Updating/upgrading a Systemdek IIX900

[juxter1]

Can I bend your ears please?

I have a Systemdek IIX900 tuntable from the 1990's. Can I upgrade this turntable at all? What can be changed or modified and what sort of sound difference could I expect? It has a glass platter and a Rega 250 arm with an Audio Technica cartridge, not sure of the model as it was about 30 years ago I bought it. I do have a felt mat from a Rega P2 on it as it was thicker.

I have searched the net but can't seem to find any advice.

Any help please?

 

[DIB]

You could try the VinylEngine website. Amongst many things they have sections dedicated to individual turntable makes, including the Systemdek. You will find much of interest there.

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[margetti]

Hi, you have a great deck and there is great potential for upgrade - first question is how much are you wanting to spend and how far do you want to go with the tweaking - once upgraditis kicks in you may wish you hadn't started

Any idea on the condition of the motor and bearings? What usage has the deck had over the years? I'd get those checked out by a local hi-fi specialist if you think they might be suspect - no point in spending money on upgrades if the motor or bearings need attention first.

Make sure the deck is perfectly level on a good stand - if you have wooden floor-boards you may need to consider a wall-mounted shelf - the spring chassis of the Systemdek doesn't like any vibration whatsoever!

Upgrades - I'd start with the cartridge if it's 30 years old. I'm no expert on what the different brands offer, but the Ortofon's are popular with a Systemdek/Rega combo . But there are plenty of others too...

You could change the platter for an acrylic one - I've read they make a worthwhile improvement (I have one myself, but haven't compared it to the glas platter, so couldn't vouch for exactly what improvement it will make). After that I'd consider modifying that Rega arm - a modified 250 will beat many a more expensive arm any day. Have a search around 'tinternet - the options are almost endless.

After all of the above, you've still got plenty more tweaks like upgrading the power supply, or adding extra damping to the chassis, but that's taking things to another level... good luck and let us know how you get on!

 

[juxter1]

To be honest, there isn't a budget as yet. I am looking at the costing on the fly, I want the best sound for the best return. I have checked the bearings and they are not even slightly worn so no problem there. The deck had only minimum use when I bought it as cd's were becoming popular and cheap when I started building my system.

At the moment it's running through a Musical Fidelity B200 amp and Monitor Audio MA14 floorstander speakers. I would like to replace the amp with something more up to date and I do need a cd player too. I have looked at the new Castle Knight 5's in a recent test in some publication, liked the look of them and am considering auditioning them at a slightly later date. Speaker budget is up to £1000.

Amp budget is around £1500, the same for a cd player.

I want the sound to be as clear and musical as possible at low levels with decent bass.

The cost of the possible upgrading is being funded by a sideways move from one area to another, buying a cheaper house but not downsizing. Room size for the hi fi set up is expected to be around 11" X 11".

I have thought about having the arm on the Systemdek rewired with high quality cables. Is it possible to junk the feeble attached phono rca cables and have rca sockets fitted so I could use interconnects of a much higher quality in some way? I like the thought of being able to change the cables to find out what suits best.

Music taste is mainly 80's, prog rock, easy listening (early Chris DeBurgh), classical. Fairly eclectic in other words.

 

[margetti]

juxter1:

I have thought about having the arm on the Systemdek rewired with high quality cables. Is it possible to junk the feeble attached phono rca cables and have rca sockets fitted so I could use interconnects of a much higher quality in some way? I like the thought of being able to change the cables to find out what suits best.

You can certainly get the phono cables changed on a permanent basis (bought my RB300 second-hand with both an internal and external re-wire already done), not so sure you can keep swapping them out without sending the arm off to a specialist each time. Have a look at the Origin Live and Audio Origami websites to get an idea of the mods available.

 

[juxter1]

I saw something on the net, not sure where it was, but there was a turntable that didn't have any leads coming from it. There were just rcs plugs built into the plinth. This allowed you to use whatever interconnects you wanted. I thought it was a good idea and you would be able to get longer cables to site the turntable further away from the speakers.

Perhaps it's not possible but it made sense to me seeing that all other hifi equipment you can use whatever interconnects you want.

 

[def lugs]

I have the same deck but with a RB250 Moth Arm and Ortofon 520 on it from new. It sat up in the spare room for the last 10 years or so with no use. The only upgrades I have performed are a Goldring 2100 cartridge which sounds stunning and I purchased an acylic platter mainly so I could achieve the correct tracking height for the cartridge/arm combination. It has made me want to listen to and buy vinyl all over again.