LUA 6060 C + Remote Control

LUA 6060 C – High-End KT88 Tube Integrated Amplifier – Adjustable MM/MC Phono Stage – Fully Overhauled

The LUA 6060 C is an exceptionally substantial German High-End tube integrated amplifier combining classic valve technology with impressive power reserves and uncompromising construction.

Four large output tubes, substantial transformers and a weight of approximately 24.5 kilograms immediately demonstrate the engineering philosophy behind the 6060 C.

This is certainly not a delicate low-power tube amplifier. LUA specified a typical output of 2 × 60 watts into 8 ohms, while contemporary tests also demonstrated impressive power reserves into lower-impedance loads.

Our example is in very good cosmetic condition, is fitted with four KT88 output tubes and has been completely technically overhauled.

A particularly desirable feature of our amplifier is its integrated and extensively adjustable MM/MC phono stage. Both resistive loading and capacitive loading can be adjusted to provide appropriate electrical matching for different cartridges.

Also included is the impressive infrared remote control made from solid aluminium.

Substantial German Tube Engineering

The LUA 6060 C was created around the turn of the millennium, during a particularly interesting period for European High-End audio.

LUA combined traditional tube amplification with remarkably substantial construction and considerable output power.

A look inside the amplifier reveals where much of its considerable weight comes from. A large mains transformer and two substantial output transformers dominate the construction alongside the four power tubes.

With dimensions of approximately 43 × 21 × 38 cm and a weight of around 24.5 kg, the 6060 C is a genuinely substantial integrated amplifier.

Our Example with Four KT88 Output Tubes

Our LUA 6060 C is fitted with four KT88 power tubes.

The KT88 is one of the great classics among high-power audio output tubes and has been used for decades in high-quality push-pull tube amplifiers.

Historical LUA documentation available to us shows the 6060 C, among other configurations, with selected and measured 6550 output tubes. The amplifier offered here, however, is fitted with KT88 tubes.

Because the actual performance of a tube amplifier depends not only on the tube type but also on operating points, supply voltages, power supply and output transformers, we do not automatically attribute historical measurements obtained with other tube configurations to our particular amplifier.

Impressive Power Reserves

LUA specified a typical output for the 6060 C of

2 × 60 watts sine wave into 8 ohms.

At 1 kHz and 1% THD, historical LUA documentation specifies 2 × 56 watts into 8 ohms.

According to contemporary LUA documentation, stereoplay 10/2000 measured approximately 70 watts into 4 ohms and noted that the amplifier maintained broadband performance even when driving a relatively low-impedance load.

For a classic tube integrated amplifier, this is noteworthy.

Naturally, the actual impedance curve of the connected loudspeaker remains important when matching any transformer-coupled tube amplifier.

Nevertheless, the historical measurements demonstrate that LUA designed the 6060 C as a powerful and practical tube amplifier rather than a delicate low-output specialist.

Adjustable MM and MC Phono Stage

One of the most interesting features of our particular amplifier is its integrated phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges.

This is considerably more sophisticated than a simple fixed phono input.

The phono stage allows the electrical load presented to the cartridge to be adjusted. Both resistive loading and capacitive loading can be selected to provide appropriate matching for different cartridges.

This is particularly valuable in a serious analogue system.

With an MM cartridge, cartridge inductance interacts with the total capacitance formed by the tonearm wiring, interconnect and phono input. The selected capacitive load can therefore have a measurable and audible influence on the cartridge's frequency response.

With MC cartridges, the appropriate resistive loading is particularly important when optimising the electrical relationship between cartridge and phono preamplifier.

The LUA therefore offers considerably more flexibility than an integrated amplifier equipped with a conventional fixed phono input.

For vinyl enthusiasts, this adjustable MM/MC phono stage is one of the most desirable features of our 6060 C.

Extensively Documented Performance

LUA documented the technical performance of the 6060 C in unusual detail.

Historical figures for the model include:

• typical output: 2 × 60 W / 8 Ω
• output at 1 kHz / 1% THD: 2 × 56 W / 8 Ω
• THD at 2 × 10 W / 8 Ω and 1 kHz: < 0.3%
• THD at 2 × 1 W / 8 Ω and 1 kHz: < 0.1%
• channel separation at 1 kHz: > 75 dB
• power bandwidth: 20 Hz – 30 kHz

These are historical specifications and measurements for the model and should not be interpreted as individual measurements of our particular KT88-equipped amplifier.

