Description
Micro Seiki BL 111 turntable. Saec WE – 407/23. Denon DL 301 MK II. Fully revitalized.
Micro Seiki was founded in 1961 by Kosaku Komiya as a precision engineering company. Initially, it made mechanical components for watches and measuring instruments, and later in 1968 it specialized in turntable production. The company was successful in both Japan and abroad. In Europe it established its position of a luxury brand. The first turntable launched around 1973 was the MR-711 equipped with a direct drive. However, it is the SZ 1T model from 1984 that has become the flagship product. In 1986, the SX 555 FVW turntable was recognized as a reference model by the industry magazine Stereoplay.
The company designed and manufactured all Luxman turntables, as well as produced for brands like: ADC, Denon, Sharp, Toshiba, Hitachi, Sanyo, Sansui, Kenwood, Telefunken, SABA and H. H. Scott. Many devices were also created for brands such as: Quelle, Neckermann and RadioShack. Micro Seiki was a market leader in the research and development of drives and tonearms, but it was also probably the all-time biggest producer of turntables. It never expanded to other audio equipment production.
The BL-111 is an exceptional belt-drive turntable launched by Micro Seiki in 1980. It is the top model of the “BL” series, made with the highest precision from the best quality and most durable materials. The turntable was equipped with specially selected, massive elements, which were refined to the hundredth of a millimeter to ensure faithful sound reproduction that could surprise even the most demanding listeners. The plate of 10 kg was made of a single piece of bronze and subjected to a unique processing (the same as used by the American Navy in the production of cannons). The bases for mounting the tonearm of the A-1200 series are equally stable and solid. The BL-111, as it is a turntable for experienced users, enables the use of five types of bases and compatible tonearm models:
A – 1201
Micro/MA – 505X, S, 707X
Audio Craft/AC – 300MK II
Saec/WE – 407/23
Technics/EPA – 99
A – 1202
Saec/WE – 308N, 308SN
A – 1203
FR/FR – 64, 64S, 14
Denon/DA – 303, 305, 307, 399, 401
Victor/UA – 5045
A – 1205
Micro/MA – 505XII, SII, 808X
Audio Craft/AC – 3000MC
A – 1206
Shure/SME – 3009SII, SIII
All operating systems, such as the power switch and speed control, were centrally located at the top of the enclosure, for easy use. The presented model is equipped with the A-1206 base and the Saec WE – 407/23 tonearm.
SAEC, a company established in 1971, had one goal: to produce and introduce to the market tonearms of unique desing. The SAEC WE-407/23 tonearm was equipped with a double blade which used high-precision processing technology. An ultra-high accuracy of 1/500 mm was achieved. Moreover, this model can boast not only a mechanical equalizer, which effectively suppresses low-frequency resonance, but also a newly developed damping mechanism.
What makes the WE-407/23 stand out is the automatic increase of the stylus pressure when the it approaches the external edge of a record. This way, it prevents the tip of the stylus from rising, it stabilizes the high-frequency range and enables playback with reduced distortion. In addition to the stylus pressure, there is also the possibility to adjust the VTA (with a built-in reference scale), as well as anti-skating by a tensioned weight and side tilt. In order to eliminate clearance, the T.T. method (three-point clamping) was used to connect the arm and the enclosure.
The enclosure has been fully revitalized and made of teak rodewood. The wood finish is Chinese oil produced from natural oils and natural, turpentine-based beeswax. All metal and wooden elements, inside and outside of the turntable, were cleaned and painted using the automotive wet painting technique. The device has been fully revised and serviced. The turntable has been equipped with new aluminium legs.
Collector’s set. The device is in perfect condition.
The device has been fully revised and serviced.
– the plate has been mechanically polished, which gave it a totally brand new look
– cleaning and calibration of the tonearm
– new power cable and new braided signal cables
– checking and servicing of the tonearm and plate axis bearings
– the cover has been polished and waxed, which gave it a totally brand new look
– verification of the anti-skating mechanism
– enclosure made of rosewood, wood finish is Chinese oil produced from natural oils, and natural, turpentine-based beeswax
– diagnosis of the condition of the tonearm wiring
– cleaning and lubrication of mechanism elements
– cleaning and maintenance of switches and potentiometers
– the cover hinges were cleaned and painted using the automotive wet painting technique, which gave them a totally brand new look
– cleaning of the boards and removing cold joints
– replacement of the power socket
– calibration of the platter drive motor
– replacement of old thermal pastes
– maintenance and bleeding of the plain bearing
– cleaning and maintenance of the pulley
– replacement of screws
Technical data:
– Denon DL 301 MK II cartridge (MC cartridge) professionally calibrated with the turntable
– belt drive
– platter – 310 mm die-cast bronze
– speed – 33 or 45 rpm
– power cord included
– speed adjustment range – +-6%
– toroidal transformer 110/220V included
– dimensions of the turntable – width 53 cm, depth 43 cm, height 23 cm
– weight approximately 39 kg
– year of production 1981/82