Systemdek IIX

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

The Systemdek was basically a cheap attempt at cloning the Linn LP12(personally, not a table
I'd want to clone, or own). The table you describe is worth $250-350 on the market, although I
would say worth much less in actual value vs performance. With a competitive arm & cartridge,
your old TD124 will thoroughly stomp all over the Systemdek. The biggest mistake they made was
to use the same motor as Linn, which is a $5 Philips sychronous motor. Constant source of
failures & general aggravation, not to mention a horribly primitive motor to use for a
supposedly "high end" table.

--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
http://stephensank.com
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336
Auth. Nakamichi & McIntosh servicer
Payments preferred through Paypal.com
"Cosworth" <billbalmer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:SUbTc.205604$OB3.131179@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> I have the opportunity to pick up this turntable for a song, but know little
> about it. I looked it over and it seemed in decent shape. I had to
> re-route the belt (it had gotten all tangled in the undercarriage), and it
> needs a new cartridge, but other than that it's picture perfect. It has an
> original tonearm, also Systemdek.
>
> I already have a Thorens TD124 and a B&O table (standard tonearm, not linear
> tracking), and I'm sure I'll grab this Systemdek up and listen for myself,
> but I'm curious what kind of reputation it has and how I should expect it to
> compare with my Thorens.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill Balmer
>
>

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <SUbTc.205604$OB3.131179@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> billbalmer@worldnet.att.net writes:

> I have the opportunity to pick up this turntable for a song, but know little
> about it.

So do it, and learn about it after you have it. What's the big deal?

Unless you really don't need it. Or is that what you're trying to get
us to tell you.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Stephen Sank" <bk11@thuntek.net> wrote in message
news:cfju5e$rbf$1@reader2.nmix.net...
>...With a competitive arm & cartridge,
> your old TD124 will thoroughly stomp all over the Systemdek. The biggest
mistake they made was
> to use the same motor as Linn, which is a $5 Philips sychronous motor.
Constant source of
> failures & general aggravation, not to mention a horribly primitive motor
to use for a
> supposedly "high end" table.

My TD124 stomps all over almost everything that ever came later!

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Scott Dorsey" <kludge@panix.com> wrote in message
news:cfqldj$mqh$1@panix2.panix.com...
> Bob Olhsson <olh@hyperback.com> wrote:
..
> >
> >My TD124 stomps all over almost everything that ever came later!

Agreed!
>
> Yes, but even the cheapo TD126 will stop over the Systemdek. They really
> were disappointing, and the Thorens turntables really are pretty
impressive
> and don't get the credit they deserve.
> --scott

Okay, thanks for the input guys. I'll still be picking up the Systemdek and
I'll give it a listen. But as I expected, the Thorens probably won't be
going anywhere.

So, assuming (as I do) that your predictions will match my reality, the next
question is.... anybody want to buy a REALLY NICE SYSTEMDEK? :-)

Bill Balmer

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

With the money you'd get selling the Systemdek, you could buy an arm like the SME III, or
perhaps a Rega RB300(I'd go with the SME III) for the Thorens. The TD124 has become so popular
lately that there are a number of people making replacement arm mounting boards for them, that
are usually better than the originals. You might even be able to sell the horrible Shure M232
arm for $50-75 on ebay.

--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
http://stephensank.com
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336
Auth. Nakamichi & McIntosh servicer
Payments preferred through Paypal.com
"Cosworth" <billbalmer@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:TtNUc.472815$Gx4.181587@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Well, I got the Systemdek hooked up today, and I have to say it sounds
> pretty damn good. Even with the old Shure M7-N21D cartridge I had lying
> around as a spare. It came with an original Blue Point cart, but the stylus
> was broken (are they replaceable?).
>
> Honestly, the Systemdek comes pretty close to the Thorens, but that's
> undoubtedly a reflection of the old arm on the Thorens - a Shure M232. The
> arm on the Systemdek appears to be its best feature and is clearly a step up
> from the old Shure.
>
> Now I'm faced with yet another dilemma. Clearly the Thorens is a higher
> quality machine that is a match for the Systemdek sonically, and would be
> far superior if properly equipped. But I really don't have the cabbage to
> buy a nice arm for the Thorens, so it remains as is. The Systemdek sounds
> good now, and if I swapped in my good cart (an AT440ML-OCC), it would surely
> improve it considerably.
>
> I could possibly pull the tonearm off of the Systemdek and put it on the
> Thorens, but somehow that seems like a really odd combination to me, and it
> would render the Systemdek virtually un-sellable.
>
> I could keep the Thorens as is and sell the Systemdek for $200-$300.
>
> Or I could put the good cart on the Systemdek and sell the Thorens for
> substantially more than that (new carpeting in the family room would be
> nice).
>
> The Thorens is built like a tank and should last longer, but on the other
> hand it's probably 25 years older already. Despite its age, it seems like
> parts for the Thorens are easier to come by.
>
> Maybe I'll sell the Systemdek and use the money to buy an arm for the
> Thorens?
>
> Decisions, decisions.....
>
>