Phonoland

So I recently pulled my JVC AL-A110 belt drive turntable (circa 1987) back out of its carefully packed box and it is running slow.

I replaced the belt (cleaned the drive pulley and table edge) and still the same issue. Based on my calculations it is running roughly 4% slow and oddly enough seems to be running the same speed whether I select 33rpm or 45rpm.

There are no "top of unit" speed adjustment mechanisms. I was hoping not to have to purchase a new table just now so hoping someone has some insight on speed adjustment.

Most likely the electronic servo control board is in need of service, as well as the actual motor.
Age takes its toll on things, ya know.

MattTech wrote:Most likely the electronic servo control board is in need of service, as well as the actual motor.
Age takes its toll on things, ya know.

So I guess the $64MM question is, is the unit worth repairing? I know that's a somewhat subjective question.

aftp302 wrote:

MattTech wrote:Most likely the electronic servo control board is in need of service, as well as the actual motor.
Age takes its toll on things, ya know.

So I guess the $64MM question is, is the unit worth repairing? I know that's a somewhat subjective question.

I prefer to leave the question of "worth" up to the customer.
Any repair person can say "sure it's worth it!" - just to make the money from you, even if the item is garbage.
However, products these days are just that - garbage, made in china, etc.

With that said, I believe the "older" stuff, Japan, USA, etc. included, was built much better, with quality parts.
However over the decades as I mentioned, things age, and maintainence was never even thought about.
I always say - Would you drive a car for 40 years without maintaining it and get far on the road?
Of course not, and high-fidelity equipment is no different.
With the proper repairs, these old gems can out-live anything "new".
You just have to locate a reputable service tech out there to perform the work needed.
And there aren't many of us, for sure.
But the investment into restoring these products always brings back the superior performance.

Hey Matt,
I still drive ( although, not often), my 1982 Chebby diesel, pick-um-up truck--it only has about 480,000 miles on it--
Reminds me that I need to change the oil on it NOW---
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Hey Matt,
I still drive ( although, not often), my 1982 Chebby diesel, pick-um-up truck--it only has about 480,000 miles on it--
Reminds me that I need to change the oil on it NOW---
Ron Rich

HAHAHA! Ron!
You crack me up!
But ya know, them old trucks were built!
Ya just gotta maintain them.
And I'm sure you do.

MattTech wrote:

aftp302 wrote:

MattTech wrote:Most likely the electronic servo control board is in need of service, as well as the actual motor.
Age takes its toll on things, ya know.

So I guess the $64MM question is, is the unit worth repairing? I know that's a somewhat subjective question.

I prefer to leave the question of "worth" up to the customer.
Any repair person can say "sure it's worth it!" - just to make the money from you, even if the item is garbage.
However, products these days are just that - garbage, made in china, etc.

With that said, I believe the "older" stuff, Japan, USA, etc. included, was built much better, with quality parts.
However over the decades as I mentioned, things age, and maintainence was never even thought about.
I always say - Would you drive a car for 40 years without maintaining it and get far on the road?
Of course not, and high-fidelity equipment is no different.
With the proper repairs, these old gems can out-live anything "new".
You just have to locate a reputable service tech out there to perform the work needed.
And there aren't many of us, for sure.
But the investment into restoring these products always brings back the superior performance.

I get it, the value is somewhat subjective. I just don't know enough about the field to know if this unit is an "old gem" worth restoring or more similar to the new junk being produced today that I should discard and look into getting something else.