Roksan Xerses

The main problem being that the sawcut arm peninsula portion of the top board tends to sag under the weight of the tonearm over time. This problem is compounded by the fact that Roksan no longer provide replacement top boards for the deck (which really bothers me as they still do produce turntables, and its just a bloody slab of wood).

The second problem is that the early power supplies tended to self destruct at the merest hint of a voltage spike. I believe that there were three versions of the power supply during the tables production life, with the last one offering the best performance and reliability. I don't know if any of these are currently available.

Setup of the original Xerses was reportely a bit of a nightmare, considering that it was only semi-suspended. The motor trimming in particualar was a bit of the bend it until it lines up affair, and there were numerous reports of platters rubbing topboards.

The replacement Xerses X supposedly solved these reliability problems, and reportedly offers an improved but similar sort of sound. However, were I currently in the market for a fast, lean, pacey sounding table, I'd go for the high VFM Rega P9.

Craig

The IBLs could do will a bit more welly in the amp department, however, they do sound great on the end of the wee Nait at the volumes that I normally listen at.

Good luck with your turntable search.

Craig

quote:

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Did I mention the Roksan will cost me 200 pounds!
Worth a punt I reckon...

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Craig's post above covers very well the common problems with the Xerxes. The only one he missed is that if allowed to run dry the main bearing would actually drill its way downwards!

Things I would check:

• Top board - if more than about 1-1.5 mm then walk away. You can get a Xerxes to work with a little more, but it’s a right pain in the arse. My incredibly old one (one of the very first off the line) is in a friends system and has sunk about 1.5 under the weight of its RB300. Top boards are no longer available, so the arm cut out it has is the one you are stuck with.

• PSU - if it goes round at the right speed then it probably is ok, my old one is still working. PSUs can still be got, I believe the Xerxes 10 PSU is compatible. Plus as people upgraded to better supplies logic dictates there should be some earlier ones knocking about somewhere…

• Bearing - remove the platter and belt, lift out the inner platter and check for wear / oil, if it looks shot, it is shot, walk away. If it has been regularly lubed it should be ok.

• Motor - remove outer platter and stick it back on upside down, check the belt runs on the motor pulley reasonably well. Unless it is really screwed you should be able to tune it out during set up.

• Blobs (the weird composite rubber suspension things) - check with Roksan how much a new set are, as they probably need changing. They go off after a few years - new ones will sound better.

Bottom line is that a well set up Xerxes is a stunningly good deck, and if it is a good 'un, you have found a real bargain. If it passes the above then grab it. What arm / arm cut-out does it have?

Tony.

PS Nait 2s do indeed rock.

I have all the info for servicing the orignl PSU if any one needs it, or has one that they want me to service for them.

pete

At 200 quid it might be worth buying it for parts, even if it doesn't quite pass all of Tony's tests.

That way you could aim to track down another Roxy, combine the best bits of both into one good 'un, and keep the rest as spares.

Roksan have a notice board set up on their website with many help requests being answered by Tufan Hashemi, who can be contacted directly via info@roksan.co.uk

Craig

[This message was edited by Craig Best on WEDNESDAY 07 November 2001 at 16:21.]