I've been looking a long time for either a PD-444 or PD-441 in good shape, and for money that isn't just plain ridiculous. I set up recurring searches for things on fleabay, CL, and check all of the boards daily when I'm on the hunt. Hadn't seen much that caught my attention until last Thursday. My morning ebay email sifting session netted three or four new results for "Luxman PD", and one was a 444 for what seemed like a song AND with FREE shipping. By the time I looked at it there were already 8 others watching it. It was located in Japan, and as often is the case with stuff in Japan, the photos were very small. It looked good, but it was hard to see detail. So I sent the seller a note asking about the dustcover, the condition, whether it held speed, and whether the armboards were included. I got a nice prompt message back that it was in very nice condition, no scratches or cracks in the dustcover, and only minor cosmetic imperfections, and that it runs and keeps speed, but because there is no arm, they could not test it out. It did not come with any of the arm boards.
Now this last was not a deal-killer for me. If you've looked on fleabay for the Luxman 441, 444, or 555 armboards (they all fit each of these turntable models), the prices are WAY OUT THERE. But... I've been looking for a nice Lux for quite some time. I know that a lot of the Japanese auctions come without armboards, but I'm not going to throw away money buying the $499.00 single armboards that come up on fleapay all the time (and that someone is buying). There is a company in Italy called audiogears.it that cnc manufactures brand new aluminum reproductions in either black powder coated or solid brass if you prefer. Below is a photo of the Audiogears Luxman repro armboard I ordered. This one has a 31mm hole and comes with no predrilled holes, so I'll have to drill holes for the mounting collar for the arm I'll use. If you are in the US or Canada, European VAT gets subtracted, so the 140 euro price on their website ends up being around 115 euro or so, but then add a bit pricey express mail service back on. My order ended up around $160 bucks or so shipped to me in the US.
Audiogears.it repro Luxman armboard
Knowing this, and having had my questions answered, I snapped it up! The seller shipped on Friday, and I got the table yesterday. I had to pay an additional $60 bucks in import taxes and tariffs. It arrived well packaged. The seller had boxed the TT up in the original shipping carton very nicely, and wrapped a layer of big bubblewrap completely around the box, and added a later of corrugated cardboard outside of that and shipped DHL Express. I honestly don't know how they made money on this one. Got it all unpacked and it is in almost mint condition. Not a scratch or a ding on the dustcover, the brushed aluminum deck is nearly flawless, the black powder coated metal at the back of the unit is perfect. The platter is nice, but has fingerprints and such on it.
Man, I was surprised about two things: 1) how damn massive the TT is. I have read both the 441 and 444 manuals, so I know the construction of the deck is basically an aluminum, steel plate, fiberboard sandwich, and that the 444 weighs in at around 50 lbs, but holy schmoley batman - this thing weighs nearly as much as my HK Citation II amplifier! 2) How much the rubber platter mat weighs! That mat easily weighs more than a pound or two.
This unit has the Japanese power supply, so it has to run with the Japanese hodge-podge of A/C power: meaning 100V, but 50 or 60 hz. My voltage tends to be around 115V or so, so I plugged it in, turned the switch on under the turntable, turned the speed indicator to 33, and pressed the start button. A blue light came on immediately, started blinking for about 3-4 seconds, and then a solid, perfect blue! Turned it off and the brake slowed the platter to a halt in less than one rotation. Turned it to 45, pressed the start button and the light blinked amber for 3-4 seconds and then glowed a solid orange! The quartz lock works perfectly!
I plan on buying a 100V drop-down transformer in the next couple of weeks to power it from long-term, and I hear that a number of people don't bother at all with a drop-down transformer and have had good long-term success with Japanese-market electronics. BUT... I don't want to have to look for another motor for this thing, so I'll be ordering ACUPWR 100V drop down.
Here are a few preliminary pictures. Have A *LOT* of projects going on right now, so I'll get the pictures of the guts as soon as I can get to it. Super excited! This TT will be replacing my much loved, and really very good Luxman PD-277 fully auto TT. More in a few hours!
Now this last was not a deal-killer for me. If you've looked on fleabay for the Luxman 441, 444, or 555 armboards (they all fit each of these turntable models), the prices are WAY OUT THERE. But... I've been looking for a nice Lux for quite some time. I know that a lot of the Japanese auctions come without armboards, but I'm not going to throw away money buying the $499.00 single armboards that come up on fleapay all the time (and that someone is buying). There is a company in Italy called audiogears.it that cnc manufactures brand new aluminum reproductions in either black powder coated or solid brass if you prefer. Below is a photo of the Audiogears Luxman repro armboard I ordered. This one has a 31mm hole and comes with no predrilled holes, so I'll have to drill holes for the mounting collar for the arm I'll use. If you are in the US or Canada, European VAT gets subtracted, so the 140 euro price on their website ends up being around 115 euro or so, but then add a bit pricey express mail service back on. My order ended up around $160 bucks or so shipped to me in the US.
Audiogears.it repro Luxman armboard
Knowing this, and having had my questions answered, I snapped it up! The seller shipped on Friday, and I got the table yesterday. I had to pay an additional $60 bucks in import taxes and tariffs. It arrived well packaged. The seller had boxed the TT up in the original shipping carton very nicely, and wrapped a layer of big bubblewrap completely around the box, and added a later of corrugated cardboard outside of that and shipped DHL Express. I honestly don't know how they made money on this one. Got it all unpacked and it is in almost mint condition. Not a scratch or a ding on the dustcover, the brushed aluminum deck is nearly flawless, the black powder coated metal at the back of the unit is perfect. The platter is nice, but has fingerprints and such on it.
Man, I was surprised about two things: 1) how damn massive the TT is. I have read both the 441 and 444 manuals, so I know the construction of the deck is basically an aluminum, steel plate, fiberboard sandwich, and that the 444 weighs in at around 50 lbs, but holy schmoley batman - this thing weighs nearly as much as my HK Citation II amplifier! 2) How much the rubber platter mat weighs! That mat easily weighs more than a pound or two.
This unit has the Japanese power supply, so it has to run with the Japanese hodge-podge of A/C power: meaning 100V, but 50 or 60 hz. My voltage tends to be around 115V or so, so I plugged it in, turned the switch on under the turntable, turned the speed indicator to 33, and pressed the start button. A blue light came on immediately, started blinking for about 3-4 seconds, and then a solid, perfect blue! Turned it off and the brake slowed the platter to a halt in less than one rotation. Turned it to 45, pressed the start button and the light blinked amber for 3-4 seconds and then glowed a solid orange! The quartz lock works perfectly!
I plan on buying a 100V drop-down transformer in the next couple of weeks to power it from long-term, and I hear that a number of people don't bother at all with a drop-down transformer and have had good long-term success with Japanese-market electronics. BUT... I don't want to have to look for another motor for this thing, so I'll be ordering ACUPWR 100V drop down.
Here are a few preliminary pictures. Have A *LOT* of projects going on right now, so I'll get the pictures of the guts as soon as I can get to it. Super excited! This TT will be replacing my much loved, and really very good Luxman PD-277 fully auto TT. More in a few hours!
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