Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
SYSTEMDEK IIX - I just got this turntable out of 18 years of storage. I'm looking for a manual, if anyone has one, so I can oil it, put the belt back on and make sure I've got it set up right. Anyone have a manual? THANK YOU. Chris Worth at chrisworth777@yahoo.com. August 2009.

Singlemania

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I too have a Systemdek IIX which I was lucky to pick up for a fraction of it's true worth. Mine was sporting a Moth badged RB250 and had the stock glass platter and lambs wool mat. I have owned a number of turntables in the past and many years ago I had a Linn LP12 with Grace 707 and Supex 900 which was high end in the late 70's. The Systemdek even in its basic form is a giant killer giving away only a fraction of performance to the current offerings in the £750- £1,000 range. I was so impressed with the turntable that I set out raising it's performance. It goes without saying that the bearing on all turntables need careful maintenance. Any deterioration here and the performance will suffer drastically, regardless how much money you throw at upgrades. The bearing on mine was well preserved but the oil was in desperate need of changing. I cleaned the bearing with isopropyl and filled the reservoir with some molyslip oil and the difference i performance was significant. It was more what I couldn't hear than what I could. The surface noise on most recordings reduced and on very clean pressings the silence was inky black allow more of the subtleties of the recording to come out. Well there must be more that can be done I thought to myself. The latest incarnation TT1 from Audio Note sported an acrylic platter. Well if it is good enough for AN, it was worth fitting one to the IIX. At £120 + postage this was an audio bargain. Fitting was a bit of a pain as the Q Control of Dunlop before AN bought the design was not great. The spindle dia varies slightly so according to AN some light sanding is sometimes needed to allow the acrylic platter to mate with the Dunlop spindle. Mine needed only light sanding and once installed it looked great. The acrylic platter allowed the soundstage to grow both in height and width and the bass was tighter and there was an extra sense of timbre. High hats had that extra sparkle and extension. The arm also received some attention with the addition of the Michell technoweight. Because the arm and platter were added at the same time I can't comment on what change caused what, but I'm, sure they both share equal praise for the end result. I now thought my Systemdek sounded at a level comparable with the LP12 having listened to the current offering at a recent hifi show. How could I improve on this further well I had heard that going DC with Origin Live was light night and day. I am a skeptic and very cynical about many claims I read. Well I took the plunge and went for the Advanced version of the OL DC Motor with a DC100. The base plate of the T/T was discarded as no dangerous Ac feed is within the T/T and I decided to remove everything the Ac motor relied on even the switch which is now covered with the OL metal plate. It’s slightly fiddly to fit the motor as it rides lower on the sub-platter. The plastic pulley needs to be raised on the motor shaft and a platter weight helps to bring the path of the belt to the mid point on the sub platter. Was it worth it, yes? It has been years since I have listened to a recording that has made the hairs on my neck stand up. Talk about jaw dropping and shiver down my spine. I don't put this entirely down to the DC motor but the investment in the other mods as well which have been allowed to unleash their hidden capability. What are left, well Audio Origami mods to the RB250 are next in line and some damping to the inside of the T/T base. I listened to a friend’s £7K Nottingham Anna log and to my humble ears the Systemdek gave the same pleasure and more.

JimmyBlues

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $260.00 from Used

Summary:
After a long hiatus from hi-end audio, I decided to take get back into it. Since then I have purchased several pieces of gear (much of which is used sporadically). However the analogue front end of this system is now in regular use.

Its a mid 1980's Systemdek IIX with Profile tonearm and Sumiko Blue Point Moving Coil Cartridge. It's an excellent sounding piece of gear at a peanut's price. At present I am using it with my entry level system -- a NAD 3130 integrated amplifier, NAD 402 tuner, Linn Kan V speakers, and a Sony Prowalkman WMD 6C cassette deck.

This system is about music, and proof that if you match your hi-fi gear correctly,
you can make great sounds without needing to take out a second mortgage on your home.

The Rega Planar 1,2 and 3 are all excellent value for your money -- The Systemdek IIX is even better, given its three point floating suspension.

A wonderful table that faithfully honors the music.

Strengths:
Great sounding table; simple to setup and maintain, affordable price

Weaknesses:
Utilitarian appearance -- however, some may find this a plus ( I do).

Similar Products Used:
Rega Planar 2 and 3

BKTHIFI

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $325.00 from Ebay

Summary:
This is my second IIX. I have tried different turntables and the one thing the Systemdek IIX does right and this to me is very important as a listener It gets the pace, rhythm and timing right. IMHO I have found only spring suspension belt drive turntables are capable of this and not all of them do it. For instance the Sota Sapphire turntables I have owned are no where as lively sounding nor do they image compared to a WELL SET UP Systemdek IIX. If one wants a reasonably priced turntable that competes with turntables 3 times it's price don't look further than the Systemdek IIX

Strengths:
Pace, rhythm and timing. Imaging. Reliability. Ease of setup.

Weaknesses:
No longer manufactured.

Similar Products Used:
Sota Sapphire. Linn Sondek LP12. AR-ES1. VPI Jr.

imispgh

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.80 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have had this table for over 8 years. In that time I have made a couple tweaks. I removed the bottom cover. I applied Dynamat to the underside of the plinth, a bit to the suspension mechanics, the armboard and a couple strips on the motor. This thing is excellent at killing vibrations (Don't put too much on the suspension/armboard as it ads weight. I checked the bounce resonance afterward and it seems to be about 2-3hz. Also check the motor/table with a stethescope. I found the motor can be noisy if the screws that hold it to the mount aren't set right.) I got rid of the foam in the suspension springs cause I figured it was old/worn out and the springs would just drag on it. I cleaned the springs and rubber pieces then put powder on them and put them back. I used WD-40 to loosen the ball bearing in the bearing, cleaned it up and put synthetic motor oil in. I noticed Systemdek had two types of bearing spindles. one is smooth the other has a spiral grove cut in. I use the latter. I use a Goldring G1012GX. I used to use a Grado before I found out it is an unshielded cartridge. (I used Mu-Metal sheets to quiet the hum but could never get rid of it). I bought a second unit to keep just in case the motor goes. I am thinking of getting an acrylic platter and a new mat. I would be doing so cause I figured acrylic is quieter and lighter (remember I added weight with the Dynamax). I haven't done so because I love the soft rubber(?) mat that came with my unit. It seems to deaden the platter a great deal and the records don't slip on it. I use the Novus acrylic polish system to make the top look good. the system works well - it just takes a couple rounds with the #2 to get it right. Lastly - and maybe this is obvious to everyone but I had to run a separate wire from the external plinth ground connection to the amps ground connector (along with the ground wire from the interconnect leads). This did a better job of killing noise than just using the interconnect ground.

IIX tables can be had from Ebay and Audiogon. Pretty much every week.

Does anyone know who makes the Systemdek arm?

I have the IIX manual if anyone needs it.

Anyone try these tweaks or have others?

Any experiences with swapping the glass platter for an acrylic one?

System - AMC CVT-3030 Int Tube Amp - Triangle Celius 202 speakers - Goldring G1012 cartridge Systemdek arm Denon 1520 CD player with Audio Alchemy D/A and Jitter Box Behringer 2496

imispgh@yahoo.com

Strengths:
I have never compared it to another table. I do know that most of my LPs sound better than the associated CD. The recordings sound like they were recorded in a real space and cymbals are much more realistic. I plan on buying a couple more units to fix up and resell. I would love to have a Systemdek 4. Alsmost got a new one on Ebay but got out bid. They are said to be a notch above the IIX.

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