FLO's journey with the Micro Seiki RX-1500

[Florian E.]

This story began on an autumn day in 2017, 6 years ago in Cologne Frechen. More precisely, in the realms of @shakti

At that time, there were all the big Micro Seiki turntables from the RX-1500 to the big RX-8000 to marvel at:

Shakti's System: Micro Seiki 8000, Koetsu, VDH, Airtight, Zingali, YG Anat,

http://zero-distortion.org/micro_seiki_8000_mkii_koetsu_colibri_thoress_airtight/ This will highlight the first exposure to Micro Seiki 8000 mkII with Ikeda 407 (with VTA lifter) with VDH Stradivarius and FR 64s with the Koetsus. The VDH has a body with Hawaiian Koa Wood and an old...

www.whatsbestforum.com

In German, his Micro Seiki comparison thread:

https://www.analog-forum.de/wbboard/index.php?thread/133582-shakti-vergleich-micro-seiki-laufwerke/




At the age of 16, I myself had never heard of Micro turntables before. When I saw this RX-1500, however, I was shockingly enamoured:

My enthusiasm for this drive, as well as for the different versions, was ignited.

The concept of the RX-1500 is based on the pen of the chief developer Hideaki Nishikawa and is a development from the late 70s, which was brought to market maturity in the early 80s.



The following versions were offered in Germany:



- Micro Seiki RX-1500D (basic version with aluminium plate flanged motor)

- Micro Seiki RX-1500D + RS-1500 (basic version with aluminium plate and external motor base)

- Micro Seiki RX-1500 VG (aluminium plate, with external motor base, air bearing and plate suction)

- Micro Seiki RX-1500G (basic version with brass disc and external motor base)

- Micro Seiki RX-1500 VFG (brass disc, with external motor base, air bearing and plate suction)




I soon realised that there was also a large but nowadays rare range of accessories for this drive. Beautifully illustrated in this picture:





So I started my search for an RX-1500, primarily looking for a "D" model.

Unfortunately, 1500s are quite rare, but after two years of searching I found my first micro with SME 3009:




This turntable allowed me to gain my first experience in the field of adjusting, setting up and tuning the sound of record players. I became intensively involved with analogue playback via vinyl.

Over time, I had the opportunity to make a further upgrade, but now with an external motorised stand and the RS-10 record weight. I was also able to try out sound impressions from aluminium vs. brass bases on the Micro Seiki for the first time:







Over time, I tried a wide variety of tonearms and cartridges on my micro. For example, I had an extremely rare Fidelity Research FR-66fx:





But I have also been able to compare the sound of other tonearms such as the Schick 9.6, Fidelity Research FR-64fx, Fidelity Research FR-54, SME 3009R and SME 3012R on my micro.

That's why I've been able to familiarise myself intensively with the different concepts of the developers of Ikeda san and co:




The wide range of experiences and the exploration of the most diverse combinations led to increasing professionalisation. Ernst Acoustics was born. In short, this was a development that took years.



But that's not the point. I would rather emphasise the profound importance of the Micro Seiki RX-1500 for my personal development. All my experiences with analogue playback and my enthusiasm for analogue are based on this model.



In this day and age:

Today's record players from TechDas, a company founded by Nishikawa a few years ago as the "successor" to Micro Seiki, are based on this original concept of the RX-1500 and bring the developments of that time into the 21st century. Due to my deep familiarity with Micro Seiki, a good friend asked me to install a TechDas AirForve V at his place:


I also regularly look after a customer with a TechDas Airforce 3, which is based on the basic idea of the Micro Seiki RX-1500 VG.

Most recently, I had the great and rare experience of listening to a TechDas Airforce Zero with the serial number 1 in Bangkok. This drive represents the pinnacle of Nishikawa's developments and is a sonic experience.

Nevertheless, the basic sonic DNA of a micro was quite perceptible:







As you can read, I have a great attachment to these machines that are used purely for playing records.

So it was all the sadder to read recently that Nishikawa has passed away. I deeply honour this gentleman for his record players, which never cease to inspire me.



Yesterday I had the opportunity to acquire another very rare machine from the pen of Nishikawa and to make the next major upgrade. But more on that in the near future.

I'm now getting ready to set it up so that I can enjoy it with an alcoholic drink in a few hours.



More in the days to come...





Audiophile greetings,



Florian

 

[Ron Resnick]

Thank you for this chronology!

In general -- if it is possible to generalize -- do you prefer the sound of the vintage Micro Seikis turntables or do you prefer the sound of today's TechDAS turntables?

 

[Florian E.]

In my opinion, Techdas is located above Micro seiki.
But it is very understandable for me. Nishikawa was able to incorporate the decades of knowledge he gained at Micro Seiki into the TechDas drives. The sound of a TechDas is unique. Stiff, rich in lustre and with a lot of drive in sound.

