Wanted: Luxman PD441 or PD444

[about2]

Want to Buy a Luxman PD444 or PD441 turntable. Please let me know if you have one to sell, your price, condition and your location. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am only looking for these models. thanks.

[totem]

There was a PD444 a week or so ago for sale on Cam.

[about2]

If you mean Canada audio mart I have seen it. Thanks.

[audioxcel]

I have 2 PD-441s. Both are in excellent 9+ / 10 except the dust covers. They are in storage. If you are definitely wanting to buy; I will dig them out. I will have to check the dust covers but if I remember correctly one has a crack (not broken off) on the right side (not visible from the front) and the other is missing. I have arm boards for both. Prices are $1000 without a dust cover or $1150 with a dust cover. Shipping would be about $100 from Portland, OR.

[about2]

I need to think about this because I just bought a Yamaha YP-D8. I'm hesitant about the PD441 as I've read that the Yamaha YP-D8 and PD441 are about the same sonically. I may opt for the PD444 but at the moment I'm completely in the dark. I'll have to get back to you.

By the way, did you work for Pendleton? If so, we have a turntable history.

Thanks for your response to my wanted ad.

Regards,
Doug Olsen

[audioxcel]

Nope; never worked for Pendleton. I retired 3 years ago after 35 years as a paramedic in PDX.

I am currently using a Yamaha PX-2 with an Ortofon Cadenza black cartridge. I found that the mat (or platter) was a weak point. The platter is about 3 lbs and the mat is about 1.5 lbs. The platter rings easily (not as bad as the PX-3) when tapped and the mat is somewhat hard feeling (I have several and they all feel the same). I tried several aftermarket mats with changes but no improvement. I finally tried the mat from a PD-441 and bam, much quieter, better focus. The PD-441 mat is a bit heavier and a bit thicker but it is also more supple (sorta like Navcom). I recently bought a PD-441 mat for $125 so I would not have to sell one of the PD-441s without a mat.

[audioxcel]

If you decide to buy a PD-441, PM me. I am probably going dig them out and take some pics this summer so I can sell them. I also have several SME 3009 tonearms in good condition and a ACOS (Koshin) / Lustre GST-801 which was supposed to be a perfect complement to the PD-441.

[about2]

There is an excellent condition PD441 on fleabay now, expires this Sunday at 3PM. We never know what it will sell for but I'm watching it closely and if the price is right for me, I'll go for it. Regarding your PD441's I'm still not sure at this point. I may be watching the ebay auction but somehow I need to determine if the Luxman's are better than the Yamaha YP-D8 I now own. It sounds quite good and is keeping me on the fence. Regards, Doug