Issues with Roksan Shiraz

[rodwsmith]

My Xerxes/Artemiz/Shiraz, all original, started to act up. It began to skate and jump, although I thought the sound was still good.

I took it to the only registered repairer /dealer I could drive to (in Nice), and they gave it an overhaul, and fixed the anti-skate spring, but said that this wasn’t the problem, and with a good cartridge anti-skate isn’t even needed (or better left disengaged).

But back home the problem is still there, it still plays some records (especially old ones) fine, but it often jumps and skates, particularly (or so it seems) on new vinyl. I’m not sure the sound is as good as it once was.

The cartridge has definitely had a lot of hours use. I don’t know how many, but I have had the t/t for eighteen years and it came with it then.

This is how I found this thread. I’m reasonably sure the cartridge /stylus must be at fault as I have tried adjusting the tracking weight and so on with no positive outcome, and the turntable and arm are both fine.

Main problem is that 2020 has hit me hard financially and I cannot afford anything much. I have a top-spec Caspian power supply and phono stage for MC, so best to get another MC cartridge.

What can people recommend, and would it be possible for me to fit it myself? (I am not stupid, but I have no expertise in such engineering). If not, then I will have to limit myself to something available in Nice (or Marseille at a push - I’m not prepared to send the Xerxes by any carrier here). There is a Rega dealer here. Not sure whether their cartridges are compatible with an Artemiz, but a Rega Ania would be about the budget.

I would then keep the Shiraz in the hope that one day I could afford to have it properly rebuilt and a new stylus fitted.

Meantime I just want something that will work.

Hoping someone might be able to help!

Cheers and Happy New Year.

 

[Electron]

Hi

I think you may need to have the damper replaced or a cartridge suspension overhaul. My Shiraz did the same thing and couldn't deal with heavily modulated record grooves so just went skipping over the record surface and buggered a favourite album in the process. I noted the sound quality becoming a bit thick and congested just before. Couldn't afford to replace so got a repair quote from Goldring who proposed a complete rebuild which would have effectively morphed it in to something else so I think the suggestions above to contact EMT or vDH would be your best bet to get it repaired as close to the original specification as possible. I still have mine sitting in a drawer but went with an AT OC9ML2 as a stop gap which was an easy fit in my Artemiz and gave superb tracking ability, an incisive and detailed treble and much of the midrange transparency but lacked the Shiraz's drive, weight and ability to pull everything together. However it only cost me about £300 at the time (import from LP Gear in US). The current crop of AT cartridges should be worth a look though I am currently using a Dynavector XX2 mkII which funnily enough I bought second hand from Ewen and am thoroughly enjoying it so currently no urgency to get the Shiraz sorted.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[rodwsmith]

Thank you Electron, very helpful indeed, I appreciate it.

In fact, after a couple of day's extensive researching I have done exactly as you did, and ordered a new Audio Technical AT33EV, which includes fitting (checking the VTC and everything else). This was the best reviewed of everything within my budget, and I have had an AT cartridge before, so I know their sound appeals. This should happen tomorrow or Wednesday (I am trying to out-run any potential new covid lockdown here in France).

I will then keep the Shiraz, and get it sent off for a rebuild, as and when funds allow (which might be a while), but with no time pressure. From this thread and others, my options for this are, and are only, back to Roksan, direct to EMT, or a guy called Hans Fabritius in Germany (ex EMT).

Upon checking, and given that the arm and turntable have been serviced, I am sure the cartridge is/was at fault. It was fitted new in 2003, and although usage has been light(-ish) for the last ten years at least, this seems quite an ask of any stylus, and I am surprised - and it is a testament to its quality - that it has lasted this long. I am hoping that new AT33 will outperform a knackered Shiraz in any case, as this is all I have.

Cheers again.

Rod

 

[Electron]

Glad you managed to sort something out and hope it's all installed before the lockdown is imposed in France (we are just about to enter a new lockdown period here in the UK).

Audio Technica cartridges are the closest I've found to bargains in this obsession of ours though I know some folks find them too brightly lit - though I like them myself. I do hope you find your new purchase gives you much of the enjoyment you had from the Shiraz - your post has got me thinking again about getting a quote to have mine fixed. The cantilever and stylus on mine look to be in good shape so may be worth sending it out for a quote from EMT though I am quite happy with the Dynavector at the moment.

Anyway good to hear you will be up and running again soon.
Regards
E

 

[Jowcol]

rodwsmith

With a very old Shiraz the suspension will certainly have hardened. It was a well-known problem. I think EMT use different rubber now.

I would send a Shiraz direct to EMT, you will find them a lot cheaper than exchange at Roksan.
EMT are very good, they only do what work is required. They changed just the suspension for me, when the stylus had plenty of life left.

If your is 18+ years old, you are almost certanly damaging your records with a worn-out stylus.
A full rebuild will not be cheap, in the region of 800 euro. But it will be a new cartridge. I wouldn't go anywhere else to save a bit of money.

With hard suspension, and worn stylus........it can't sound very good !

You could sell your Shiraz, debatable how much you will get for it. Depends on luck.

 

[Vinny]

they gave it an overhaul, and fixed the anti-skate spring, but said that this wasn’t the problem, and with a good cartridge anti-skate isn’t even needed (or better left disengaged).

Hopefully you ignored this nonsense.
On tonearms of conventional designs and the usual 9 inch length, the requirement for some anti-skating is a simple mathematical/physical consequence of the design principles involved.
As tonearm length increases the amount required diminishes but in theory never reaches zero, just gets very close/negligible, with conventional arm geometry.

 

[Tony L]

<moderating>

I’ve pulled this new content out of the old ancient thread on request of the original thread starter as the whole issue had long been addressed and didn’t need reheating.

 

[rodwsmith]

Thanks Tony and apologies. I found the old thread informative and useful, hence adding to it, but I dod not mean to open a can of worms for anyone else.

 

[oldjazzer]

Got a Roksan Xerxes, Artemiz, Shiraz many years ago (30+?) from the Sound Organisation after a long, long demo against the LP12.
The Shiraz went crook about 5 years ago skating across records and sounding rubbish and i naturally suspected the stylus - I actually thought it had broken off. I reverted to my ancient Dual 505 for a couple of years and CDs. After a house move, I decided to push the boat out and get a quote for a retip of the Shiraz and sent it off to North West Analogue. Pleasantly surprised to hear back that the stylus was "perfect" but it was the suspension that was shot - a bonus being that fresh suspension was less than half the cost of a retip. 2 plus years later, I'm still a happy bunny. Highly recommend NWA - don't expect a quick turnaround from Dom though, its specialist work. Does it perform like new?.... can't remember back that far!
As an aside, I used the 1st lockdown to extensively home audition a range of amps and speakers (thanks Audiobarn) settling on active ATC SCM40s run by my modified 1980's Naim 32 (5 channel power supply, Ryan Sound Labs cards)
With the second lockdown, I figured the ATC speakers deserved something better than a near 40 year old preamp and had a long home demo of ATC's highly regarded CA2 preamp.
Well on digital (Zenith / RME) it was a close call, but on analogue the Naim 32 clearly handled the Shiraz better regarding bass and transparency - a pleasant surprise for me and my credit card!
When the stylus finally wears out, it'll be a retip for me - for me, the Shiraz is a keeper!