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Spectral Morn
25-01-2015, 12:01
Decided to take this out of storage, to see what my SME 5 arm sounds like on it - the Graham Phantom was very good - and at the same time try the Graham 2.2 tonearm on the Technics 1200 that the SME was mounted on.

JBE were a British company that traded between the mid 70s and closed their doors in 1982. Their turntables were direct drives. History here http://www.jbe-turntables.co.uk/#/history/4536817467

Had this one for a few years and done little with it, maybe that's about to change. Anyway out of storage, I gave it a clean, oiled the slate and fitted the SME 5 arm, after checking and resetting speed from the control box.

This particular model was available in clear acrylic but sold mostly in slate, most on the used market date from the very late 70s to early 80s.

The feet on it are from Track Audio, their special Isolation Feet the non spike version. Normally these come with Micro Seki isolation pods (microsorber), get rid they are pretty poor imho.

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/001_zpss3fwwvci.jpg

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/004_zpsjworq6cw.jpg

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/005_zpsuezbfw5o.jpg

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/006_zps9lgstus6.jpg

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/007_zpsqzcdddwe.jpg

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/008_zps6nl1dfxz.jpg

Website dedicated to JBE http://www.jbe-turntables.co.uk/#

NB All photographs Adventures in High Fidelity Audio Copyright 2015 (no unauthorised copying or reposting)
struth
25-01-2015, 12:34
Looks grand Neil. have seen an occasional one on the bay although maybe not the slate. might have been a different make.
Spectral Morn
25-01-2015, 12:40
Looks grand Neil. have seen an occasional one on the bay although maybe not the slate. might have been a different make.

Yes Grant its looks very good, proof in the pudding will be having a listen. I haven't seen any on EBay, this one came to me via an odd route. Originally it had an SME Series 3 arm on it.





Regards Neil
struth
25-01-2015, 12:44
ive had a couple on watch b4 pretty sure they were jbe. i liked the multi platters but they both went higher than my budget. was a whike ago though. it is a bit transcriptoresque
Spectral Morn
25-01-2015, 12:48
ive had a couple on watch b4 pretty sure they were jbe. i liked the multi platters but they both went higher than my budget. was a whike ago though. it is a bit transcriptoresque

Yes I like the look too, simple clean design.


Regards Neil
Mr Kipling
25-01-2015, 14:42
How is the platter constructed? Are the aluminium discs fixed? Can you measure them when you have the time?
shane
25-01-2015, 14:50
Had a Technics DD motor in it IIRC. Should be a good'un! One of the guys on Audio Talk had one for a while and enjoyed it a lot.
Spectral Morn
25-01-2015, 16:59
How is the platter constructed? Are the aluminium discs fixed? Can you measure them when you have the time?

Flat acrylic disc, with a number of metal discs (look like cast or machined) with an insert of some sort of soft material, not rubber. The discs are fixed in place with recessed screws, from underneath the acrylic disc.

There are 6 of these discs, 9 inch across, with another metal disc in the middle, where the spindle hole is. There is also another metal piece under this too.




Regards Neil
tubehunter
26-01-2015, 13:53
interesting design

might be worth a punt


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JBE-Slate-Turntable-Dynavector-DV505-ar-Shure-V15-cartridge-/161575258030?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Turntables&hash=item259ea2c7ae
The Barbarian
26-01-2015, 16:28
The ones that came with the Dyna '505' were a special build. That's the one i heard in the early 80's..
prestonchipfryer
26-01-2015, 16:38
I like the look of it with the Dyna arm. Anyone got any idea what it might be worth?
The Barbarian
26-01-2015, 16:43
If i were flush id give him £400 :D .. Those plastic feet need swapping out for later metal ones imho..
Mr Kipling
28-01-2015, 00:11
Could you say what the diameter of the discs are and the centre one too when you have time? Oh, and what the height of the 6 discs are? Thanks.
Spectral Morn
28-01-2015, 01:19
Could you say what the diameter of the discs are and the centre one too when you have time? Oh, and what the height of the 6 discs are? Thanks.

You thinking of making a copy ? lol


Regards Neil
DSJR
28-01-2015, 11:24
The only issue with these was dynamic wow, something that afflicted it all its life, but this may not be an issue with lighter tracking pickups. We used to sell them with Formula 4 and Sonus Blue, a combination that sounded excellent at the time (just before we took on Linn in 1977 and madness ensued.............)
Spectral Morn
28-01-2015, 13:11
The only issue with these was dynamic wow, something that afflicted it all its life, but this may not be an issue with lighter tracking pickups. We used to sell them with Formula 4 and Sonus Blue, a combination that sounded excellent at the time (just before we took on Linn in 1977 and madness ensued.............)

Series three was the last version, the pinnacle of what JBE did. Never noticed any issue with dynamic wow, with this one. Not sure when this example dates from, but early 80s most likely though - just before the company folded.


Regards Neil
DSJR
28-01-2015, 13:58
Looking back, very sad (for me at least) how Linn all but took the UK market over at this time, and this with a 'then' mismatched tonearm (Ittok!), which messed up the bass (we thought this was as it should be :(). All these 'better' decks were passed over (I remember the big Systemdek and Logic 101)- at least until Chris Frankland 'discovered' the Roksan Xerxes and had a dilemma.
Spectral Morn
28-01-2015, 17:27
Looking back, very sad (for me at least) how Linn all but took the UK market over at this time, and this with a 'then' mismatched tonearm (Ittok!), which messed up the bass (we thought this was as it should be :(). All these 'better' decks were passed over (I remember the big Systemdek and Logic 101)- at least until Chris Frankland 'discovered' the Roksan Xerxes and had a dilemma.

Yes its sad but that market forces and clever marketing in action. Eventually the scales fell from eyes and ears.

Thanks for your perspective.


Regards Neil
Mr Kipling
28-01-2015, 18:40
You thinking of making a copy ? lol


Regards Neil

Fancy a go at a homagè. I have the guts of an ADC 1700 in a box that I'd like to do something with. I don't think the resonant plinth and arm did it any favours. Never a fan of the ALT 1. You wouldn't believe how sloppy the bearings were. I was quite shocked.
The Barbarian
29-01-2015, 16:49
(I remember the big Systemdek and Logic 101)

Dave: i went with a fist full of dosh to listern to a handful of top decks in the 80's. im afraid the 'DM101'/Syrinx 'PU2' was by far the best sounding & looking out of what i auditioned. However i had all intentions in buying this as soon as i clamped eyes on the beauty.