Halcro, Luckily for me, I have two systems, one of which is on the same floor as our kitchen, if it should come to that. So push come to shove, I can as well use the TT101 in my "upstairs" listening room. But I really do not think there is anything going on related to the basement environment. I don't know why you are not convinced by my observation that malfunction occurs after the TT101 is physically picked up and moved from one room to another, or shipped, or transported in my car. It's just a fact, one of the only consistent findings. Also, once it is up and running properly, it very consistently runs properly from then on. Which is why the last repair guy never could duplicate the problem. He told me that what he did was to turn it on and leave it on, for a week in his shop. Since the problem only occurs at start-up, and not thereafter if start-up has gone well, it is no wonder he could not reproduce it. One could say he never really tried to reproduce it, since that requires starting and stopping the tt. But he treated me like I was a moron who needed hand-holding, so I am happy to have it back in my possession. (I am not referring to Bill Thalmann, who is a great guy and very attentive.)
No malfunctioning transistors. First, Bill checked them all. Second, a transistor does not give an intermittent failure; it's either good or bad. However, the wiring up to and out from a transistor could certainly be "cracked" or more likely cold-soldered.
Nilsvala, Any SP10 should be reparable, because the only unobtainable part in an SP10 is one single integrated circuit ("chip") that is no longer made. However, the same chip was used in the SL1500, 1600, 1700 series, and some of those are so cheap that it is not a problem to buy a whole tt and cannabalize it for that part, in order to keep an SP10 in service. If you need specifics, I can try to find out exactly what models to buy. Albert Porter has done this several times for himself and his friends. I believe he stockpiled a few extra chips salvaged in that manner.
No malfunctioning transistors. First, Bill checked them all. Second, a transistor does not give an intermittent failure; it's either good or bad. However, the wiring up to and out from a transistor could certainly be "cracked" or more likely cold-soldered.
Nilsvala, Any SP10 should be reparable, because the only unobtainable part in an SP10 is one single integrated circuit ("chip") that is no longer made. However, the same chip was used in the SL1500, 1600, 1700 series, and some of those are so cheap that it is not a problem to buy a whole tt and cannabalize it for that part, in order to keep an SP10 in service. If you need specifics, I can try to find out exactly what models to buy. Albert Porter has done this several times for himself and his friends. I believe he stockpiled a few extra chips salvaged in that manner.