Micro Seiki, or TW AC-1


I'm trying to decide between Micro Seiki RX 5000 and TW AC-1.
They are approx. the same price used (about $10K)
Both are belt drive.
Unfortunately, I don't have a first hand experience with either of the tables.
You can see my current set-up in my system page.
The reason, I want to make a change from DD TT to belt drive is just to try a different approach.
Also, I have a feeling, that the bass would be one of the areas, where MS and TW might have an edge over my current DD Technics SP-10 MkII
My endeavor into analog is fairly new, so I'm not sure what my final choice in analog would be, unless I try it in my own system.
What I'm really interested in is the following:
Sonic differences b/w MS, TW and Technics SP-10 MkII
Reliability
Service availability.
maril555
Adding my 2 bits for the TW AC. Call it owner indulgence or what ever, it's a superb TT and completely set and forget.
Enjoy the ride
Cheers
Pradeep
Syntax,
Could you make any comments on the reliability of the Micro Seiki RX-5000. What are the most common problems, that MS owners encounter, if any?
And what to pay attention to, when buying one?
Also, do you have any input on Transrotor TTs, especially the models with magnetic drive. Since you are in Germany, I would imagine you are more familiar with their products.
I only heard them at the shows, so no opinion here.
Thanks
After purchasing the Raven One/TW Acustic 10.5 combo, having
Tom Tutay restore my Air Tight ATM-3 amps while providing iec
capability for changing power cords, and also re-discovering
some extremely fine power tubes, I've found a level of
musical enjoyment never experienced before. For me, the TW
front end has proven to be nothing short of fantastic.
Listening is fatigue free, exciting, and always something to
look forward to.
Another high mass belt drive worth considering in the $10-15K range is the new SME 20/3. I have not heard one, but reports are that it is fairly close to the Model 30, though you would not be able to mount your 12" arm. Perhaps a used SME 20/12. Great sonics and little fuss from a very reliable company.
Hello Maril555,
in the last 3 years I had some contact to Seiki owners and all of their units (25
years old) were running perfectly. The prices for 5000 series are continuously
raising in the last 4 years...the test of time was successfully done long ago.
The table itself has to be moved always without the heavy platter, otherwise the
bearing will be damaged. Normally this is common sense, but you know...:-)
Motors are very impressive, what 'generation' of controller chip have the Ravens
now? 5th? The one from my Buddy started backwards sometimes :-)
I listened to some Transrotors (and Clearaudios) but none of them gave me any
kind of information which made me to sit longer than 5 min in front of them.
They are show pieces, nice to look at, but when you want something which
really moves the sonic curtain, do yourself a favor and look somewhere else.
But it depends on your knowledge about music reproduction. When your
priority is fun only, buy whatever you can reach. All is great then ...