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Systemdek IIX - platter running backwards issue - easy fix?

E

eddiel

Active Member
Hi All

Been awhile since I posted on the forum...

I was working on a deal to purchase a Systemdek IIX (bought in 1983, profile tone arm, teardrop armboard) with a local seller. He was the original owner and it had been in storage now for 20+ years.

However, he messaged me yesterday that he tested the t/t and noticed that the platter would periodically turn in reverse but when he gently turned in the right direction, by hand, it would run correctly and then played fine. He offered to cut the price by half if I was still interested.

I'm considering the offer but it depends on how difficult and expensive a fix would be.

I did some research and it appears to be a fairly common problem with this t/t and the solutions I've seen mention replacing some caps or something or other (as you can tell I have no idea what they are going on about).

I can work out labour rates pretty easily since I have a great go to repair shop and parts like caps, transistors are fairly cheap. But I'm wondering if there could be a bigger issue that would require sourcing a new motor rather than just some easy to find bits and bobs.

Anyone have any experience with this issue, either with a Systemdek or other turntable?

(For reference, initial asking price was $500 obo. He's offered to sell it for $250. This is Canadian dollars so in USD roughly $380/$190. I did notice that locally $500 isn't too far off what these have sold for recently. Just a couple of years ago they were much lower.)
 
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My guess is that if the platter spins, the motor is fine. Likely just a cap out of spec or a dirty switch. But I'm no expert.
 
Even with this issue it a great price and well worth picking up. This does sound like a capacitor problem effecting the synchronous motor. Should be an easy fix, that you could do yourself.
 
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Purpose of the phase capacitor is to point the platter in the proper direction at start up. After it gets started, the rotating magnetic field presented to the rotor takes over and keeps things moving in that direction.

So, that is a likely culprit. Should be very easy to change the cap.
 
One of my favorite series of turntable. My model III had an issue with the platter failing to start every time, and yes it was the capacitor. Very easy and fast repair, and a great deck.
 
Appreciate the feedback fellas. Right now it looks like agreeing on a meet day and time is going to be more difficult than actually fixing the turntable. Looking forward to getting it as well. A big sucker for one owner, original packaging sort of deals. :)
 
el: Afaik, there were several board/wiring variants for that model, so you'll first need to have a look, which is actually installed inside that exemplar. But whichever you find, I'd suggest you to simply replace all capacitors on it (iirc, up to four altogether). The one or two (depending on the board variant) that serve as anti-sparking caps should be replaced with X2 or Y2 class safety caps in any case, but using X2 or Y2 types for the phase-shifting cap as well as the cap parallel to the motor, which is additionally installed on at least one of the board variants, wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
I picked up the t/t yesterday. Looks beautiful even just sitting there :)

Not sure when I'll get the chance but I hope to get this up to my my repair guy in the next week or two so they can give it a once over.
 
It would replace and upgrade your old power supply board along with the old caps and would help with speed stability.
 
eddiel said:
Pardon my ignorance here...what can I expect with this upgrade?
Click to expand...
Looking at the schematic in the posting, this board provides the same functionality that the OEM parts provided when new, but in a nice new package. It could be used to replace the older caps in the IIX Systemdek if you wanted to go that route. It does not provide any new functionality that does not already exist in the IIX Systemdek. For example, there are much more expensive and complex power supply boards that provide a reconstituted and steady AC frequency output to synchronize the motor speed to a stable RPM. i.e. Valhalla being one, etc. There is a lot of information available online if you want to do more research on that topic.
 
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