For others interested in this issue, you might want to see the thread started a few years ago by Halcro regarding problems with direct drive turntables of vintage origin. I wrote in that thread that virtually no vintage turntable is irreparable as regards electronic problems. Almost any problem can be fixed. In my own personal experience having owned two SP 10 Mark 2s, Denon DP 80, Kenwood LO7D (2 samples), Sp10mk3, Lenco L75, and Victor TT101, all benefitted from a simple electronic rehab, eg, replacement of electrolytic capacitors and calibration, and only one was a real electronic problem that is now solved, the TT101. All also benefited from renewing the bearing lubricant; I found no bearing wells that were bone dry, but I did it anyway. As to eccentric wear on the bearing sleeve, I don’t know why that should happen with a direct drive, as there is no side force on the platter during use. This is unlike a belt drive turntable, where I might expect some of that sort of wear, due to the side force. Anyway, if you buy a precision electronic and mechanical device that is minimum 30 years old or more, usually more, you ought to expect to do some rehabilitation before you are able to get maximum performance out of it. I am sure the original manufacturers never dreamed that we would still be using their flag ship products this far into their future.
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 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 :)
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lewn Another good set of pointers for the Beginner and Non Initiated to the present world of Vintage TT's. Any references to Vintage DD TT's from a few years past are referencing a TT that could be acquired at a very reasonable price. The past few years has seen Ascending Prices at a rapid rate of increase. A working SP10 Mk II in need of a bit of attention cosmetically could be found in 2016 in the UK for approx' £300 with a prudent search undertaken. The same today will require close to a £1000 and not too often seen at this price. TT's of this calibre and their known competitors are more commonly seen at a UK GBP Value of £1000 to £3000 with the £2000ish price becoming the common one seen. To achieve this a Shipping and Import Duty might be incurred as well, due to needing to search further afield to acquire one. A Japanese Vintage DD TT that has received a overhaul from a recognised and respected EE can easily be stretched to a asking price of GBP £2000, when sold by a private seller. A commercial Interest will be asking above this price level. I recently observed a TTS 8000 with Tonearm and Cartridge just short of £7000. With the escalating prices a Beginner with little experience will need all the help they can acquire to help set them up with a good fundamental understanding of what a purchase can mean. A Cup of Coffee and a Hour of ones time dedicated to Web Searches and learning about a TT that is on a wish list, will produce plenty of information as to what might be expected to be done to a Purchase to get the best from it. I have even seen members of this forum, who are experienced in the Vintage TT field, following the skills of members forums, that have created a thread that has shown a Recording of their attempts at DIY Servicing Vintage Japanese DD TT's. |
I have a Speed Controller that has been built by the Designer. When used on a Stock Lenco - Stock Lenco with Bearing Overhaul and PTP Solid 9 it provides a noticeable improvement to a performance. My Speed Controller as good as it is, has been compared to Two other Speed Controllers. The comparison was done on a friends System on a Overhauled Lenco GL 75 mounted in a Heavy Plinth with a Overhauled SME 3009. My Speed Controller was the least impressive in these comparisons. All Three Speed Controllers had a much improved effect on the performance over the Direct Mains Power Supply. The owner of the System used on this occasion has Garrard 401's and Vintage DD TT's, he is Wed to his Lenco's. Since this comparison my friend has introduced a New Tonearm > Cartridge to be used with the GL 75's. GL 75's can still be found today at very reasonable money, some buyers are getting on board with a project, some buyers are hoarding Lenco Idler Drives, what ever the reason to purchase, they are safe Punt Purchases. For a Beginner or Experienced Individual with a interest, there is a lot of support available on how to take them beyond stock condition. Platter/ Motor Bearing Overhauls, Complete Exchange Platter Bearings, Redesigned Motor Drive assemblies, Chassis Modifications, Numerous Plinth Designs, through to complete Redesign PTP Kits using a Stock Lenco as a Donor for the parts. The Idler Drive Lenco's are a wonderful place to begin a Journey into Vintage TT Ownership. |
Never had any issues with my vintage Direct Drive turntables, no matter Technic or Denon. Paid $1200 for MINT condition SP-10 mkII and used for about 7 years myself, sold for $1500 to a friend locally. Tried many SP-20 (all like new). Purchased Denon DP-80 in MINT condition (no problem). Using two Luxman PD-444, one of them has been serviced by previous user in Japan, another is original, no difference in sound! And yes, there is only one vintage DD turntable that must be serviced, it's Victor TT-101 (so we shipped to jp jones). If someone can't buy a perfectly working original unit in mint condition it's not the reason to say that all of them must be serviced. I have no problem with vintage DD turntables and this is MAIN reason I like them so much! |
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