Roksan Xerxes 1 Reviews
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“Top quality, fast paced and fabulously detailed sound...”
★★★★★
written by bertie930 on 23/06/2009
Top quality, fast paced and fabulously detailed sound from this Roksan Xerxes 1 turntable. Match it with a quality tonearm and enjoy your vinyl like never before.
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“Roksan Xerxes 1 is a brilliant turntable that...”
★★★★★
written by bertie930 on 04/05/2009
Roksan Xerxes 1 is a brilliant turntable that approached vinyl replay from a different angle to anyone else. Designed by a vinyl lover. Once properly set up it will go toe to toe with players costing thousands. Years of reviews talking of sagging plinths written by people who have no experience of it themselves but think they should mention it because they read it somewhere. Don't listen to anyone who says this is a problem.
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“There are not too many second-hand roksan around....”
★★★★★
written by brikie on 23/06/2008
There are not too many second-hand roksan around. darius speakers like gold dust to find. Roksan Xerxes 1 is a real good turntable with a cover.
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“Although a collectors item now, the Roksan Xerxes 1...”
★★★★★
written by Overkill1963 on 17/11/2003
Although a collectors item now, the Roksan Xerxes 1 was for a while THE turntable to have. If you didn't like the Linn sound, then either the Xerxes or Michel Gyrodeck where the way to go. Nowadays the Xerxes can be picked up from Ebay for a reasonable second hand price. Hence this review.
The turntable itself was my choice for its excellent portrayal of detail, firm grip on the Bass and with the right partnering equipment clean, well paced transients. Linn lovers beware, for the Xerxes lacks that "warm" vinyl sound that they seem to prefer. Me, I want accuracy, and as little of the players own characteristics as possible imposed on the music. On both counts the Xerxes scores highly. Although this hasn't been my experience, the Xerxes is reputed to sound a little dry with some amplifiers and Speakers so try to balance this out.
Overall its 3d imaging is top notch. First rate timing gives a well spaced soundstage with excellent stereo, and the Class A power supply keeps speed drift locked out! With a good cartridge, I use a Denon DL304, your vinyl collection really shines, and each upgrade both to the turntable, and partnering kit, reveals more and more hidden gems within the grooves.
If you want to get a first rate turntable, and can't afford a new Gyro, or that Rega 25 is out of reach, scour the second hand pages for one of these. It will extend your vinyl collections life beyond the foreseeable future...........
Powerdaddy's Response to Overkill1963's Review
Written on: 30/08/2005
I've currently acquired an original Xerxes. I had a Linn Sondek with Ittok arm in the early 90's. A touch too warm sounding for my taste although very enjoyable compared to the best CD sound of the day, but it was very troublesome to maintain for good result. It got out of tune frequently and I sold it out of frustration in favor of exploring CD playback. I'd acquired a Systemdek after selling the Linn for casual listening but sonically it doesn't compete with better turntables. I'd spent quite a hefty sum on higher end CD chain for the last 10 years in search for a balance between musicality and accuracy. I'd heard a couple of good combos that came close but I am talking about $10K+ in price.
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<br>My search for that balanced sound ended this year when I found a nice original Xerxes with XPS-2 for the price of a mid-priced CD player. With Origin Live modded RB250 and Denon DL-103, this Xerxes rocks. It does not have the often too warm a sound of the Linn, and requires no constant attention to keep it in tune. The mid-band is smooth, treble sounds open and clinically accurate, bass is tight and has lots of impact, dynamics is first class. The one attribute that really shines for this table is the deep and wide sound stage that CD chain worths several thousand can't touch. Altogether this is the elusive vinyl sound that I have been pursuing for the last 10 years. What seem unbelievable are the newer Roksan turntables that improved on the original Xerxes. For 1/4 the price of a modern Xerxes, a used original Xerxes is the best value in vinyl playback today.
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<br>There has been ongoing concern about the plinth sagging problem for this deck, which causes platter spin interference. I've heard about physically bolting the sagging plinth back to level with a metal bracket. I don't like the bracket bolting idea, as it defeats the purpose of the Xerxes plinth design. All you need to do is to order a shim kit from Roksan for $20. The repair takes about 2-3 hours for an average handy person. With the shim kit in place, there is no chance that further sagging causing platter spin problem will ever reoccur.
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<br>You have to be very lucky to find a nice clean original Xerxes these days. There aren't that many of these gems being offered on eBay or elsewhere. I know the reason and I believe you would too if you own one yourselves.
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Xerxesdude's Response to Overkill1963's Review
Written on: 31/01/2005
Absolutely true. I've just upgraded my Rega 25 to a Mk One Xerxes with XPS 3.5 power supply and it simply trounces it. (this deck was made in 1986) Is it me or are Rega decks the most over-rated turntables on the planet? With an Origin Live modified Rega RB250 arm and a good cartridge (Ortofon MC25 FL or Denon DL 304 are very good matches) Nothing gives you more bangs for your money than a well looked after Xerxes, the bass slam and control is stunning. This deck makes my very expensive CD player sound and lifeless and just plain boring to listen to. Better than a Linn Sondek for very sensible money.
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Uli3636's Response to Overkill1963's Review
Written on: 28/01/2004
I own the Xerxes One since 16 years. I can only confirm the review. For nothing I would exchange this piece of my chain.