Any JVC turntable fans here?
- Thread starter BillWojo
- Start date
That new plinth with the TT-61 is a hammer. Way cool. Also, thanks for the tip on VAS. I called there and talked to Ray. He is going to set up my Denon cart for a lot cheaper than Soundsmith. I have to leave town on business, but as soon as I get back I am sending it to him. He told me to use the Koetsu HS too. I also found your thread on AK-Informative!
The Ortofon Cadenza Bronze I use was rebuilt by VAS with a new cantilever/stylus. It’s excellent. I didn’t deal with them, previous owner Sound Dragon did, but I can’t complain in any way about the performance. It’s the best cart I’ve ever owned. I think you’ll be pleased.
That turntable is sweet.
BillWojo
Junior Member
Thanks for the compliment's on the new table. I haven't been this excited in a while.
I have never used Soundsmith but I see folks talking about them. Based on their pricing I always thought that rebuilding carts was reserved for only the very expensive and rare ones.
My good friend Kevin was working a trade with Harry from VPI and Harry introduced Kevin and Steve from VAS. They are in the same building, right next to each other. Kevin had a small handful of carts he took back up to Steve and had them rebuilt. Based on Kevin's experience with the rebuilt carts I knew who was going to be my cartridge guy. BTW, if you bring in several carts, Steve will work an even lower price out for you. Very easy and nice fellow to deal with.
Steve also has great taste in gear and has a few shelves full of nice stuff. When he asked me about my system he smiled excitedly and showed me his collection of Audio Research preamps. This fellow is one of us.
The first time I went to VAS I also stopped by VPI just to tour the facility. They are in the same industrial building only separated by a wall.
As far as Steve's prices go, he makes it affordable to have inexpensive carts like the Denon DL-103 upgraded without making you think twice. Typical repair for that cart with a broken cantilever is about $150.00. That includes a new aluminum cantilever and a elliptical stylus. You can of course get better and better upgrades as you wish.
@MWalt, I think you will be very happy with your rebuilt cart.
BillWojo
I have never used Soundsmith but I see folks talking about them. Based on their pricing I always thought that rebuilding carts was reserved for only the very expensive and rare ones.
My good friend Kevin was working a trade with Harry from VPI and Harry introduced Kevin and Steve from VAS. They are in the same building, right next to each other. Kevin had a small handful of carts he took back up to Steve and had them rebuilt. Based on Kevin's experience with the rebuilt carts I knew who was going to be my cartridge guy. BTW, if you bring in several carts, Steve will work an even lower price out for you. Very easy and nice fellow to deal with.
Steve also has great taste in gear and has a few shelves full of nice stuff. When he asked me about my system he smiled excitedly and showed me his collection of Audio Research preamps. This fellow is one of us.
The first time I went to VAS I also stopped by VPI just to tour the facility. They are in the same industrial building only separated by a wall.
As far as Steve's prices go, he makes it affordable to have inexpensive carts like the Denon DL-103 upgraded without making you think twice. Typical repair for that cart with a broken cantilever is about $150.00. That includes a new aluminum cantilever and a elliptical stylus. You can of course get better and better upgrades as you wish.
@MWalt, I think you will be very happy with your rebuilt cart.
BillWojo
That's good to know about his prices for the 103. I have one with a snapped cantilever that I've kept around for this very reason. I also have a Shelter 501 and Dynavector XX2 I could send him for rebuild. This Ortofon tracks wonderfully and you'd never know this cantilever wasn't made for it.
He is doing the cantilever/stylus. It is the step up from basic. $200 version, which is a bargain to me. I do have a couple more questions of you if you could please indulge me.
-How do you replace the fluid that slows down the needle drop? I thought it may be like my old Jelco or my Sumiko MMT and took it apart, but I could find no place to inject the silicone.
-Is the tone arm supposed to have a DIN type plug on the bottom? Mine just has a little rack underneath that the tone arm wires terminate at. The RCA cable also is soldered to it.
