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

@chakster 

I'm not so sure about that.  I removed the stock switch box from under my PD444 and substituted a thick, dense wenge wood subplinth that projects forward as a subplinth for a third tonearm mounted to a Micro Seiki brass tonearm board.  The big surprise is that SQ was improved for the other two arms mounted to the stock tracks.  The subplinth must be acting as a sink for vibration.    

@ Chakster beautilfullll your front-end wow wow wowwwwwwww

This is my SP 10 II restored from a few months but two more SP 10 II and a Jvc TT 101 are waiting for my job for this year.
Unfortunately I do not have the time to upload photos but I can only insert the link where I published my long restoration work.

http://forum.videohifi.com/discussion/375892/technics-sp-10-mk2-inizia-il-restauro-refurbished-e-fin...
Peter, the PBN DN-308 is gorgeous. How does it sound compared to your rebuilds?

What are you planning to sell these for?
@audiolabyrinth

"Seems like I’m collecting vintage turntable’s, I just obtained the pioneer pl-550 direct drive table, I already have the technics sl-1600mk2, can anyone tell me much about the pioneer?, at the moment, the technics seems to be in a whole league of it’s own with performance compared to the pioneer."

I have the Pioneer PL-550 and I’m very happy with it. I’d be happy to answer questions...check out my system - I have it refinished in a beautiful burr magnolia veneer!
Ken,

The DN308 is a quite substantial machine and I'd state its performance is well above anything I've ever listened to and owned including the SP10mk3.  It weighs in at 140 lbs. The sound is very robust and speed is super accurate and stable.  

In this current batch there are 8 units and they have all been sold.  It grew from initially 2 units to 8,  this includes the one I refurbished in 2006 but kept in its original console format. I showed the plans to the customer I sold this to and he immediately wanted his redone too.

The top and bottom plates are made from T6061 tool plate 1" thick, on the bottom plate all the electronics are mounted, power inlet is in the bottom too.   The top and bottom plates are bolted together with 5 ea 8mm x 140MM stainless steel cap screws, this sandwiches the hardwood frame which is 1.125" in thickness.  The 3 footers are custom made Steve Blinderman large Isopeds. 

The electronics are refurbished with new caps and everything is re-calibrated to exacting specs.   

To keep the turntable "in touch" with its origin I've maintained the original Stop and Play buttons as well as the speed selector dial. In addition theres a machined pocket on the rear top where the original serial number tag is bolted in place. 

Ive added a Tachometer, the Phoenix engineering Road runner, why have such an amazingly accurate machine if you can not show it off :-)

I may make more of these, however the DN308 is extremely rare they do pop up on occasion but with only about 1650 units made they are hard to find. Retail pricing on the GrooveMaster Vintage Direct DN308 Professional would be in the $30K range.

However, the DP80 was made in much larger quantities and I've designed a Plinth for it veery similar to the DN308 with a top plate from 1" thick T6061 tool plate.  The bottom is HDF inset in the Hardwood frame, it'll feature Steve Blinderman's small isopeds for footers.

The electronics are again completely refurbished and re-calibrated to exacting specs.  I've eliminated the variable speed feature, which Ive found no one use anyway.   A roadrunner Tachometer is built into the top plate as well.  Retail pricing on the GrooveMaster Vintage Direct DN80 Professional is projected to be $9995.

Good Listening

Peter