Review
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Luxman PD-151 MKII Turntable
PD-151 MKII. Preserving the fragile beauty of analog music reproduction.
The PD-151 MKII was developed for the music listener to fully enjoy the luxurious audio experience unique to analog, with vinyl phonograph records continuing popularity as an attractive music playback medium. Inheriting the PD-151A’s excellent performance and functional beauty while featuring a new, highly sensitive original specification tonearm, is our highly anticipated new model, The PD-151 MARK-II.
The PD-151 MARK-II has arrived as a new benchmark for belt-drive integrated analog players. We deliver genuine analog vinyl playback excellence, inviting the listener into a world different from digital audio.
Inheriting the PD-151A’s excellent performance and functional beauty while featuring a new, highly sensitive original specification tonearm, is our highly anticipated new model, The PD-151 MARK-II. The PD-151 MARK-II has arrived as a new benchmark for belt-drive integrated analog players.
We deliver genuine analogue vinyl playback excellence, inviting the listener into a world different from digital audio.
New tonearm with knife edge bearing
The PD-151 MARK-II has been newly equipped with LUXMAN’s original static balance type tone arm, the LTA-309, featuring knife edge bearing technology developed by the Japanese brand SAEC, with over 40 years of experience. The arm base is machined aluminum, which minimizes the contact area, mounted to suppress unwanted vibration while ensuring rigidity.
In addition to basic adjustment mechanisms, such as stylus pressure and anti-skating, LTA-309 also supports fine settings to optimize playback quality, such as arm height adjustment, according to the mounted cartridge. This S-shaped tonearm employs an H4 bayonet mount headshell, allowing easy install of phono cartridges, such as the LUXMAN LMC-5.
New High precision/ High torque proprietary DC motor
The purity of musical pitch depends entirely on the stability of platter rotation. That’s why LUXMAN engineers went to extraordinary lengths. We start with our unique sine wave/Pulse Width Modulation power supply, which provides ultra-stable direct current to our proprietary DC brushless motor.
Years in development, this low-speed high-torque motor incorporates low-acoustic noise bearings and internal construction. The drive system monitors and maintains speed with our Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) feedback control loop. Proportional means quick achievement of target speed. Integral means fast correction of minor errors. And Differential means control over rapid fluctuations.
For added precision, the motor drives the outside flange of the platter through an uncommonly wide belt for stable 33 , 45 and 78 RPM playback speeds with +/-6% manual pitch control adjustment available.
High-Mass platter and highly rigid stainless-steel spindle
LUXMAN engineers were determined to optimize the final guarantor of stable speed; the platter assembly itself. PD-151 MARK II has a 4.0kg platter precision machined from a thick aluminum billet then diamond-cut finished to exact surfaces.
The platter acts as a flywheel, with a large moment of inertia (0.219t·cm ) to insure smooth and stable rotation. The spindle supporting the platter is a highly rigid, 16mm diameter, hard stainless-steel shaft with bearings at the lower end.
It comfortably supports the platter weight with a bearing structure that combines a thrust bearing lubricated with PEEK* material, with excellent heat and wear resistance, and a brass radial bearing filled with organic molybdenum oil that maintains excellent lubricity under high load. A turntable mat of special vibration-absorbing rubber material is included to support vinyl records during playback
LUXMAN exterior design pursuing functional beauty
PD-151 MARK II inherits the highly praised LUXMAN exterior design and operational layout of our previous model PD-151A.
The top panel, made from 10mm thick aluminum with its delicate hairline finish, pursues simplicity and functional beauty with a component layout narrowed down to only the three major analog player elements; the tone arm, drive motor and platter.
The operational controls, such as power switch, motor (rotation) ON/OFF switch, rotation speed changeover switch, indicators, etc. are all integrated into PD-151 MARK II front panel. While achieving both highly intuitive operability and visibility, the exquisite aluminum top panel combines with the matte black lower housing to create profound visual contrast.
Sold separately is an available and highly recommended, purpose built 4mm thick acrylic dust cover, equipped with cam/spring supporting hinges for easy opening and smooth closure.
Specifications :
Turntable Platter
- Drive system: Belt drive system
- Motor: Brushless DC motor with PID control
- Material: Machined aluminum, Surface finish: Diamond-cut Material
- Revolution: 33 1/3rpm, 45rpm, 78rpm (3 speeds selectable)
- Wow and flutter: 0.04% or less (W.R.M.S.)
- Revolution adjustment range: ±6% (each rotation speed adjustable independently)
- Weight 4.0kg (Platter)
Tonearm section
- Type: Static balanced, S shaped, universal type
- Bearing: Concealed knife edge
- Effective length: 222.5mm
- Overhang: 18mm
- Tracking error angle: ±3° or less
- Adjustable height range: 15mm
- Applicable cartridge weight 4 to 10g (including headshell 17 to 23g)
- Anti-skating: 0 to 4g
Main unit
- Power source: 230V～50Hz / 115V～60Hz
- Power consumption: 6W
- Net weight: 15.8kg (main unit), 17.2kg (with dust cover)
- Accessories: Platter, Headshell, Rubber mat, Rubber belt, Platter mount handle (2 pieces), EP adaptor, Counterweight, Arm adjustment hex wrench set (2 types), Flathead screwdriver for rotation speed adjustment, phono cable (DIN→RCA : already installed in the unit), Power cable
- Dimensions: 465(W) × 133(to the upper surface of the platter) (H)×393(D) mm
