Tempted!

[plastic penguin]

I'm just a little tempted http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roksan-Xerxses-RB250-ATFS-Complete-/150732699585?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item23185e77c1 but have no idea about this particular TT.

So will it be a vast improvement on my current TT? or a total overkill with my current set-up.

 

[DIB]

Looks in very good nick, fully serviced, and a 100% rating so go for it!!!

Nice drive up to Edinburgh?

(easy to say with someone else's money

)

Wouldn't know how it compares with your current Pro-Ject but I reckon it certainly will look better (to my eyes anyway)

.

 

[plastic penguin]

Certainly looks the biz and I know they used to retail for a lot of dosh, and no idea of Roksan's TT presentation.

 

[CJSF]

I'd go for it PP . . . the only down side, it has a few days run, might be heavy bidding in the last few minutes, brush up on the 'sniping technique' . . . ?

CJSF

PS just spotted the BIN price . . . ??? :? I'd still do it, he might take an offer?

 

[floyd droid]

PP. Contact the seller and ask him if the refurbishment included sorting out any platter sag. I would guess it did. But matey says zip about it in his listing. Also how old is it as i think thats a MK1 and ruddy expensive. One went on the bay back in august for 186 quid.

 

[plastic penguin]

PP. Contact the seller and ask him if the refurbishment included sorting out any platter sag. I would guess it did. But matey says zip about it in his listing. Also how old is it as i think thats a MK1 and ruddy expensive. One went on the bay back in august for 186 quid.

Already emailed with all the relevant questions. Fingers crossed.

 

[plastic penguin]

I'd go for it PP . . . the only down side, it has a few days run, might be heavy bidding in the last few minutes, brush up on the 'sniping technique' . . . ?

CJSF

PS just spotted the BIN price . . . ??? :? I'd still do it, he might take an offer?

Cheers CJ - I've mailed the seller a bunch of questions. Let's see how it goes

 

[CJSF]

I'd go for it PP . . . the only down side, it has a few days run, might be heavy bidding in the last few minutes, brush up on the 'sniping technique' . . . ?

CJSF

PS just spotted the BIN price . . . ??? :? I'd still do it, he might take an offer?

Cheers CJ - I've mailed the seller a bunch of questions. Let's see how it goes

Take heed of 'Floyd' . . . sounds like he knows something?

 

[plastic penguin]

I'd go for it PP . . . the only down side, it has a few days run, might be heavy bidding in the last few minutes, brush up on the 'sniping technique' . . . ?

CJSF

PS just spotted the BIN price . . . ??? :? I'd still do it, he might take an offer?

Cheers CJ - I've mailed the seller a bunch of questions. Let's see how it goes

Take heed of 'Floyd' . . . sounds like he knows something?

Yup - covered in email.

 

[plastic penguin]

Had a reply back from the seller saying the platter sag has been rectified. Up until recently I've never heard of this problem. Can someone enlighten me on how often this happens on the Roksan or how to avoid it?

In addition, he says the TT is 22 years old. I have no idea about 22 year old hi-end TTs, so really back to my original subject matter: How will this compare with modern price compatible TTs?

 

[CJSF]

Had a reply back from the seller saying the platter sag has been rectified. Up until recently I've never heard of this problem. Can someone enlighten me on how often this happens on the Roksan or how to avoid it?

In addition, he says the TT is 22 years old. I have no idea about 22 year old hi-end TTs, so really back to my original subject matter: How will this compare with modern price compatible TTs?

Floyd says he saw one go for £186 . . . I'd tend to be looking at the biding with my sniping hat on, and set a limit? . . . 22 years, serviced, with power supply, its 'suspended' against 'solid' . . . where are you putting it, does it need a suspended TT?

Personal view, my P5 new, costs around £750'ish . . . as a solid TT it does need careful sitting as I have, this week found out. A problem I have temporarily resolved, however the problem has been highlighted and will need a permanent solution, no problem. The question one asks, how affected by sitting are sprung TT's, I seem to remember there was always recommendations of light supports, behind speakers or in alcoves . . . same as solids?

In terms of sound quality, all things being equal, and from my processes over the past 6 months, I'd put my P5 in the ring as a contender. It, along with the entry level Croft integrated amp and 20 year old PMC speakers have always stepped up to the plate and delivered, when its been wrong, it was usually down to me! . . .

I now duck as all the flack flies from the sprung TT brigade starts, this is only IMHO . . . :? CJSF

 

[John Duncan]

Cost for you to exchange is going to be 5-600 quid. You could get a Project Speedbox and a much better cartridge, and still have lots of money left over...

 

[plastic penguin]

Cost for you to exchange is going to be 5-600 quid. You could get a Project Speedbox and a much better cartridge, and still have lots of money left over...

This'll show my naivety - what does a speedbox actually do? Is it a box of tricks that connects directly to my current TT?

 

[CnoEvil]

In addition, he says the TT is 22 years old. I have no idea about 22 year old hi-end TTs, so really back to my original subject matter: How will this compare with modern price compatible TTs?

Here is what I've found out:
Supposedly the first suspended TT to "better" the LP12. Super tight and clean sound, with excellent transients. Less musical than the Sondek, but more natural. Sagging plinth top-plates make them a dubious used buy.

Having owned the LP12, I agree with CJ on the "light but stable" stand for that type of TT.

 

[John Duncan]

Cost for you to exchange is going to be 5-600 quid. You could get a Project Speedbox and a much better cartridge, and still have lots of money left over...

This'll show my naivety - what does a speedbox actually do? Is it a box of tricks that connects directly to my current TT?

Yes, it's a quartz-controlled power supply to make it run at exactly 33.33 rpm more consistently. There are two versions, one more accurate (and expensive) than the other IIRC. It also allows electronic speed change from 33 to 45, if that's any use to you.

