Luxman PD-151 MkII vs SME Model 6

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Luxman PD-151 MkII · SME Model 6.

Comparison of Luxman PD-151 MkII and SME Model 6
Specification Luxman
PD-151 MkII
SME
Model 6
Price$5,695Highlighted difference. $5,500 (used)
CategoryHigh-endHigh-end
Statuscurrentdiscontinued
Years2022–present2020–?
Drivebelt drivebelt drive
SpeedsHighlighted difference. 33/45/78 rpm33/45 rpm
Operationmanualmanual
Cartridge suppliedsold baresold bare
Phono stageNoNo
USB outputNoNo
BluetoothNoNo
Platteraluminium die-castaluminium
TonearmLTA-710 knife-edgeSME M2-9
Wow & flutter

Practical differences

Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.

On price alone the SME Model 6 costs less, coming in $195 (about 4%) below the Luxman PD-151 MkII, bearing in mind one figure is a current reference price and the other a typical used price that moves with condition.

Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.

The SME Model 6 is discontinued, so that side of this comparison is really "used SME Model 6 vs new Luxman PD-151 MkII" — factor in condition, service history and the lack of a warranty against a fresh unit with manufacturer support.

Bottom line: the SME Model 6 has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $195 gap.

Live retailer offers

Checking current in-stock offers for Luxman PD-151 MkII…

Retailer searches

3 US retailers stock Luxman — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.

Retailers selling Luxman PD-151 MkII
RetailerTypeShippingProduct search
Music Direct hifi independent Free shipping on orders over $49. View at Music Direct ↗
Reverb used marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at Reverb ↗
eBay marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at eBay ↗

Retailer searches

4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.

Retailers selling SME Model 6
RetailerTypeShippingProduct search
Guitar Center music retail Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. View at Guitar Center ↗
Reverb used marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at Reverb ↗
Upscale Audio hifi independent Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). View at Upscale Audio ↗
eBay marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at eBay ↗

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