TT, 12" Tonearm. Who tried and ended up preferring 12" arm?

Chakster
I do agree with the sentiments of cost of repair for the 101.
Part of the reason I went with a 81.
And a 71 but that’s another story.

Sure with shipping cost the repair is about $1400 for me, that's crazy.
TT-81 is step down and i'm pretty sure will be easily beaten by Denon DP-80 

However I feel a good working 101 is likely near the Pinnacle of vintage DD table charts and if money was no object or concern I think I would pursue one.

Only if you have a warranty after repair is done, because if the problem will show up again then you're broke. 

BTW, the plinth on the 81 of mine and the the one the OP has bought is massive and very solid weighing in at about 40lb on its own and is a multiple layer construction. Will be hard to beat that plinth.

Denon DK-300 plinth is the same quality of even better, at least better finishing and a bit better shape in my opinion. Highly recommended. They made version for two arms too. 

I think Denon DP-80 is highly competitive to those Victor top of the line turntables. But i like my Victor TT-101, not decided on plinth yet, too many turntables, i can open a little museum here.  

chakster

I saw that, I shall see how much it sags when it gets here, I had to replace the rubber of my SME 3009.

JVC factory sheet shows the original was never straight

https://audio-heritage.jp/VICTOR/etc/ua-7082.html

looking closely at your new example, it is not perfectly straight

Many JVC arms, birds eye view, the rear portion isn't even a straight line, ....?

I am near NYC if a service center can be recommended.

lewm

you are absolutely right about proper alignment. I have the tools and experience, I will be especially careful and re-check the longer arm setup. Like construction, measure twice, cut once.

I just bought some modern tools, goodbye Shure Sea-Saw tracking force guage, hello digital scale,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9TRSPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

hello clear plexi block with 2mm grid,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07794JXYZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

hello new alignment disc (asked sister-in-law to give it to me for Christmas). I like that it is the thickness of an LP. I don't need the strobe on the other side, but, a confirmation, and when I help others ...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PH37HWP/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVTQzSDhOUThNS0EyJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjY1MDI1OVdUU0MzS0k5V1ZRJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5OTI2MjcyNTBJWEI0TkkwNzZBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfaHFwX3NoYXJlZCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

Now I use a 1/8" thick mirror for front view as it 'doubles' any misalignment in the reflection, perhaps I will glue a thin mirror foil onto the alignment disc somewhere.

The older you get, the harder it is to put a shim in one side if needed, and tighten those 2 screws.

JVC factory sheet shows the original was never straight

https://audio-heritage.jp/VICTOR/etc/ua-7082.html

looking closely at your new example, it is not perfectly straight

Not sure what do you mean, but i’m talking about straight line of the tube inside the counterweight behind the arm tower. LOOK HERE on the NOS sample. Now look at your sample (do you think it’s normal?). The seller screwed the counterweight to the armtower with no gap in between, in reality is will never be so close when you will balance your cartridge with the right tracking force (depends on the cart weight with headshell, especially MC). When you will move the counterweight away from the arm tower then it will almost fell off. I know what i’m talking about, i had at least 4 different samples of this tonearm on hands. It depends on the condition of the rubber, but when the arm was NEW it was absolutely in line with the armtube, no matter what you can find online, i had a NOS unused sample sealed in the box (not only various used samples). People who think it’s normal may never had more than one sample (i had 3 perfect sample and 1 bad).