Luxman WZ70 (1964)
The Luxman WZ70 is an all-tube FM/AM tuner released in October 1964 at ¥29,700. It was one of Luxman's earlier solid efforts from the mid-1960s, built by Lux Japan. It has a full-metal cabinet, a double dial, an AFC switch, a tuning "magic eye" tube, and a stereo indicator lamp. Inside, the construction is old-school. There are no printed circuit boards at all, just point-to-point wiring and a conventional Luxman power transformer.
This is a 17-tube design. The tube complement includes a 6BE6 and 6CE6 in the front end, a 12AU7, a pair each of 6BA6 and 6AU6, three 6DT8s, a 6U8, and a 6KE13, plus eleven diodes. The MPX section uses a switching system and includes a separation control. The AM side runs a single RF stage with a three-gang varicon. The WZ70 was also conceived as a kit version, so it appeared in both assembled and do-it-yourself forms.
It covers the Japanese FM band of 76-90 MHz and standard AM from 535-1605 kHz, and was offered for 110 or 117 volt mains. Practical sensitivity is rated at 3 µV for FM (S/N 30 dB) and 25 µV for AM, with image ratios of 45 dB and 60 dB respectively. FM frequency response is specified from 30 Hz to 20 kHz (30 Hz to 15 kHz in multipath). Separation is 30 dB or better across 80 Hz to 10 kHz (42 dB or better at 1 kHz), distortion is no more than 1%, and output is 500 mV at 100% modulation. It measures 348 × 130 × 215 mm and weighs 6 kg.
The restorer Hans Hilberink, who has documented working on one of these, calls it a "nice early Luxman tuner with good performance." After a full restoration, he reports that FM sound is good, stereo is fine, AFC works, and the AM section is notably sensitive, with excellent reception and sound once the unit was brought back to spec. That's about the extent of the documented record. There are no period magazine reviews in the archive, and little is recorded about its lineage within Luxman's tuner lineup or what succeeded it.
The WZ70 is a scarce piece on the secondary market. One Japanese auction result shows a unit selling for ¥29,000 after 23 bids. A Russian listing asking ₽12,000 suggests these occasionally surface in Eastern Europe, but they don't appear often.
Known specifications:
- Type: FM/AM tuner, tube-based (17 tubes, 11 diodes)
- FM range: 76–90 MHz (Japan band); AM: 535–1605 kHz
- Sensitivity: FM 3 µV (S/N 30 dB); AM 25 µV (S/N 30 dB)
- Output: 500 mV (100% mod)
- Dimensions: 348 × 130 × 215 mm; weight: 6 kg
- Original price: ¥29,700 (October 1964)
Similar items on eBay
No exact Luxman WZ70 listings are live right now — these searches show current Luxman and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Luxman T-353L (1975)
- Luxman T-300V (1957)
- Luxman T-50A (1975)
- Luxman 5710-FM
- Luxman R-1050 (1975)
- Kenwood KR 3200 (1973-1975)
- Kenwood KR 3400 (1977-1979)
- Kenwood KR 4070 (1977-1979)
- Kenwood KR 4200 (1975-1977)
- Marantz 1515 (1976-1978)