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

Showing 3 responses by gillatgh

My vintage Sony PS4300 DD (1976) is still pristine and working like new. Many cartridges died along the way. Still performs magnificently and sounds good too.
Knocking on wood. Still got original box and it's 220/110 convertible. Purchased at the PX in Giessen Germany.
Eat your hearts out, LOL
Lewm, of course it was in jest as I'm more than well aware of problems that occur with vintage equipment. I can honestly say this piece is a lone survivor and I pray it stays with me. Other vintage from the era has gone to equipment heaven. I sympathize with all who lost a piece of equipment that they loved. It's almost impossible to have it repaired and cost prohibitive. I cannot see myself forking out big $$$ for a new table. Please don't take offense.

Laying here on the couch listing to Alice Cooper muscle of love vinyl on my 1976 DD turntable and liking it a lot. Yes I'm the original owner, never had it serviced and had it in storage for a few years (controlled environment) It may be that I'm very fortunate or lucky. I do agree with Lewn that sooner or later something will go wrong. I think he thinks in preventative measures which is sensible. I don't take his thought as terrorizing at all. The only regret I have reading this thread is that now I'm actively looking at tables that may replace the vintage table when it's time has ended. In any case I will have benefitted greatly from it's many years of service and I can tell anyone here it will be very hard to replace.