LUXMAN PD-191A TURNTABLE LAUNCHED

Luxman launches a new flagship analogue player, the Luxman PD-191A turntable.

Luxman America is introducing the eagerly-anticipated Luxman PD-191A turntable, it will debut at AXPONA 2023 next week.

“So many music lovers have told me how much pleasure they get from the PD-171A,” said Jeff Sigmund, president. “This new player is more than a worthy successor. It breaks entirely new ground in functionality, circuitry, mechanics and sound quality.”

Luxman PD-191A Turntable

LUXMAN PD-191A TURNTABLE

The PD-191A incorporates an all-new tonearm, drive system, record mat and PWM/PID rotation speed controller. Other key features include Luxman’s underslung chassis design with 15 mm aluminium top plate and a solid, 5.2 kg aluminium platter. The PD-191A received its Japan-market debut in September and is now available for pre-order in North America.

Luxman PD-191A Turntable will debut at AXPONA

NEW LTA-710 TONEARM COLAB WITH SAEC

“We are proud to have jointly developed our completely new LTA-710 tonearm with Japan’s analogue audio specialists, SAEC,” Sigmund said. The new tonearm features a vertical knife-edge bearing that is designed to deliver excellent initial sensitivity. An effective length of 10 inches (256 mm) not only minimizes tracking error, but also improves damping against surface vibration. Tracking error is held to +1.07° to -1.52°. In addition, this static balance arm features adjustable anti-skating and up to 22 mm of height adjustment allowing for a wide range of phono cartridges to be utilized. The supplied Luxman universal headshell features D.U.C.C. (Dia Ultra Crystallized Copper) wiring, with long copper grains.

The tonearm is the result of a colab with SAEC

CHOOSE A SECOND TONEARM

While the PD-191A offers the convenience of an all-in-one player with integrated tonearm, Luxman anticipates that demanding music lovers may also want to use the turntable with other tonearms. For this reason, the company will introduce accessory bases for third-party 9 to 10-inch tonearms and an external second tonearm base for long 12-inch arms, starting with the classic SME-3012.

Luxman PD-191A Turntable with a longer tonearm

ULTRA-STABLE DRIVE SYSTEM

In vinyl playback, even subtle platter speed variations cause musical pitch to waver, undermining clarity. To fight this, the PD-191A goes to extraordinary lengths to maintain constant platter speed. Luxman’s unique sine wave/Pulse Width Modulation power supply provides ultra-stable direct current to the DC brushless motor. This turntable maintains correct speed via sophisticated Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) control and programming. A high performance reference clock for speed correction, using a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) oscillator, with excellent temperature characteristics, is deployed. The motor drives the outside flange of the platter through a new belt that is not only uncommonly wide, but also offers long service life thanks to new EPDM belt material.

Inside the Luxman PD-191A Turntable

The final part of the rotational stability jigsaw is the 5.2 kg (11.4 pound) platter itself. The platter acts as a flywheel with extremely high moment of inertia, 0.7 t·cm2, to suppress even minuscule speed variations. A platter this heavy requires bearings capable of sustaining extremely high pressure. Luxman engineers specified polyether ether ketone (PEEK) thrust bearings and brass radial bearings for effortlessly smooth rotation and long life. As a result of these measures, wow & flutter is less than 0.04%, weighted RMS.

Luxman PD-191A Turntable platter

LUXMAN PD-191A TURNTABLE ANTI-RESONANT CHASSIS

Because phono cartridges operate by converting motion into voltage, they’re particularly vulnerable to microphonics, voltages caused by the impact of sound waves. The cartridge simply cannot distinguish between the desired motion of tracing the record groove and unwanted microphonic motion. Luxman engineers implemented a rigorous strategy to protect the music from microphonics. It begins with large, rubber isolator feet, carefully selected for damping and temperature characteristics. Each isolator offers independent height adjustment. Next, the PD-191A incorporates an underslung suspension structure, in which the main electrical and bearing components are attached to the 15 mm thick aluminium alloy top plate, which succeeds in achieving both high rigidity and damping performance. Inside the player, special rubber damping mounts isolate the chassis from two internal sources of potential vibration: the motor and power transformer, which are in turn mounted on a 3.2 mm metal bottom panel. To provide a final level of protection, the PD-191A offers a vibration-absorbing special rubber record mat.

Back of the Luxman PD-191A Turntable

LUXMAN PD-191A TURNTABLE STYLING AND OTHER FEATURES

The PD-191A embodies Luxman’s signature craftsmanship. The aluminium platter is precision machined, which results in an elegant diamond-cut visual pattern. The rosewood finished base contrasts with the hairline aluminium top panel, which has a strobe window and separate speed adjustments for 33-1/3, 45 and 78 rpm. Other features include a 16-mm, large-diameter centre spindle; supplied EP adaptor; plus detachable output and IEC power cables so that owners can substitute or upgrade to aftermarket cables. The gold-plated AC power input is turned 180° to better support extra-heavy cables. An optional acrylic dust cover is 4 mm thick and incorporates spring and cam support hinges.

Details of the Luxman PD-191A Turntable

LUXMAN PD-191A TURNTABLE SPECIFICATIONS

Turntable drive section

Drive system                               Belt-drive system

Motor                               Brushless DC motor with PID control

Material                            Machined aluminum, Surface finish: Diamond cut

Revolution                         33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm, 78 rpm (3 speeds selectable)

Revolution adjustment range        ±6% (each rotation speed adjustable independently)

Wow and flutter                 0.04% or less (W.R.M.S.)

Weight                                        5.2kg (Platter)

Tonearm section

Type                                 Static balanced, S shaped, universal type

Bearing                             Concealed vertical knife edge

Effective length                 256mm

Overhang                         16mm

Tracking error angle          +1.07° to -1.52°

Applicable cartridge weight 4 to 11g (including headshell 17 to 24g)

Adjustable height range     22mm

Anti-skating                       0 to 4g

Main unit

Power source                              230V～50Hz / 115V～60Hz

Power consumption           5W

Dimensions                       491(W)× 128(to the upper surface of the platter) (H)× 399(D) mm

Net weight                        24.8kg (main unit), 26.4kg (with dust cover)

Accessories Platter, Headshell (D.U.C.C lead wire included), Rubber mat, Rubber belt, Platter mount handle (2pieces), EP adaptor, Counterweight, Anti-skating weight, Arm adjustment hex wrench set (2 types) Flathead screwdriver for rotation speed adjustment, Arm base removal hex wrench, Phono cable (DIN→RCA : already installed in the unit), Power cable

Dustcover

LUXMAN PD-191A TURNTABLE PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The PD-191A received its Japan-market debut in September and is now available for pre-order, with shipping expected in June, in North America at a suggested retail price of $12,495.

UPDATE DECEMBER 2023: In the UK the Luxman PD-191A turntable is available now at an RRP of £11,000 including tonearm and dust cover. Luxman’s LMC-5 cartridge can be included for an additional £1,500 – a saving of £500.

AXPONA 2023

Luxman America will debut the new flagship turntable, PD-191A, next week at AXPONA in the Prosperity room

HiFi Pig Says: Understated, minimal, and beautiful as one would expect from Luxman!