Luxman turntables

bogiedr · « **on:** 15 Sep 2010, 01:30 am »

Greetings!
I own a 198something Lux PX 100 quartz drive table. I am original owner and I know it was Lux's entry level model then. Still sounds incredible and does not seem to age at all! It is currently mated with a Clear Audio Aurum cartdridge. Does anyone have any experience with this table? I have thought about replacing it too may times but do not seem to find anything under $1,500 that feels to be the same quality build! I actually feel like upping the antie to a Lyra Delos or ClearAudio Maestro cartdrige just to see what it can do! Any input from the experts here? Thanks!

neobop · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Sep 2010, 11:46 am »

Hi,
PX-100? Is it a linear tracker that looks something like this -
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/luxman/px-101.shtml

There's a very cool looking one on Audiogon, a 441. It has a magnetic floating suspension (platter) and space for 2 arms. It's under $1K.

Maybe with a little more info about your table we could better advise about a cartridge. You're already using a Clearaudio, so the Maestro should be OK. Not sure about the Lyra though. You might want to consider upgrading the deck instead.

bogiedr · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Sep 2010, 01:25 am »

My PX 100 is a quartz, (direct drive) table. I believe it was made for Luxman by Micro Seiki. I do know it was the entry level model for Luxman at that time. It is a fully automatic, semi auto or fully manual, your choice! There is not a lot of information to be found online. I have tried researching it and there is not a whole lot. All I can say is I like it a lot, it is reliable and sounds excellent. A better cartdridge than a re tipped ClearAudio Aurum should sound incredible. I have thought about a C.A. Beta S which can be had reasonably priced on Audiogon or even a Virtuoso. I am afraid I do not know much about other brands such as Sumiko, Grado or others in order to make a sound decision. If you good folks can at least give me impressions on your favorite cartridge brands it will give me reserach material!! Thanks and hit them straight!!!!

neobop · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Sep 2010, 04:01 am »

Retipped Clearaudio? Depending on how it's retipped you might not do any better moving up the line. I've been playing around with modifying an AT-95. The Clearaudio carts take the same stylus as a 95 with the plastic wings removed. AT makes the Clearaudio carts for them. I picked up a Virtuoso with a busted cantilever and put in an aftermarket shibata stylus made for the 95.

After doing a little research it seems that all the Clearaudio generators are the same throughout their MM line. So, if you have an exotic cantilever and a micro diamond, I think it should be roughly equivalent to a Maestro even though yours is entry level cart.

I found no information on your table. The 101 didn't look to good, but I assume yours is an entirely different animal.
neo

bogiedr · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Sep 2010, 11:59 pm »

Neobop, it was rittiped by ClearAudio. It sounds very good, just not sure if more $ means better sound! Based on your response I should let it be.

neobop · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Sep 2010, 02:38 pm »

If it sounds good then just enjoy. After another 1000 hrs or so, I'd send it to Soundsmith. For $350 it could get a ruby/micro LC. I really think all the CA generators are the same. They all have 420mH and 660 ohms. You could buy a cheap conical replacement for the AT-95 ($25) for the plug that holds the cantilever and a real good AT stylus to transplant. It's a little hairy though. If you're interested, check out the thread in carts on VE. Called AT-95E, the last 3 or 4 pages are about potting and stylus transplanting mostly.

In the mean time, maybe some other part of your system could use upgrading? Maybe a RCM or a bunch of records is always nice. Oh, I did find a pic of your TT. It looks a whole lot better than the 101.

neo

bogiedr · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Oct 2010, 01:21 am »

I think you are correct, If it sounds good, shut up and enjoy it!!

The tweeks I should be working on are things like better cables for sources, acoustic treatments, that type of thing. The current set up sounds incredible, so why mess with more equipment "upgrades"?

Just for that, I will place Yamashta, Windwood, Shrive's "Go" on the VPI cleaner, pop it on the table, crank the volume and enjoy!!!!

Thanks for the input! Great advise.