@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