For individuals collecting Vintage DD TT’s in the days when they were a
few Hundred $/£’s.
It was simple you paid your money and took your chances,
’come what may ’ attitudes prevailed.
A bad deal become a Project or Donor Model.
I have happily had this attitude in Halcyon Days with Garrard 401’s and more recently Lenco GL 75’s to keep in with affordable Idler Drives.
Never did I raise any issues, or express any concerns about any of the Brands being purchased.
They were bought as Punt’s and a model that functioned faultlessly was a real bonus.
I also have a collection of Vintage DD TT’s, these are more commonly being found at elevated costs for Models that are readily available.
The member ’ illmatic ’ has expressed a interest in a DD TT that is potentially going to cost $3000 +.
I feel safe in expressing on behalf of ’ illmatic ’ this purchase type
is not a Punt Purchase, it is not a take your chances ’ Come What May’ Venture
I make no apologies for offering ’ illmatic ’ a description to help with understanding known issues, and helping to increase the awareness.
The information made known is real, the evidence is from a personal experience, or reports from trusted sources.
I am all for the use of Vintage TT’s as Original, as well as taking them into the Modern Era with exchange materials utilised to give them new set of sails.
I promote this attitude in the Social Networks I belong to and when opportunities arise I can participate in.
Here is my Take on it,
Vintage Idler Drives,
benefit from a Bearing Overhaul, Strip Back, Clean and Lubrication, the Bearings are rarely discovered to be dry on a inspection, this would be a indicator why no noticeable Sideways Movement on a Platter Spindle is detected.
Lubrication has been in contact with Inner Face of the Bearing Housing Bush and the Spindle, creating a tight tolerance.
There is a good possibility the Parts used are within the same tolerances as designed / produced by the manufacturer.
Vintage DD TT’s
I own Eight Models from Four Brands.
One Model after initial inspection was sent onto a Overhaul Service and has undergone all Mechanical and Electrical Components Servicing.
The Chassis was quite deteriorated, I had this returned to me and I had a Custom Spray Paint Service address the finishing.
I have to date opened up and inspected Four Bearing Housings and all are arid dry on inspection, as said one has shown a Golden Hue in the Housing that is suspected Bronze Bush Dust.
I have reported findings in the past on another forum and other Vintage DD TT owners have reported back about their dry Bearing Housings, one had shown a internal housing image, and I felt confident I was viewing a Gold Hue in that image.
I don’t think Spindle Bearing Problems on Vintage DD TT’s are rare, there are dry housings being discovered.
I would like to think that when undiscovered and untreated, the damages that can be incurred within a Bearing Housing are rare.
As a lot of rotations are required in a dry condition to produce the levels of worse case deterioration being reported.
A alternative picture of Doom and Gloom,
A fairly new to the HiFi Game individual, directs their attention to Vinyl Replay.
They then become aware of a particular Brand of a respected Vintage
DD TT.
They buy one for a Few Thousand + $’s.
They are in a Honeymoon Period and Invest in a much respected Tonearm and Cartridge configuration.
As their experience grows with the set up in their possession,
they learn of a few critical interfaces that must be accurate, and with new acquired knowledge, follow up investigations show there are concerning issues being discovered.
When reaching out for guidance they soon learn they are in a area where limited support is at hand.
Where does one find a Trusted Service, Capable of Machining the required parts and overhauling the assemblies the parts will be required to be reinstated in to.
Where does a person find the EE with a intimate knowledge and trouble shooting skills to repair and overhaul the Electronics that are causing erratic functions.
Off Course one can develop new skills that incorporate the above to keep their dream TT functioning.
My advice, offered to a beginner, entering into the world of Vintage DD TT’s with a suggestion to begin with a TT that allows a ’ come what may ’ purchase is a valuable advice to a Beginner.
