Vintage Japanese DD Consult and Suggestions Please

@laaudionut

I have a SP10 Mk 2, PD444, and LO7D and would add simply that all three are great choices.  Each will likely need to be re-capped if not already serviced.  All are satisfying in stock form, but will benefit with addition of modern footers and siting, re-lube, silicon nitride bearing, etc.

Overall the Luxman is probably the most satisfying in terms of reasonable cost, superb vintage esthetic, flexibility in adapting modern or vintage tonearms, and simplicity of maintenance/DIY speed adjustment as per factory service notes with a multimeter.  I found that its plinth design can be improved by substituting thick brass in place of the stock steel armboards.  For a further reduction in plinth resonance, I replaced the archaic stock RCA switch box attached to the bottom of the plinth with a solid wood subplinth that serves as a pedestal for a third arm base out front that accepts standard Micro Seiki cantilevered armboards.  All in all a great piece that is seldom discussed relative to other vintage DD.          

+1 for the Yamaha GT 2000 (L, X). HIFIDO in Japan has them available now and then. And they go through all of the electronics, motor, bearings to assure it is in top form, then double box with injection foam. I have A/B'd with a very well regarded JVC QL-A75 from that same highest Japanese R and D era and the GT is more transparent with finer micro/macro detail. Most all are Japan 100V. But the GT2000 has a DC port on the back to accept 24V dc. I had a power supply built to feed the 24V to avoid the internal power, but a simple step down works fine. It is not going to fit on every stand, and it weighs 61.73 pounds.

As Raul stated, the modern Technics are hard to beat. The SL-1300G is a very fine machine and it should fit the ascetics, but you will be hard pressed to find one for less than $3200. And based on the specs, I would be surprised if it could beat the GT2000.

Dave, Good to hear from you.  Lew

Dear @dgarretson  : I listened the Luxman  444 many years ago and not in my system so I don't have an opinion about other that Luxman was  not the realmanufacturer but only put together the parts sourced by Micro Seiki and Pioneer. I own the P350 and is avery fine TTand parts sourced by MS too.

Btw, the Yamaha GT was sourced by MS too.

Good that yo come back.

Regards,

R.

Lew, look forward to catching up with you personally in early 2026.  By that time I'll likely be in retirement someplace between Fredrick and Front Royal.

Raul, Always good to hear from you.  When listening to a TechDAS at shows I think of the Micro Seiki origin story that branches through some of the best analog.

Best,

Dave