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VPI Scout 2 vs. Luxman PD 441

I'm on the fence about just selling my Luxman PD 441 table as I need to upgrade the tonearm from a Denon DA-307 and that seems to be a $1,000+ proposition.
I would replace it with something from VPI and keep my Grado The Reference high output cartridge.  Maybe a Scout 2 with JMW 9 arm?
My question is whether it is worth it for me to upgrade to a better arm for the Luxman or just ditch the whole thing and get a VPI?
Can I even get any $ for the Luxman to soften the blow?
Thanks for any advice.
Brian

bdunne
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
This site is great for all Luxman owners, this is the only souce for Luxman armboards (for all tonearms). Very nice replicas for reasonable price. 

@carrden99 there are many vintage tonearms for lighweight (mid and high compliance) cartridges, in this competition those FR arms are the ousiders, but the FR-64 is extremely popular for low compliance cartridges. The most expensive is FR-66. I hope someone can comment on FR-64FX (black) which is normally cheaper than FR-64 and FR64S 
asa
662 posts
 

Long dead thread, but here it goes...I'm a picker and just picked up a 441 with RF 64s on it, an RF MC 201 cartridge mounted. I have to take a a bit closer look on condition when it gets here, but it looks quite nice...whoever was the original owner loved this thing. I have a Garrard 301/SME 3012-R Pro and a TNT3.5/Graham 2.0 (that I'm going to sell...) so looking forward to adding this. Paid $1400 for TT/arm combo...can't go much wrong there, I would think. It looks like fun. That said, always thought the Lux pd-444 was just about the coolest MCM thing ever. Sell the 441, pick up a 444 & mate it with the FR 64S, or just stand pat, enjoy the ride? 

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,445 posts
 

I have moved on from having the main used TT being an Idler Drive, to a Japanese Vintage DD TT, which is a SP10 MkII.

Along with this I also have a Tonearm produced by Audio Technica from a similar era as the TT. The TT and TA have both been undergone a re-designed using modern materials/design concepts to varying degrees.

I have over the recent years struggled to discover a Sonic produced by an alternative Analogue Source, especially those at a much increased purchase value, that has created the perception there are capabilities present and seen as surpassing, the good impression that my Analogue Front End conjures.  

It does seem that if I want to discover this, I will need to broaden my search, or increase the Purchase Value of a Analogue source being auditioned, to those that command £50K+.     

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,829 posts
 

Dear @asa  : The 444 is a 441 with two arm boards.

In the other side that FR 201 is  agood cartridge but very low out output: 0.16mv

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

asa
662 posts
 

Thanks, R, Yeah, I saw the 444 was the two-arm version after I poked around some more. Duh....

But - and here's my audio shallowness showing through again - that 444 sure is cool looking....

R, you know a lot, what do you think of the 441/444 performance? Or is it just nostalgia for something that is long gone, or long surpassed?

Thanks, M.

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