Excellent Contemporary Reviews

The LUA 6060 C attracted considerable attention from the specialist audio press.

According to LUA's contemporary documentation, stereoplay 10/2000 highlighted the combination of available power and broadband performance. The amplifier was characterised as balanced and wide-ranging, with particular praise for its bass performance.

A further test by AUDIO Poland 7/2001 awarded the amplifier an overall rating of “very good +”.

Scala 1/2000 also reviewed the 6060 C very positively and measured an output of 2 × 64 watts.

Today these period reviews provide useful historical context for understanding the position of the 6060 C among high-quality tube amplifiers of its era.

A Classic Analogue Amplifier Philosophy

The LUA 6060 C belongs to a fundamentally different HiFi philosophy from today's feature-rich integrated amplifiers.

There is no streaming, networking, digital signal processing, display or complex menu system.

Instead, the engineering effort is concentrated where it matters in a traditional tube amplifier: the amplifier circuit itself, the power supply, the output tubes and the substantial output transformers.

Combined with its highly adaptable MM/MC phono stage, the LUA is particularly attractive as the centrepiece of a serious analogue HiFi system.

Solid Aluminium Remote Control

A particularly attractive feature of our example is its infrared remote control.

Remote operation was originally offered by LUA as an optional feature.

The remote supplied with our amplifier is anything but an ordinary plastic handset. It is manufactured from solid aluminium and conveys the same sense of quality and substance as the amplifier itself.

Finding a 6060 C today complete with this impressive accessory is by no means a matter of course.

Very Good Cosmetic Condition

Our LUA 6060 C is in very good cosmetic condition.

Its restrained and purposeful design has aged extremely well. Rather than presenting its tube technology in an overtly nostalgic manner, the LUA appears clean, substantial and technically focused.

The large fascia, solid controls and overall construction still convey a distinctly high-quality appearance today.

Completely Technically Overhauled

With a powerful tube amplifier of this age, technical condition is at least as important as cosmetic appearance.

Our LUA 6060 C has therefore been completely technically overhauled.

Following completion of the work, the amplifier was checked and prepared for continued operation.

We are therefore offering not simply an attractive used amplifier, but a technically prepared example of this increasingly uncommon German tube integrated amplifier.

Technical Data and Features

• Manufacturer: LUA
• Model: 6060 C
• stereo tube integrated amplifier
• our example fitted with 4 × KT88
• historical manufacturer specification: typically 2 × 60 W / 8 Ω
• historical manufacturer specification at 1 kHz / 1% THD: 2 × 56 W / 8 Ω
• power bandwidth according to LUA: 20 Hz – 30 kHz
• channel separation at 1 kHz according to LUA: > 75 dB
• integrated MM/MC phono stage
• adjustable resistive cartridge loading
• adjustable capacitive cartridge loading
• dimensions: approx. 43 × 21 × 38 cm
• weight: approx. 24.5 kg
• infrared remote control

Condition of Our Example

• very good cosmetic condition
• completely technically overhauled
• fitted with four KT88 output tubes
• integrated adjustable MM/MC phono stage
• substantial solid-aluminium infrared remote control
• checked and ready for operation

Our Conclusion

The LUA 6060 C is a fascinating example of German High-End tube engineering from around the turn of the millennium.

A weight approaching 25 kilograms, substantial transformers, four large power tubes and considerable output power demonstrate that LUA did not intend to create a delicate tube curiosity, but a serious and practical integrated amplifier.

For vinyl enthusiasts, our example is particularly interesting. Its integrated MM/MC phono stage goes considerably beyond a simple switch between the two cartridge principles: adjustable resistive and capacitive loading allows the phono section to be electrically matched to a wide variety of cartridges.

Our example is in very good cosmetic condition, has been completely technically overhauled and is fitted with four KT88 output tubes.

The rare and beautifully manufactured solid-aluminium remote control completes the package.

A powerful, beautifully engineered and highly versatile tube integrated amplifier – and a fascinating piece of German High-End audio history.