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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
chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
Anyone use LUXMAN PD444 vintage direct drive turntable ???
How would you rate them against Technics Sp10mk2, those LUX decks goes for 2 grands sometimes. At least there is no need to change the plinth already made for two tonearms. 

Luxman pd-444 looks so nice that it's hard to resist. 
More info: HERE

"Center of the spinning is the Load-Free Spindlestructure : by opposing two magnets inside the motor structure, the actual load applied to the bearing is lifted to a fifth of its normal value. The motor's name is MDS152C.

Magnets aren't added but the motor itself is structured so as to do the above - no leaks or perturbations of the necessary magnetic flux. The platter is however maintained at large and heavy specifications to deal with 5Hz...10Hzfaster load variations.This system allows lightweight yet fully and inherently regulated moving parts.

The chassis and feet mix materials to do away with resonances : two slabs of 3,2mm iron plates sandwiching a high-density chipboard for the base, neoprene rubber, springs, silicon grease,felt and iron rings for the high feet which are 10mm height-adjustable."
klinerm
79 posts
 

Chakster,

I can't answer your question directly, because I haven't heard the Technics, but I think I can contribute something meaningful. I have the little brother of the PD-444, the PD-441. I think it has the same motor as the PD-444, but holds only one tonearm, plinth correspondingly smaller. Mine is mounted with a Fidelity Research FR-64s tonearm with optional height adjuster and a Yamaha MC-1s cartridge, i.e, complete vintage 70's near state-of-the-art front end.

Compared to my main rig, Acoustic Signature Final Tool, Kuzma 4-point, ZYX Universe, the Luxman is a little noisier, a little less resolving, bass not as good, but it has a drive that makes it eminently enjoyable, so much so that I could easily listen to it all the time. If you have any interest in the Luxman, I can't imagine being disappointed in it if it's set up properly.


FWIW.


Richard



lewm
6,770 posts
 
Problem with TT101 motor noise.  Dear brothers of the TT101, My unit was out of use for a few weeks, because our basement was flooded in a minor way during the last torrential rain in DC, and before that I was away at a meeting.  Yesterday, I fired it up and immediately heard a periodic rubbing noise coming from the motor.  My sense is that it comes from the top side, not from the bearing.  It can be heard once per revolution.  Today I took off the platter and loosened the motor mounts so I could pull it up and look at the mechanism from the side view without actually removing the motor from the chassis.  I can see no problem, nothing visual by side view of the intact motor. Yet when I spin the motor by hand with power off, I can hear the rubbing sound coming from somewhere within the mechanism, once per revolution, audible through about 30-40 degrees of the 360 degree rotation, rather on the high pitched side as rubs go.  Any ideas would be appreciated. Plus, I would like to know how to take the motor apart if necessary, so that I don't screw it up in the process.  I gather from appearances that the wiring harness that goes to the motor comes entirely from beneath the escutcheon on the upper level.  Thanks for help.
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,534 posts
 
Lewm

Most likely the bearing is adjusted too tight, loosen the screw in the center bottom just a little and your noise will go away. The bearing pushes the rotor up against the top cover.


Best of Luck

Peter

lewm
6,770 posts
 
Thanks, Peter.  I have two questions: (1) Why would this condition have suddenly occurred.  Neither I nor anyone else has done anything to that slot-head screw that resides in the bottom of the bearing well, and (2) can you amplify on what part you refer to as "the top cover"?  If you are referring to the black protective cover that nests around the spindle and is held in place by 3 screws, I have taken that piece completely off, and the noise remains; in fact it's easier to hear it with the cover off. Thus I would tend to exonerate the cover.  Or have I got the wrong idea about what parts you are referring to?  Thanks again.
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