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
This recent discussion reminds me of the "Princess and the Pea"* fairy tale.  But then that applies to many aspects of our high end audio hobby.

No doubt the new Technics SP10R is an upgrade from the older SP-10 Mk 3, and more so from earlier models, at least on paper.  However I believe two considerations should be made.  First, how much of an audible difference will the improvements make?  That answer may vary from one system to another.  Second is the cost.  I've read the SP10R will be priced at $10K in the US, with the complete unit with arm and plinth at $20K.  Many of us own older models with less investment, so the question becomes how much improvement will be realized and is it worthwhile to each of us individually?

Anyway, my hat is off to Technics for developing this updated model.

*No, the Princess didn't have a bed-wetting problem. ;^)
I also know Siri has no hair, but the Statements made without
ever listening to the tables in question by Raul are simply
without merit.

And I won't even get into his TT-101 comments.

the Technics SP 10 R has a switching power supply, it can be an economic advantage for Matsushita but I do not like this kind of power supply; fortunately, the power supply is far from the drive unit, but it could trigger spurious feeds of the nearby connected electronics.

@lewm should not the MK3 platter have thick rubber under it as for MK2?
Dear @lewm : Maybe " ringing " was an exageration: mea culpa. Look, those 21 lbs and the build materials and as you said does not impedes resonances. Micro Seiki big TTs has even weigthy blended metal platters that rings like a bell and I mean it because I own it. No the MK3 is far away from the MS in that regards. So, stay calm about.

Do you know why you prefers the Dp-80 over the TT-101?, not only because better specs but even that the DP-80 platter is not a heavy one like the MK3 and others is way silent that many due to the double platter design and even that my Denon units are dampened by me with a damped material underside the bi-platter.

@totem395 the point that you can’t understand how in " hell " any one can makes such kind of statements with the new Technics vs the MK3 ( that I know very well. ) only talks of different training levels between you and me and obviously different knowledge and ignorance levels in between.

I know very well Technics and I know that they can’t celebrates that great anniversary with SL-1000R if that unit been not superior to what the did it in those old times.

Technics has and never forgot its CULTURE and still belongs to the Mathushita group because of that and they are taking advantages of all that amazing audio culture they seeded over the years with the latest technology at hand today.
They are not a " garage " audio manufacturer and seems to me that you just ignore everything of what Technics name really means its real meaning.

Think in different way with other premises can be a misunderstood by your self or by other gentlemans that think like you.

When Denon comes again to competes Technics you can be sure that the items will be superior to the DP-80 or even the DP-100. Same for Pionner or Yamaha.

TT-101?: did you read the @lewm where by a " hair " he prefers the DP80 over a refurbished TT-101?
JVC/VICTOR never competes vs Technics, Denon, Pioneer or Yamaha regarding TTs or at least at that levels. Is a good unit but that’s all. If you own the TT-101 just put on sale and buy the new Technics or even a vintage Denon.
Btw, who told you that the TT-101 is so " superlative " as you think because that's a total misunderstodd by your self or the one that told you?

@best-groove you even do not own those Technics. I don’t understand your post. Anyway, this is an opportunity for people like you that in the near future will afford the MK3/MK2 with lower prices than last year.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.