Oxford Crystal Reference with Helius Cyalene Arm

SMEagol

Middle Earthed
Wammer Plus
Aug 13, 2008
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Lancashire
AKA
Chris
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Beguiling behemoth from the 1980's very rare, believe it or not this usually looks cleaner. I'd like this to go to someone that likes to fettle with a TT possibly a collector, as theres a fair few levels to this to build. Its more of a piece of history. I replaced the notoriously sagging elastomer suspension with still points, inverse risers & stainless studs as recommended by snoopdog another Crystal owner, and was perfect fit at a few hundred to do. The designers idea was to combine the best worlds of suspension and mass loading. The blingy gold bit is actually solid machined phosphor bronze, topped with dished acrylic.

Its quartz regulated hence the crystal name. It sounds fantastic, weighs seriously over 100lbs and has its own built in pedestal and is probably 1 of only about 100 in existence. This prefers 33.3, as the inverted oil bath bearing is effectively a massive gimbal and being belt driven from one side causes it to pitch slightly, so "Dave Double Decks" should not apply. Its a Crystal thing they all do it to a greater or lesser degree. The good stuff is the beautiful bass from this thing, and even with a marmite cartridge like my dynavector XX1 and a £70 phono stage it sounds fab. Only up for sale due to needing to finance a personal project as journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.

The arm is mounted as the TT came and original from time of purchase, its a beautiful thing but lacks the sled adjustment of the high end SME's which is a bit of a pain, the tonearm cable is a custom job removable but not a standard fitting. I had the arm serviced by Helius (great bloke) at a cost of £150 in the last couple of years and its been lightly used since then. The arms have sold historically for up to £2k at feeding frenzy levels. They only made 1000. I've had the TT a few years now, and will be so sorry to see it go. Buyer gets to hear it, then we take it to bits and bubble wrap it up then nip over the road for some lunch at the veggie cafe. You don't lift this like a table, due to the weight involved. You start with the column that also houses the control board, then build upwards levelling at each stage, the upper plinth connects via umbilical. The skirt at the bottom of the pedestal sides up to reveal a metal footplate, optionally you can add 6mm spikes to level/isolate this further but I never did as I worried about it punching straight through the floor!

This particular turntable spent 10 to 15 years in storage as its owner went to work in the Middle East which probably explains partly its condition. Decide carefully if this is for you as its a very rare vintage piece of equipment, and I can't offer any guarantees. Anyone that knows me here can vouch for me as a seller. Oh yes one more thing. These take michell gyrodec belts using bit of string to get these on works great. You get the TT and the Helius arm for £2400 (the mat and cart are not included).

Without the mat this will require the VTA to be dropped a little. I have the box for the helius and a spare weight somewhere.

IMG_20170312_174542.jpg

IMG_20170312_174613.jpg

Please bung this in turntables, sorry I'm a little in shock about selling her!

 
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oldius

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Dec 30, 2008
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Geoff
HiFi Trade?
  1. Yes
I can vouch for the condition and absolute beauty of this deck and also for the man who is selling it.

 At another time in my life, I would have already contacted Chris and made him an offer, such is the desirability of the unit. It deserves to stay on here absolutely.

 
M

MJ.

Guest
Think about it seriously Chris; you know what it means to you and you'll never get another.

 

macvisual

Wammer
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Mar 6, 2008
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Peter
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Chris, my only tuppence worth advice is to keep this iconic beauty, it's as rare as me going to the moon..!!

Have a loooong rethink.

(Pete)

 

mighty ant

Wammer
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Oct 26, 2006
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Anthony
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
If I had the money, I'd buy it and save thee from thyself. Sell everything else, and save this. You'll never get another one.

You promised yourself that this was a stayer and under no circumstance were you ever going to get rid. Be true to thyself, Chris.

 
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SMEagol

Middle Earthed
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Aug 13, 2008
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Chris
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
This is for sale this time. I have a couple of things that need money spending on to better my lot, lest I stay in this rut for another ten years. Thanks for all the encouraging words. Its still a lot of money, but its a lot of turntable! I made sure I had my jeans on this time thanks to an eagle eyed Leon, spotting a reflection in a prior listing he wouldn't wish to see again!

