Need some turntable guidance

@xaak I could buy whatever turntable, but I use two PD-444 and my Denon DP-80, Victor TT-101 and Technics SP-10 mkII (and many more turntables) were near and easy to compare to PD-444. I use so many different tonearms and cartridges, but I hate belt drive turntables believe it or not, over 20 years ago I had enough time with belt drives (never again, i came to Direct Drive for a good reason), also I think vacuum pump is inconvenient. I prefer Direct Drive and already have the best of them (not all, but some of the very best). I wish I could buy Denon DP-100 in the next 10 years.

By now I don’t think turntable of such high class like PD-444 must be replaced and there are NO turntables like that for two tonearms designed so nicely to swap and adjust tonearms quickly. For me it’s the best TT in the lab (I got 8 tonearms at the moment and still searching). For me cartridges and tonearms are far more important that the drive (if the drive is DD, especially coreless DD).

If you like to tell us about better turntable with all these features please post a link, don’t forget to mention the price!

If you are so upset that you bought Luxman in the 80’s let me tell you that today it goes for $4000 in perfect condition and you could make a good profit. This is one of the most beautiful turntables and people love it.

Artisan fidelity could make additional wooden plinth for them. 

Luxman still making turntables, but sadly not as good as the PD-444

@chakster 

I'm not upset I bought the 444 in 79, and I'm not at all upset I traded it in.  Audiophilia is a journey, and I'm extremely happy with the musical enjoyment I've gotten out of my system over the years.

I don't need, or even want two tonearms on my rig at the same time.

I'm glad you enjoy your system, but it doesn't make you look good to try and attack people who don't agree with you.

That's it, I'm done with you now.

@chakster 

It is possible to put together a 301 more affordably. Still more than the budget we are talking about here. I prefer grease over oil bearing but an oil bearing 301 can be had in nice condition for under $2k. And even less for a 401. I sold a perfect grease recently for $3k Canadian dollars. And plinths can be purchased online for as low as $500. I had Steve Dobbins do a full service on the one I’m using now for a cost of $450 usd. 

Yes. Still more than the direct drive options. But not by that much. I do agree that the Luxman is a good choice as it is complete with plinth. I saw one in a shop recently for $2k Canadian dollars. ($1500 usd). It had an arm on it too. Can’t remember the arm. 

I'm not upset I bought the 444 in 79, and I'm not at all upset I traded it in. Audiophilia is a journey, and I'm extremely happy with the musical enjoyment I've gotten out of my system over the years.

The OP asked for turntable guidance, i'm not sure your post could help someone if you tried Luxman in 1979, now we have much better phono stages, speakers, cables etc.  

I don't need, or even want two tonearms on my rig at the same time.

People have more enthusiasm at younger age I believe. However, It's not necessary to put two tonearms on Luxman, it can be used with one tonearm (any size). 

I'm glad you enjoy your system, but it doesn't make you look good to try and attack people who don't agree with you.

I never attack anyone, simple facts is what I post here, especially when other people asking for guidance. I don't like belt drive turntables as I said, but we have many more people who do not understand what is a high-end direct drive and posting nonsense about them, some models are completely unknown for them as i can see reading this forum.

An impression from a listening session made in 1979 is not valid today, many younger audiophiles re-discovering vintage Japanese direct drive and happy about them, prices only goes up. Direct drive perspective like almost everything in audio was a way different in 1979 than today (in the digital world and belt drive turntables) @xaak   

Thanks everyone for the advice.  I've been enjoying getting back to my analog system and rediscovering some of my records.

I find myself wondering how I lived with digital only these past 15 years.  Probably because I don't really listen to digital stuff, it's just background.

Now I really can't wait to get my VPI/ET2.5 back up and running.