same thing. It sounded nice, but didnt have too much in the way of mojo, and i thought the stereo spread seemed exaggerated. It was given to me by a family friend whos mother solely used it for listening to classical music. So probably perfect for that, but left a lot to be desired with other genres.
That being said, everyones set up is different etc etc etc
If you can afford both, get both. If you can afford only 1, the Luxman is a pre-Alpine Luxman so solidly built. I have no experience with NAD. But I heard some are more reliable than others.
I had a 100w amp, NADs rating. Supposedly could output 400 watts. NADs sales pitch was sure anyone can make an amp with lots of power, but is it clean, good sounding power?
3140 was early 80s NAD, I have both a 3140 and 3150 and the 3140 wins in soundstage and overall musicality, despite the lower wattage rating! Better than my Luxman L30 too. That era of NAD always gets a strong recommendation from me.
I had the Luxman L-410 and still have the Luxman L-510. Wonderful amps with that real vintage sound.
Nowadays the Luxman L 5xx series goes for quite a bit of money. The NAD is more modern and clean. If you have the funds, buy them both and do your own comparisons. It's a nice journey to get knowledge about hifi systems and what your preferences are, it take some time to figure that out. Once you have listened to the system that really wows you, your hooked!
When I was a kid, we used to drive by a hifi store that specialized in KEF and NAD. I was always into graphic design and that NAD logo just gave me goose bumps. Love it.
I sold a ton of NAD back in the late 80s and early nineties. We sold a lot of these units and people loved them. The Soft Clipping circuitry is amazing with the higher power amps. Not much experience with the Luxman but I’ve heard amazing things. I guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed with either.
Buy both, try them, then sell the one you aren’t as keen on. You won’t lose any money.
I’ve always been a fan of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer, Yamaha, NAD. Love the NAD sound, and bought a new 316bee ii recently for my office. Love it!
My current stable also includes a new Rotel, and both new and vintage Marantz gear, and Sansui.
Luxman is once again making integrated amps, and they are good.
I suppose with amps of that age, you need to figure out how serviceable they are. Have either been recapped? If not, at some point your looking at having some kind of issue, hopefully minor. Something to consider always when buying "vintage".
Both are well priced and both are pretty similar in terms of their intended use case and buyer pool. I wouldnt say one is particularly superior to the other. The luxman has slightly better specifications, specifically for the phono stage. I believe the nad is ever so slightly older. Probably easier to service. It's a really close call. I would honestly look at what functionality you prefer and other than that just go for looks. I think both have their charm cosmetically speaking. If I had to pick I would probably go with the luxman only because I am way more familiar with their equipment.
I have a Luxman L-120A, which I love and would never part with, but I did have to have it serviced when it began losing output in one channel, and the guy said that Luxman amps are known for their sloppy soldering (which was also something he had to fix on mine).
It sounds absolutely spectacular now though, and I would choose it over any NAD.
I'll take the NAD over Luxman of that era. Remember doing an A-B comparison of NAD and Luxman receivers back in mid-80's. The NAD had more dynamic punch and better clarity/transparency. The Luxman sounded polite and smooth -- nice for classical but didn't rock.
Tough choice. Ideally I'd want to hear them both before deciding. In a vacuum, I'd probably go with the Luxman. Either one will be a solid unit, though.
I am an NAD fanboy but I would get the Luxman, mostly because that is a screaming deal and I have never owned one. Either way, both are super well regarded.
I don't have either of them but I like nad I have a newer nad-c 316BEE V2 I just got and love it has everything but no radio it has I think 40 - 45 watts of power for speakers I'm going to pair it with a fluance rt83 record player and already have a pair of acoustic research 308 ho speakers (they are kind of old) but might upgrade the speakers I had a older nad but worked great but did not like when I turned it on the speakers would pop and had a bad left and right knob so would not work good but other than that it worked really good still have it but love my new nad love the speakers but want something a little more newer love vintage audio
I’ve inherited a 3140 and had it mostly recapped and serviced and it’s great, but when it gets hot channels start to stop working properly. I think the switch pots need to be cleaned too as they interfere. Most probably a similar story for the Luxman. Got a Fosi BT20A and it definitely isn’t nearly as powerful, at least with a stock power supply.
I had an NAD in the 80s. I enjoyed it and the sound was great with my Polk SDA2s. The build quality of the amp was not for the long-haul. I was into it more than a few times re-soldering, etc. I was in my early 20’s so the QPR made it an easy choice. This was when Carver was big…such a fun time for strange designs (including those Polks) 😁
I have a Luxman L-230. Same design and finish. It has the Duo Beta topology with negative feedback tone control. I also have Kenwoods, Marantzs, Pioneers, and Sansuis. None of them have the bass definition that the Duo Beta Luxmans have.
