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Post by ChrisB on Feb 7, 2018 14:34:15 GMT
Back in the begining of the 1990's I was in the market for a new turntable and one model I looked into and auditioned was the Xerxes. I had a doubt in the back of my mind about the design of the top plate which used a cantilevered piece of mdf. That didn't seem very clever to me.
That wasn't the reason why I bought something else but, sure enough, a few years later, I was hearing about 'the sag' and I felt like I had dodged an expensive mistake.
What other components have proven to be fatally flawed?
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Post by MartinT on Feb 7, 2018 15:13:31 GMT
I suffered with 'the sag' on my Xerxes. Roksan didn't want to know about supporting this design flaw, citing 'natural settling' or some such bollox. It became more and more difficult to keep everything aligned. In the end, I sold the deck in disgust and didn't have any vinyl playback for quite a while.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2018 15:39:01 GMT
Naim Nait 3 integrated amplifier, zero redeeming features even for naimies!
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Post by karatestu on Feb 7, 2018 15:58:34 GMT
Naim Nait 3 integrated amplifier, zero redeeming features even for naimies! I agree, having had one for a couple of years. The Nac112 was even worse - probably the worst amp they ever made. Stu |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2018 16:31:40 GMT
Hi Stu It had the ability to truly destroy music without trying, we used to keep one around the lab to revert back to just to see how bad reproduced sound could be! I believe my former business partners still have said unit! Another quite grim component Kef Ref 205 for the mid 2000's another product with Zero redeeming features. Another vote for Naim speakers, utter cack, the worst possible, a tie up between SL2's Ovator 600's and Arriva's the unholy trinity of truly grim speaker design. Ruark Broadswords, tripe personified 84Db sensitivity and a nominal impedance close to that of Apogee's, an inductor close to size of my fist!, made meridian sound pacy! You need a solid 150Wrms and 25+ amps to move the bloody things. Fire up those slippers Mr Mogadon  The Pioneer A400 integrated amp, WTF was all the fuss about? even the so called evans? upgraded unit, they could strip paint off a Rolls Royce at 50 paces, pair up with Naim SL2's and you have just about best non evasive ear wax removal this side of a good steam clean at the Doctors. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 7, 2018 16:34:12 GMT
Naim Nait 3 integrated amplifier, zero redeeming features even for naimies! I think it sounds ok. Pioneer CD into Nait 3 and Linn Saras Will check again |
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 7, 2018 17:10:58 GMT
pair up with Naim SL2's and you have just about best non evasive ear wax removal this side of a good steam clean at the Doctors. Maybe I should try this instead of my usual microsuction ... I reckon a pair of Linn Kans would have a similar effect - just never understood what people see in those. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 7, 2018 17:17:19 GMT
Confess to having Linn Kans I used to have in my office before upgrading. Liked them. Preferred the Isobariks though  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2018 17:34:12 GMT
pair up with Naim SL2's and you have just about best non evasive ear wax removal this side of a good steam clean at the Doctors. Maybe I should try this instead of my usual microsuction ... I reckon a pair of Linn Kans would have a similar effect - just never understood what people see in those. Hi Jules I must admit they can sound OK  just do not use Linn or Naim amplification I rebuilt a pair for a local gent a few years back, in fairness quite ok for a small speaker. Again careful pairing can pay dividends imho |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 7, 2018 18:05:26 GMT
Linn Index speakers. Dullsville time, sleep arrives within minutes.
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 7, 2018 18:14:19 GMT
Confess to having Linn Kans I used to have in my office before upgrading. Liked them. Preferred the Isobariks though You're not kidding Mike! There is no comparison with your briks ... |
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Post by daytona600 on Feb 7, 2018 18:16:25 GMT
I suffered with 'the sag' on my Xerxes
must have been lucky had one for decades with no sag & then replaced with a Xerzes 20+ & recently a Vertere
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Post by ant on Feb 7, 2018 18:28:10 GMT
Leak 2001 turntable, lovely until the squash balls started to...well....leak.
Great audio technica arm on it too
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Post by ChrisB on Feb 7, 2018 18:31:49 GMT
Starting this thread, I didn't really have in mind gear that you don't like. I'd like to hear about ostensibly or potentially good components that had a fatal Achilles heel.
The Xerxes would be one for the reasons described above.
The original Michaelson Austin TVA1 valve amp would be another, where a few were apparently known to self-immolate under certain conditions.
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Post by ChrisB on Feb 7, 2018 18:33:43 GMT
Leak 2001 turntable, lovely until the squash balls started to...well....leak. Great audio technica arm on it too Thanks Ant, I don't think I knew about that one. |
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Post by ant on Feb 7, 2018 18:37:10 GMT
It was a nice idea, the top plate sat on dampers that were spheres the size of squash balls filled with some sort of silicone fluid
Unfortunately the spheres were fairly fragile and could get punctured. Or degrade over the years. The deck was essentially buggered once that happened
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Post by MartinT on Feb 7, 2018 18:52:58 GMT
Back to flawed components, then. The PS Audio GCPH phono stage I bought had a bad design flaw that only becomes apparent when you use it in low output MC mode. Whatever you do with the gain controls, it hums. Intrusively when you turn the wick up to a decent level. I tried every possible earthing arrangement but to no avail. Had to sell it.
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Post by scotty38 on Feb 7, 2018 19:54:22 GMT
I get how the Xerxes thing may get missed but the noisy MC phono stage, how does that get past any level of testing... Bizarre....
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Post by ChrisB on Feb 7, 2018 20:00:14 GMT
Maybe the ones sold in the US market were fine but the manufacturer messed up the power supply for other territories?
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Post by MartinT on Feb 7, 2018 20:55:24 GMT
That could be it, Chris, as I was puzzled at no mention of it in US reviews.
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just do not use Linn or Naim amplification I rebuilt a pair for a local gent a few years back, in fairness quite ok for a small speaker.