 

[John Duncan]

Supposedly the first non-suspended TT to "better" the LP12

Shirley?

 

[plastic penguin]

Cost for you to exchange is going to be 5-600 quid. You could get a Project Speedbox and a much better cartridge, and still have lots of money left over...

This'll show my naivety - what does a speedbox actually do? Is it a box of tricks that connects directly to my current TT?

Yes, it's a quartz-controlled power supply to make it run at exactly 33.33 rpm more consistently. There are two versions, one more accurate (and expensive) than the other IIRC. It also allows electronic speed change from 33 to 45, if that's any use to you.

So will a speedbox really up the quality enough on the Xpression 1 to justify upgrading the cartridge? I've taken, I believe, my current TT as far as is reasonable cartridge-wise. Also I've read so many times on here about the cartridge being the last link in the chain (TT and motor then the arm and bringing up from the rear, the cart...).

And I heard price compatible carts, namely Ortofon, alongside the ClearAudio and for my tastes, on the Pro-ject at least, it was the best out of the bunch, so what cart will outsmart the ClearAudio?

 

[CnoEvil]

Supposedly the first non-suspended TT to "better" the LP12

Shirley?

Apologies....long day.....and mid 80s since I last saw one.

 

[floyd droid]

Had a reply back from the seller saying the platter sag has been rectified. Up until recently I've never heard of this problem. Can someone enlighten me on how often this happens on the Roksan or how to avoid it?

Basicaly the top face of the deck is routed out to accept a piece of mdf which the platter and various bits and bobs are nailed to. The mdf sags under the weight and you end up with the platter rubbing on the top face ,nice !.. It can be fixed (and apparently has been) but personaly i wouldnt bother with it PP. IMO matey is trying to recoup what he laid out having it tarted up. Buy it now for 700 notes,he is having a larf. You could get a fairly recent gyro se for that kind of money, for example.

 

[John Duncan]

You could get a fairly recent gyro se for that kind of money, for example.

I thought that, but there haven't been any on the 'bay recently to exemplify. Furthermore, PP insists on having a lid...:-(

 

[plastic penguin]

You could get a fairly recent gyro se for that kind of money, for example.

I thought that, but there haven't been any on the 'bay recently to exemplify. Furthermore, PP insists on having a lid...:-(

Aye, that's favourite...

Seen gateaux type covers for Gyros on the 'Bay' which looks ridiculous. Absolutely criminal! A stunning looking deck with OAP's bonnet. Nah.

 

[plastic penguin]

Cost for you to exchange is going to be 5-600 quid. You could get a Project Speedbox and a much better cartridge, and still have lots of money left over...

This'll show my naivety - what does a speedbox actually do? Is it a box of tricks that connects directly to my current TT?

Yes, it's a quartz-controlled power supply to make it run at exactly 33.33 rpm more consistently. There are two versions, one more accurate (and expensive) than the other IIRC. It also allows electronic speed change from 33 to 45, if that's any use to you.

So will a speedbox really up the quality enough on the Xpression 1 to justify upgrading the cartridge? I've taken, I believe, my current TT as far as is reasonable cartridge-wise. Also I've read so many times on here about the cartridge being the last link in the chain (TT and motor then the arm and bringing up from the rear, the cart...).

And I heard price compatible carts, namely Ortofon, alongside the ClearAudio and for my tastes, on the Pro-ject at least, it was the best out of the bunch, so what cart will outsmart the ClearAudio?

:?

 

[floyd droid]

:?

Easy up PP you will wear your chin out .

What cart will outsmart the Clearaudio nailed to your current arm and though the same phono ?. Good question, as what sounds good to me via my arm/phono/etc etc, may not float your boat. If you like the way Clearaudio's sing on your deck why not go up the ladder a bit.

Gateaux cover !!. Lost me there draw me a picture .

 

[plastic penguin]

:?

Easy up PP you will wear your chin out .

What cart will outsmart the Clearaudio nailed to your current arm and though the same phono ?. Good question, as what sounds good to me via my arm/phono/etc etc, may not float your boat. If you like the way Clearaudio's sing on your deck why not go up the ladder a bit.

Gateaux cover !!. Lost me there draw me a picture .

The cover I saw, over year ago, reminded me of the sort of thing you see in a bakers or a tea shop, to keep the flys off the scones and sponges etc.

But will a speedbox improve the Pro-ject sufficiently to justify replacing the cart? From what I've read from previous posts it improves curent and current stability (my interpretation), but having heard other current improvers such as power amps and speacialised mains leads they do improve things but not by much. Having said that, I could be totally and utterly wrong!

 

[floyd droid]

The cover I saw, over year ago, reminded me of the sort of thing you see in a bakers or a tea shop, to keep the flys off the scones and sponges etc.

But will a speedbox improve the Pro-ject sufficiently to justify replacing the cart? From what I've read from previous posts it improves curent and current stability (my interpretation), but having heard other current improvers such as power amps and speacialised mains leads they do improve things but not by much. Having said that, I could be totally and utterly wrong!

Lol, ah now i get ya. You can get custom made acrylic dustcover box doodahs for 70 quid or so. anyways, dust is cool 8) .

The speedbox should,if its any good,maintain speed stabilty and stop you faffing around changing the belt for 45s but as for owt else i dunno to be honest. Lets face it, its only circa 100 quid so accounting for dealer markup, henleys markup etc etc, its worth about 2 bob Can you ponce one so as to have a play to 'see' if you can hear anything different ?.

Are you using an onboard phono ?. If so i would look into getting an offboard job as you will get better results from your current cart that way.

Remind me what cart you are running please PP. i seem to remember it is one of the wood variety.