Luxman Turntables Compared: PD-151 Mark II vs PD-191A

Luxman has built precision analog playback since 1925, and its current turntable lineup reflects that heritage with heavy, high-rigidity chassis and carefully engineered drive systems. This guide compares the two current Luxman turntables at All Elite Audio, the PD-151 Mark II and the PD-191A, so you can understand where each sits in the range and choose with confidence.

Specifications compared

What do the Luxman PD-151 Mark II and PD-191A have in common?

Both turntables share a belt drive system, a brushless DC motor with PID speed control, and identical wow and flutter performance of 0.04 percent or less (W.R.M.S.). Each plays 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM records, and each is paired with a Luxman static-balance tonearm designed to match its platter and plinth. This shared engineering philosophy means both decks aim for stable, low-noise rotation and a natural, musical presentation rooted in Luxman's long history of analog design.

The differences come down to scale, tonearm length, mass, and where each model sits within Luxman's own turntable range. Understanding those differences is the key to choosing well.

Model by Model

What is the Luxman PD-151 Mark II, and who is it for?

The Luxman PD-151 Mark II is the more compact and lighter of the two current decks, designed for the listener who wants Luxman's core belt-drive engineering in a manageable, versatile package. It uses a brushless DC motor with PID speed control and a machined aluminum platter, and it is fitted with the LTA-309 static-balance S-shaped universal tonearm.

The key specs that matter here:

• Drive System: Belt drive
• Motor: Brushless DC motor with PID speed control
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM
• Wow and Flutter: 0.04 percent or less (W.R.M.S.)
• Tonearm: LTA-309 static-balance S-shaped universal tonearm
• Effective Arm Length: 222.5 mm
• Overhang: 18 mm
• Applicable Cartridge Weight: MM and MC cartridges within specified range
• Platter: Machined aluminum
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 465 x 133 x 393 mm
• Weight: Approx. 15.8 kg (17.2 kg with dust cover)

The S-shaped universal tonearm and MM/MC compatibility make the PD-151 Mark II friendly to a wide range of cartridges, so it suits the listener who wants to experiment with different pickups over time. At approximately 15.8 kg, it is easier to place, easier to move, and fits comfortably on a wider variety of racks and shelves. This is the deck for someone who wants serious, mature Luxman analog performance without the largest possible footprint, and who values a flexible, universal tonearm for cartridge rolling.

What is the Luxman PD-191A, and who is it for?

The Luxman PD-191A is the larger, heavier, and more ambitious of the two current turntables, built for the listener who wants Luxman's fuller expression of belt-drive analog with a longer tonearm and added pitch control. It also uses a brushless DC motor with PID control, but it adds fine speed adjustment and steps up to the longer LTA-710 static-balance tonearm.

The key specs that matter here:

• Drive System: Belt drive
• Motor: Brushless DC motor with PID control
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm
• Pitch Adjustment: Fine speed adjustment provided
• Tonearm: Luxman LTA-710 static balance type
• Effective Tonearm Length: 256 mm
• Overhang: 16 mm
• Cartridge Weight Range: Accommodates a wide range with supplied counterweights
• Headshell: Removable universal type
• Power Supply: AC power, region dependent
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 491 x 128 x 399 mm
• Weight: Approximately 24.8 kg (26.4 kg with dust cover)
• Wow and Flutter: 0.04% or less (W.R.M.S.)

Two things stand out. First, the LTA-710 tonearm has an effective length of 256 mm, notably longer than the 222.5 mm arm on the PD-151 Mark II. A longer effective length reduces tracking angle error across the record, which appeals to listeners focused on the finest geometry and alignment. Second, the PD-191A weighs approximately 24.8 kg, considerably more mass than the PD-151 Mark II. That extra mass and rigidity are core to how a high-end turntable resists vibration and stays stable. The removable universal headshell and supplied counterweights make the PD-191A adaptable to a wide range of cartridges. This is the deck for the listener who wants Luxman's more comprehensive analog statement, values the longer tonearm geometry and fine pitch adjustment, and can accommodate a larger, heavier component.

Head to Head

What is the difference between the PD-151 Mark II and the PD-191A?

The core differences are tonearm length, mass, pitch control, and where each sits in Luxman's range, while their drive systems and measured wow and flutter are the same. Both use belt drive, a brushless DC motor with PID speed control, and both achieve 0.04 percent or less (W.R.M.S.) wow and flutter, so their fundamental rotational stability targets match.

