Luxman K-115 cassette deck

General:

Around 1981 Luxman company came with its K-115 cassette deck.

Special futures:

Luxman K-115 main features:

• Noise Reduction
  • Dolby-B Noise Reduction (LM1011N)
• Head Configuration
  • 2 Head Desiǥn
  • 4 Track / 2 Channel
• Connectivity
  • 2 Mono Microphone low imp. Inputs
  • Headphone jack
  • RCA Input/Output Connectors
• Display
  • 3-Digıt Mechanical Counter
  • Digital Peak-Reading Meters
• Exterior
  • Front Loading
  • No door: not closed compartment
  • Orientation Left
• General
  • Stereo
• Operation
  • Soft Touch Transport Control with 1 relay
• Speed
  • 1⅞ ips - 4.76 cm/s
• Tape
  • Chrome Tape Capabılity
  • Normal Tape Capabılity
  • Metal Tape Capabılity
  • Manual Tape Type Selection
  • Bias fine tune
  • Record mute knob
  • Output level pot
• Transport
  • Sìngle Capsŧan Transport
  • Belt Drive (Capsŧan)
  • Mechanical Tape Loading
  • Auto Shutoff
  • Memory

 

Schematic:

Click here to download the service manual of the Luxman K-115 deck in pdf-format

Click here to download the user manual of the Luxman K-115 deck in pdf-format (construction)

 

Overall inside the K115 deck:

 

The right wheel is awkward in this design: it has only the function to get the right cassette bobbin to turn CCW, for the rest it does nothing. ^

 

PCB's ^

 

Modifications:

The LuxmanK-115 is an awkward cassette-deck.
It has all indications of a earlier smaller design that has been converted to the Luxman custom size K line decks.
The left front knobs of the cassette compartment are differently positioned, then originally designed.
The pcb's and mechanism-block are mounted with extra fixation, also an indication it was not originally designed for this deck.
The 3 rubber blocks on the top of the back panel are also an indication that this panel was not intended for this deck.
The right bobbin drive in this design: the top wheel only has the function to get the right cassette bobbin to turn CCW, for the rest it does nothing.

It is worthwhile to install a µ-metal screening on the mains-transfromer as I did on the photo,
it gets the noise-floor down by > 10 dB in play-back mode and more overall its performance in rec/play.

To get a stable sounding recording the capacitors of the power supply should be checked, also the pcb's should be checked for correct soldering.
Install all new belts. The transformer has in the EU model no 240V connection, the transfromer can get quite warm.

The Dolby B is very good, it employs a National Semiconductor  LM1011N IC that is also installed in many TEAC decks,
the K115 gives the same smooth Dolby noise reduction as these Teac's do.

 

Dolby, power supply and bias oscilator ^

 

Extra mounting parts found for the mechanics ^

µ-Metal screen covering transformer ^

 

Typical Luxman cassette-deck metering ^

 

Front part ^

 

Sound:

The sound quality is good.

 

© Hans Hilberink - PE1MMK ® 2003 - Last update: 25-08-2020.