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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
aigenga
131 posts
 
Banquo,
Very sorry to read your sad news. I would hope that someone responds with a great repairman that will rescue your machine without mortgaging your house.

I am retaining my TT-81 as a spare and every once in a while I think of letting it go, but your experience confirms that that would be a bad idea. By the way there is a QL-8 (TT-81) on ebay right now and after a quick step-out of the plinth you would have a great alternative to the TT-101.
Gary
halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
Gee Gary,
You and I are not only brothers......we are twins!!?
I too have my TT-81 covered in the attic as an emergency spare should the need arise?
Gary's idea is not a bad one Banquo.....as the TT-81 can be had quite cheaply and is certainly more plentiful (and less complex) than the TT-101?
Regards
Henry
Ag insider logo xs@2x
banquo363
371 posts
 
Thanks, guys. Financially, it's no big deal. What's really annoying is that, since I sold my last table in anticipation of getting a functioning Victor, I'm back at square one.

The tt81 is a thought, but since reading the praise of the tt101, I don't think I could be happy with its little brother. I'll always pine for the one that got away.

I'm thinking I'll lead a simple life in the countryside--and perhaps get an idler. :)

audpulse
139 posts
 
Banquo363, if you reside in the USA, send me a pm at audpulse@aol.com. I may be able to direct you to a fellow that is a great technician and you will not need to mortgage your house for him to look at the tt101. If he can fix it, his charge is very very reasonable.

Ben
weisselk
48 posts
 
We threw out all of the electronics on the SP10 MK2 and built a completely new motor control and power supply for our Tourmaline turntable which uses the SP10 motor/platter.

Losing all of the PLL Servo components is a very good thing from a sonic standpoint.

Jonathan Weiss
OMA
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