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Tonearm for Luxman PD 441

Lexar

Lexar

Member
Hello,

As being total newbie with turntables with interchangeable tonearms, I would like to ask 2 questions.

1.) I'm considering to buy and install Jelco SA 750 tonearm to my forthcoming Luxman PD 441 turntable. By then do you think that I could only use Jelco SA 750D (effective length 229mm). Or maybe also Jelco SA 750E (effective length 255mm)? Or even Jelco SA 750L (effective length 305mm)? Just asking those as in that turntable's manuals (Vinylengine)....there're listed also some bit longer tonearms like Micro Seiki MA 505L (effective length 282mm) and SME 3012 (effective length 308mm). Or will those numbers alone tell enough in the end?

2.) With that turntable I will get so called TP-MH armbase. It will suit for following (old) tonearms: Micro Seiki MA 505, SAEC WE 308, Grace G 704/714, FR 64 etc. It has round hole plus 6 radial notches (for 3 screws of mentioned tonearms?). See the photo of similar armbase:

Armboard 4.jpg

Do you think that I could install Jelco SA 750 tonearm easily to that arm board? Does Jelco tonearm need a arm board which has 30mm round hole, or? Based on photos only, perhaps that TP-MP's hole could be about the same size?
 

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stoN_Cold said:
For example.

2lu5mxx.png
Click to expand...

Yes, I know that. But that manual has been written in the same time as that turntable come to sale....late 1970's. So there can not be any todays tonearms mentioned (even if some of them would fit ok).
 
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gordguide said:
Wait until you get your turntable, set it in front of you, and measure. Install what fits.
Click to expand...

How measure it correctly?

Perhaps the location of the arm base can vary a bit on this turntable....or at least I assume that arm base can be moved a bit via arm rails and then be clocked in right place.
 
The 441 is designed for a single shorter (regular) tonearm. The PD-444 has the second arm mounting location (as you have pictured) and it is capable of using longer tonearms. Most tonearms come with a mounting template and you should be able to find many of them on vinylengine. Look over the ones for the arms you are considering and see if the template will allow you to put the armboard where it needs to be to match the template. I doubt the long arms will be far enough away from the platter to set up properly.

The SME and I'm guessing the suggestion is for the classic 3009, is in my opinion an older looking tonearm than this table should have. I don't recall what arm we had on the 441 in the sound room but I sure did like that table. I might consider an audiomods but I'm not lucky enough to be trying to decide what arm to put on a 441.

The top plate of the armboard is replaceable as well as the entire armboard so if you get an arm that needs a different mounting plate, you can get one made to fit or find the other armboards on the bay at times.
 
I'm afraid that SME 3012 tonearm would be out of my price range. And all SME tonearms would need TP-LS arm base, which I won't have (showed on the photo). The hole is clearly different than the one I will get (and I do not want to do heavy enough modifications to my TP-MH arm base).

Your armboard.jpg
(I could buy one of those (TP-LS arm base), but the price is high.)

Something about cartridges: Would Denon DL 103 fit well with Jelco SA 750 tonearm? How about Benz Micro Silver? Or Denon DL 301? Or any other mc cartridge recommendations about the same price range?
 

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Now that old Luxman is finally here. I also did the first quick test with my old Pickering XSV 3000 cartridge on it (planning to buy SAE 1000E for it). Yep, I believe I can be happy with it (what comes to sound, quality and look), even if it is not Luxman PD 3XX serie modell....




Luxman 2-3.JPG
Luxman pd 441-2.JPG
 
Perhaps I am missing something here. This looks like a Moerch arm installed on the table. Which doesn't come up in previous posts. So how did that arm come into play? It is a beauty by the way, and a mighty mighty fine arm.

Congratulations on the table, it looks like a real keeper.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Mister Pig said:
Perhaps I am missing something here. This looks like a Moerch arm installed on the table. Which doesn't come up in previous posts. So how did that arm come into play? It is a beauty by the way, and a mighty mighty fine arm.

Congratulations on the table, it looks like a real keeper.

Regards
Mister Pig
Click to expand...


Yes. Sorry. It is Moerch UP-4 and it did't come together with the turntable. I bought it (with 2 wands: red & green spot, both 9'') separately. Who knows, that gentleman might even be here....?

