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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
fleib
1,124 posts
 
I read on Karma that deer hide is better so I got a thin one (< 2mm) figuring a thick one would have too much give. Although it looks to be of uniform thickness results were similar to Downunder. Mild edge warps looked exaggerated and it seemed that repositioning the record didn't correct.

I tried this on top of 2mm SRM acrylic mat that's just a bit too hard IMO, but sounds better w/o the leather. Putting the suede side up seemed to help a bit, but not that much.
totem395
390 posts
 
Fleib
Mild edge warps looked exaggerated and it seemed that repositioning the record didn't correct.

The weight of the album did not flatten the warps in the mat? Seeing it is <2mm and pliable you'd think it would.

Or perhaps the diameter of the mat extended past the platter where the wave's were present.
fleib
1,124 posts
 
Totem,
No, the weight of the record didn't seem to do anything, and the pliability of the mat seemed to create the problem, but you've given me an idea. I normally use a reflex clamp, but not in the reflex mode. In other words, just holding the record in place. Perhaps if I dig out a felt washer and reflex the disc, the pliability will be an advantage?

I'll give it a try.
Regards,
halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
All these leather mats are designed to be used with heavy record weights.
Use of them without weights is not creating a solid bond and also allows the lightweight mats to move against the platter....
fleib
1,124 posts
 
A heavy weight will only create a solid bond in the center label area of the record, maybe slightly further. I think a clamp would be as affective preventing movement of both record and mat.

A reflex or periphery clamp should be more affective coupling the music part of the record. I haven't yet located the felt washer.

I suspect a leather mat is a bad idea. The compliant surface under the record seems to be the problem. The record needs to be supported in such a way that allows no movement of the groove.
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