Micro Seiki DDX-1000

[Formerly YB-2]

Recently picked up a Micro Seiki DDX-1000 turntable and have decided to make a 'project' out of refurbishing it and mounting three tonearms. Purchased a new Jelco SA-750DB for the MM cartridges and an SME 3009 Series 2 non-improved (removable headshell) for the MC cartridges. Jeff was kind enough to put me in touch with Alfred Kayser of SME 3009 Tonearms in Canada, who is not only the most knowledgeable 'tonearm guy' I've spoken with, but is also the repository of knowledge, parts and turntables of everything Micro Seiki in NA. A great guy to talk to and very helpful. He hooked me up with the correct third armboard for my DDX-1000 and about everything I could absorb in one discussion on the turntable and associated tonearms. Have attached a picture of his fully-polished DDX-1000. Hope to have mine looking somewhat similar by the end of the summer.
http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10067&stc=1&d=1301535987
http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10068&stc=1&d=1301536044

[jdandy]

Glenn.......I have been a Micro Seiki fan for 30 years. The DDX-1000 in the photo is spectacular. Good luck on the renovation and restoration of your DDX-1000. I would love to own one.

[Masterlu]

That's a great looking Table!

Best of luck with yours. :yes:

[jwhite613]

Good Luck and Hope their will be plenty of pics of the process.

[Removed]

Glenn.....Glad everything worked out with Alfred

You may want to have the 3009 re-wired if its the original wiring also check out the bed plate spacer he has.

Jeff

[cmalak]

Glenn...sounds like a fun project and fantastic looking table. Good luck with the restoration. Here's hoping yours comes out as fantastic as the one you posted above :thumbsup: and more importantly that it is everything you wish for sonically :yes:

[Formerly YB-2]

Thanks to all. I'll post a pic or two of steps along the way. Also, just noticed a DDX-1000 on Audiogon with two TAs. There are a couple of tweaks that improve the sonic performanc, like lead und the platter and such. Step at a time.

[cmalak]

Glenn...are you going to do the work yourself or are you going to have someone do the restoration for you? Just curious...thx

[Formerly YB-2]

Will be doing the disassembly and initial polishing myself. Then off to the paint-shop for a professional 2-part poly-urethane paint job. I have a machine-shop available, so will likely also do the polishing on the platter edge, as well. Will rebuild the feet (new elastomers) and reassemble everything, including the tonearm and cartridge installations. Am quite skilled mechanically, so don't foresee any serious problems. If I were going to send out, it would go up to Alfred Kayser in Canada, who did the one in my original post.

[cmalak]

Will be doing the disassembly and initial polishing myself. Then off to the paint-shop for a professional 2-part poly-urethane paint job. I have a machine-shop available, so will likely also do the polishing on the platter edge, as well. Will rebuild the feet (new elastomers) and reassemble everything, including the tonearm and cartridge installations. Am quite skilled mechanically, so don't foresee any serious problems. If I were going to send out, it would go up to Alfred Kayser in Canada, who did the one in my original post.

:thumbsup: looking forward to tracking it's progress :yes:

[Formerly YB-2]

Here's the starting point. The surface corrosion on the silver portions doesn't show, but it is everywhere that the bare aluminum was anodized. Not too surprising after 32 years. Will be getting out the heat-gun to remove the cork mat as soon as this is posted. Then will start the disassembly.
http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10070&stc=1&d=1301575599

[cmalak]

Glenn...looking good. By the way, that table looks like a monster. How heavy is it?

[Formerly YB-2]

Actually, not that heavy. Only 22 lb without any tonearms/armboards, which each add 1-2 lb. With three arms will likely weigh around 30 lb. Will be adding some lead under each corner and inside the platter.

