JVC TT 71: buy now for spare for my or TT81?

...not a bad idea but maybe look for a 101 for the day the 81 goes soth?

When I was looking at the Victors I did a lot of research on the TT71, TT81 and the TT101. Since all the talk is about the TT101 and the TT81 the TT71 sort of falls under the radar but if you examine the specifications the TT 71 is only a very tiny bit behind the TT81. The TT101 is better than either by a small margin but they have a record of having issues and there are only a few folks in the world that can fix them.
Since my introduction to Victor turntables was a JVC QL-A7 I already knew just how good the TT71 motor was. I had planned to use that motor in my CL2P Victor plinth when a fellow AK member offered me a deal on a spare TT71 motor that he had recapped and serviced.
So I still have my QL-A7 sitting here gathering dust. Elliott, you should give me a call sometime.

BillWojo

Bill, thanks, I'll call you later.
................

solypsa,

thanks, the 101 is tempting, but I agree with Bill, I've read too many repair stories. there's an 801 listed now, $4,399, the words super rare are not in my vocabulary, wallet, collection.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254201602453?hash=item3b2f98a195:g:Zi4AAOSw7wVfH8mM

Here is my second TT-101 on the floor in my room. It’s working sample in original plinth, I prefer a plinth for one tonearm. My first TT-101 was shipped to JP Jones for repair and sold to another audiogon member in original plinth for 2 tonearms. The plinth, by my advice, was completely restored and veneered with teak, it looks like a premium plinth now. AT-616 pneumatic insulators replaced those stock garbage feet.

However, I am so happy with my Luxman PD-444 that I don’t use TT-101 turntable as you can see.

A working unit in perfect condition is impossible to find nowadays, so it must be very expensive. But 6 turntables in the room is too much and I want a dedicated rack for each of them (just like those racks for LUX).

I must say that I sold a tt-101 and the buyer was shocked to find the platter was lighter on the 101 versus a tt-81 that I also have. We didn't actually weigh the two but it sure did feel like it. Wouldn't the model with the heavier platter be best? I don't want to wrinkle anyones feathers but my GT-2000 is much superior sounding than the Victors! Something to think about. 

Wouldn’t the model with the heavier platter be best?

No

I don’t want to wrinkle anyones feathers but my GT-2000 is much superior sounding than the Victors! Something to think about.

Did you try same tonearm and cartridge on Victor and Yamaha?
Usually the GT 2000 comes with Yamaha tonearm, but what tonearm was on your Victor ?

Also I’m pretty you you can immediately notice the difference between cartridges, but not between different DD drives (it is much more complicated test).

There is a TT801 on Yahoo Buyee with less than an hour left and no bids. Starting at $468.12 USD. Missing the vacuum pump and platter mat is not original.Give me a TT71 or TT81, the TT801 and TT101 are to old at this point without extensive maintenance.

BillWojo

Watch the bigs in the last 30 seconds, not one hour before the auction ending :)) You will be surprised.

Not sure what’s the point to buy an inferior tt-71 or tt-81 if Denon DP-80 is better than all of them.

TT-101 is the ultimate, but for a non working unit prepare to pay $1500 on top for maintenance (not including shipping). Luckily my second TT-101 is working and i’m the second owner.

Elliot, why do you expect your TT81 to fail eventually? I recognize the favorable cost factor with the TT71, but I always prefer buying upscale, rather than down. Also issues with the TT101 are a bit overstated here, and that is partly my fault because I described my problems in detail on this website. In the end, my unit had a single crack across one tracing on one of its PCBs which was very difficult to find both because the malfunction was intermittent and because the crack was covered over with solder. Turns out the Victor PCBs are hygroscopic and their freedom to swell and contract is restricted by fixed mounts bolted to the chassis. This can lead to cracking. But there was nothing wrong with the complex circuit itself. A working TT101 with fresh electrolytic capacitors installed is nothing to be afraid of and is a great turntable. However, I’d stay away from the TT801, especially one with no vacuum motor and no mat. That’s ridiculous.

