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Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

I have just acquired a 32 year old JVC/Victor TT-101 DD turntable after having its lesser brother, the TT-81 for the last year.
TT-101
This is one of the great DD designs made at a time when the giant Japanese electronics companies like Technics, Denon, JVC/Victor and Pioneer could pour millions of dollars into 'flagship' models to 'enhance' their lower range models which often sold in the millions.
Because of their complexity however.......if they malfunction.....parts are 'unobtanium'....and they often cannot be repaired.
128x128halcro
fleib
1,124 posts
 

Dover,

Although I don't attend carnivals I have no argument with that. The question here is, does the rotation of the platter have enough force to overcome the mass coupling of the motor unit?

Evidence suggests, the weight of the motor unit is enough to resist movement depending on the coupling to the pod, but is there micro movement which might not be readily obvious?

That brings up another question. If the motor unit is bolted to the pod, would it be better to damp the coupling with rubber washers?  A compressed thin rubber washer might not allow movement and provide a degree of damping which Halcro now has? 

Regards,

halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
Welcome to the TT-101 club Norm 👏
It seems to be growing at a great rate....
What table did you have before?
I've listened extensively to a TT-71 mounted in a JVC wood plinth and whilst sounding good, it does not quite have the solidity of focus nor the reach into the lower sonic regions that the heavy granite plinth endows.
The crystalline shimmers of the upper frequency harmonics are also clearer and more delicate with the granite.
And Fleib is right.....the rubber dampening between the aluminium motor unit and the granite base is essential, as listening with the motor unit in direct contact with the granite was a drain on the emotional content.
Direct contact to wood is a different kettle of fish...🐠🐟
I think you're correct in the assumption that with the rubber supports, the actual 'material' of the base assumes lesser importance than its 'mass'. And that was the motivating force in directing my design to 'stone'. Other than brass, bronze or steel....stone was the densest material for that form of plinth.
I don't however agree with your thoughts on air-borne vibrations affecting the motor unit.
What tonearm are you intending to use with your turntable?...or did it come with one already mounted?
And have you checked that all the functions work correctly on the notoriously complex TT-101?
Regards

norm's avatar
norm
52 posts
 

Hi Halco,

My primary TT is the Scheu Premier with Verus Rim Drive and Talea II tonearm sitting on a Minus K.  I also have a Technics SP-10 Mk2a in a DIY plinth and EPA-100 arm.  I will audition the TT-101 with a SAEC WE-506-30 arm.  Eventually, all three tonearms will be heard with the TT-101. My end goal is to have multiple tonearms on one TT.  

 I have put the JVC TT-101 through its paces and verified everything works as it should. The KAB Speedstrobe confirms its speed stability as well.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the JVC wood plinth and its short comings.

You will agree I have a tedious task ahead of me to determine if the TT-101 truly merits a place on the Minus K.


halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
An impressive list of tables and arms Norm.....
No shabby equipment there..😎👍
Will be interesting to hear your impressions once your Victor is making music.....
The Minus K is a good platform for any deck and will allow the TT-101 to shine.

norm's avatar
norm
52 posts
 

To all Victor TT-101 owners:

I’m hearing a “hum” when I press my ear up to the platter mat. Sounds like a transformer hum.  Doubt very much this is normal. Would other JVC DD table owners please chime in and comment on this?

All the electronics are original. Will replacing the caps in the PS board eliminate this hum? Or is it something more seriously wrong? Like a bad/noisy transformer? The wall voltage measures between 102-103VAC.

Plans to replace all the electrolytic caps are in the works.

I’ve also noticed on several occasions the speed briefly jumps from “33.33” to “33.32 or 33.34” during lp playing. Is this normal? Playing one side of an lp, this may occur once or twice, or no at all.  

Halcro, is this what you mean by “Are we living Dangerously”?


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