Tonearms for a Luxman PD-444

@saulh Congratulation on your venture into Vintage Japanese DD TT's.

I recall quite well the period of time I purchased my first one, I travelled nearly 400 miles as a round trip to purchase it, and then another couple of hundred mile round trips to and from the premises of the Engineer that was to breathe their magic onto it.

I was patiently sitting the time out, awaiting for the call to inform that my first purchased model, was to be released from the Technician/Engineer who was overhauling it to their specification.  

Is it coming with arm boards? If so do you know what hole or slot is in each one?

@pindac thanks for the good wishes. Anticipation abounds here with about 3 weeks to go until delivery!

@solypsa attaching photo of the armboards if that helps.Armboards

@saulh

Hi and best compliments for the turntable;
the armboard above you can use it for the following vintage and contemporary tonearms to the turntable
Stax UA-7, UA-70, Fidelity Research FR-64, FR-64S, Saec WE-308, WE-308L, Ortofon RMG212, RMG309, Micro Seiki MA-505, MA-505L Grace G-704 G714

The lower armboard would appear to be compatible with the SME 3009 arms etc. but you don’t see 4 small holes around the main hole.

I wondered if the lower armboard is drilled for a Fidelity Research B60 heavy base?

As I recall, a hole drilled for the standard FR mount will also accommodate the B60. At least it does so for me.

I only have one comment on the long list of possible tonearms. Some of the lesser expensive SAEC tonearms have an odd geometry. This might be a factor if you want to be able to switch cartridges mounted on head shells with any frequency, without having to readjust stylus overhang, etc. Or worry about headshell offset angle. I have never owned an SAEC tonearm, so take this with a grain of salt.

Congrats on that amazing turntable classic. Here's what I have in my vault for my Luxman PD444 and Victor TT101

Technics EPA-100
FR-64fx
Victor UA 7045 and 7082
Sony PUA-7
Luxman TA-1

My system is here 

 

My system is here 

 

ohi ohi the glass of 2200 is visibly and irreparably cracked!

@knollbrent nice system. I am thinking of getting the copper mat for the PD-444.

Do you hear a difference in the sound or does it simply look awesome?

@saulh not sure I hear the difference in sound but it didn't hurt either. And looks awesome. 

@saulh you'll need a record weight or clamp if you don't already own one. 

Ludicrous to put a copper mat on the Luxman PD444.

The motor has been designed to reduce the mass load on the bearing by.generating magnetic levitation within the motor.

The addition of a copper mat - if you use something like the Micro 180 at 1.8kg - will defeat the design and basically knacker the bearing.

Never ceases to amaze me at the sheer stupidity of some folk.

I have six boards for my Luxman. Next week, I’m going to line them up with Technics, Luxman, Victor (2), Sony and Fidelity Research.