In my direct experience, the denon Dp80 was superior to the SP 10 Mark 2, as well. I’ve mentioned this several times in the past on this forum, so it must be getting pretty boring right now. And it’s only my opinion. It also goes without saying that there are several other vintage direct drive turntables that in the current marketplace will cost more than an SP 10 Mark 2 that are also sonically superior to it. But we are not talking about big differences here. All of these turntables are good.
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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I’m with @chakster on the vast range of asking prices for Vintage DD TT’s. Certain Brands of Idler Drive can demand a High Price as well. A Idler Drive and DD TT are perceived with differences in their deliveries as is with a Belt Drive. My experience is that the better thought out a TT’s Plinth as a design and use of a Rack System that will have a effective control on Airborne and Mechanical resonances. When a Off Board Speed Controller Design is used on a Idler Drive TT, there is a increased attraction to the Performance that is being perceived. I refer back to Idler Drive TT’s as there are certain Brands that are very affordable, and a great place for a Beginner or Experienced, but ’Yet to be Initiated’ to commence with a experience. The support network Certain Brands are available with a immediate access, Forum Members offering speedy answers to requests for information and TT Parts that are available within these forums is superb. As I am now Wed to DD TT’s, I feel the Idler Drive can begin to offer a delivery that moves toward the DD TT when the Idler Drive has the correct design of Speed Controller in use. As for my own arrangements for experiences to be undertaken with TT Comparisons. My Friend with the Idler Drive as his preference TT, has the same Tonearm > Headshell as myself. This Tonearm Model has a detachable Headshell, using a Identical Cartridge during comparisons, is a easy to achieve operation. We do have different Plinth Material and Mounting Rack Set Ups, resulting in differences to the Arm Cartridge Set Up environment. The Engineer Service used by Myself produces the above referred to Tonearm. He takes his work very seriously and his knowledge of the Subject, covers all the bases for a very accurate arrangement for a Audible Comparison. Comparisons undertaken for the work carried out on TT’s, is always assessed / compared using one of his Tonearms > Headshell of Choice and Platter Mat of choice. Auditions will be undertaken with the Engineers Cartridge of Choice. Visitors who use the Engineers Design of Tonearms, commonly all share the same Headshell as well. Visitors are able to bring their own Headshell > Cartridge along for a Side Comparison, as a break from the TT assessments. The only added requirement being a VTA Tweak as and when required, and Tracking Weight Adjustment ’ if required ’ . Cartridge Assessments like this have been very revealing and insightful. One other bonus of being at the Engineers residence is that the TT’s have Mimicked Mounting Set Ups from Plinth Material used and Mounting Rack. A Decibel Metre is used to match Sound Levels for each performance. When carrying out such assessments at the Engineers Residence, the only additional requirement is that the Sweet Spot will be swapped as a seat, so that all attendees can get a time in the best seating as a experience of the Device under audition. Again a Different Room, Different Plinth and Mounting Rack, with a Different System might change the outcome of my preferences for a TT. That is the wonderment of Vinyl. |
Hi @chakster , I had Lenco 78 turntable. My friend built me birch plywood plinth and I changed original tonearm to SME 3009 mk2. I also removed auto stop mechanics. Lenco is a great turntable and best value for money. I liked Lenco much more that Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm that I had too. I used the same Ortofon Jubilee cartridge on both. But EMT 948 that I have been using after Lenco is a completely different league. And I don't agree that EMT much more expensive than SP10 mk2 or other Hi End vintage Japanese DD turntable or idle drive like Garrard. My friend bought EMT 948 with tonearm and TSD15 SPH cartridge in perfect working conditions two year ago in LA and payed just $4200. OK if you buy EMT from company which does restoration you will pay at least twice. But you will pay the same money if you buy from a similar company, for example, Garrard 301, 401. I agree that EMT turntables are not good for customization. But I saw some people do custom arm boards for EMT and use other tonearms. But my main point was that DD EMT are much better turntables vs Sp10mk2. And dozen people who did comparation when SP10mk2 was with better tonearm (my friend use SP10mk2 with Fidelity Research RF-64 tonearm), better cartridge, better phono stage (EMT internal phonostage is a garbage) told the same. Regards, Alex. |
The main problem with huge turntables like some of the EMT is their size and weight, you can’t buy them online. It’s extremely difficult, especially international transit. Technics, Denon or Victor drives are compact and can be shipped anywhere (must be protected). They can be purchased online. One of the reason they are so popular worldwide. I wish I could buy this one, but it’s impossible to ship it. |
- 99 posts total