Luxman LMC-5 - Turntable Cartridge

Luxman’s latest phono cartridge is the LMC-5. After 40 years’ experience, their aim was to design it to have sensitivity to all the musical information pressed on a record. The MC type power generation engine features a cross-mounted iron core with a compact magnetic system to improve efficiency.

For the vibration detection system, Luxman selected a combination of an aluminium cantilever and a SHIBATA stylus, which boasts excellent tracing ability. In addition, the unique housing structure was achieved by repeated prototyping and fine tuning. Luxman have developed this cartridge with confidence for all those who love vinyl and value its musicality.

Stylus and Power Generation Engine

Luxman has consistently designed components for vinyl playback such as the PD series analog players and E/EQ phono equaliser amplifier series. After a development period of 2 years, the LMC-5 is LUXMAN’s first original cartridge in 40 years.

For the stylus, in order to read the musical information pressed on the record accurately and reliably, Luxman selected a combination of an aluminium cantilever with high tracing ability and a SHIBATA stylus to pick up a large amount of information with less audible noise.

In order to secure the fulcrum of the vibration system, a low distortion structure has been realised by using the one-point “piano wire” support method. The MC type power generation engine uses a cross mounted iron core with the coils for the left and right channels wound symmetrically.

Adopting a magnetic structure with a small field area reduces the intrusion of external noise. Luxman has achieved significant size and weight reductions.

Body Structure and Design

Luxman say that their experiences with closed body designs, the coil and cantilever can act like a microphone, picking up the reflected sound, therefore reducing the enclosure results in less sound coloration. In order to prioritise weight reduction and resonance countermeasures, the housing is crafted down to a minimal design which still firmly supports the power generation engine.

The minimised outer chassis has an inverted egg-shaped curve that suppresses unnecessary reflected sound and vibrations. The machined aluminium body is anodised to a deep red, which is LUXMAN’s corporate color, and with the L mark logo laser-etched on the front, it subtly asserts LUXMAN’s identity.

Each one is carefully assembled by Luxman's team of craftspeople, the best in Japanese cartridge manufacture, and delivered to music lovers, worldwide.

Technical Specifications

• Type: MC (MOVING COIL)
• Internal Impedance: 4.7Ω (1kHz)
• Tracking Force: 2.1 to 2.3g (2.2g as standard)
• Output Voltage: 0.4mV (1kHz, 3.54cm / sec.)
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 35kHz
• Channel Separation / Balance: 28dB (1kHz) / 0.5dB (1kHz)
• Recommended Load Impedance (when head amplifier is connected): 40Ω or more
• Recommended load impedance (When step-up transformer is connected): 2.5 to 10Ω
• Dynamic Compliance: 8 x 10-6cm / dyne (100Hz)
• Stylus: Solid Diamond / SHIBATA stylus
• Cantilever: Φ0.5mm aluminium
• Vertical tracking angle: 25°
• Magnet: Samarium-cobalt magnet BH20
• Coil: 30μm UEW
• Material of Magnetic Circuit: Pure iron
• Terminals: Φ1.2mm, White (L+) , Blue (L−) , Red (R+) , Green (R-)
• Body: Aluminium A6063
• Dimensions: 17.0 (W) x 18.3 (H) x 21.3 (D)mm (excluding terminals)
• Weight: 8.5g
• Accessories: Manual, Washer x 2, Screws M2.6 (5mm x 2, 8mm x 2, 10mm x 2), Hex wrench and stylus cover