-Do you know of any place that dose custom plinth work? I see the stock plinth as adequate, but it is the weakest link IMHO. I really like this table and have pledged to do whatever I can to preserve it and or improve it
BillWojo
Junior Member
Sounds like your getting a fine ellipticle stylus. Should sound awesome.
I haven't messed with my cueing damper so have no advise on that. As far as the cables go unless they are damaged I would leave them be. I would think the JVC engineers would have used a decent quality cable from the get go.
As far as the plinth goes it could use some improvement. Some folks use modeling clay to fill in the open spaces or cut and glue blocks of wood to dampen the top plate.
The ultimate upgrade is to look for an original Victor CL-P1D plinth. Its the single arm board plinth 7 layer constrained dampened factory plinth.
BillWojo
I haven't messed with my cueing damper so have no advise on that. As far as the cables go unless they are damaged I would leave them be. I would think the JVC engineers would have used a decent quality cable from the get go.
As far as the plinth goes it could use some improvement. Some folks use modeling clay to fill in the open spaces or cut and glue blocks of wood to dampen the top plate.
The ultimate upgrade is to look for an original Victor CL-P1D plinth. Its the single arm board plinth 7 layer constrained dampened factory plinth.
BillWojo
BillWojo
Junior Member
If you decide on getting that and want to use the stock arm you should be good to go.
Have you looked under documents for the JVC UA-5045 tonearm for an exploded view or some kind or info for your lifter? You have a QL-7, that is different than the QL-A7 with the auto lift.
By getting that Victor plinth it opens up a world of different tonearm options. With the different armboards you can swap out arms fairly quickly.
I like the single armboard version, it will fit on most racks with ease. I wasn't prepared for the size of my two armboard plinth, it's 20" deep and 22" wide! The dust cover is so big and heavy it's not on hinges, it lifts off. I'll make it work though, it will be pretty cool when I'm finished.
BillWojo
Have you looked under documents for the JVC UA-5045 tonearm for an exploded view or some kind or info for your lifter? You have a QL-7, that is different than the QL-A7 with the auto lift.
By getting that Victor plinth it opens up a world of different tonearm options. With the different armboards you can swap out arms fairly quickly.
I like the single armboard version, it will fit on most racks with ease. I wasn't prepared for the size of my two armboard plinth, it's 20" deep and 22" wide! The dust cover is so big and heavy it's not on hinges, it lifts off. I'll make it work though, it will be pretty cool when I'm finished.
BillWojo
BillWojo
Junior Member
That's nuts! I just started looking on Yahoo Buyee recently to get an idea on pricing. I see Victor plinths in the under $100.00 range often. What's out of control at the moment is the shipping cost due to the Covid problem. Once that clears up things from there are actually a bargain.
Can't wait to hear your report on the VAS rebuild. I have a DL-103R with a broken cantilever on it's way to me for a future rebuild.
BillWojo
Can't wait to hear your report on the VAS rebuild. I have a DL-103R with a broken cantilever on it's way to me for a future rebuild.
BillWojo
BillWojo
Junior Member
The start of my new project. It's a two arm constrained layer Victor plinth. I'm replacing the arm boards with 3/4" thick aluminum armboards and they will take smaller inserts made of aluminum for each arm. I can make the inserts out of 3/8" plate, will be much less expensive and less time consuming.
Here is the plinth with armboards removed and the aluminum blanks machined to length and width, painted with Dykem layout fluid. This will take a bit as I'm using my buddys Bridgeport and working around his and my time schedules.
BillWojo
Here is the plinth with armboards removed and the aluminum blanks machined to length and width, painted with Dykem layout fluid. This will take a bit as I'm using my buddys Bridgeport and working around his and my time schedules.
BillWojo
Well, I thought I would try and improve things with some replacement feet from MNPCTech. I figured it would look more like stock. They look great! Problem is, now I get feedback when my subs are on. I didn't have this problem with the spikes. Why does vinyl have to be so much more of a pain in the a$$ than digital! So much fettling involved. Not sure if I need to send them back or get some kind of isolation platform. What really triggers me is my modded Music Hall MMF 2.2 with speedbox and acrylic platter has no issues at all with feedback.
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