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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
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Halcro

Hi Henry. Thanks for that. I have ordered the Jico mat. The MS copper mat these days is just too expensive

Its a good idea to have 2 thicknesses of the mat. I can try one on each table πŸ˜€

It will be interesting to hear how they sound.

Cheers
lewm
13,237 posts
 
Henry and Don, From Henry's first post about the pigskin mat, I got the idea he was saying it was supplied OEM with the TT101, perhaps not with the TT81. My TT101 has what I deem to be its OEM mat, but it sure does not look to be made of any natural material. On the other hand, it is much harder than were the OEM rubber mats that came with my DP80 or either of my two Technics SP10s (Mk2A followed by Mk3). So, what am I looking at? Henry, can you describe the TT101 mat or post a photo? Mine has many concentric ridges in it, running all the way from inner groove area to outermost grooves, also unlike Denon or Technics rubber mats. It's possible that it's not made of rubber, but I don't know what else it could be. Thanks.
aigenga
131 posts
 
I am using a Merrill lead mat glued to the bottom of an Achromat. Very satisfied. Once you add on the weight of the ring and the rather light delrin clamp, the platter gets heavy but no problems.

I am surprised no one responded to my fitting the iec socket. I believe it to be a very worthwhile improvement.
halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
Lew,
You need to realise that when a Post contains a word, phrase or Link appearing in purple writing underlined......that it is 'clickable' and will take to a photo or page which the author wishes you to see....😜
The Victor Pigskin mat is shown by clicking on the purple underlined 'pigskin' in the relevant Post whilst the Jico mats are shown by clicking on the purple underlined 'Jico'.

To avoid confusion....the TT-101 came with the standard ubiquitous moulded rubber mat supplied with all the Victor DD decks.
The Pigskin mat is an aftermarket accessory that Victor created for those whose systems could handle the increased detail....πŸ‘€
It can be a shock unless VTA is correctly set for the lower thickness....😫
halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
Hi Griff,
I have not tried an acrylic mat....
I've tried the Micro Seiki Cu180 which surprisingly sounds the same as the thinner Jico mat on my TT-101.
I've also tried the carbon fibre Millennium mat as well as various felt mats and about 4 or 5 other leather/suede mats of various thicknesses.
It would be interesting to see how the Jico mat/s sound on your TT-81 compared to the acrylic❓
More to discover