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
From the site referenced by Halcro:
..."The engineer quickly responded that the motor was the toughest challenge, which led to another series of discussions resulting in the design we see here in the Classic Direct, where the platter is actually the main component in the motor. In this case, the motor in the Classic Direct is an AC motor, which Weisfeld prefers over DC motors. He smiles and says, “An AC motor knows where it is, and a DC motor only knows where it was.”
The secret here is that a three-phase motor is used, eliminating the cogging effect that always plagues direct-drive designs. This uneven power delivery results in a slight unsteadiness to the music at worst and a shrinking soundstage at best. These issues are a thing of the past with the Classic Direct, as my listening quickly reveals."

Two little white lies: (1) Speaking of the new VPI Direct as if the platter being part of the motor was not a property of every direct drive that came before this one, and (2) the statement that a 3-phase motor per se has no cogging issues. It would have been better to stick to actual facts. Kind of gutsy for HW to point out the problems inherent in belt drive, elsewhere in this blurb, since he has made a living from belt drive heretofore.
Halcro´s quote from the DirectDrive website, essential reading. Those dinosaur made by Japanese engineers never died, they just fell in sleep... What an interesting thread this is. And a new world that awaits searchers for Analog of today.
Hllo Halcro
Yes.The Technics sp-10, is so complex that technicans even today¨s not quite shure, whats happend inside.
Kind of gutsy for HW to point out the problems inherent in belt drive, elsewhere in this blurb, since he has made a living from belt drive heretofore.
Yes.....seems kind of strange...?
Almost like Linn coming out and saying they've finally seen the light......and it ain't belt-drive?!

What is equally amusing to me is the fact that the motor Harry uses in his DD....is the same as that used by Continuum in their Caliburn and Criterium turntables designed over 10 years earlier whilst his 3D printed arm follows the Continuum Cobra and Copperhead initiative again produce 10 years earlier?
Methinks Harry has had meaningful conversations with Mark Doehmann...the original design chief at Continuum?

Sorry to hear of your continuing hassles with the TT-101.....
One suggestion I have (as this intermittent fault will never seem to replicate itself in front of witnesses.....is for you to take the TT-101 downstairs to you listening room and remove the metal protective shroud, plug it in and play it.
If it works like it does in the kitchen.......continue on till it misbehaves at which point touch and move all the connecting wiring and see if that affects it?
I'm not convinced by your 'movement' theory.....but as the turntable CAN perform properly at various locations for long periods of time......there should be no reason why it can't be made to do so down in your listening room?

Alternatively....when the problem presents itself.....follow the 'Troubleshooting' procedures outlined on p.25 of the Service Manual. They are very detailed and clear.
From a brief scan of this page related to your problems.....I would bet on one cracked or broken wire or a malfunctioning transistor/s....
Both relatively easy fixes?