Audiophile greetings,
Flo

 

[Ron Resnick]

In my opinion, Techdas is located above Micro seiki.
But it is very understandable for me. Nishikawa was able to incorporate the decades of knowledge he gained at Micro Seiki into the TechDas drives. The sound of a TechDas is unique. Stiff, rich in lustre and with a lot of drive in sound.

Audiophile greetings,
Flo

Thank you.

 

[Florian E.]

Unfortunately I haven't got round to writing much yet, but here's a spoiler from last evening. Tonearm no. 2 is now mounted on the new turntable. A SME 3012R was already mounted, now the shorter brother, a SME 3009R, is taking its place.

You can perhaps already see which Micro has been moved in


Impressions to follow!


Greetings,
Flo

 

[Lynnot]

I've been a Micro Seiki adept for over 40 years now and still enjoy my multi arm belt drive turntable.

 

[Florian E.]

Unfortunately, time has been in short supply for me the last few days...

But now I've been able to try out various cartridges and draw my first conclusions.



First of all, it turned out to be a Micro Seiki RX-1500G, as some have already rumored.

The condition is fantastic for a 40-year-old device.






According to web research, only around 25 units of the G were delivered in Germany in the 1980s:


As a difference to the normal "D", the "G" always came with the external motor stand RS-1500 (6.6kg), the additional weight for the frame RW-1500 (6.6kg) and the brass platter (9kg).

Due to these additions, the drive weighs almost 40kg.



This also resulted in the following new prices:

While an RX-1500D was already available for around 2200 DM at the time, the RX-1500G cost almost twice as much - 3750 DM - at your local dealer.


At first I gave the turntable an SME 3012R, together with the Ortofon SPU #1E.

I really like the little SPU, especially when it comes to timbre.













I put on the first record, the Tron reissue by Daft Punk.

And lo and behold, the SPU now has more drive and better trimming in the sound image.



In general, however, the sound impression was very close to the RX-1500D.

Good stability, little resonance and drive in the sound.



The RX-1500 series is like a good base on which to build a monument.



But I was so impressed that after listening to a few records on the side, I switched to the Phasemation PP-200.







Here too, transients seem to me to be reproduced better and more clearly. The RX-1500G also conveys a bit more calm and stability in the sound image.

The sound signature is the same as that of the RX-1500D, but small micro information seems to be picked up even better.



It seems to me that the increased mass moment of inertia due to the brass platter compared to the aluminum platter plays off these small advantages.





In the meantime, I'm still looking around for some accessories, so I'll probably go into more detail about that soon.







Yours sincerely,



Florian

 

[PeterA]

The TechDAS Air Force 1 and Micro Seiki SX8000 II have very different designs and sounded very different to me as a result.

 

[Lynnot]

Hi Peter,

probably 30 years between those two designs with the TechDAS more alligned to todays preferences.

Bestr regards, Tony

 

[PeterA]

Hi Peter,

probably 30 years between those two designs with the TechDAS more alligned to todays preferences.

Bestr regards, Tony

I agree there is much time between the designs and they do sound quite different. I do not think all of today's preferences would choose the newer design.

 

[Lynnot]

Hi,

BL-91, BL-91L, RX-2000 and the full RS, RY, RX & SX-1500 range use the same S-1500 bearing.
There is an adapted version for the vacuum versions though, still very much the same.

Best regards, Tony

 

[Jackl3y]

Hi,

BL-91, BL-91L, RX-2000 and the full RS, RY, RX & SX-1500 range use the same S-1500 bearing.
There is an adapted version for the vacuum versions though, still very much the same.

Best regards, Tony

I have a 1500 Full Chiice with the aluminum platter and the full air setup in my sights. I too am looking at Phasemation with a possible le Glanz tonearm.

 

[thekong]

I agree there is much time between the designs and they do sound quite different. I do not think all of today's preferences would choose the newer design.

I agree, one of my friends has the Micro 8000, and another one has a 8000 MK2. I have also auditioned the AF1 a few times. I much preferred the two Micro, as well as my Rockport Sirius II, to the AF1.

But the AF0 is another story, simply the best TT I have auditioned. To my ears the AF0 is head and shoulders above all TTs, maybe with the exception of the Rockport Sirius III. However, since I have not auditioned a Sirius III for many years, I can’t really say how the two TT compares. I just had similar jaw dropping experiences when I auditioned the two TTs for the first time!

 

[Florian E.]

Another Chapter in My Journey with the RX-1500



It’s been quite a while since I last shared an update about my journey with the Micro Seiki RX-1500. All the more reason I’m excited to document the developments of the past months here.


The RX-1500G has captivated me ever since it arrived—a masterpiece of analog engineering. However, through a fortunate coincidence, I was able to upgrade early last year: an RX-1500VG found its way to me. Essentially, it’s an RX-1500G complemented by the vacuum function (V).


The condition was excellent, and even the often brittle vacuum hoses were still supple. The vacuum function brings several advantages:


• Warped records are a thing of the past.


