{"product_id":"luxman-cl-38uc-tube-preamplifier","title":"CL-38uC Tube Preamplifier","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"pa-d5\" style=\"color:#080808;line-height:1.6;font-size:15px\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 6px;font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8d1935;font-weight:600\"\u003eLuxman · Vacuum tube\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;font-size:18px;line-height:1.45;font-weight:600\"\u003eA tube preamplifier in Luxman's classic wooden-case style: SRPP circuitry throughout, eight JJ Electronic tubes, transformer-coupled balanced inputs and an MM\/MC phono stage with step-up transformers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"display:inline-block;margin:0 0 18px;padding:4px 10px;border:1px solid #d8d5ce;border-radius:2px;font-size:13px;color:#55524c\"\u003eAsk us about current availability. Supplied with the RA-25 aluminum remote.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:1px;background:#d8d5ce;border:1px solid #d8d5ce;margin:0 0 22px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e8 tubes\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003e3 × ECC83S, 5 × ECC82\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e100 dB\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003eline signal-to-noise (IHF-A)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003eMM\/MC\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003ephono stage with step-up transformers\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e29.3 lb\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003eweight (13.3 kg)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eThe CL-38uC is the preamplifier half of the pair Luxman styled after its MQ-60 and CL-35 of the late 1960s, and the \"C\" denotes the 2018 revision of the CL-38u. Every stage, phono, tone and line, uses SRPP (shunt regulated push-pull) circuitry, which stacks two triode sections so that one acts as an active load for the other, lowering output impedance and distortion without a transformer. The tube complement is three ECC83S and five ECC82, all JJ Electronic, each aged for 48 hours and then checked before the preamplifier leaves the factory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eThe phono stage is the reason many people buy a CL-38uC. It handles MM cartridges at 47 kΩ, and MC cartridges through built-in step-up transformers with a lever switch for high (100 Ω) or low (30 Ω) impedance and independent left and right two-step gain selection. Balanced line inputs are coupled through their own transformers, with a 2.5 V maximum input that suits most sources but can be exceeded by high-output balanced DACs. Tone controls offer ±8 dB with three selectable turnover frequencies each, there is a 30 Hz low-cut filter, and the coupling capacitors are Nichicon metallized polypropylene film types chosen for the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eThe chassis is the standard 440 mm Luxman width in a traditional wooden outer case, with the power and choke transformers enclosed in shielded cans and the whole circuit inside a shielded metal enclosure to keep hum and noise down. Matthias Böde tested the CL-38uC with the MQ-88uC for Germany's STEREO magazine in 2019 and called the preamplifier \"a captivating vinyl expert\". The small RA-25 remote handles volume from the listening seat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 20px\"\u003eThe obvious partner is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luxman-mq-88uc-tube-power-amplifier\"\u003eMQ-88uC\u003c\/a\u003e, which shares its styling and its 25 W of triode-connected KT88 power, but the CL-38uC's 300 Ω output drives any power amplifier, and it has been used with Luxman's solid-state amplifiers to add a tube front end to a Class AB system. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luxman-cl-1000-preamplifier\"\u003eCL-1000\u003c\/a\u003e is the step up: transformer-coupled outputs, a LECUTA attenuator and a quieter phono stage, at four times the price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-size:16px\"\u003eKey technologies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 20px;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSRPP throughout.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shunt regulated push-pull circuitry in the phono, tone and line stages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJJ Electronic tubes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Three ECC83S and five ECC82, aged for 48 hours and performance-checked at the factory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMC step-up transformers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Built-in, with a high\/low impedance lever switch and independent left and right two-step gain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransformer-coupled balanced inputs.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dedicated input transformers; 2.5 V maximum input.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelectable tone turnovers.\u003c\/strong\u003e ±8 dB with bass turnover at 150\/300\/600 Hz and treble at 1.5\/3\/6 kHz; 30 Hz low cut.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShielded construction.