Luxman PD-310 (1981)

Name: Luxman PD-310
Brand: Luxman
Availability: InStock

A high-mass, vacuum-stabilized turntable built for flatness and precision, released at the peak of Japanese analog engineering.

Overview

The Luxman PD-310 is a belt-driven turntable introduced in December 1981 as a high-end component in Luxman’s analog lineup. Unlike conventional turntables of its era, the PD-310 was designed around a vacuum stabilization system that required the separately sold VS-300 unit, which supplied both power and airflow to secure the record flat against the platter. This system eliminated warping-induced distortion and damping inconsistencies between the record and platter surface. The turntable features a 30 cm aluminum die-cast platter weighing 3.5 kg, driven by a brush & slotless DC servo motor with FG servo control, ensuring stable rotation with minimal vibration. It operates at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, with a speed adjustment range of +10% to -6% for both speeds, and reaches operating speed in approximately three seconds. Wow and flutter are exceptionally low at 0.03%, and the signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 60 dB. The chassis is constructed from a 30 mm-thick softwood high-density particle board, with a 5 mm steel plate sandwiched above and below the bearing and arm base mounting area for added rigidity. Large natural rubber insulators serve as adjustable feet, further isolating the turntable from external vibrations.

Design

The PD-310’s design centers on mechanical stability and record flatness. Its vacuum disk stabilizer, activated via the VS-300 unit, adsorbs the record to the platter in a single touch operation, maintaining a consistent seal through an automatic servo function that regulates airflow. The motor is mounted through an insulator to suppress micro-vibrations, and the turntable includes a line-phase sensor on the VS-300 side for polarity adjustment. The turntable supports multiple tonearm bases (TF and TG series), with slight overhang adjustment possible depending on the arm base bolt hole configuration. Included accessories are a stainless steel wire belt and a urethane rubber belt, allowing for drive system tuning. The dust cover is made of 4 mm thick acrylic molding, and the unit weighs 16 kg, contributing to its inert, resonance-resistant structure.

Market

The Luxman PD-310 was sold without a tonearm for ¥95,000 at launch in December 1981, with the vacuum unit VS-300 priced separately at ¥30,000. Additional accessories included the Replacement Sealing Pad Set SP-3 (¥2,000), and arm bases for the TF (¥5,000) and TG (¥10,000) series. While no current market values are documented in the source material, common issues noted in user reports include vacuum seal degradation and speed instability, often requiring recapping or servicing of the VS-300 unit.