Description
Luxman PD-310 Turntable. Saec WE-308. Ortofon MC 20 MK II. Exclusive Version. Fully revitalized.
Micro Seiki was founded in 1961 by Kosaku Komiya as a precision engineering company. Initially, it made mechanical components for watches and measuring instruments, and later in 1968 it specialized in turntable production. The company was successful in both Japan and abroad. In Europe it established its position of a luxury brand. The first turntable launched around 1973 was the MR-711 equipped with a direct drive. However, it is the SZ 1T model from 1984 that has become the flagship product. In 1986, the SX 555 FVW turntable was recognized as a reference model by the industry magazine Stereoplay.
The company designed and manufactured all Luxman turntables, as well as produced for brands like: ADC, Denon, Sharp, Toshiba, Hitachi, Sanyo, Sansui, Kenwood, Telefunken, SABA and H. H. Scott. Many devices were also created for brands such as: Quelle, Neckermann and RadioShack. Micro Seiki was a market leader in the research and development of drives and tonearms, but it was also probably the all-time biggest producer of turntables. It never expanded to other audio equipment production.
The Luxman PD-310 is an outstanding example of Japanese engineering from the early 1980s, created in collaboration with Micro Seiki and admired for its solid construction and precision performance. It features a massive, approx. 3.9 kg aluminum platter with a high moment of inertia (approx. 500 kg/cm2), driven by a slotless DC brush motor, controlled by a precision FG Servo circuit. This design ensures speed stability and minimal distortion (wow & flutter approx. 0.03% WRMS). The most significant innovation of the PD-310 is its vacuum disc stabilizer system. Together with the external VS-300 pump, it creates a sealed circuit that removes air from beneath the record surface and presses the vinyl evenly onto the platter. This eliminates all warps and deformations, allowing the stylus to track with maximum precision. The servo-controlled airflow system maintains constant negative pressure throughout playback-unlike earlier self-pumping solutions, which lost sealing effectiveness during use. With these innovations, the PD-310 delivers clean, stable, and natural sound, fully revealing the detail of recordings. To this day, it is regarded as one of Luxman’s most successful turntables, combining technological precision with classic Japanese design, and remains a highly valued reference point among audiophile turntables.
The SAEC WE-308 is the first tonearm created by the Japanese company Sound of Audio Engineering Company (SAEC), introduced in 1971. From its debut, it reflected the brand’s advanced technical philosophy and the aesthetics of Japanese design. Its key element is the Double Knife-Edge bearing system, which employs four precisely polished blades-two upper and two lower-aligned perfectly on a single axis. This design virtually eliminates mechanical play, ensuring exceptionally smooth, friction-free motion. Contact points are made of synthetic ruby, enhancing sensitivity while guaranteeing resistance to wear and the passage of time. The tonearm construction was further reinforced around the axis to improve mechanical isolation and maintain consistent tracking quality over the years. The WE-308 also features a lateral balancer and a subtle mechanism for automatic stylus pressure increase, optimizing dynamic balance during playback. One of the greatest advantages of this tonearm is its versatility-it easily adapts to cartridges of varying weights and compliances. Its mechanical precision translates into clear, stable, and modern sound, faithfully conveying both the richness and natural character of low-resistance MM cartridges and the detailed qualities of more demanding MC designs.
The enclosure has undergone complete revitalization, made of rosewood finished with Chinese oil produced from natural oils, combined with natural turpentine-based beeswax. All external and internal metal components of the turntable and the pump have been cleaned and refinished using the automotive “wet painting?” technique. The unit has been fully inspected and serviced.
This is a collector’s set. The device is in perfect condition.
The device has been fully reviewed and serviced.
– the platter has been mechanically polished, restoring a like-new appearance
– new power cable and new braided signal cables installed
– feet have been cleaned and polished, restoring their original look
– dust cover has been polished and waxed, restoring a like-new appearance
– enclosure crafted from rosewood, finished with Chinese oil based on natural oils and natural turpentine-based beeswax
– dust cover hinges cleaned and powder-coated, giving them a like-new look
– Luxman DP-3 record clamp included in the set
– verification of the anti-skating mechanism
– diagnosis of the tonearm wiring condition
– cleaning and lubrication of mechanical components
– cleaning and maintenance of switches and potentiometers
– cleaning of circuit boards and removal of cold solder joints
– cleaning and calibration of the tonearm
– replacement of screws
– replacement of electrolytic capacitors
– lubrication and maintenance of the motor
– complete mechanical servicing of both the pump and the turntable
– adjustment of parameters in accordance with the service manual
Technical specifications:
– Ortofon MC 20 MK II cartridge (MC type), professionally calibrated with the turntable
– belt drive with urethane rubber belt
– DC servo motor – brush, slotless (FG servo)
– platter – pressure-cast aluminum, 310 mm, 3.9 kg
– speeds – 33 or 45 rpm
– speed adjustment range – +10% to -6% (33-45 rpm)
– power supply – 230V
– power provided by VS-300
– signal-to-noise ratio – 60 dB
– wow and flutter – 0.03% WRMS
– dimensions – 49 cm (width), 39 cm (depth), 20 cm (height)
– weight – approx. 25 kg
– year of production – 1981