Anyone Using A Logic Turntable?

I used to own a DM 101 back in the late 80's. I used a Magnepan Unitrac arm and a Dynavector Ruby with good results.

My recollection is that it is a British made table that came on the market about the same time as the Pink Triangle. The suspension was indeed incredibly soft. It would take like 10 seconds for the platter/sub-chassis to settle down after lowering the arm. I wasn't much of a tweaker back then, so I just lived with the trampoline effect.

I ended up trading it to a guy who already owned one who wanted mine for future use/parts since Logic was pulling out of the US market. I then upgraded to a Goldmund Studietto/T5/Accuphase AC-2. While the Goldmund rig was clearly and definitively superior to the Logic, I still remember my DM-101 fondly.

Good stuff.

I had a DM101, which I sold about two years ago. The trampoline effect was a pain, but I agree it was and still is a pretty good deck. I had an Audio technica AT1100 and Micro Seiki LC80W pick up on it - both had rave reviews in the early 80s.
Ended up buying a mint TD124, which I've now also sold for a Platine Verdier.

The Logic DM101 is my table of choice. In fact, I have two more brand new and in-the-box in the basement for parts/spares.

My Logic is used with Sumeko MMT arm w/ Orsonics headshell and Koetsu Black cartridge.

The local dealer (Al Tucker at Better Sound Concepts, Pittsburgh) who sold these way back when kept advising me against one because he believed them to be too tweaky for my tastes. Instead, he sold me a Sonograph which I ended up trading someone for a Logic straight up about 1 year later. So, I got one as did my good friends Tom & Ed. (OK, they had theirs before me.) Tom uses a Helius arm which has an SME mouting; Ed and I use custom made aluminum SME to standard mounting adapters. Both of them use Shure V15 cartridges though Tom used ot have a Koetsu Black.

All 3 of us still use this as our tables of choice. None of us have changed the springs and, no, the table does not take 10 seconds to "quiet" after dropping the arm.

I believe that the "magic" of my set-up is the all alluminum interface from cantilever through subchassis since the Koetsu black body, Orsonic headshell, MMT arm, mounitng bracket and Logic subchassis are all comprised of aluminum. It is my theroy that the similar metal drains off all extaneous vibrations [noise] to the VERY EFFECTIVE Logic suspension. Oh, the lovely quiet of the record grooves - even with older records bought 2nd hand! Plus, the jump, the dynamics, the beatiful tone...

I never did find any problem with the rumored "tweakiness" of the thing...as long as you don't try to play any 45 RPM records. (Reference Recording made some audiophile grade 45 RPM LPs some time ago. After buying and trying to play one, I stopped.)

The 2 spare tables were given to me by the local dealer after Logic went "belly up".

I first heard the Logic DM101 being demonstated by Logic at the Harrogate International Festival of Sound in August 1980 with some serious amplification and Yamaha NS1000M speakers and it blew me away. I purchased a DM101 second hand in 1986 with the modified suspension and fitted with a Syrinx PU2. I installed a Nagoaka MP50 cartridge and the setup is the same now. Logging onto this site is as a consequence of the fact that this unit is shortly to become a refurbishment project. It is currently operational but with a cut & shut Linn belt. I have also acquired a Target Audio wall-mounted turntable table that I will be mating it with.
If it is of any interest I will give you the benefit of my experience snagging the unit back at that time.
1)The initial problem I encountered was where upon switch-on the platter would run clockwise or ACW with lack of torque. This was due to the capacitor phase lag stator bobbin in the motor being open circuit. This break was resoldered and the problem was fixed. It was stated in some early reviews that long term speed variation was prevailant. I have never experienced any such problem.
2) To get your Logic DM101 to run at 45RPM, position the belt on the appropriate pully's but instead of hitting the motor switch try spinning the platter up to speed maually first and then hit the switch. you will find that it will run at 45RPM. When you have finished playing 45 RPM records, hit the switch with the platter at standstill and the belt will default back to the 33.3RPM pulley's.
3) If you have a Syrinx PU2 it is absolutely imperitive that the subchassis is levelled with a spirit level otherwise the offset gimbal bearings ensure that the arm gains inertia and the cartridge leaves the record like an aircraft taking off.
4) The lubricant that is currently in my bearing assembly is Hypoy EP80 gear oil and although I strongly suspect that the viscosity is greater than the original I have had no problems with bearing failure. Can anyone advise as to the correct specification and availability for the lubricant?
5) To test how effective the unit's immunity to acoustic feedback is lower the arm onto the surface of a record with the platter at a standstill and advance the gain control on your amp-no feedback howl. Remember to turn the gain control back down before lifting the arm. I have carried out this test with confidence with my system, 23 year old Yamaha NS1000M's and 2 x 16 year old kit-constucted John Linsley Hood 117 WRMS MOSFET monoblocks.
The practical knock-on benefit of this virtue is that bass reproduction is rock solid and percussive slam is absolutely awsome.
Any tips or help on tweaking or refurbishment from those that know greatfully recieved.
Regards.
Chris jackson.

