DirectDrive Museum - Luxman

Luxman is known for quite advanced electronics and is a brand name of the japanese Lux Corporation. In the 70s Luxman sold some fine decks with Direct Drive. In the 80s Luxman was a pioneer in developing vacuum stbilized platters where the record was pressed to the table by means of a vacuum pump.

Luxman PD-121

This one - pictured with a Grace GA-704 tonearm - is seen quite often nowadays as it was often sold at least here in Germany. The looks are definitely better than its sonics so a PD-121 usually can be had quite cheap at around 200-250,- Dollars. As with all Luxman decks it is almost impossible to put the deck into a different plinth a well decoupled table is a must with these.

Luxman PD-441

Simply said the PD-441 is a PD-444 without the possibility to mount two tonearms. Sonically it performs not as good as its big brother cause its plinth is lighter. 2nd hand wise it's condiderably cheaper and sells for the half of his big brother. Like many japanese decks of the late 70s - early 80s the massive platter rests on a magnetic bearing. The armbase rests on a sledge which makes it possible to change arms very fast - if you own more of these.

Luxman PD-444

Top-of-the-line Lux form the end of the 70s. Now this is a deck where you can mount your Fidelity Research FR66 or SME 3012 quite easily. Typical for all Lux decks: The plinth made out of brushed aluminium with rosewood sides. The PD-444 is a fine deck maybe a little overpriced at around 1000,- Dollars on the 2nd hand market.