Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

rwwear, I almost giggled when I read your statement that you might prefer the TT101 to the TT801, because the former is "more easily serviced".  Indeed, if there is a more complex and difficult to service DD mechanism in the world than that of the TT101, I would say stay away from it.  As to your contention that the vacuum was an option with the TT801, can you document that?  Or do you mean to say that a TT801 with no vacuum hold-down is a TT101, which is what I have believed before this specific discussion?

I did have some heartening news today.  I sent a TT101-specific Integrated Circuit chip to a fellow enthusiast in Germany for repair of his own TT101, and he informed me that my chip worked to salvage his unit.  He is very pleased, and so am I, as the owner of a TT101 that currently is only good for a boat anchor.  Where there's life, there's hope (realizing that this is hardly a matter of life and death).

I am only going by what vintage knob has to say. I can't swear to how truthful their statement is. It's obviously an opinion but justified by the evidence presented.
http://www.thevintageknob.org/jvc-TT-801.html

"The TT-801 is an extra-rare LP drive and the culmination of the well received but earlier TT-101.
The engineering and bi-directional dual FG servo are the same, even if implemented more discreetely as 1981 allowed more ICs and chips - which isn't necessarily better for long-term servicing."

As far as the vacuum system:
"The Turbo Disc Stabilizer System isn't that different from the one used by Luxman/Micro, but the latter allowed to put the main bearing much closer to the spindle.
The complete system consisted of the TT-801 drive, the TS-1 air pump (optional) and CL-P10 base, with blank or pre-drilled CL-P1D, CL-P2D and CL-P3D armboards."
However, the TS-1 could be adapted to the QL-A95 integrated turntable.
Since the Victor TT-801 was never exported, it never was named JVC TT-801 but only Victor TT-801.

The 801 looks different than the 101 also.

You certainly could be correct on the TT801. I read that blurb on Vintage Knob too, earlier today.  The TT801 wouldn't interest me purely for the vacuum hold-down, but the idea that it might be different from the TT101 in other ways, most notably because it has a higher mass platter, is quite interesting.

I sent a TT101-specific Integrated Circuit chip to a fellow enthusiast in Germany for repair of his own TT101, and he informed me that my chip worked to salvage his unit.

Thankfully I remembered that Lew had 'cornered the market' for the only unobtanium chips used in the TT-101....so after 6 months of stalled frustration......Thuchan's 'junk' TT-101 which I had found for him, is now operational.
And after the complete re-build which his Bavarian craftsman has performed.....it may well be the best TT-101 in existence.
I've offered to buy it from him should he not like it...👅🎼

Maybe this is the one for you Halcro?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281912466400?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT