Luxman and L&G
- Admin
- Aug 18, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Luxman is a long-time maker of hi-fi gear going back several decades. They still make audio equipment and many of their pieces are in the thousands of dollars range! They are that good. Some collectors and enthusiasts refer to them as the "McIntosh of Japan", McIntosh being another maker of very high-end audio gear.
Back in the 1970s they attempted to cater to a younger demographic and made a subdivision with more affordable gear. Enter "L&G" around 1972. Some pieces were boldly colored in white with orange buttons and sliders. Shown below is the more pedestrian-looking L-2800 with matching tuner as L&G started to blend in with standard styling of Luxman gear before L&G ended. Really nice machines and very good specs at around 35 to 40 watts per channel. Nothing earth-shattering, but they made good power, sounded great and were reliable. I am not sure when the subdivision stopped as there isn't much info about it, but most info points to it disappearing by 1975 or so. The amplifier is identical to the Luxman L-606 internally and also shares the same controls. The main differences are the display windows and knobs. The L-2800 has R/L power meters and the L-606 has a block diagram of the signal path circuit that lights up when different features are selected. I fully restored both units and both were subsequently sold.
1974 L&G L-2800 Integrated Amplifier and matching T-1400 AM/FM Tuner
Origins and Purpose
Launched in 1972, L&G was a sub-brand of Lux (Luxman) aimed at design-conscious, lifestyle-oriented buyers.
Luxman’s official history highlights the glamorous orange-and-white styling, distinct from its conservative mainstream line.
The brand was short-lived, fading out by the late 1970s as Luxman shifted focus to Laboratory Reference and PD series components.
Design Philosophy
Designed by the Tokyo studio Unicreates, with Junji Kimura (later of 47 Laboratory) directly involved.
Styling emphasized modern furniture-like appeal: white panels, bold orange accents, and minimal chrome.
The look was intended to blend hi-fi with interior décor, targeting a new kind of consumer beyond audiophile purists.
Product Line
L&G offered a complete system approach with coordinated aesthetics:
Receivers: R-3400, R-3600, R-3800, R-4000, NR-4000
Integrated Amplifiers: L-2400, L-2600, L-2800
Tuners: T-1200, T-1400
Cassette Deck: CT-5000
Speakers: S-20, S-25
Turntables: FP-15, AP-13
Visual Evolution
1. Early Era (c.1972–74)
Signature white faceplates with orange knobs, sliders, and buttons.
Bold, playful, and unmistakable.
Example: L-2600 integrated amp, noted for its glowing orange volume ring when powered.
2. Transitional Era (c.1975–76)
Styling moved toward brushed silver/aluminum faces with wood side panels.
Retained L&G branding but dropped most orange highlights.
Examples: L-2800 integrated amplifier and T-1400 tuner.
Spotter’s Guide — Identifying L&G Units
Early White/Orange Models
White panels, orange controls.
Clearly marked “L&G” branding.
Furniture-like, modernistic look.
Transitional Silver Models
Brushed aluminum faces, conventional Luxman-style knobs.
VU meters and red LED indicators on some units.
Still marked as L&G, but visually closer to mainstream Luxman gear.
Speakers & Accessories
Slim cabinets, lighter grille cloths.
Turntables matched the white/orange aesthetic, designed as part of full systems.
Collector Notes
Mislabeling: Some sellers confuse L&G with LG (Lucky-Goldstar). While some sources claim a partnership, Luxman’s official materials do not confirm this.
Rarity: Production was short-lived; surviving units are sought after for their design as much as their sound.
Value: Early orange/white units are especially collectible due to their distinctive styling.
Summary Table
Era | Visual Style | Key Models | Notable Features |
Early ’70s | White with orange highlights | L-2400, L-2600 | Bold “lifestyle” aesthetic, rare today |
Mid ’70s | Brushed silver, wood panels | L-2800, T-1400 | Transitional, closer to Luxman styling |
In Summary
Luxman’s L&G brand was a fascinating early ’70s experiment in lifestyle hi-fi: bold white-and-orange styling, complete system offerings, and later transitional designs. Though short-lived, L&G remains a collectible slice of Luxman history—valued equally for design innovation and rarity.