And I forgot to mention that because of that issue with the swelling of the printed circuit boards, I suggest using the Victor turn tables in a low humidity environment or at least in an environment where the temperature fluctuations are minimal.

lewm

I'm not going past TT81, so it's what fits the plinth: TT61 (not quartz locked), and TT71 or TT81 (both quartz locked). 100 and 120 v versions. The TT71 I found is 120 v.

The question is: any reason not to buy a TT71? Engineering difference that might matter?.

Visually it seems they made a change to the type of speed control, I don't care about that, never use them, that's the point of quartz locked isn't it? 

chakster,

I chose the spinner (JVC over Denon) for visual appeal, and the large 2 arm plinth with removable arm boards, that's what put me in the JVC world rather than Denon. 

My point is, all this work, money, 3 tonearms, .... if the spinner dies, I would be smart to have a spare if I can get one at a good price.

There is a better plinth for DP-80 for two tonearms. In my opinion 3 tonearms on one plinth is too much, better to buy additional turntable. Any tonearm switched 180 degree is not user friendly, a 3rd tonearm on one plinth is always turned 180 degree, I can’t stand it. In my opinion two turntables is always better than one with 3 tonearms.

chackster,

a Denon 3 arm plinth and Denon spinner is shown here

http://www.aca.gr/index/forums/fgr/hiend1?row=2070&pgn=378

Backward arm is awkward to be sure, and mine is more crowded than if it was a true 3 arm plinth. It’s my least active cartridge, but ready to go instantly for Mono LP’s. Rear is MM, side is 12-1/2" long MC.

If you check out my system I added here you will see I don’t have much room, One TT like mine works great here.

I found out about the rare larger CL-P3 with 3 removable arm boards after I had this one set up for 2. I felt darn lucky when I found the compact Mission (Jelco) that just squeaked inside the dust cover on the left side of this 2 arm base.

I've been using a QL-7 with the TT-71 while I mount a second tonearm on my TT-81 in the two arm JVC plinth. While the specs of both motors are similar, the TT-71 has noticeably less torque. Of course, it's possible my TT-71 is less than optimal; both decks are pretty old. I also prefer the mechanical switches of the TT-81 versus the touch controls on the TT-71.

But to answer your question, there's no reason not to get a TT-71 for backup, as it's perfectly adequate, but I believe the TT-81 is better in just about every way.

I own 3 JVCs, a TT101 (which is dead) an 801 that runs like a clock, and a QL 7 with a TT 71 engine that I just did a full restoration; all my turntables I restore and overhaul by myself.
I think TT 71 and 81 are better than Technics SP 15 and 25 at least in terms of engine.
The TT series engines are big and sturdy as breakfast cups and there is a lot of substance, those in the SP 15 and 25 or SL 10 are the same as the small and compact Technics 1200s.
It doesn’t mean much but I like fat.

The motor TT 71
https://i.postimg.cc/J0pSMJ3z/DSCN6089.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/zvyFHgZB/DSCN6093.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/bJBQPwDj/DSCN6100.jpg

In the TT 101 I made a complete recap and replaced all the pcb trimmers but it still didn’t work well .... I have to give up for some time ... it totally stressed me out!

Elliot, I am not sure what you meant, but if your interest in a TT71 is based on its fitting your TT81 plinth, I do believe a TT101 would also fit a plinth made for TT81.  Of course, the factory plinth for TT101 (to be found included with a TT101, along with a Victor tonearm, in the package known as QL10) might be a bit better than an OEM TT81 plinth, but I really don't know that for sure.  Anyway, if what you want is an inexpensive back-up turntable for your TT81, sure, the TT71 would be fine.  You either want it or you don't.  It's not a matter of anyone's opinion.

best-groove, I feel the same way as you regarding the build quality and really like that substantial motor. I'm not sure but I think the TT71 and the TT81 use the same motor. I think the TT81 has upgraded electronics.
As far as the switches go, I'm fond of the touch switches. The TT61 that I had for a short time used the mechanical switches and I just thought they were OK but the touch switches seemed to be a step up. Plus there are no contacts to get dirty.
BillWojo

@billwojo I'm not sure but I think the TT71 and the TT81 use the same motor. 

he has never had a TT81 to make a comparison with the TT71 so I don't say anything, but I deduce that to save on scale production ... yes .... the TT 81 "could" have the same engine.