Luxman SQ-38D Tube Integrated, Rare and Unique

**Please be sure and check out our newly launched website with additional items for sale** www.skyfiaudio.com/collections/all

Luxman SQ38D Super Rare $2999

This 30W vintage integrated from the 70s is sure to bring you back to the golden age of hifi.  

Back in the 70’s Japan made some of the most revered amps on the market.  They were known for the quality of the output transformers which were absolutely flawless.  

This unit is so exceptional they re-issued it 40 years later and charged a small fortune for it.  I specially love the art deco solid aluminum knobs not found on any other Luxman unit. 

There are many interesting features on this unit including dual phono inputs for two turntables or a single table with two arms and independent bass/treble controls for the left and right channels.  

The SQ38D is in beautiful condition.  The faceplate is absolutely flawless while the wood case does have a few signs of aging.  

Internally its perfect.  We tested the unit to the full rated power and checked all the tubes for both accuracy and strength.  Also the capacitors in the power supply were inspected for leakage and tested for performance and passed with flying colors.  All controls were cleaned and lubricated.  

This item is super rarer and is priced accordingly.  They are even harder to find in the USA and most buyers have to purchase from Japan.  Here is your chance to buy from a  local and reliable seller. 

The item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home. 

Available for pickup in Ridgewood, NJ or Union Square NYC.

NJ Residents will need to pay NJ Sales Tax

Use the buy it now button and we will cover the PayPal fees.

Thanks for looking and be sure to call 646 852 2073 with any questions. 

Please visit our Audiogon e-store to see the rest of the items we have for sale www.audiogon.com/stores/skyfi

From the Vintageknob.org

One of Luxman's most successful amplifiers, released at a time high-fidelity still was for the cognoscenti : for many a japanese audiophile (with grey hair today) (if any left), the SQ38D is when it all started.

LUX was riding high on its already old existence and experience :1925...1964 = 39 years !

Classic 12AX7 and 12AU7 tubes were used in the first and driver stages respectively ; output tubes were 6BQ5, while the power transformer was OY14 type.

The first version was the SQ38 from 1963 : two phono, three aux inputs but no DIN rec/play terminal ; this layout was chosen for the '98 reissue.

Rapidly after came the SQ38D and SQ38Ds, the latter had no input transformer, replaced one auxiliary input with a regular tape i/o and added the DIN tape terminal. Both could handle modern but low-output MM catridges ; the backplates name remained the same, though - very Luxman (or Sony). 

So popular and successful that Luxman, at the dawn of yet another ownership change (ie. bankruptcy) and its upcoming 75th anniversary made a reissue of it !

The SQ-38D Reissue (yes : with a dash between SQ and 38D) swapped the 6RA8 tubes for 6BQ5, the number of inputs was increased to five, the Monitor button had an added plastic surround added and the Phono 1 circuit was altered to accept MC cartridges.

Only 500 reissue models were produced, among which was a (very) small run made with/for the japanese MJ magazine with a front badge added saying "MJ 75th Anniversary" ; the latter sported their own serial number sequence (like "MJ75009") with all normal T-Tag references erased... and apparently some upgraded parts inside - Luxman all the way !

The 38D and 38Ds sold in enormous quantities in Japan and are therefore very easy to find. Still rather expensive, alas, at about 2000€ ; the original SQ38 is much more rare.

The reissue belongs to the AZDEN period of Lux manufacturing, between late 1994 and c. 1999, sold in a jiffy despite a rather impressive price and even made the cover of the july 1999 issue of Audio Accessory (JP).

Sure, if specifications, power output and distortion pale in comparison of more modern amplifiers, if only an SQ202, there must have been something to the 38D for it to keep selling so well, beyond simple 1960s nostalgia and utter design perfection...

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This item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home.   

If we don’t have the original manufacture's packaging, we use heavy duty double ply corrugated boxes with Instapak expanding foam custom inserts.  In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging.  We also use high quality fiber reinforced tape to seal our packages.  Lightweight items will be bubble wrapped and shipped in a high-quality box. 

This item is available for pickup in Ridgewood, NJ or Union Square, NYC (with convenient parking in the building).

NJ Residents or anyone picking up without a resale certificate will need to pay NJ Sales Tax.

Use the Buy It Now button and we will cover the PayPal fees.

Thanks for looking and be sure to call or text 646.852.2073 with any questions. 

Please also be sure and visit our Audiogon e-store to see the rest of the items we have for sale www.audiogon.com/stores/skyfi

**And be sure to check out our newly launched website with additional items for sale** www.skyfiaudio.com/collections/all

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WHO WE ARE 

Skyfi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high end audio equipment.  We only buy equipment the we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, and no junk. 

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold.  We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.

Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Project, and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts, service, and support.  If you are local and are looking for any new equipment for the above-mentioned manufacturers, please drop us a line as we can arrange both sales and professional installation in the tri-state area

PURCHASING GUIDELINES

We do not accept or review any offers that do not go through the official Audiogon system. We have too many items for sale and its nearly impossible to keep track of offers outside of the official system. Please don’t message, email, or text any offers. 

If you do not see a “Make an Offer” button, it means we are not considering any offers on that item.   

PAYMENTS

We prefer working through PayPal, which allows you to use a credit card or bank transfer. We do not charge extra for any payment fees if you purchase the item at the asking price.  You can also send us a personal check (which will need to clear before shipping), certified check, money order, or wire transfer. International clients without access to PayPal should use a bank wire transfer. 

If you are picking up an item, we do not accept PayPal.  You must pay in person with cash, certified or bank check, or wire transfer.  If you make a PayPal payment and are picking up the item, it will be returned. 

TRADE IN POLICY 

We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions.  Simply ask and let us know the exact model, condition, and the accessories that are included.  Such as the original box, remote, manual, etc.  We will only consider high-end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and will typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated processors, and mid-fi equipment of any type.  We will offer a fair value for your equipment, but keep in mind we are running a business and will need to be able to resell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning, and packaging the incoming equipment.  If you are looking for top dollar we suggest attempting to sell it directly to an end user on your own.

SELL US YOUR GEAR (Working or Broken)

We will also purchase your used or broken gear and arrange pickup if you are in our local market.  Just drop us a note for a quote but be sure to include the condition and what is included. 

HOW TO VISIT US

We are currently operating from a residence in Ridgewood, NJ.  You are welcome to make an appointment if there is a piece of equipment you would like to see in operation before or after purchase.  We have a well-equipped, dedicated listening room with tons of equipment of all makes and models.  We are not a store, so please don’t make an appointment if you are just curious as to how a speaker or piece of equipment sounds.  In essence, no tire kickers please.

If you are in NYC and cannot make it out to Ridgewood, we can arrange pickup in Union Square (14th Street) after the purchase.   You can call or text 646.852.2073 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  We can also arrange to install, calibrate, and tune the gear in your listening room if you are local to the area.  This is super useful when purchasing large speakers or heavy amplifiers.  It is also great for ensuring your new turntable is setup correctly in its final resting place.  

Thanks for looking and please send us your email address if you would like to receive a list of the equipment we receive from time to time.  We promise not to bombard you with junk email.   

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