Luxman PD 282 platter info please

[Gurkov]

Lifting off my Luxman PD 282 turntable platter today, I noticed there was a serial number underneath it, along with a logo - and I thought ”heey, that’s not the Luxman L!”

After googling the s/n with various combinations, I have come to the conclusion that it’s actually a Gemini D.J. Q1200 platter. F**k!

You can see that one here:

https://electronic-junk.com/13517-gemini-dj-q1200-turntable-platter-with-rubber-mat-p

So, first question is obviously: is there a PD 282 owner here who can confirm that Luxman didn’t for some weird, possibly time-and-space-defying, reason use the same platter as on a cheap DJ TT...?

Second question would be to that, hopefully existing person, what the actual Luxman platter weighs and measures...

And then to anyone reading: if it is indeed a lower quality platter, what are the possible disadvantages? I’m happy with how this lovely TT sounds, but I only have a Technics SL-20 to compare too, and... well... this bugs me!

 

[Crab33]

I owned a Luxman PD-282 for a few years, bought used. It looked and sounded great but I had some problems with it and eventually sold it when the arm started falling apart (which the buyer was aware of).

Here is a photo of mine as well as a close-up of the platter.





Now compare that with this photo of the Gemini platter from Radio Museum.

They do indeed look very similar but I think that the silver rectangles are wider on the Gemini platter than on the Luxman platter. So, I don't believe they are exactly the same.

In terms of looks, I guess the Gemini platter is the best substitute you could have. If you're happy with the sound, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[Gurkov]

Thanks for posting this @Crab33 ! Yeah, whoever made the change really found a similar one - going by looks, at least. The only complaint I have about the 282 is that it picks up a bit of motor noise, but it’s probably normal for a DD from ’78.

I weighed the Gemini platter, and it’s about 740g. FWIW, the Luxman manual mentions being careful with the platter since it ”is very heavy”. I’d say below 1 kg wouldn’t classify as ”very heavy”, but who knows their preferences... :/

 

[Crab33]

I suspect that the original platter is heavier than 740g. I'm no expert on motor noise, but I imagine a light platter could accentuate noise from the motor, being more easily disturbed by vibrations.

Your Luxman will sound different from your Technics if you have different cartridges installed. May I ask which cartridges you're using?

 

[Gurkov]

Yeah, it feels a little too light somehow...

I have a bunch, mostly used. Right now I use an Empire 66 and a Pickering XV15. @Crab33

And there’s really no difference between the carts when it comes to the motor noise...

 

[bimasta]

You're lucky it plays at the right speed, and even plays at all. With DD, the platter is part of the motor; the motor is designed for a certain platter weight.

 

[Gurkov]

Yeah, well, I’m not really sure until someone actually checks on their PD 282. Could still be the original, just that it was made by someone else, just as with the arms... @bimasta

 

[Gurkov]

Well-trusted member @Balifly said about the PD 284 table that it was built by Fujiya Denshi, and to check for its initials on parts. The logo under the platter definitely says ”fd”, so that’s reassuring at least.

 

[Gurkov]

Update on the platter: I spoke to an owner of two PD 282’s, and his platters were both 770 g (+- 1g, I think he said). Not sure if those 30 grams is within a reasonable error margin, or maybe my scale isn’t the best (was a bit hard reading the display with platter on the scale).

Given the FD logo and the close weight, I’m going with the idea that it is the original platter.

That said, though, for testing I tried my lighter Technics platter on the Luxman TT and rumble/noise was down by 2 dB when I recorded some quiet passages. Is it a bad idea to keep the lighter platter on there? The Technics platter doesn’t have the strobe marks, so I used a disc and checked with an app, but got the same steady speed.