I bought a new PD 277 in 1981, and still have it. The automatic function broke after about 10 years, but it sounded so good, I continued to use it as a manual until I just replaced it about 6 months ago.
I have owned a Luxman PD555 vacuum hold down with capability for two tonearms and as far as I know it was the top of the Luxman line at the time. It is about the same size as a VPI TNT JR. The unit looks and sounds great but is is manual. There is a strobe and speed adjustments. If you are interested I may be willing to sell.
I have a PD-DD284 auto lift. Sweet turntable but for the cheap&cheerful base. I am planning on building a 3 arm skeleton base and seperating the power source. My inspiration is the home made job by Bushman on the Analog Dept website.
All in all good units and easily upgradeable for far less than the price of a Micro Sekei!
Also, if you are buying one from the internet, make sure you have insurance and return privileges. The factory packing for the larger DD PD-series is inadequate. I have bought 2 so far (from different vendors) and both were returned as they arrived with bent main bearing shafts. Could be a coincidence but........
I own a luxman pd300 - belt drive fully manual. Got it in 1984 if i recall correctly, and it is still going stong. I would not recommend an automitic luxman however - i owned one briefly before the manual one and it had problems.
I have the 272 model and the automatic feature is not reliable. I also have the manual 221 which is more sturdy and can accomodate SME tonearm. Techniques makes more reliable automatic TT.
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