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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.
halcro
halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,289 posts
 
Hi guys,
I've been busy doing some architecture for the last 5 weeks so haven't had time to drop by a lot.
Great to hear about Lew's TT-101 and wonderful to have Peter and JP helping out with the big Victor.
I have to agree with Banquo about the Victor pigskin mat
http://i.imgur.com/OvDW2EZ.jpg
although where you might find one.....who knows.
The Victor pigskin mat can be initially a shock for those who haven't experienced the extreme purity of the TT-101 and its presentation.
I've tried over a dozen mats and another dozen combinations of mats....but ultimately return to the Victor.
For those who trust the Victor engineers....ask yourself how and why they found the need to develop this specific exotic solution designed to sit on their Laboratory Series bare cast aluminium platters 🤓❓
I'll have more to say about platter mats when I complete my current project.
Vive the Japanese DD uber decks. Long may they live..🎧
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,534 posts
 
Lewm,

Here is a link to the Jico mat that some compare to the Victor

http://www.jico-stylus.com/index.php?cPath=118


Good Listening


Peter

rwwear
2,692 posts
 
Wouldn't it be simple to make your own pigskin mat?
lewm
6,770 posts
 
Acman, In principle, I want your BA Mat2. However, being a computer klutz, I cannot figure out how to contact you from this website. When I click on your moniker, it takes me to a page that does not offer the possibility of sending an email. Further, JP seems also to be interested in your mat. Since he has been so patient and diligent in finding the gremlin in my TT101, perhaps I could do him a small favor in return by ceding my place in line to JP. So, you and JP can get together on that. If JP should change his mind, I do wish to acquire it. 

Of course, if my TT101 crumps again in the next few weeks, JP has to send me the mat, along with a crying towel.  (Joke alert.)
lewm
6,770 posts
 
RW, I don't know about those Alibaba sources for an MN6042, but it seems to me that if you need MN6042 these days, it's a no-brainer to connect with JP and purchase his reconstruction of an MN6042 on a PCB made from discrete parts.  It outperforms the stock MN6042, and my direct experience tells me that JP will stand behind it, should you have a problem.  Moreover, having JP install it also gets you a calibration of the 3-phase motor drive in the bargain.  Obviously, I am not affiliated with JP in any way; I am just a satisfied customer.  (Sounding like a cheerleader, I know.)
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