HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

I want to replace the bearing on a systemdek llx, I’ve had it a while, lots of miles and ‘House moves’ and feel the rumble is more audible.
So- is the ruby / ceramic a con or shall I just strip my bike hub for a standard ball
Does anyone know if rega etc are the same size as systemdek
Cheers Pete

I don't know about the Ruby or Ceramic ones but I was fixing up a Michell Focus one a year or so back and because I couldn't quite get an exact measurement as the ball bearing was AWOL I ordered two sizes from EBAY they were pretty cheap and came in packs of ten I think. They did the job perfectly.

Very suspicious of ceramic ball bearings. They are very hard and I think would wear the metal surfaces.
I think it would make more sense to use metal balls so that wear is mainly on the ball bearing itself, which is easy to replace. Perhaps these? :

https://maccmodels.co.uk/live-steam-fit ... rings.html

Experience tells me that bearings aren't arbitary things and I gather that the materials should match. Systemdeks were designed by a master in my opinion and if he deemed a steel ball was ok for that particular design, then fine. Garrard 301 bearing spindles have been all but ruined by ceramic ball 'upgrades,' not because the ceramic idea is a bad one particularly, but the main spindle wasn't designed to be used with a ball of any kind in the first place (there was a oil-laden bronze thrust plate of dedicated design with a given amount of 'drag,' ideal for 24/7 running in broadcast environments). Steel balls are ten a penny from model shops and eBay in a variety of sizes, so don't despair if you need a fresh one. (ballbearings.co.uk?)

Have a look at the bearing spindle tip to check for wear if it's a flat ended type. A polished running mark with small shiny 'dimple' is fine. If it uses the 'Archimedes screw' style of lubrication of the original top Systemdek models and a brass sleeve, then EP80 is the oil they used to use. If it's a bronze sleeving, then turbine oils are often used (Zoom-Spout has been mentioned recently on Vinyl Engine) and in the Dual section on VE, the slightly viscous Stihl chainsaw oil seems to work safely and doesn't run away down the bearing spindle as engine oil does.

Any of the above any help?

P.S. Rumble in these types of springy belt drives are more in the motor and belt type, rather than the main bearings I feel... Check to see if the motor is fairly free spinning (these multi-pole types 'cog' a bit, but shouldn't feel as if they're binding) and if Rega's are anything to go by, they do need cleaning and oiling every twenty years or so Old belts harden as well as stretch and I think Audio Note have taken the basic deck and tweaked it, adding healthily to the selling price for the privilege, but at least you may get some spares there if needs be.

Thank you for the replies especially the comprehensive one above
I have the screw type bearing in a bronze sleeve so a new ball and better oil is my plan.
The deck has just been used as a donor for an ARB Turntable I had made
Thank you again peter