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How good is the Micro Seiki DDX-1000 Direct Drive turntable ?

Here is the MICRO DDX-1000 direct drive. Never tried myself, but it is the most compact DD designed for 3 tonearms.

*The question is how good this turntable really is, compared to some other vintage Direct Drives ?


Some information from VintageKnob website:  

The DDX-1000 is the original design, with two sculpted strobe markings around the 2kg / 31cm die-cast aluminium platter. The resulting moment of inertia is at 330kg / cm2 and the top mat in fact covers a thick cork sub-mat set inside the platter itself.

The DDX-1000, in real late 70s modernism is a direct-drive. The motor is a DC-Servo with FG frequency generator reference set through the strobe neon lamp which "checks" how many stripe it sees and rectifies if necessary ; the resulting speed accuracy is of 0,03%.

The starting torque is of 1,2kg / cm and load characteristics allow the DDX-1000 to remain below 0,04% deviation up to a 3g load set at the outer limit of the platter - specs-wise, we're here under the contemporary Sony TTS-8000 for instance...

The heigh-adjustable feet are typical Micro Seiki (or Luxman, of course :) and contain a mix of inert damping (neoprene stuffing) and mechanical damping (spring).

The is no Quartz Lock on the DDX-1000 ; the MD-1000 power-supply box holds the power on/off, start 33rpm, start 45rpm and stop buttons plus two ± 6% speed controls.

The AX-1G to AX-6G tonearm bases fit everything from the ubiquitous SMEs to the Technics EPA-100 or PUA-1600L.

Of course, the motor of the DDX was used as basis for the Marantz Tt 1000 (1979), and that of the DQX-1500 (an updated DQX-1000) for the Tt 1000 mkII (1992). And, as often, Micro's direct-drive motors came from... Victor.


DDX-1000/G :

April 1976 limited edition (really limited : 30 units) custom made in... bronze. Howerever, it is black-looking for the most part, with the bronze only kept visible for the top of the three feet ; the platter was kept in AL and the command box was anodized in all-black style ; even the AX-1/G was in-bronze-but-painted-black...
Names of the people they were made for (and offered to - these were gifts !) were silkscreened on the (bronze...) motor's cache (...but painted black) - a rarity to say the least.


The DDX-1000 naturally spawned a myriad of lookalikes and still does today - perhaps better than the original, perhaps not. Or not that much :) 

128x128chakster
lewm
13,110 posts
 
950 for sale on audio asylum. $8000 with phono built in and tonearm. Looks very fine. Floor-standing, so shipping from Singapore might be problematic.
vactubesjm's avatar
vactubesjm
4 posts
 
I bought a used one in 1989 in a shop in Shizuoka. The"feet" were damaged. Paid 50,000 yen. It had the option to quartz lock. It came with 2 arms. I changed the mat to a hard one. 
It was my main player until I got a Rega Planar 3. The Rega was so much better I gave the Micro-Seki away. No regrets. 
illmatic
2 posts
 
@has2be @bimasta
Thank you for your posts above. I found them to be very thoughtful and informative, and I would love to pick your brain a bit on your experiences with the Micro Seiki DQX-1000. I'm fairly new to the hi-fi game and looking for a vintage project. I am a designer, and lover of all things Japanese, and when I first saw the Micro Seiki DQX-1000 my jaw dropped. It's gorgeous.
I currently own a modest Technics 1200 MK5 that I purchased in 2009. With the addition of a decent cartridge, Rega Brio and pair of B&W 606's I am very happy with my sound, but I know I am only at the very beginning of my hi-fi journey.
I am hoping that the DQX-1000, paired with high end tone arms and cartridges would elevate my sound far beyond what I am currently getting. 
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
Being New to the HiFi Game will bring you very enjoyable experiences.
These experiences can be a Two Edged Sword, when entering the world of Vintage Products, especially DD TT's with complexities such as  electronic circuits and obsolete parts.

l will not discourage, I am using TT's from the same era you are enthusiastic about.
I don't Trouble Shoot Electronics but I do have a access to very helpful individuals/friends that are adept and in the know of how to overcome complications on TT's from this era.

Complications with the Platter Bearing can also be discovered on TT's from this era.
Dry Bearing Housings are to found with no signs of a functioning lubricant.
No way of knowing if metal dust contaminant is contained in the Bearing Housing as a result of a bearing running dry. 
Side Ways movement can be discovered when finger pressure is applied to the Platter Spindle, which indicates a excessive wear on the Bearing Housing Internal Bushes.
A Side Ways movement detected can have adverse effect on the Rotation of the Platter and create a eccentric rotation / untrue axis,
resulting in fluctuations to Speed Stability, especially noticeable when Speed is measured on a independent Strobe Device 
Additionally if the cause the eccentric rotation is a Dry Run Bearing Housing, resulting in Bush Wear, if a Sintered Bronze Bush is used, there is the likelihood that the Metal Dust is abrading the Spindle and Possibly the Thrust Pad Interface.
The created dust can also seal the Pores in a Sintered Bronze Bush blocking any residual lubricant from freeing itself.     
Scribing has been seen on the Ball at the Spindle/Thrust Pad Interface.

A much more affordable Vintage TT can be acquired from this era.
It will be capable of offering a a great deal of pleasure and learning.

A Tonearm can be selected that can be carried forward to any future TT Ventures.

I have as affordable DD TT's in my collection Aurex SR 510.
I have a report on the usage of these TT's from a person whose views I thoroughly Trust that these have a Sonic that is a close resemblance to
a certain model of a Micro Seiki DD TT.

I can send on this review to the OP if it is of interest.

I have a DD TT undergoing a Bearing Rebuild at present due to excessive side ways movement I detected on the Spindle Housing.
On investigation of the Spindle Housing with the Spindle removed, 
a Golden Hue could be seen which was suspected as Sintered Bronze Bushing Dust.
Another DD TT of the same model that is with the engineer carrying out my bearing overhaul, has on investigation of the Platter Bearing Assembly shown a deep scribe in the ball at the base of the Spindle.

To get a image of what the Scribe looks like, VAS NY Inc has a report on his social media of his undertaking a repair on a similar condition.  
    
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
My above Post is intended as a Guidance and consideration for @illmatic to use during his investigations into choosing a Vintage Era DD TT.
I incorrectly referenced the OP.
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