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Thread: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
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January 28, 2020, 10:40 AM #1
Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
I was surprised that there is no Turntable forum here so posting this in General.
In the mid 80s when CDs came out and I gave away or sold all my albums, I ironically ended up working in a small Machine Shop in Ivyland PA. During that job, I got to do much of the machining and assembly of John Bicht's Vacuum Platter TTs as well as working directly with him in the shop. I found a really good article on the history of Versa Dynamics and at the bottom are several pictures of the TTs showing all the parts I made including the actual grooves in the acrylic platter from the center ring to the outer ring. (I did not do the Lathe work, but all the milling work/parts)
I never got to hear a final product, nor did I fully understand the history I was part of making back then. I still have never heard a Versa Dynamics TT.
Has anyone here had experience with John's TTs?
Here is a great article of the history of Versa Dynamics.
https://www.psaudio.com/article/vers...Ii43lg38h1iAZA-----------------
Brian
Main System - Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables
Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables
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January 28, 2020, 12:22 PM #2
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
The last time I spoke with John he told me about an evolution 'table he took to CES several years ago to test the market. By then he found few people recalled the 2.0 and 1.0 tables and it was like starting all over again. He received marginal interest and little traction with dealers so the project remained stillborn. Unless you've been in the hobby for a significant amount of time, or have owned or listened to vinyl replay at the highest level, you won't appreciate the enormity of John's work. There was a 2.0 languishing on ebay recently for a ridiculous low price (by my reckoning) and STILL there were no takers. I presently have a 2.0 and owned a 1.0 back in the day when they were current. IMHO and in spite of their age, they remain SOTA in design and execution by todays standards.
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January 28, 2020, 12:27 PM #3
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
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Brian
Main System - Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables
Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables
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January 29, 2020, 02:08 PM #4
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
[QUOTE=Shadowfax;293344]I was surprised that there is no Turntable forum here so posting this in General.
Ah ! its right here you must have overlooked it
https://www.audioshark.org/turntables-146/
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January 30, 2020, 12:58 AM #5
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- Aug 2014
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- 685
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
I owned a Versa 1.0 (whatever the lower priced model was) back in the late '80's or early '90's.. My dealer at the time knew that I had been talking about getting a super high end turntable, but it was wishful thinking. He called me, saying that he was helping out the widow of one of his customers sell the customer's very high end equipment, including a Versa 1.0 turntable. I had read about the Versa in Absolute Sound as the best of the best at that time. The price was right, so I bought it. It came with a vacuum pump enclosed in a massive box that I had to locate in a closet to minimize the noise. It both sucked (the vacuum platter on the turntable) and blew (the air pressure for the linear tracking arm.) The dealer had a vdH Grasshopper Gold III cartridge which he included with the Versa for just a little extra. When it was working well, it was an incredible set up. Unfortunately, that was less often than I liked. So I eventually sold it for a more reliable system, not as good, but more reliable. The part that I left out was that the customer was a dentist who committed suicide. Don't think the Versa had any part in that.
LarryAnalog-VPIClassic3-3DArm,Lyra Skala+MiyajimaZeroMono,2xAmpex ATR-102,Otari MX5050B2, Merrill Trident Tape Preamp, Herron VTPH-2A&BottleheadPhonoPre,
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January 30, 2020, 09:11 AM #6
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
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Brian
Main System - Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables
Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables
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January 30, 2020, 02:38 PM #7
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
Dentists do have a higher suicide rate than the general public, its a thing. The previous owner I bought the 1.0 from is a well known audio dist. He sold it to me with the proviso I'd not mention the table to him ever again. He was clearly done with it and went back to a Sota Cosmos/SME V. He had nagging issues with condensation in the airline while he owned it which fouled the tonearm, a problem that was easily cured buy keeping the compressor box and control box at the same ambient temperature. with 50' of airline most owners were tempted to put the compressor in a cool space like a closet or basement (a no-no). The several years I owned mine, it operated flawlessly but i'm the type that will perform my own set-up and trouble shoot gremlins.
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February 1, 2020, 04:14 PM #8
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
Speakers: Wilson Alexias
Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS
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February 8, 2020, 04:31 PM #9
- Join Date
- May 2013
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- 132
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
Excalibur Audio in Alexandria, VA had a prototype or 2 of John's TT. We all loved it, it outperformed any SOTA and arm we compared it to, but it wouldn't stay working, reliability was it's downfall. Maplenoll was another great sounding TT that didn't make it bigtime.
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February 8, 2020, 08:52 PM #10
Re: Versa Dynamics - John Bicht
the 2.0 did not, the 1.o did have one in the control box nearest the turntable with a condenser coil and drain. The tables were produced but for a couple years before the they ended. Had they carried on, all of the kinks would have been worked out. The air bearings used was next level stuff requiring 40-50 PSI to operate which required a heavy duty compressor. The maker of the bearings also produced them for inertial navigation systems aboard spy satellites. JB sought DOD clearance to acquire them, at the time we were still in a cold war with the Soviet Union.
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
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Thank you for making me feel less tech challenged.:whew: FYI, The 866 works great as a straight, no nonsense integrated with DAC.
Boulder 866 app