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PDX 2000 (first generation) - Vibrating tonearm problem


mfsop

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Sorry, if I can't explain this problem all that well because I'm asking this to help a friend.

 

When he touches the record the tonearm starts vibrating and he gets a humming / feedback sound. Apparently, there's a mod that involves changing some resistors which he'd do but he wasn't able to find the actual tutorial - just an article mentioning that one exists... Has anyone of you guys had this problem before? It would really help him, so thanks in advance and all that!

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Unfortunately, he's read it on a German web site: http://www.mzee.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90943

 

The manual might be called "PDX 2000 Vibration Mod" as someone calls it. He talks about removing 6 diodes [??] and replacing 3 820 Ohm-resistors with 3 420 Ohm-resistors.

Another guy says that the manual is directly from Vestax. This seems to be the first page of it:

 

PDX-2000

Modification Manual

February 18, 2003

Vestax Corporation

Description:

When the platter is pushed down and a fair amount of pressure is applied (during scratch play), the platter may generate a vibration. This problem occurs on units produced in the first few batches.

Applicable serial numbers:

230V: 07N010201 – 23N380500
120V: 07U010401 – 23U380700
100V: 07F010001 – 22F370300

 

Too bad, that the thread is ten years old.. :d

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I've found it: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/vestax/pdx-2000.shtml

 

1. On the main PCB remove: D705, D706, D735, D736, D765, D766

2. Replace R709, R739 and R769 (all 820 Ohm) with 470 Ohm resistors [not 420 as I wrote before]

 

No idea, if it works because I don't have that problem but it's an official Vestax manual, so I hope this will help someone in the future.

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  • 1 year later...

oddly enough, I'm just now noticing this issue with my tables.

i'm sure it always occurred, but i was rarely using an analog signal before..

 

i have yet to discover if this mod is successful or even worth attempting.

reached out to a local guy who (i think) repairs tables.. that's probably about as far as i'll get.

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Guest rasteri

I've used cheapo shitty soldering irons my entire life, even for doing fine-pitch surface mount work. CPC's where I get all my stuff because they don't charge shipping.

 

I'm currently rocking this one - http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d01847-40/iron-soldering-40w/dp/SD01126

You'll probably also want some bevel tips if you're doing through-hole work (fine tips are more for surface-mount) - http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/79-2130/tip-soldering-bevel/dp/SD01130

You'll also want a desoldering pump for removing the old component - http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/zd-208k-87-8282-esd/pump-desoldering-esd/dp/SD01153

And some solder - http://cpc.farnell.com/antex/yc00120/solder-lead-free-2m-tube/dp/SD01373

Finally don't get the resistors at amazon, they're just over a penny each at CPC - http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/mf25-470r/resistor-0-25w-1-470r-pk50/dp/RE03756

 

There you go, everything you need to do the mod for £8.21 ;)

 

Let me know if you get stuck.

 

EDIT : If you really fancy splashing out these soldering iron stands are £2.20 http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d01853/soldering-iron-stand/dp/SD01706- but I just used an old coffee mug for years before I bought mine

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  • 7 months later...
Guest Symatic

all my vestax are solid, i have 2300's and 2000 mk1's. the 2000's occasionally go backwards randomly but only after i have been abusing the platter in some way (a la mixmaster mike :) )

 

but I know plenty of people with crazy platters and vibrations going on with 2000's

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There's an old one at the studio that's in need of this (amongst other things), but we've got enough other decks not to bother.

 

My old shitty 2000 would also go backwards sometimes if you used a felt slipmat and no plastic or turned the brake to full sharpness - I did neither and it never happened again. The PDXs I have now have always been rock solid and they even feel a bit nicer than my old scruffy one which clearly had a hard life even before I got it.

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I've found it: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/vestax/pdx-2000.shtml

 

1. On the main PCB remove: D705, D706, D735, D736, D765, D766

2. Replace R709, R739 and R769 (all 820 Ohm) with 470 Ohm resistors [not 420 as I wrote before]

 

No idea, if it works because I don't have that problem but it's an official Vestax manual, so I hope this will help someone in the future.

I guess I just have a hard time understanding how replacing resistors helps with the wobble(s).. i'm no engineer.

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Guest Symatic

i havent seen as many problems on the mkii style decks with the lower platters. The odd bit of crazy motor control maybe but the bigger problem for the newer model was the shape of the platters - some came out proper wonky

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Guest Symatic

ohhh mass debate o clock! nerd alert!

 

I have a pair of 2300's (with the mkii style platters) and have never had any problems despite maybe once or twice they have done weird backwards shit but only after some pretty brutal platter manipulation....

 

I have also got a pair of 2000's and they are more susceptible to the weirdness if you try too much mixmastermike style platter off tricks.

 

i've seen a few wobbly platters on modern decks, but the mk1's can have more probs......

 

I'd say, get either, they have equal pro's and cons really.....

 

I think mkii's might sound nicer but maybe cos i have J shape arms (the short tone arms sound like gash)

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Yeah, I think it's the arms not the platters for that issue.

 

Either way, on the secondhand market I think it's a bit of a gamble if you're buying them blind. I reckon don't pay too much for them and if they're shit when they turn up, sell them on or send them back... or blame a courier for ruining them en route?

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Thanks for the knowledge. Yeah, it always looks like a bit of a lottery with them but I think I'll go for a mk 1, only because they tend to be a bit cheaper on ebay and I like the look of them more than the mk2. But I won't spend more than £100 on one, which seems to be about the going rate.

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