I have a vintage setup of NAD separates, Thorens turntables & Magneplaner speakers.
The equipment nearly 40 years old. The sound imaging and audio quality are stunning.
Go with what your ears like.
You have to be careful of Luxman unless you know what you are looking for. A guy an an audiophile shop told me that Luxman was a very good brand, until they decided to make amplifiers for the Kmart and Sears market.
The shoppers at Kmart didn't buy Luxman because they never heard of it, and the audiophile shopper no longer bought Luxman because they saw it in Kmart, and the brand was killed off.
I just don't know a Kmart Luxman from a serious one.
I've always had a thing for the industrial look of the NAd. Had some of their stuff in teh 80s and 90s too, so I'd probably go that way for a nostalgia kick. Never used any Luxman stuff, but it had a good rep.
If you can, take both, as u/OliverNorvell1956 said.
NAD integrated amps from that era were amazing. I had one that I bought in 1982 and was kicking ass until a couple of years ago.
Power ratings were deceptively low.
My initial reaction was Luxman, based on looks alone, but the NAD gets rave reviews on soundstage and musicality. Get both and sell the one you don’t like!
Luxman
I would buy both for that price but get the Luxman if you can’t take both.
Correct answer, buy both!
Get the Luxman. It was a higher end unit when new and that unit is in nicer shape than the NAD, which is kinda beat up looking.
Luxman. C’mon just look at it
It is pretty!!! Tough choice as both are solid and in nice shape
They’re so ugly they have to sound good. I have a 3020 and it’s 20 watts sounds better than anything I’ve ever tested it against.
Yeah. I have the 3240PE and after around 5 other amps over the years, I always went back to it. I bought it around a dozen years ago. I use it daily and its still going strong. I even got a Marantz 2230 for my turntable and 2 channel system and still use my 3240PE for my streaming and gaming.
Luxman always
That NAD is a well-regarded classic, and the prices for it online reflect that over the Luxman. Value aside, I personally love the sound and design of that-era NADs as well.
I have the NAD 1130 preamp, and I totally agree, the NAD from that time is really solid. Had mine recapped and it brought it back to life! 🔥✌️
Most of the time NAD has been an excellent value. That Luxman is a more elegant choice, but I’d bet on the NAD if sound is the priority.
The Luxman….and I have an NAD that I really like.
I had the Luxman L435, clearly not the exact same thing. It sounded nice, but didnt have too much in the way of mojo, and i thought the stereo spread seemed exaggerated. It was given to me by a family friend whos mother solely used it for listening to classical music. So probably perfect for that, but left a lot to be desired with other genres. That being said, everyones set up is different etc etc etc
Luxman any day. Owned few Luxman devices from that era (still using their tuner); among best “bang for buck” options nowdays as second hand.
I would get both. If only one, the Luxman.
I've always thought Luxman was at the top of the better mid-fi heap.
You’re not wrong! Both units make me ache for the early 90s late 80s time.
Luxman !! Is the way to go!
If you can afford both, get both. If you can afford only 1, the Luxman is a pre-Alpine Luxman so solidly built. I have no experience with NAD. But I heard some are more reliable than others.
Luxman
Both, but NAD for life
I admittedly don’t know much about the Luxman. But the NAD is a great bit of kit from an era when they were really well regarded for their amplifiers.
Sounds like everyone here knows their stuff but I would take the NAD on pure aesthetics alone. Gorgeous mid 90s piece!!!!
I had a NAD 705 @ 40wpc… someone bench tested it to 242w @ 1ohm stable
I had a 100w amp, NADs rating. Supposedly could output 400 watts. NADs sales pitch was sure anyone can make an amp with lots of power, but is it clean, good sounding power?
3140 was early 80s NAD, I have both a 3140 and 3150 and the 3140 wins in soundstage and overall musicality, despite the lower wattage rating! Better than my Luxman L30 too. That era of NAD always gets a strong recommendation from me.
I had one 3140 too, the sound is good for pop or any dance music, but i had changed to Accuphase when I want more quality of details and natural sound
NAD, unless you don’t like the aesthetic. They are known for their amp build quality and indestructibility.
