Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

Chakster,

How do you rate the TT-801 vs the TT-101. Is the TT-801 a better model since it cane out later, has better specs anf comes with vacuum platter?

Never tried TT-801, I don't like vacuum pumps on any turntables, I like usability and simplicity (record clamp or record weight, no vacuum pumps). I don't think TT-801 is any better than TT-101. 

This has been discussed elsewhere, possibly earlier on this thread. The TT801 is essentially a TT101 with vacuum hold-down. To incorporate the vacuum system, it seems Victor used, or would have had to use, more ICs, to replace discrete transistors in the electronics section, than were used in the TT101, because there is much less space in the TT801 chassis for PCBs than there is in the TT101 chassis. There is a nice cutaway depiction of the TT801 on Vintage Knob that shows how much plumbing was incorporated into the TT801, even though the vacuum pump itself is housed separately. If one wanted vacuum hold down on the TT101, one might be better off to find and restore one of those vacuum mats made by AT, although I understand that restoration of those is problematic, at best.

I am using a Home Designed Purpose Produced Rack for my TT Set Up, and the Top Shelf has an assembly of Tiers built on it, to offer the TT a good foundation to perform on.
The AT-616 Pneumatic Feet have a permanent place in the assembly.
They were the Icing on the Cake for a good period of time.

I have used them for many years and today they are resident under a Sub Plinth for the TT and Solid Tech ’Feet of Silence’ are used under the TT’s Plinth.

The AT-616 have been tried out on visits to other HiFi owners homes and in one case used under Speakers belonging to a friend who was finalising a Decision to buy Townshend Isolation Bases for them.

I heard the Speakers with both the AT’s and as well when Two versions of the Townshend’s were put to use, was equally impressed by the improvements to the presentation from each Support.

The Solid Tech’s to my perception have the most impressive affect on a TT, hence why they are in direct contact with the TT’s Plinth.
I also like the idea that I can play with the Suspension Configurations, and the Weight Load contact points on these, in a way that the use different Materials or Different Diameter Materials can be utilized to produce a slight variant of a attenuation.

The Solid Tech’s have also been out more than the AT’s on home visits to other HiFi Enthusiasts and have been quite successful at creating a good impression for the other TT Owners when used on their TT’s in their own homes.

They Triggered Off my Local HiFi Groups Search for a more affordable challenger to be used for the same purpose.
I know there are Isoacoustic GAIA in use on at least two of the systems at present.

One friend took it to the extreme and produced a Platform based on the Design Principle for his TT.

I'll be using TT101 with original plinth and the AT-616's. Waiting for JP to receive my saucer and do his magic. Then off to Miami to sit in newly veneered original two arm plinth. The AT-616's are super cool looking too. 
@pindac