• The weight and torque of the 9 kg brass platter are directly coupled to the record, enabling a completely new resonance behavior.


Sonically, this elevates the RX-1500VG to an entirely new level compared to the RX-1500G. The sound feels richer, more refined, and it seems that the turntable now forms a truly stable, holistic foundation with the record.


A fascinating aspect is that the sealing lips of today’s TechDAS turntables fit many models from Micro Seiki’s lineup perfectly. This allowed me to replace the now 40-year-old seals on my RX-1500 with new ones. The result is not only visually appealing but also impressive—modern sealing lips are more supple and seem to make a small but noticeable sonic difference. Since I could hardly find any information about this online, I used these insights to make the suitable replacement parts available in my shop:


Micro Seiki RX Series Vacuum Replacement Lips



Another highlight of the RX-1500 series was the optional leather mat designed for the vacuum models. However, this is now hard to come by and, if found, often very expensive. For its current models under Nishikawa’s leadership, TechDAS opted for a modern material: synthetic felt or microfiber fabric. This material excels in damping and seems to be the superior choice today. I tested this platter mat on my RX-1500 and was so impressed that I decided to offer it in my shop as well:



TechDAS Platter Mat for Micro Seiki RX/SX





In the meantime, I’ve also experimented with various tonearm and cartridge combinations and arrived at two exceptional setups (both with gunmetal tonearm bases):


1. SME 3012R (overhauled by ATA, Robert) with Koetsu Black Goldline and Yamamoto HS-1A headshell


This combination plays very harmoniously, offers an impressively wide soundstage, and tends to beautify the music in a pleasant way.


2. Kuzma Stogi with Lyra Delos


Compared to the first combination, this setup is significantly more precise and brings out transients more clearly. It sounds more realistic and direct.



Both setups have their own character, and depending on my mood and the music genre, I’ll choose one or the other. Both perform brilliantly on my Thöress and emphasize the versatility of the RX-1500.



All in all, the Micro Seiki RX-1500VG is a turntable you can truly be happy with.
But it’s not the end of this story





Cheers,


Flo

 

[Florian E.]

More picture from my journey through the years (2019 - today)

My journey began with the smallest model: a RX-1500D, but the desire to push boundaries grew quickly. Over the years, I’ve upgraded and refined my setup:
• RX-1500D + RY-1500 motor stand
• RX-1500G with a heavy brass platter
• and finally, a RX-1500VG with vacuum functionality.

Along the way, I’ve also explored various tonearms, each bringing unique characteristics to the table. The progression has been:
• SME 3009R
• Fidelity Research FR-66fx
• Fidelity Research FR-54
• Schick 9.6-inch
• SME 3012R
• and the Kuzma Stogi.

 

[Lynnot]

Hi Flo,

you may want to invest in "R15" Rigid feet for your RX.1500VG.
A great improvement over the rubber ones.

Best regards, Tony

 

[DasguteOhr]

Congrats to the machine , which platter is your favorite rt2000a ,rt 2000g, mk91v or mk91vg?
My favorite was alltime mk 91v (without vacuum)with graphite mat has enhanced the feeling of musicality and brought even more calm and clarity to the sound

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

Hi Flo,

you may want to invest in "R15" Rigid feet for your RX.1500VG.
A great improvement over the rubber ones.

Best regards, Tony

I bought those feet in ss incl pinpoints for my DDX-1500 and it was a big improvement

 

[Florian E.]

Hi Flo,

you may want to invest in "R15" Rigid feet for your RX.1500VG.
A great improvement over the rubber ones.

Best regards, Tony

Hi Tony,



Thank you for your suggestion regarding the “R15” rigid feet for the RX-1500VG. I appreciate your input and would like to share my perspective on this topic.


The R15 feet were offered by Micro Seiki as an upgrade to transform turntables into rigid setups, similar to their higher-end models like the RX-5000 and SX-8000.


In my experience, implementing a rigid coupling, such as installing hard-mounted feet, is most effective when complemented by an external component that manages the damping of external resonances. For instance, an active base from Seismion could serve this purpose.


Simply replacing the feet without considering the overall system may not yield the desired improvements. It’s crucial to have a strategy for absorbing both external resonances and the intrinsic resonances of the turntable itself. Often, the original feet are designed to handle these aspects.


For example, TechDAS supplies the AF3 Premium with non-damped feet, which might be comparable to the R15. As an upgrade to the AF3 Premium S, they offer feet with softer damping materials like Silomer. The effectiveness of such upgrades can vary depending on the specific setup and environment.

In summary, while the R15 rigid feet could potentially offer benefits, it’s essential to consider the entire system’s resonance management. Without addressing how external and internal vibrations are controlled, simply swapping the feet may not lead to significant improvements.

So, this is my opinion about this topic.



Best regards,

Florian

 

[Lynnot]

Fully agree, and done right you will get significant improvement.
That's why I recomend these.