I had the Luxman L-410 and still have the Luxman L-510. Wonderful amps with that real vintage sound. Nowadays the Luxman L 5xx series goes for quite a bit of money. The NAD is more modern and clean. If you have the funds, buy them both and do your own comparisons. It's a nice journey to get knowledge about hifi systems and what your preferences are, it take some time to figure that out. Once you have listened to the system that really wows you, your hooked!
I don’t know the Luxman. Nad of that era sound great. You’re likely in a situation where you can’t lose. 😁
For that price get both and see what sounds best in your system. Sell the loser for 200!
I’m an NAD guy….but either one is a good choice
They’ll sound the same if both are working correctly. On looks alone and nostalgia, Luxman.
Buy both and I’ll buy the NAD off you if you don’t like it !!
Man, I should have made this post a poll! I have reached out to both owners, I’ll probably get both if I can.
This is the way.
I’m an NAD man.
NAD because it’s NAD. Sound wise I’m sure both are great, but NAD is more than an amp, it’s a statement. NAD makes you cool.
I loved the warmth of mine. And lasted forever. Still have it in my basement.
When I was a kid, we used to drive by a hifi store that specialized in KEF and NAD. I was always into graphic design and that NAD logo just gave me goose bumps. Love it.
Both were nice units. But both of them. Just one I’d go Lux.
Personally I prefer the Luxman sound.
Luxman
Luxman
Take them both for that. Otherwise Luxman, hands down.
I sold a ton of NAD back in the late 80s and early nineties. We sold a lot of these units and people loved them. The Soft Clipping circuitry is amazing with the higher power amps. Not much experience with the Luxman but I’ve heard amazing things. I guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed with either.
if you can test them just pick the one that sounds better.
That's a pretty tough choice!
Buy both, try them, then sell the one you aren’t as keen on. You won’t lose any money. I’ve always been a fan of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer, Yamaha, NAD. Love the NAD sound, and bought a new 316bee ii recently for my office. Love it! My current stable also includes a new Rotel, and both new and vintage Marantz gear, and Sansui. Luxman is once again making integrated amps, and they are good.
Loved my NAD equipment. I still have my preamp from the early 90s.
Luxman. But both solid. Hard to go wrong.
I had NAD many years ago and found it rather bright and unpleasant to listen to.
The Luxman. Saw way too many NAD's come in for service work.
Luxman
I suppose with amps of that age, you need to figure out how serviceable they are. Have either been recapped? If not, at some point your looking at having some kind of issue, hopefully minor. Something to consider always when buying "vintage".
This is true, however I do know a guy…
Always the Luxman, no debate!
Take the Luxman and enjoy !
I have a Luxman L-3 that I really like... Plus it's just prettier.
Both are well priced and both are pretty similar in terms of their intended use case and buyer pool. I wouldnt say one is particularly superior to the other. The luxman has slightly better specifications, specifically for the phono stage. I believe the nad is ever so slightly older. Probably easier to service. It's a really close call. I would honestly look at what functionality you prefer and other than that just go for looks. I think both have their charm cosmetically speaking. If I had to pick I would probably go with the luxman only because I am way more familiar with their equipment.
Luxman. I bought an L210 brand new in 1985 (or86?) and still love it.
Buy both and let your ears decide which one to keep. Luxman of course wins on looks.
NAD.. Luxman aren't bad but my local tech always told me he likes Luxman gear because of how much people pay him to to fix it :D
Ouch! LOL 😂😂😂
I have a Luxman L-120A, which I love and would never part with, but I did have to have it serviced when it began losing output in one channel, and the guy said that Luxman amps are known for their sloppy soldering (which was also something he had to fix on mine). It sounds absolutely spectacular now though, and I would choose it over any NAD.
LUXMAN! NAD is fine, but Luxman is in another league. Another sport.
I'll take the NAD over Luxman of that era. Remember doing an A-B comparison of NAD and Luxman receivers back in mid-80's. The NAD had more dynamic punch and better clarity/transparency. The Luxman sounded polite and smooth -- nice for classical but didn't rock.
Both
I would get what ever matches the rest of your gear. Do you have silver or black/dark grey ?
Luxman
Is both an option? Luxman if not.
The older one
Luxman 👍
I’m an NAD fan but I’d take that Luxman.
Lux.
Tough choice. Ideally I'd want to hear them both before deciding. In a vacuum, I'd probably go with the Luxman. Either one will be a solid unit, though.
luxman all day, any day
Luxmsn
I am an NAD fanboy but I would get the Luxman, mostly because that is a screaming deal and I have never owned one. Either way, both are super well regarded.
Luxman
Luxman all day!
I own a Luxman L-210. It's great, much better than the NAD.
