LUXMAN PD-171

Second-hand. In excellent conditions. No visible signs of wear. Comes with original packaging and plexiglass cover.

The Luxman PD-171 is a turntable that combines a refined design, solid construction, and advanced technology.

At the heart of the PD-171 is a massive 15mm-thick solid-alloy top plate that gives the turntable exceptional structural rigidity. This plate, measuring 380mm in depth and 500mm in width, houses the tonearm mount, main bearing, control knobs, and an opening for the motor pulley. A distinctive aesthetic feature is the circular groove machined into the plate, which accommodates the lower rim of the platter, a detail reminiscent of the classic Thorens TD 124.

The 5kg solid aluminum platter is entirely solid, with a thicker bottom rim that accounts for about 15% of its total height. The underside of this rim is engraved with strobe markings for 33⅓ and 45 rpm, another nod to Thorens turntables. The center bore is machined with a Jacob's taper, perfectly matched to the robust bearing spindle. The platter support system includes an oil-bath bearing well made of brass, measuring 30mm in diameter and 65mm in length, designed to ensure smooth rotation without unwanted vibrations.

The turntable's base, identical in size to the top plate, is made of steel and hardwood with a textured black finish. A thin layer of damping material sits between the top plate and the plinth, while four adjustable isolation feet, anchored to aluminum pillars, ensure effective vibration absorption. These feet are designed with varying degrees of compliance in both horizontal and vertical planes, further improving stability and sound reproduction quality.

The Luxman PD-171’s AC motor provides superior torque compared to most contemporary belt-driven turntables. The electronic motor-drive system uses a digital circuit to generate an AC signal, which is amplified by a high-power onboard unit, featuring large heatsinks visible inside the moderately opaque plinth.

The turntable’s speed is precisely adjustable via two fine-tuning controls, allowing the user to monitor rotation stability through a small window on the front of the top plate. Here, using a mirror reflection system, the strobe-lit markings engraved on the platter's base can be viewed, a detail inspired by the Thorens TD 124.

Power is transferred to the platter via a wider-than-average synthetic belt running on a convex-profile motor pulley made from aluminum alloy, ensuring constant grip and flawless rotation.

The Luxman PD-171 is equipped with a Jelco tonearm, based on the SA-250 model, featuring an S-shaped design and a removable magnesium headshell. The arm's mounting allows height adjustment up to 22mm, accommodating various cartridges and configurations. The ball-and-race bearings ensure smooth and balanced rotation, while the spring-type antiskating mechanism is adjustable up to 3g of tracking force.

The tonearm's counterweight is divided into two calibrated sections for precise stylus pressure adjustment. With an effective length of 229mm, an overhang of 15mm, and an offset angle of 22°, the arm ensures perfect groove tracking, delivering sound with extraordinary fidelity.

A particularly appreciated detail is the thick, well-damped gray rubber mat, which provides excellent isolation between the vinyl and the platter, contributing to more detailed and dynamic playback.

Technical specifications:

• Two-speed, belt-driven turntable with integrated tonearm
• Motor: AC synchronous
• Speeds: 33⅓, 45 rpm
• Speed adjustment: ±4%
• Wow and flutter: <0.04%
• Tonearm effective length: 9" (229mm)
• Overhang: 15mm
• Offset angle: 22°
• Cartridge mass range: 4–12g
• Range of tonearm height adjustment: 39–60mm
• Dimensions: 465mm (W) x 195mm (H) x 390mm (D)
• Weight: 23kg