Micro Seiki SX-8000 II

Updated SX-8000 and ultimate Micro LP vinyl reproduction engine.

Like the SZ-1, however, the SX-8000 II appeared when CD came up so sales didn't exactly skyrocket. At 1,668,000¥ (with a MAX-282), it was difficult to imagine they would anyway.

This 134,5kg monster is mainly made of the updated SX-8000 II, the updated RY-5500 II motor and of the optional but recommended BA-600 base.

The 8000 II is a re-engineeed 8000 : better air circulation isolating the moving parts with a 3µ film of air, resizing of the glass plates enclosed, larger air chambers and a main air income coming from under the shaft rather than from under one of the main side air chambers, redesigning of the shaft itself, platter parts and dimensions etc.
As in the contemporary SZ-1 (or Luxman PD555 or etc) - the basic system is the same for all Micro but here pushed to the limit.

The 5500 II is an updated RY-5500 with a major change of motor : from DC/FG (the Panasonic DAX-10A1PM / DAX-10A1CL often used by Micro, Luxman and... Kyocera - no wonder) to 8-pole hysteresis with dual-voltage drive, as in the then 10-year old MB-800S... only much bigger with a BTL amp and a redesign of the enclosure's top.

The BA-600 base was designed specifically for the 8000 II and serves isolation-by-mass and by-air purposes : mass because of its overall 50kg weight and air because the air-insulation can also be hooked to it (this time as repulsive) to set the entire monster on a stable air cushion.

For those not having the demanded 200,000¥, the BA-600 could be replaced by the more common RP-1110 - but a manual bike air pump was supplied for all :)

Micro has since retreated to other activities but still accepts on-demand orders for SX-8000 II. Only two a year can be made.



Many nudies at the indispensable amp8.com and several real SX-8000 II here, here, here and here, and a lonely BA-600 here.