 

oldius

Moderator
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Dec 30, 2008
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Geoff
HiFi Trade?
  1. Yes
This is for sale this time. I have a couple of things that need money spending on to better my lot, lest I stay in this rut for another ten years. Thanks for all the encouraging words. Its still a lot of money, but its a lot of turntable! I made sure I had my jeans on this time thanks to an eagle eyed Leon, spotting a reflection in a prior listing he wouldn't wish to see again!
If we covet life's opportunities more than possessions, the possession's gotta go. Good luck with the sale Chris.

 

bandit pilot

Comfortably Numb
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Jul 19, 2007
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Rick
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
It's only stuff mate. Nice stuff, but still just stuff. I hope your to do list includes the person on the other end of your phone the other week. 9_9

Let me know if you need a solution to spinning vinyl. You can take the big brown one for as long as you need it.

 
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Cable Monkey

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May 16, 2006
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Henry
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Genuinely shocked you are selling this Chris. Good luck with the sale, I truly hope the proceeds help get you where you want to be.  :)

 

rabski

Everything in moderation
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Dec 2, 2006
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Richard
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
'stuff'? I've sold things because it was insane to have so much tied up in a hobby whilst borrowing from the bank for the business. However, there are some things that don't come into that category. Eventually getting hold of my Gordon Welford pre was a process that lasted about four years. It is not for sale, and won't be.

Chris, think carefully. A couple of grand would be good in the short term, but won't fix anything. And when it's al good again, which it will be, you'll lie awake every night regretting this.

This is not  thread crap. This is an iconic piece of equipment, and an uter peach. If it has to go, then so be it, butplease God let it go to someone who will appreciate it as much.

Basically, would but can't justify. If you can, then do.

 
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G

Guest

Guest
OH MY GOD! This is my fave of all time TT, if only I had the cash......... :cs: , anyone want to buy some kids?

 
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kneesup

Wammer
Wammer
Jan 26, 2013
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AKA
Richard
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
This has been keeping me awake for three hours. I've even been downstairs to stare at my rig and wave a tape measure. And I have a big day at work tomorrow...! 

Enough. 

Epic opportunity for someone. Steve Snoop Dog. Where are you mate? You know you regret selling your one...! 

Best of luck with this, Chris. Sorry I can't be the custodian for a bit. 

 
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Snoopdog

Wammer
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Nov 30, 2005
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Steve
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
This has been keeping me awake for three hours. I've even been downstairs to stare at my rig and wave a tape measure. And I have a big day at work tomorrow...! 

Enough. 

Epic opportunity for someone. Steve Snoop Dog. Where are you mate? You know you regret selling your one...! 

Best of luck with this, Chris. Sorry I can't be the custodian for a bit. 
No regrets Richard.

I had my Oxford Acoustics Crystal Reference/SME V/Koetsu Rosewood Signature for 21 years, until I sold it in 2010.

It is a very good turntable and replaced an Oracle in my system. I only sold because I wasn't playing vinyl as much as CD's and it took up too much space! I am still content with the TW Raven One/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L I bought in 2010. It sits comfortably on top of my Stillpoints ESS rack and allows me to play records when the mood takes me!

Good Luck with the sale!

Steve

 
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jamington2004

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Mar 27, 2010
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Brighton, , United K
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Jamie
HiFi Trade?
  1. Yes
  2. No
Hi - what is the control board you refer to in the pedestal please? Power supply?

If so - I guess it can't be used without the stand and placed on a rack?

thanks

Jamie 

 

SMEagol

Middle Earthed
Wammer Plus
Aug 13, 2008
7,484
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Lancashire
AKA
Chris
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
Its the quartz regulator. Its a standalone unit. The top plinth connects to the pedestal with a couple of umbilical cables. Thanks for the kind comments everyone. I'm thinking about anything else I could lob out of the balloon basket, but at the mo sadly this makes sense. I'd like to keep it on the Wam though.

 

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