Destry rides again!
Posted by: Bob Edwards on 27 June 2003
All--
As some of you know, I recently bought a 52, which has been a revelation (to say the least). To do this, I gutted my office system, which had only recently been turned into a round earth experiment. In any event, as things turned out, I wound up with a office system made up of a Roksan Xerxes, Naim 32.5 and 90/3, and Linn Kans.
The Xerxes represents perhaps the most frustration I've ever had with a single piece of hifi equipment. (Perhaps appropriately, given how much heaven/hell stories I've heard and read about it!) When it arrived, it was in very good condition, as described. Since I did not have an arm, I didn't do anything with it, except to take it out of the box. Once the arm arrived (a SME IV) I mounted an AT OC9 in it, mounted the arm, and tried to play a record. No joy--although the motor would vibrate, it would NOT turn the platter. !%#$ After some inspection, the power supply was identified as the culprit, and returned to the seller for repair. Meanwhile, I thought I would try out the Origin Live supply, having read and heard good things about it. So I ordered one.
This is where the fun really began--the OL motor pulley is MUCH too tall to work with the Xerxes, and washers are required to raise the main bearing sufficiently to clear the motor pulley. As a result of my needing two washers, I acquired a new set of drill bits, a new vise, and a new tap and die set.
Then, once everything was put back together, with the motor pulley now clearing the platter, I put on the Chemical Brothers album Surrender, and was horrified to hear it running at what sounded (and measured) like 25 RPM. It was then I realized the OL instructions said to let it warm up before setting the speed. I also realized that the belt was quite loose--it still went around the motor pulley and inner platter, but still seems awfully loose.
Now, finally, everything is working. And I am pleased as punch to say it sounds absolutely great. So far it is still in tune, separates out rhythms with ease, and is terrifically dynamic. Once I get K boards for my 52 I will try it out upstairs and compare the combo with my LP12--I don't doubt for the LP12 will be better, but it sounds like the Xerxes does things the LP12 doesn't and vice versa.
Finally--have any other Xerxes owners noticed that it sounds better without the outer plinth?
Best,
Bob
[This message was edited by Bob Edwards on FRIDAY 27 June 2003 at 22:36.]
As some of you know, I recently bought a 52, which has been a revelation (to say the least). To do this, I gutted my office system, which had only recently been turned into a round earth experiment. In any event, as things turned out, I wound up with a office system made up of a Roksan Xerxes, Naim 32.5 and 90/3, and Linn Kans.
The Xerxes represents perhaps the most frustration I've ever had with a single piece of hifi equipment. (Perhaps appropriately, given how much heaven/hell stories I've heard and read about it!) When it arrived, it was in very good condition, as described. Since I did not have an arm, I didn't do anything with it, except to take it out of the box. Once the arm arrived (a SME IV) I mounted an AT OC9 in it, mounted the arm, and tried to play a record. No joy--although the motor would vibrate, it would NOT turn the platter. !%#$ After some inspection, the power supply was identified as the culprit, and returned to the seller for repair. Meanwhile, I thought I would try out the Origin Live supply, having read and heard good things about it. So I ordered one.
This is where the fun really began--the OL motor pulley is MUCH too tall to work with the Xerxes, and washers are required to raise the main bearing sufficiently to clear the motor pulley. As a result of my needing two washers, I acquired a new set of drill bits, a new vise, and a new tap and die set.
Then, once everything was put back together, with the motor pulley now clearing the platter, I put on the Chemical Brothers album Surrender, and was horrified to hear it running at what sounded (and measured) like 25 RPM. It was then I realized the OL instructions said to let it warm up before setting the speed. I also realized that the belt was quite loose--it still went around the motor pulley and inner platter, but still seems awfully loose.
Now, finally, everything is working. And I am pleased as punch to say it sounds absolutely great. So far it is still in tune, separates out rhythms with ease, and is terrifically dynamic. Once I get K boards for my 52 I will try it out upstairs and compare the combo with my LP12--I don't doubt for the LP12 will be better, but it sounds like the Xerxes does things the LP12 doesn't and vice versa.
Finally--have any other Xerxes owners noticed that it sounds better without the outer plinth?
Best,
Bob
[This message was edited by Bob Edwards on FRIDAY 27 June 2003 at 22:36.]