Luxman T-400 (1982–1983)
One of the best tuners ever heard - clean, precise, and built to last.
Overview
The Luxman T-400 isn't flashy. It's an AM/FM stereo tuner built in the early '80s, when Japanese engineering was hitting its stride, and it still performs well today. Luxman produced it between 1982 and 1983. It receives broadcast signals and does little else, which fits a brand that put fidelity ahead of frills.
The T-400 is a full-featured frequency synthesized tuner with digital tuning and a refined front end. It handles both FM and medium wave (MW) bands, with solid sensitivity and low distortion. Those specs mattered when radio was still a primary music source. FM sensitivity is 0.9µV and signal-to-noise ratio is 76dB, so it could pull in weak stations cleanly, a real advantage in poor reception areas.
One owner on Audiogon put it simply in 2017: "One of best tuner I have ever heard." The praise was unsolicited. It also suggests the T-400 performs well when properly maintained. Many units are now sold with notes like "It has been serviced and aligned," so working examples are clearly treated with care.
It has no glowing VU meters and no massive transformers like some of its contemporaries. What it has is precision. The digital tuning scale and five-segment signal strength indicator give real-time feedback, so you can fine-tune the station lock for maximum clarity. Mono mode, test tone output, and muting off add practical utility.
The T-400 weighs 20 pounds and measures 453 x 77 x 229mm. That's compact by vintage rack standards, but still substantial on the shelf. It runs on 14W from a standard AC100V supply. It has no tube warmth and no modular construction, and it receives radio with accuracy and musicality.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Luxman |
| Model | T-400 |
| Type | Mono/Stereo Tuner |
| Tuning Bands | FM, MW |
| Tuning Scale | Digital |
| Tuning type | Frequency Synthesized |
| Sensitivity | 0.9uV (FM), 15uV (MW) |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 76dB (FM), 50dB (MW) |
| Distortion | 0.15% (FM), 0.3% (MW) |
| Selectivity | 70dB (FM) |
| Frequency response | 20Hz to 15kHz (FM) |
| Output | 700mV (FM), 250mV (MW) |
| Power consumption | 14W |
| Power supply | AC100V 50/60Hz |
| Dimensions | 453 x 77 x 229mm |
| Shipping Weight | 20 Pounds |
| Features | 5 Segment Signal Strength/Tuning Indicator |
| Features | Test Tone, Mono Mode, Muting Off |
Collectibility & Value
The Luxman T-400 trades quietly on the secondhand market. There are no auction frenzies or sky-high flips, just steady interest from people who want well-engineered tuners. Units have been listed at $186 and $229 on eBay, CA$215 and CA$263 on eBay, and one asking price as high as $275 CAD. A sold listing on classicaudio.com closed at $149.95, which suggests clean, functional units move at modest but fair prices.
Service history gets a lot of emphasis in the listings. Multiple sellers note that the unit "has been serviced and aligned," which any vintage tuner needs to perform as intended. Service manuals are available, priced from $15 to $79 on eBay, so owners and technicians can maintain or restore the T-400 properly. One listing even included a "Performance Verification Report."
It's not yet a blue-chip collectible. Its reputation for excellent sound and solid build suggests it could gain more attention as interest in high-performance vintage tuners grows.
eBay Listings
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