Vinyl player, turntable - Micro Seiki BL91 in Moscow

A Brief History of Micro Seiki

A brief history of the Japanese company MicroSeiki.
The company was formed in 1961 and was a division of Kenwood. Specialization is the development and production of high-quality vinyl players and tonearms. In addition, it produced MM cartridges, shells, phono preamplifiers, and headphones. The company has several models of CD players in its arsenal. In the first years, the company produced MR series players, which were both belt and direct drive. In the earliest models, servo motors began to be used, designed to operate over a wide range of speeds, providing improved smoothness, reduced vibration and acoustic noise. Perhaps the most interesting of the early models is the MR711. This model went on retail sale in 1973 and cost 71,000 yen. The body was made entirely of a metal non-magnetic alloy. The speed was controlled electronically. A high-quality MA202 tonearm was standardly installed, which had an effective length of 252 mm. From I would like to note that this model sounds better than many similar ones with direct drive. In 1976, a Hi-End model of the DD100 class appeared in retail. The device had a massive and heavy table and a heavy disk. The DD100 weighed 26 kilograms. A new generation tonearm was installed - MA505. It was possible to additionally install two more tonearms, including 10 and 12 -ty inch. This was done using bases that were attached to the side walls of the case. Five different A-series bases were developed.

For example, using the A-4S it was possible to mount the Micro Seiki MA505L (effective length 282 mm) and Saec 308L tonearms, and using the A-6L one of the best SME 3012 tonearms. It should be noted here that the ability to mount such bases was later used in the DD6 and DD7. Owners of these models can see special holes on the left side of the player. Of the significant characteristics, the direct drive torque in this model was 1.5 kg per cm, for the fastest start-up. The device was electronically controlled from an external unit. In the DD100, the company used quartz for the first time stabilization (switchable) of all three speeds. Perhaps this is the best model of the company with direct drive in the entire history of producing turntables. The retail price in 1977 was 250,000 yen. Today it is difficult to find this model, and it costs a lot of money. I have it in my collection.

In 1977, the company supplied models of the DDL series to the European and American markets. A very interesting model is the DDL-150. The torque is the same as in the DD100 and was 1.5 kg per cm. Control from an external unit, two speeds, switchable quartz stabilization .The tonearm MA505 L was standardly installed. Additionally, using the A series bases, it was possible to install 2 more tonearms. The weight of the device is 26 kg. Retail price in 1977 is 210,000 yen. This is also a rare model, and today it is difficult to find. I have it in my collection In addition to Hi-End direct drive models, the company produced a sufficient number of Hi-Fi class models. The most popular are DD5,DD6,DQ7 DD7,DD8. They were produced from 1976 until the early 80s. Models DD6, DD7-8 were standard equipped with MA505 tonearms with an effective length of 237 mm. Models DQ7 and DD8 used quartz disk rotation speed stabilization.

The company constantly developed and introduced into production completely new design solutions for tables. Thus, in 1976, the DDX1000 model appeared, which did not have a classic table. The disk was installed on a metal tripod. External control of the device was used. This model was produced mainly for the foreign market and was very popular in Germany. In this model it was possible to install up to three tonearms, but the bases were used of a different type - AX. A total of nine such bases were developed, and it was possible to install about forty models of tonearms from different manufacturers.

In the early 80s, with the advent of digital, many direct drive manufacturers began to discontinue them. The company, in order to survive, went the route of creating high-end belt-driven turntables.

The Belt Drive line included models BL51 (1982), BL71 (1981), BL77 (1984), BL91 (1982) BL10X (1984), BL101 (1984), BL111 (1984).

Design features of belt-driven models.

From the BL51 model, the disk bearing assembly is made in the form of a spindle, fixed in a cup filled with synthetic oil and rests against a thrust ball. A low-power synchronous AC motor is used as a motor. Rotation is transmitted to the disk using an elastic rubber belt. The belt drive perfectly isolates the disk from vibrations of the engine. In addition, the electric motor itself is removed from the magnetic head of the pickup. High precision manufacturing of parts, large mass of the disk, calibrated engine power supply, guarantees maximum rotation accuracy.

Models BL77, 91, 111 used removable bases of type A 1200 series. Seven types of bases allowed the installation of a wide variety of tonearms. Wider L tables were released for 10 and 12-inch tonearms.

One of the best models in the Belt Drive line, in my opinion, is the BL91. Excellent table, excellent sound with different tonearms. Gorgeous appearance.

From the top line, the BL111 model is very interesting.

The table is made of pressed wood with an internal metal structure.

It was standardly equipped with a bronze alloy disk weighing 10 kg (!).

The total weight of the device is 38 kg. An excellent and expensive device. In perfect condition, it is now extremely rare.

In the second half of the 80s, the MicroSeiki company produced small quantities of bass players in the upper price category - the SX and RY(X) series.

The tables of the SX series devices were made of wood, and the RY and RX were made entirely of metal. The RX 8000 pneumatic spinner is now a rarity and costs in Russia, depending on the condition and configuration, from 10 to 20 thousand dollars.

Among the technical features - with the help of a powerful compressor, air was pumped under the disk, and the disk rose slightly and hovered in the air, minimizing external detonations as much as possible.

The 1500 series devices had different configurations. This series offered the buyer the opportunity to assemble the player themselves based on the budget.

4 types of disks were offered, costing from 10 to 120,000 yen. 2 types of bearing units (19,000 yen), depending on the weight of the selected disk, an external power supply with an RY-1500D engine, an additional platform for it RS-1500, an additional weighting disk on the seat RW-1500 (weighing about 10 kg), the RB-1500 seat itself and seven types of AX hinged bases for installing different models of tonearms. As an option, there is a vacuum device that, using tubes under low pressure, forces air through a hole in the spindle under the record. When the air supply is cut off, it goes away and the record sticks to the rubber edges of the disc. A kind of additional stabilization.

With the final advent of digital technology, the company ceased production of vinyl players in the late 80s and ceased to exist in the mid-90s.

Today the name MicroSeiki is a legend among vinyl lovers, and the top models are still very popular and in demand due to their high construction quality and sound.