Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

Hearing back from Antonis about his TT-81 plinth......I was wrong about the granite slabs I thought he used.......
Instead of granite slabs.....he has designed and constructed some exotic stressed skin panels utilising bauxite balls and epoxy sandwiched between two sheets of aluminium.
You can see it all here
Who needs (new) turntable manufacturers when we have inventive and knowledgeable audiophiles able to utilise the best DD turntables ever made?

Hello Halcro,

I own 2 of the TT-81's. One is in storage sitting on the shelf. It has been completely rebuilt (including all caps.)
Your comment about it "must be the bargain of the century" is something I have to agree with. I also own a VPI Aries Extended with all mods. I prefer the TT-81!
Regards'
Don

04-04-14: Halcro:
"If the TT-71 and TT-81 motors are the same......why have the two models?"

While I cannot confirm they are the same -- the motors have different model numbers but, I believe, have similar structure -- there's really nothing unusual about using the same motor in different models. JVC and others are giant corporations and they don't think like audiophiles. It was very common to use similar parts with different features. Sometimes with improved electronics they implemented into older models with added features to come up with a new model. That happens all the time in their integrated tables and I can think of at least 5 or 6 models share the same motor. The JVC QL-Y66F has the same motor and electronics as QL-A70, except one has automatic tonearm and the other with manual tonearm. Just look at Technics, the SL-1200Mk2 architecture had been used in 6 or 7 models with various features such as tonearm, plinth, suspension, automation, pitch control, etc....

The best view of the motor is actually from the top, remove the platter and motor cover and you can get a glimpse of the motor structure. Judging by the provided photos, the motor is canister type so it's very likely a variation of the TT71 motor which is a core motor. Please continue to provide us motor porn though. :-)

At the end of the day, what matters is that you like the sound of the TT81 regardless of motor type. But the TT71, while decent, makes me desire more so I moved on to their integrated tables, which are sleepers but usually audiophiles are annoyed by their automatic tonearms. If many of these quality integrated tables have an armless version, history would have been rewritten. (If Lenco had more armless L75 models, audiophiles would not ignore them for so long. I know they do have the G-88 but...) The TT81 has advanced electronics so that might have pushed the performance to another level, evidenced by your approval.

My own observation so far is that I tend to prefer tables with coreless motor, they pass the solo violin test, exceptions are ones with magnet-less motors as found in Denon induction motor a la DP-60 or Sony PS-8750 or older Sony drag-cup motors with a copper rotor. Aside from top of the line models, many DD tables with traditional core motors as found in models by Technics, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc... do not float my boat. Of course, the motor is just one part of the turntable but in a DD system it's a major contributor to the sound. One can easily argue that the weaker torque of a coreless motor has a less dynamic sound and less drive or "jump" factor in character. So at the end of the day, find what you like is what matters. Audio is like food for me, I'm all about flavors and colors. Lamb chop is great but on some days I just want a salad. That's why we have multiple turntables! I'm sure someone (Raul?) will jump at me about neutrality, faithful to the source, bla bla blah...

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Regards, Hiho: A TT71? Guilty. Picked up for little more than pocket change several years ago just to fiddle around with. A hard maple plinth & EPA-250 tonearm. Swapped around some mats (the OEM mat is terrible) & ended up with a Boston Audio Mat2. The basket shrouding the electronics rings, so strapped a couple of bungee cords around it. Cyro'd bungees are in short supply, used what was available. Bluejeans brand entry-level low capacitance cables & some Isonoe feet at the corners. Pulled the Pio. Exclusive PL-70L 11 & then sat for a semi-serious listen.

The little 71 lacks the ability to capture micro detail but is engaging and involving, I like your reference to flavors and colors :). You mentioned Raul; the gentleman also sampled the TT71 and actually praised it, I believe he used it "nude".

No Timeline available but out of curiosity the 71 was timed for eighteen minutes. From a cold start it immediately advanced a nominal four degrees and then remained spot on for the remainder. It's been a while since researching but IIRC the 71 lacks the reverse eddy current braking both the 81 and 101 implement in regulating overshoot incurred when correcting for speed. Other than the coreless motor, the only other difference for the 81/101 is the readout for the 101 is digital, the 81 is equipped with a strobe.

Just an enthusiast, I find critical listening a distraction. I've not read a negative comment concerning either the TT81 or 101, JVC seems to have gotten the series right. Of this I am certain, in spite of, or perhaps because of, the resonant character of the modest 71 it is somehow a captivating performer. Some day I'll return to the PL-70L 11 with it's "stable hanging rotor" drive and exquisitely engineered PA-70 tonearm and then experience a revelation as to what I've been missing.

In reference to Halcro's OP, among others I've a Tech. SP-15 which I expect to someday start spinning like a gyroscope and a Denon DP-60L (a carnival of resonances) with it's fragile magnetic tape attached to the platter.

Pardon the lack of references, corrections to any of the above are welcome.

Peace,

04-04-14: Banquo363:
"The english flyer for the jvc ql8 has a small black and white pic of the tt81 motor. Take a look and see if you can tell whether it's a coreless motor or not."

Good find!

TT-81 motor - & - TT-71 motor

Yep, just as I suspected. The TT-81 motor is indeed a core motor, same structure as the TT-71 motor. Notice the coils wrapping around an iron core? You just save Halcro the hassle of taking apart his TT-81. :)

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Timeltel, I like your tinkerer's spirit. :)

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