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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.
halcro
fleib
1,124 posts
 

Lew, I think that would be near impossible and might be better without the coupling. Isolating the motor unit from the arm would eliminate vibrations shared one to the other. On the other hand, outside energy hitting the platter or plinth would be different from that hitting the arm (board).  There would be similarities, but I'm not sure if shared vibrations is a positive thing. Would micro detail increase or decrease?

In this case I see the value in the Halcro approach. I think it might be better, if executed well. Looking at the stock Victor plinth it seems like just a plywood laminate with a hole in the middle with 2 wood armboards. I think I can make a better plinth, but not sure I want to.

Regards,

lewm
13,684 posts
 
Fleib, The debate between Halcro and I was never ending and fruitless, so I abandoned it, probably to the relief of several.  I would submit that you WANT the tonearm and bearing to be equally affected by outside disturbances of all kinds, so as to perturb the one with respect to the other as little as possible whilst the stylus, which is physically at one with the pivot of the tonearm does its business of tracing the groove, which is physically at one with the platter and bearing.  That's my story, and I am sticking to it, along with a myriad of professionals in the business of designing, building, and selling turntables.

My thought experiment, which was mocked at the time by Halcro, is to imagine that you have to perform a delicate operation in a rowboat that is floating in the sea.  Would it be easier to work accurately, if you have your project in the boat with you, such that the rocking of the boat will affect both you and your project equally and simultaneously, or in another boat floating independently beside you?

halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
The interesting thing about this new technics turntable is that Jonathan Carr appears to be involved or in some way supporting it.....
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/new-technics-sl-1200gae-not-your-fathers-old-technics-sl-1200mk2...
I can't recall him ever expressing a liking for DD technology on these Forums?
halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
Fleib,
I'd recommend that you at least try the 'Halcro' method...😎
But please don't underestimate the importance of a REALLY heavy armpod...that's the real message of the Copernican Thread.
Most armpods I see folks using are made of aluminium or hollow type construction which IMHO will not create the conditions I talk about.

Lew prefers to talk 'theory' without having the practical experience.
I have actually heard in my listening room all the comparable 'theories' of platter/motor/arm variations and Lew has not.
That never stops him...
I long ago learnt in this hobby......experience trumps theory almost every time 👍


fleib
1,124 posts
 

Lew, It seems to me that w/o a suspension, the advantage of a chassis or plinth coupling the parts, is lost.  Instead of the chassis being a rowboat it's the base supporting the structures. If vibrations are affecting the motor unit they are more likely to affect the arm, if coupled.  The back and forth of vibration transmission would smear the sound.

In reality, I think either approach can sound good with good parts and execution.

Regards,

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