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Luxman K-117

DualRef

DualRef

Active Member
About 5 years ago a relative gave me a Luxman K-117 Cassette Deck. Looks like new but needed new belts. I put new belts on it and it sounds really nice.
It seems nicely built as well.

I find that there is virtually no information on the Internet about this model. It was built 1982-83 and it has a jack in the back for a wired remote control, even though I don't have the remote. It must have been a limited model or didn't sell that well.

I wish I knew what's it's specs are and what features it has. But my greatest wish is for a users guide.

Has anyone here ever had one of these and could reveal more info about the unit.
 
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I used to have one of these. It's a very good sounding 2 head deck, incredibly reliable. I don't have the users guide, but it is so straight forward to use, why would you need one? Nice faux rosewood cabinet.
 
Features: Metal compatible, Dolby, bias fine adjust, fluorescent peak level indicators with 3 additional dB of indication (max +8), logic/solenoid controls, optional remote, auto repeat which rewinds tape and plays again, good sound quality.

Sendust head, double gap ferrite erase head, .o4 wow and fluttersignal to noise 61 dB Dolby off, >70 with Dolby on metal, 58/67 chromium, 55/65 with LH tape, frequency response 20-20K metal, 20-18k chromium and 20-16K LH, overall distortion, 0.7% LH tape 1kHz, 0dB. Line out 500 mV, line in 100mV, mic 0.3mV (600-10kΩ), uses 25 watts, weighs 11 pounds.

Automatic tape selection. Remote unit is the AK-1D. Original list price $399, remote probably another c-note or so.
 
Luxman had some real nice sounding cassette decks. I have a K-240 and really like the way it sounds. Actually, more than my Nak 480....I have not tried to record with it yet, so we will see.
 
How does the Bias fine adjust work? How do you use it? I've never had a cassette deck with one of these. Thanks for the info so far, it sounds like I have a good unit.
 
bias has effects on the high frequencies. Too much bias will dull the highs and too little will make the tape bright.

So make a recording with the tape selectors in the correct positions and adjust the bias however you want so that you can replicate the setting that sounds best to you. Maybe start full clockwise and turn it back ¼-turn every 10 on the counter. Then listen to the tape and see what you like or compare it to the source you used. Then use the setting you like. Do this for each different kind of tape you have. TDK SA and Maxell XLII are both Type II tapes but they will probably use different bias setting for optimum results.
 
Thanks for the information. I knew Bias had something to do with the settings for each tape type. Now I know how to use it. That was a very good suggestion!
 
goldear said:
If the whole 117 family is as good as the matching T-117 tuner, then this could be a very promising deck.
Click to expand...

It is not really.

The T-117, TP-117 and R-117 are the top units from the black equipment era. The K-117 is earlier and had at least the K-118 above it in the line. But since Luxman was always concerned with sound quality almost anything they made sounded very good so no problems enjoying the K-117.
 
DualRef said:
About 5 years ago a relative gave me a Luxman K-117 Cassette Deck. Looks like new but needed new belts. I put new belts on it and it sounds really nice.
It seems nicely built as well.

I find that there is virtually no information on the Internet about this model. It was built 1982-83 and it has a jack in the back for a wired remote control, even though I don't have the remote. It must have been a limited model or didn't sell that well.

I wish I knew what's it's specs are and what features it has. But my greatest wish is for a users guide.

Has anyone here ever had one of these and could reveal more info about the unit.
Click to expand...

Just today (8/19/2021) I saw an owner's and repair manuals for this device. I have one also and am trying to find belts, pinch roller and any other rubber components.
 
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