After this thread died a natural death, I found JP Jones via this forum and via DIYAudio, as well. JP gained fame among DD-philes by deconstructing the single chip that makes Technics SP turntables run properly and without which they don't run at all. The chip is no longer available from any source, so JP is a life-saver of sorts. JP's chip is constructed from discrete parts on a small PCB that is no larger than the original chip when it is mounted on its PCB. What's more, JP's chip is a tad more accurate than the original in controlling speed. Anyway, I contacted JP, and he fixed my TT101, nearly two years ago. It's been running fine ever since. I was not wrong in my hypothesis, sort of. JP found a hairline crack in one of the PCBs in the TT101. A line of solder covers the crack such that when the board was flexed it caused a short circuit that was nearly impossible to see or detect, unless you knew where to look, which JP did. JP can be found on-line at Fidelis Analog, but alas he is apparently very busy these days. Still, you could contact him and ask.