\u003c\/strong\u003e Toroidal power and choke transformers in shielded cases inside a shielded metal enclosure, in a wooden outer case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdetails open style=\"border-top:1px solid #080808;margin:0 0 6px\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:12px 0;font-size:16px;font-weight:600\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:14px;margin:0 0 14px\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eVacuum tube control amplifier with MM\/MC phono stage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eTubes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e3 × ECC83S, 5 × ECC82 (JJ Electronic)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eCircuit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eSRPP in all stages\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003ePhono inputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eMM 2.0 mV \/ 47 kΩ; MC high 0.3 mV \/ 100 Ω; MC low 0.08 mV \/ 30 Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eLine inputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eUnbalanced (RCA) 190 mV \/ 50 kΩ; balanced (XLR, transformer-coupled) 190 mV \/ 20 kΩ, 2.5 V maximum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eOutput\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e1 V rated \/ 300 Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003ePhono 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.5 dB); line 10 Hz – 70 kHz (−3 dB)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eTotal harmonic distortion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e0.006% or less (1 kHz); 0.06% or less (20 Hz – 20 kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eSignal-to-noise ratio (IHF-A)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003ePhono MM 68 dB; MC high 63 dB; MC low 60 dB; line 100 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eTone controls\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e±8 dB; bass turnover 150\/300\/600 Hz; treble turnover 1.5\/3\/6 kHz; 30 Hz low cut (−6 dB\/oct)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003ePower consumption\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e35 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eDimensions (W × H × D)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e440 × 169 × 307 mm (17.3 × 6.7 × 12.1 in), including knob and terminals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e13.3 kg (29.3 lb)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eSupplied\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eRA-25 remote control, power cable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;font-size:13px\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.luxman.com\/product\/detail.php?id=27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eLuxman CL-38uC product page and specifications\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid #080808;border-bottom:1px solid #080808;margin:0 0 22px\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:12px 0;font-size:16px;font-weight:600\"\u003eWhere it sits in the range\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 0 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"\u003eLuxman's classic-style tube preamplifier, the partner to the MQ-88uC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLuxman CL-38uC\u003c\/strong\u003e (this model)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/luxman-mq-88uc-tube-power-amplifier\"\u003eLuxman MQ-88uC\u003c\/a\u003e: 25 W triode-connected KT88 power amplifier, $6,995\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/c-10x-control-amplifier\"\u003eLuxman C-10X\u003c\/a\u003e: solid-state flagship control amplifier, $19,995\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/luxman-m-10x\"\u003eLuxman M-10X\u003c\/a\u003e: 150 W stereo \/ 600 W bridged flagship power amplifier, $19,995\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/luxman-cl-1000-preamplifier\"\u003eLuxman CL-1000\u003c\/a\u003e: transformer-coupled tube control amplifier, $27,995\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0\"\u003eThe matching power amplifier is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luxman-mq-88uc-tube-power-amplifier\"\u003eMQ-88uC\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-size:16px\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 22px;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/enjoythemusic.com\/magazine\/equipment\/0719\/Luxman_CL38uC_Preamplifer_MQ88uC_Amplifier_Review.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eEnjoy the Music \/ STEREO: Luxman CL-38uC Preamplifier and MQ-88uC Amplifier\u003c\/a\u003e (Matthias Böde, July 2019)\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding:16px 18px;background:#f7f6f2;border-left:3px solid #8d1935\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 4px;font-weight:600\"\u003ePlan your Luxman system with Pearl Audio\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:14px\"\u003ePearl Audio is an authorized Luxman dealer. We can match it to the rest of your system and arrange an audition in our Portland showroom. Call \u003ca href=\"tel:+15032222599\"\u003e(503) 222-2599\u003c\/a\u003e or email \u003ca href=\"mailto:sales@pearlaudio.com?subject=Luxman%20CL-38uC\"\u003esales@pearlaudio.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Luxman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30900464320610,"sku":null,"price":6995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2475\/2780\/files\/pearl-luxman-cl-38uc-gallery-1-white-square-2000-v1.jpg?v=1787367452","url":"https:\/\/pearlaudio.com\/products\/luxman-cl-38uc-tube-preamplifier","provider":"Pearl Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}