[Formerly YB-2]

OK....... pretty straight-forward. Only one snag that will require a bit of extra effort (not much - 4th pic).
First pic is the upper motor cover removed. This pc shows the corrosion on the silver surfaces.
http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10074&stc=1&d=1301600398
Next pic is with bottom cover removed, exposing the motor power control. Again, just take out the screws and everything was fed out the top of the chassis without any solder-work necessary.
http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10075&stc=1&d=1301600398
Third pic shows the one of the original feet. Was a small pneumatic 'tire' that has split with age and no longer holds any gas charge. All three are the same and will replace with some sort of Sorbothane or similar.
http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10076&stc=1&d=1301600398
And the last picture illustrates the one problem Each foot is held in place with three Philips-head screws that are accessed through the holes in the top of the foot. One screw in each of the two feet still attached to the table stripped out. Will drill a bit and then use an easy-out tool to remove. May replace these screws with socket-head screws that are much less prone to stripping.
http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10077&stc=1&d=1301600398

[Formerly YB-2]

This space reserved for the next steps (and to cover my posting screw-up ;)).

Next step has arrived. Hopefully, my travels are over for a bit and I can get some more serious TT work accomplished.

http://audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10411&stc=1&d=1303956039

[Minir53]

Hi there..
Following the build-up with bated breath.... Any news?
I receive my DDX1000 in a few days and I have big big plans for this baby.
It actually started in 1976 (back when I lived in Sweden) and I really had some
big bucks to spend on HiFi. The turntable was the DDX1000 with an ADC LMF1 tonearm
can't remember the cartridge, The electronics were top of the Sansui line BA3000 mixed in with some Audio research stuff. Speakers were Magnaplanar Tympani 1D.
Due to some job offers here in California, I had to sell the whole bit, and I have since
dreamt of the DDX1000 for the last 30 years.
Let me introduce my self, my name is Peter Im an engineer in the Aftermarket automotive field, giving
me a fantastic opportunity to utilize both our CNC capabilities, painting and Carbon fiber laminating skills to make something very cool, not just hang a a few bits of the player.
I'm thinking multiple mass loaded shelves under the casting and turntable with passive or active springloding cells. I would love to make a how to from my minds-eye
I will start images and a synopsis of my plans. And I would love to get some feedback
and maybe even someone could pop over and give It a listen ....... I'm open for suggestions.
Sinserely
Peter Horvath

[hobie1dog]

Thanks for the pics, I thought I had one of these all lined up to buy and then the guy just disappeared on me.

I Googled Micro Seiki and came up with an ad on the Canadian site like Craigslist and found the guy who had the turntable...yeah, I might just be a MS owner after all.

[hobie1dog]

Glenn: Any updates on your restoration?

[hobie1dog]

I guess it's 2017, and Glenn must have never finished his restoration of this back in 2011. Anybody heard from him?

[Formerly YB-2]

Talk about lazy. I've had at least a dozen other projects take precedence, plus travel, plus, plus, plus............ you know what I mean.

Have sold off everything but the TT. Anyone looking for a project?

[hobie1dog]

Glenn, glad to hear you are still with us. I hope you are not down to a Bose wave radio. Much of the turntable is left? Armboards, tonearms?

[Formerly YB-2]

Everything but the TAs (both gone). I'll take a pic or two and post when my travels allow. Think my signature line says it all about what I'm listening to. Not sure if that is visible to you at your participation level.

[bILLwOJO]

Hi Glenn, do you still have this table? I can't be that far from you.

BillWojo

[Formerly YB-2]

Bill - No longer have. A friend across the river in Lincoln University, PA now has. He has completely gone thru electronically and mechanically and now has three (3) arms looks/sounds great. Here's a pic of its present condition. Mark did a great job of restoration. :thumbsup:

https://www.audioaficionado.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=61887&stc=1&d=1587333590

[Masterlu]

He needs an LPI Clamp. :D

[Formerly YB-2]

He always has to hear for himself. I'll take my LP1 up next time so he can listen. Will be a fun test.

[Mark J]

He needs a Magnepan arm.