Where they diverge:

• Tonearm: The PD-151 Mark II uses the LTA-309 S-shaped tonearm with an effective length of 222.5 mm. The PD-191A uses the LTA-710 tonearm with a longer effective length of 256 mm, which reduces tracking angle error across the disc.
• Pitch adjustment: The PD-191A adds fine speed adjustment. The PD-151 Mark II does not list this feature.
• Mass: The PD-151 Mark II is approximately 15.8 kg (17.2 kg with dust cover). The PD-191A is approximately 24.8 kg (26.4 kg with dust cover), a significant increase in mass and rigidity.
• Footprint: The PD-151 Mark II measures 465 x 133 x 393 mm. The PD-191A is larger at 491 x 128 x 399 mm.
• Overhang: 18 mm on the PD-151 Mark II versus 16 mm on the PD-191A, reflecting their different tonearm geometries.
• Range position: The PD-151 Mark II is the more compact, versatile deck, while the PD-191A is the larger, more comprehensive expression of Luxman belt-drive analog.

Which Luxman turntable has the better tonearm for tracking geometry?

The PD-191A's longer LTA-710 tonearm offers an advantage in tracking geometry thanks to its 256 mm effective length. A longer effective arm length reduces the horizontal tracking angle error as the stylus travels from the outer groove to the inner groove, which matters most to listeners who are meticulous about alignment and the last degree of precision.

That said, the LTA-309 S-shaped universal tonearm on the PD-151 Mark II is a proven static-balance design that handles MM and MC cartridges within its specified range and welcomes cartridge experimentation. If your priority is a flexible universal arm in a more compact deck, the PD-151 Mark II remains a strong choice. If tracking geometry and the longer arm are your focus, the PD-191A leads here.

Which Luxman turntable is better for a smaller room or rack?

The PD-151 Mark II is the easier fit for smaller spaces and lighter racks. At 465 x 133 x 393 mm and approximately 15.8 kg, it is more compact and lighter, so it is simpler to place, level, and move. If your rack has limited depth or weight capacity, or you expect to reposition your system, the PD-151 Mark II is the practical choice.

The PD-191A, at 491 x 128 x 399 mm and approximately 24.8 kg, needs a larger, sturdier support and a more permanent home. That mass is part of what a heavy high-end turntable is designed to deliver, but it does ask more of your furniture and your setup space.

Which Luxman turntable is better for playing 78 RPM and vintage records?

Both turntables play 78 RPM records, so either suits collectors of vintage discs. Each supports 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM out of the box. The deciding factor for a serious 78 and vintage listener is often the tonearm and cartridge flexibility.

The PD-191A's removable universal headshell and supplied counterweights make it straightforward to swap between cartridges tuned for different eras and groove types, and its fine speed adjustment lets you dial in pitch precisely. The PD-151 Mark II's universal tonearm also accepts a range of MM and MC cartridges within its specified range, making it flexible for varied playback. If precise pitch control and easy headshell swapping matter to your vintage listening, the PD-191A has the edge. If you want that flexibility in a more compact deck, the PD-151 Mark II covers the essentials.

Which Luxman turntable is better for a listener who likes to swap cartridges?

Both decks welcome cartridge changes, but the PD-191A's removable universal headshell makes swapping especially convenient. With multiple headshells, you can align different cartridges once and switch between them quickly, which is ideal for a listener who runs several pickups for different music or record conditions. The supplied counterweights help accommodate a wide range of cartridge weights.

The PD-151 Mark II's LTA-309 universal tonearm also supports MM and MC cartridges within its specified range, so cartridge rolling is very much on the table. The difference is workflow: the PD-191A's removable headshell approach is the more streamlined path for frequent swaps.

How Do I Decide?

How do I choose between the PD-151 Mark II and the PD-191A?

Start by matching the deck to your space, your tonearm priorities, and how you like to use your turntable, because both share the same belt-drive engineering and the same 0.04 percent or less (W.R.M.S.) wow and flutter. Neither is universally better; they serve different listeners within Luxman's own range.

Choose the Luxman PD-151 Mark II if you want:

• A more compact, lighter deck (465 x 133 x 393 mm, approximately 15.8 kg) that fits a wider range of racks and rooms.
• The versatile LTA-309 S-shaped universal tonearm for MM and MC cartridges within its specified range.
• Serious, mature Luxman belt-drive performance in a more manageable package.
• A deck you may move or reposition over time.

Choose the Luxman PD-191A if you want:

• The longer LTA-710 tonearm (256 mm effective length) for reduced tracking angle error and the finest geometry.
• Fine speed adjustment for precise pitch control.
• The greater mass and rigidity of a heavier deck (approximately 24.8 kg) with a larger footprint.
• A removable universal headshell and supplied counterweights for easy cartridge swapping.
• Luxman's more comprehensive expression of belt-drive analog as a longer-term centerpiece.

In short, the PD-151 Mark II is the compact, flexible, easier-to-place member of the current Luxman turntable lineup, while the PD-191A is the larger, heavier, more comprehensive deck with a longer tonearm and fine pitch control. Both carry Luxman's belt-drive engineering, its brushless DC motor with PID speed control, and the build quality that has defined the brand since 1925. Decide based on your space, your tonearm and cartridge priorities, and how central you want the turntable to be in your system, and either one will reward you for years. If you would like help matching a Luxman turntable to your cartridge and the rest of your system, the team at All Elite Audio is glad to assist.