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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.
128x128halcro
jpjones3318's avatar
jpjones3318
149 posts
 
SFTG172-01 was for the MK2A and MK3.  The latest equivalent is RGS0010A which is the thicker mat that was used on the SL-1200 MK3, MK4.  I've both here, and aside from the part number I can't see any difference. 

The MKII used SFTG102-01: http://fidelisanalog.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/03/IMG_1031.jpg 

RGS0008 is the thinner version of the RGS0010A/SFTG172-01. 

The SP-15 used SFTG015-01: http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=71002#p568735


lewm
13,043 posts
 
My experience agrees with JP's.  The OEM mat(s) on my Mk2A and Mk3 were identical, although I don't know the part number.
pryso
1,928 posts
 
Thanks JP, appreciate the full reply.  I also happen to own a SP-15 which is why I included that.  But I didn't want to sidetrack the post any further.

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
RGS0008 is the thinner version of the RGS0010A/SFTG172-01.
RGS008 - this is what i have, not impressed by the sound. 
It was creamed by Micro CU-500. 
lewm
13,043 posts
 
I've had two days listening to the TT101.  I am beginning to actually believe that it is going to work consistently.  Saturday I listened to it for a few hours with the OEM rubber mat.  Then today all day, I switched to the SAEC SS300 mat.  This combo is a winner.  This turntable is wonderful.  I can only directly compare it to my highly tweaked Lenco, because it is in my basement system feeding the Bev speakers.  I think it has a lower noise floor than the Lenco.  I am using an Acutex LPM320 cartridge, which I am quite used to hearing in the Lenco, but the FR64S tonearm, which I have never heard before. To my ears, the Acutex, which I always liked a lot, sounds even better in the FR64S on the TT101 than it did in the DV505 on the Lenco.  Still using the DV 505 headshell on the FR64S. I expected a problem with mismatch between compliance and effective mass, but that cannot be happening because the low bass detail is superb, not overblown, and my Transmission Line woofers are not "pumping", which they would be wont to do if there were very low frequency resonant peak.  (The TL cabinet affords no dampening of spurious woofer motion.)  This is not just another good turntable. Julie London at 45 rpm is crystal clear and highly musical. LA4 on direct to disc recording just blew me away.  Sarah Vaughn singing a ballad moved me to tears. Here's to JP.
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