A local stereo brand with unique sound quality
Author/Su Yon-lun
We have been reporting on many stereo brands domestic and abroad since the beginning of the summer until we came across this local brand – LxR. It’s shinning new looks, carefully illustrated manual and the new patents caught our attention. We have very high expectations of the new X50 amplifier.
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It takes a lot of courage and perseverance to operate a stereo business, especially in Taiwan. Those that have survived over the years went through hardships that we can’t imagine. I dare to say that the quality of Taiwanese stereo is undoubtable. However, consumer experiences must be expanded. Luckily, there are still thoughtful entrepreneurs in Taiwan who are willing to dive into the stereo business and introduce new products. This is our first time commenting on this new brand LxR. I feel it is my duty to introduce to all sound lovers, this new and exciting brand.
Heritage and passion
Let’s begin from the background of the owner: LxR founder Tommy Lee is a man full of passion and knows circuits. Lee is a Thai Chinese – lived in Thailand till he was 17 years old and came to Taiwan to study electronic and information engineering. He first worked at the Taipei Metro Company, and met a coworker who does a lot of DIY on stereo aside from the metro construction. Lee accompanied his coworker on a client visit one day, and his passion in stereo caught his coworker’s attention. He then invited Lee to try the sounds of some of the machines, and Lee got addicted. Lee recalled that they used a KEF speaker to play Jazz, and he was stunned by the amazing effects of the machine. Lee then started to learn about sound, machine and design starting 2003 with his coworker – his mentor.
By 2013, with the consent of his mentor, Lee founded the LxR to inherit the sound effects and advance the exterior of the amplifiers. He also added in his own patents and creativities when founding LxR. One may be curious why the name LxR. Well, L is the left channel and R is the right channel. X simply means balance and combination. LxR therefore means the beautiful sound when the left and right channel are met with the correct balance. Also, since Lee was brought up in Thailand, the specially designed letter L and R, when turned clockwise 90 degrees, the letters would look like Rim Lao in Thai language. We can see Lee’s nostalgia through his logo design. This indicates that LxR is not only a stereo, but a brand with much confidence!
Best and ready
LxR, except X50 A amplifiers, also has another AB type AB100 amplifier. X50 and AB 100 both have aluminum alloy boxes, with the first quarter of the box being cylinder. Lee said that this would be his signature design. X50 is two times the size of AB100, and it’s heavy weight indicates the quality. There are two parts within the X50 with an aluminum alloy plate in between. Therefore, when you open the machine, you would only see the upper part if you open the upper lid which contains the wires of the amplifier, channels and volume; if you would like to see the lower part of the machine, you must turn the machine upside down, and open the lower lid to see the power supply arrangements. Lee said that they know the machine is heavy, therefore they build a special turnable round shape plate for technicians to assemble the wires up and down. X50 ‘s amplifier wires are A types, and is the standardized dual mono, each channel generates 50w of power and a frequency between 5Hz-120kHz. On the lower part, originally two sets of EI transformers were used, generating 250VA per channel. However, Lee discovered that EI transformers do not operate well under A type due to the heat issue, therefore he recently replaced it with two sets of toroidal transformers. Toroidal transformer is not affected by heat, and can generate 400VA per channel. The huge capacitance is made in Japan, and is very stable. Lee has tried many different brands before settling on this to offer the best sound effect.
The four patents
The two amplifiers developed by LxR contain four unique patents. First is “Mechanical speaker protection wire” – traditionally, the speaker protection wire uses relay to transfer sound and control the system. Once a abnormal direct current enters, the detector will make the current detach from the relay to avoid any damages to the speaker. A mechanical speaker protection wire divides the detection circuit and sound circuit. This is a physical divide which gives more protection to the speakers by avoiding any kind of abnormal current transfer. Second is the “Mechanical source selection wire,” when choosing the source from the front panel, a motor from behind will send signal to the relative channel to transfer sound. Though the speed is slower compared with the traditional relay or electronic panel control, this would provide better sound effect, and reduce the interference of DC signal. The third patent is “Mechanically sound automatic zero-point correction.” When the stereo is in standby mode, turning the X50 volume knob will trigger a motor and allow the volume to return to zero automatically. Or after turning off the stereo, the volume knob will also auto return to zero. This idea came from Lee and his sales manager Mr. Chuang, they both have kids and kids would play with the knobs. If the volume is at an inappropriate spot, the sudden sound would harm the stereo. Mr. Chuang said that though this auto design seems like nothing, it is actually very useful when using the stereo at home. The final patent is the “SN-01G vibration suppression pedestal.” Lee spent much effort in designing the pedestal, and has asked the metal processing factory to revise the design many times. This pedestal is a double layer design; the upper metal disc is slightly smaller than the lower disc. Both discs have rubber shock absorber straps that would reduce the shock, and also suppress the shock from outside the machine. There is also a special groove design between the metal and the rubber straps to make them stick closer together. This, indeed, is a very thoughtful design.
Focus
1. This is one of the most delicate local stereo brand that I have seen lately.The fine work and patents shows the hard effort put into it.
2. The four patents are “Mechanical speaker protection wire”; “Mechanical source selection wire”; “Mechanically sound automatic zero-point correction”; and “SN-01G vibration suppression pedestal.”
3. The power supply is very sufficient, type A double/single channel structure and the patents are all to reduce the interference and to produce the best sound effect.
Suggestion
The mild and delicate sound effect goes with any type of music, and the speakers have a very good quality.
Clean and clear
During the trial test, we used Django XL speaker to play the original sound track of the move Carol. Though the orchestra is small in this album, there are many little details and chords. As LxR triggers the Django XL speaker, you can hear the amazing sound effects and the music made by each instrument – whether it is the strings of a violin, or the plucking of the harp. LxR was able to bring out each sound made by the different instruments. I was certainly surprised by this local brand, and it gave me a good impression. We also played an album by the aboriginal singer Wu Yun Da Yin, and the sound effect was just as great. The stereo was able to display the different layers of the music and instruments such as bass. Even the harness used in the music was able to be restored by the X50. As Wu Yun Da Yin is an aboriginal singer, he possess a very unique voice. And the Django XL speaker was able to show his special voice via X50. It was able to represent the unique voice of aboriginal singers.
Listen for yourself
The X50 type A amplifier by LxR can present music naturally, and infectiously. It can manage tiny details. In my opinion, this is as good as world high end products. I would like to give my special thanks to Lee and Mr. Juan for their hospitality and kindness during this interview. I believe LxR would have a bright future, and I hereby highly recommend their product.
Appearance
X50 is the latest product of the local brand LxR, the aluminum alloy metal design is very unique with the two ¼ cylinders as a trademark of the brand. X50 is 100% MIT, the vibration suppression pedestal is one of the special patents.
Back panel
The terminal on the back panel is relatively simple, with 4 RCA input and a set of speaker output.
Interior
The machine is very heavy, with a plate in between to create an upper and lower level. One must lift the upper or lower plate to look into the interior of the stereo. There two pictures are provided by LxR, the one with a huge toroidal transformer is the lower level. The wires are not sorted as the design has only be recently altered. The upper level holds the wires of the amplifier with the double/single channel structure. It uses J-FET and MOS-FET as the input and power rate. The three other patented wires are also located at the upper level.