Anyway as you also might know Moerch tonearm needs Rega type of armboard...and together with the turntable I got only that TP-MT amboard. The original armboards (different types) made for this turntable are today almost impossible to find in 2. hands markets (and if you are lucky to find one...it'll cost you a huge sum of money). But I knew a person from one local small metal factory (which has laser cutting systems, CNCs etc.) and he did me all those 4 other amboards (one type even more than there has been available originally late 1970's early 1980's) from same thick aluminium plate as the original is, incl. all the holes and screws. Now I can install very easily all kinds of tonearms to that turntable (incl. that Moerch). I painted those aluminium plates on mat black afterwards. He even did me those 3 ''round donuts'' counterparts...again one type more than there have been available in originally.
 
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That sure is an ice looking turntable. Have a 272 here. Owned by the local record shop. Sadly, it has a speed issue, running to fast. These Luxmans are beautiful. Tried deox on the controls, no good. Has a problem in the electronics. Not sure what the owner will do with it. The arm is drop dead gorgeous. I could see it on a working turntable. Too nice nice to toss it. Would make a nice project.
 
Lexar said:
Yes. Sorry. It is Moerch UP-4 and it did't come together with the turntable. I bought it (with 2 wands: red & green spot, both 9'') separately. Who knows, that gentleman might even be here....?

Anyway as you also might know Moerch tonearm needs Rega type of armboard...and together with the turntable I got only that TP-MT amboard. The original armboards (different types) made for this turntable are today almost impossible to find in 2. hands markets (and if you are lucky to find one...it'll cost you a huge sum of money). But I knew a person from one local small metal factory (which has laser cutting systems, CNCs etc.) and he did me all those 4 other amboards (one type even more than there has been available originally late 1970's early 1980's) from same thick aluminium plate as the original is, incl. all the holes and screws. Now I can install very easily all kinds of tonearms to that turntable (incl. that Moerch). I painted those aluminium plates on mat black afterwards. He even did me those 3 ''round donuts'' counterparts...again one type more than there have been available in originally.
Click to expand...

Any interest in selling the TP-MT armboard? Id like to use my FR64S on the Luxman I own but only have the SME mount.
 
Congrats on the table!

I would go with the Micro Seiki MA-505. A Fidelity Research or other classic Japanese arm would also be a good choice. Keep us posted!
 
@Lexar What a great looking table even with the dark dust cover which is aftermarket, isn't it? Has the nice curve on the front edge like the original. I don't know if a 3012 will fit that table. Will the armboard mount far enough to the right to all proper set up of a 12" arm? The table does have a lot more room to the right side of the platter than most standard turntables.

Is that a record for time to first post? @burningairlines joined in Sept 04 and made his first post today. Congrats. Good luck finding the armboard you need. Might be easiest to take the SME board, top piece to a machine shop for duplication with the hole for the Fidelity Research arm. Does the arm have the adjustable height feature or the big nut on the bottom? If so, you might need to check for clearance on the armboard.
 
A little late to the party but I just purchased a mint Luxman PD-441 and mounted a Fidelity Research FR-54 on the arm board that the OP referenced in the first post. The FR-54 has a 230 mm pivot to spindle mounting distance and I had no trouble dialing it in. I have an FR-24 with the same specs that I am going to try and mount using the notches in the arm board and tightening the mounting bolts for the tonearm base with a decent size washer. I love this turntable. It is absolutely gorgeous and sounds every bit as good as it looks. A couple of pics below.

BTW.....I see a third party seller that produces armboards for the Luxman PD-441/PD-444 turntables at what seems to be a reasonable price compared to what I see on Fleabay. Here is a link...I have no affiliation with this company but might try one of their blank armboards which require drilling you own hole for your specific tonearm requirement. https://www.audioantiquary.com/en-us/categorie/basi-per-bracci-luxman/
 

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Ha....ya...some sorbothane booties that came with the table....original feet that I guess threaded in for leveling were missing....I can live with snow boots....this table is absolutely wonderful....easily bests my VPI hpw19...Thorens TD-318...and my Technics SL-1100a. I do love my Technics SL-1100a and will keep it forever. The VPI and the Thorens are going to be sold off with a bunch of others. I think that I found the turntable that plateaus my system....unless I stumble upon a Garrard 301 for the same kind of deal that I got on the Luxman. I am so glad that I agreed to drive and pick up this turntable. Stunning!
 
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