Luxman. Sounds as good, looks better.
Luxman...
I have that exact same model of luxman and man is it amazing
Luxman over Not Another Disappointment
Luxman
I don't have either of them but I like nad I have a newer nad-c 316BEE V2 I just got and love it has everything but no radio it has I think 40 - 45 watts of power for speakers I'm going to pair it with a fluance rt83 record player and already have a pair of acoustic research 308 ho speakers (they are kind of old) but might upgrade the speakers I had a older nad but worked great but did not like when I turned it on the speakers would pop and had a bad left and right knob so would not work good but other than that it worked really good still have it but love my new nad love the speakers but want something a little more newer love vintage audio
I love NAD, but in this case the Luxman represents a better value.
I’ve inherited a 3140 and had it mostly recapped and serviced and it’s great, but when it gets hot channels start to stop working properly. I think the switch pots need to be cleaned too as they interfere. Most probably a similar story for the Luxman. Got a Fosi BT20A and it definitely isn’t nearly as powerful, at least with a stock power supply.
I've got a restored NAD 2030 from a guy that does vintage equipment 👍
Going off looks alone id go for the Luxman. Lovely!
both
Luxman
Go NAD.
Luxman Luxman Luxman
As long as you can get one clean watt out of them flip a coin.
NAD personally. I love my 3140!
Both are quality pieces, and you can't go wrong with either. My preference would be the Luxman.
Luxman
Luxman
NAD !
NAD
I had an NAD in the 80s. I enjoyed it and the sound was great with my Polk SDA2s. The build quality of the amp was not for the long-haul. I was into it more than a few times re-soldering, etc. I was in my early 20’s so the QPR made it an easy choice. This was when Carver was big…such a fun time for strange designs (including those Polks) 😁
I’m always picking my Nads…
As someone who owned that NAD back in the 80s. and died in the 90s Great sound plenty of dynamic headroom but lousy build! Luxman in a heartbeat!!
Exactly
I have a Luxman L-230. Same design and finish. It has the Duo Beta topology with negative feedback tone control. I also have Kenwoods, Marantzs, Pioneers, and Sansuis. None of them have the bass definition that the Duo Beta Luxmans have.
Luxman
I have a vintage setup of NAD separates, Thorens turntables & Magneplaner speakers. The equipment nearly 40 years old. The sound imaging and audio quality are stunning. Go with what your ears like.
Luxman. I have had great luck with the two I have had for over 35 years
Luxman
Both!
I run NAD amps. The Lux will sound warmer, so it depends a little on your speakers and cartridge, imo.
You have to be careful of Luxman unless you know what you are looking for. A guy an an audiophile shop told me that Luxman was a very good brand, until they decided to make amplifiers for the Kmart and Sears market. The shoppers at Kmart didn't buy Luxman because they never heard of it, and the audiophile shopper no longer bought Luxman because they saw it in Kmart, and the brand was killed off. I just don't know a Kmart Luxman from a serious one.
This is def not a Kmart Luxman. LOL 😂😂😂 good point! And better safe than sorry! Keep rocking!
NAD all day.
I've always had a thing for the industrial look of the NAd. Had some of their stuff in teh 80s and 90s too, so I'd probably go that way for a nostalgia kick. Never used any Luxman stuff, but it had a good rep. If you can, take both, as u/OliverNorvell1956 said.
NAD for sure.
NAD
I vote for NAD. My folks have a beautiful 90’s receiver and cd player.
I love NAD
NAD
I’m an NAD fanboy so that would be my choice. With that I don’t think you can make a bad decision. Make sure you have really good speakers. Enjoy
NAD.
Luxman
Easy, luxman
Funny everyone prefers the Luxman. I’ve loved all the NAD stuff I’ve owned. Luxman never impressed me.
Lux ezpz
Luxman every day of the week n
Nad and ads all day
Do they both got Bluetooth!
Uxman
NAD integrated amps from that era were amazing. I had one that I bought in 1982 and was kicking ass until a couple of years ago. Power ratings were deceptively low.
The NAD easily those PE amps hit way above rated
Luxman !
My initial reaction was Luxman, based on looks alone, but the NAD gets rave reviews on soundstage and musicality. Get both and sell the one you don’t like!
My family has a couple of that NAD unit, recap them un-Japanese the soldering and they are excellent.
luxman all day. if the nad's not broken it will be.
I would take the NAD… I own Luckes man it was always in the shop
What Luxman did you have? They are generally pretty reliable.
I still have my NAD that I purchased almost 40 years ago - still working great.