I have the Logic turntable, since 1992, veryhappy with it, without any problem with the 45RPM.
But I would like to change the springs, belt, an possibly improve the motor. Is there anybody that could help?, I do not know where to go buying those spares.
thanks Javier

I read about the Logic turntable in the defunct, "Hi-Fi Answers" magazine. They may have had one review there.

Hi,

I bought one not too long ago for its tonearm. I never tried it, but I thought I would take it apart for you guys. :)

Anyway, it is interesting in that the suspension consists of six springs horizontally mounted in pairs linked by a grommet in the middle. This creates a simple, but effective, three-point suspension. It is a very clever implementation, not terribly unlike the way the motor is mounted in a Garrard 301. I believe it could be the smartest springy design of the period. It is also a place that allows for tweaking by changing the factory springs with stiffer ones.

The base consists of two pieces of mdf laminated together, and the motor is mounted on it, not on the subchassis, like some springies. This gives a measure of isolation.

Speaking of the subchassis, it is a heavy 10mm aluminum plate that is cut with an SME slot, and configured in such a way that it should balance the typical tonearm well without a need to unduly stretch any of the springs. The best part is that it doesn't rely on a separate armboard, so the coupling there is positive.

The bearing well is also nice for the type turntable. It is remarkably heavy for a turntable in the price range, and construction is good. The spindle is fixed to the subplatter, but nicely finished. The only downside I see is that the steel ball is not captive. The original Thorens TD150 is better in that regard. Still, it is well made.

Both the subplatter and the main platter are finished well, and they fit together with precision. Best of all, the felt donut is attached to the main platter. I always despised those mats that slipped around. This one is a step up in that regard. The platter and subplatter appear to be aluminum, not zinc, and both are clear anodized. I see that as a plus, too.

The motor, like that in other springies, is not to die for. I see it as the best place to tweak the turntable. Mine was so crappy that it showed up in two pieces, although the shipper packaged the turntable very well. I put it back together, and it works, however. I don't see why it couldn't be upgraded, if you owners are so inclined. Still, it isn't as bad as some out there.

Other details are present, like a really hefty powercord for a turntable, a good switch, covers over parts that shouldn't be exposed, a decent lid, etc.

I believe Logic put a lot of thought and money into the turntable for no more than it retailed for back then. That made it a bargain, and probably is why they went out of business.

I own a Linn and a few Thorens springies, but it is my opinion that this old Logic DM 101 may be the pick of the litter.

i had my logic dm101 for about 10 years. the construction is a nice design, if you have the second edition with the centre spring. i loved it for its stability, even in old flats with woodfloors you could dance without to get the needle jumping. When i bought it, the main bearing was in bad shape, the Nylon sleeves where turned out, the table moved up and down, it whent to repair, and then it was playing to spec.
Soundwise, it presents a good bassperformance, lovely and airy mids, shows its talent to new "highend" records but more interesting: has a frendly mood to old, even scratched records, it seems that the Deck has a great musical care, noise and faults stay beside, even old and noisy records stay charming.