Should I fix my JVC QL-50 Turntable (1 Viewer)

[Dave Moritz]

So I have had some speed issues with my JVC QL-50 where the turntable where the quartz lock would fail and the turntable would speed up to around 45 speed when set for 33. Now the speed is almost constantly speeding up and slowing down. And then goes into full on speed up mode! I also have an issue with the cartridge and have to crank the receiver to get half way decent volume and I end up getting ruble feedback. To make sure this was not an issue with the phono section of my Pioneer Elite SC-05. I unplugged the turntable and moved it to another room where I hooked it up to my older Yamaha RX-V995 with the same result but the Yamaha is hooked up to a pair of Polk bookself speakers and a 10" sub under a heavy desk. So I am waiting for a reply from a place that works on turntables to see what price range the speed issue could cost me and to see what regular maintenance would run. Then I am looking into the cost of a new cartridge and am looking at ether a Grado or Ortofon.

So just wondering if this turntable is even worth putting money into? It would be expensive to buy a new turntable and am looking into the following. And I say expensive because I am stuck working part time and really bad wages, hopefully that will change by the end of the year. Don't think I want anything that offers a USB connection!

Turntable List: (New & Used)
Onkyo CP-1050 Direct Drive Turntable $399.99 (Best Buy)
Marantz TT-15S1 Belt Drive Turntable $1,499.99 (Best Buy)
Thorens TD-170-1 Turntable comes with an Ortofon OMB10 phono cartridge. (Needle Doctor)
Denon DP-57L Turntable (Ebay)
Vintage Thorens TD-115 Turntable
Pioneer PL-5L Direct Drive Turntable
Sansui SR-929 Direct Drive Turntable ????
Dual CS 460 Belt Drive (Made In Germany 2013)
Music Hall MMF-2.3
Project 1Xpression Carbon Turntable
Clearaudio Champion Turntable

Any suggestions, nothing over $1800 max. I can not justify anything over that and besides I want and need to save up for a new receiver, leaning towards a Marantz SR-7010.

A local record shop has a clean Dual Turntable that looks like it is from the late 70's for $300. I am not interested in anything from Stanton, Numark, Reloop, Teac or Gemini. No DJ turntables!

Other System: Polk 10" sub is under the desk

 

[Robin9]

Two things to bear in mind:

1) JVC were never the best at manufacturing turntables, and it's probably not worth persevering with the one you have.

2) Of your list, Thorens (of Switzerland) and Clearaudio (of Germany) are specialist turntable manufacturers and produce extremely high quality products. If you can find a new product in your price range from either of these, investigate that option seriously.

Good luck.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Thank you for your input.

Will seriously look at Thorens and Clearaudio but am keeping Dual on my list as they are well know for being made in Germany. I remember hearing the clearaudio demo at CES back in 03' and 04 but that was a demo of there uber expensive models.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

How about this Made in America item, the U-Turn Orbit: http://uturnaudio.com/ (choose Custom and select your cartridge and other options)

I would also look into the relatively inexpensive offerings from Music Hall and Pro-Ject. Really nice units starting around $300: http://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=results&orderby=2&categoryID=111

 

[Dave Moritz]

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/100491/Pro-Ject-Debut_Carbon_DC-Turntables

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/111297/Music_Hall_Audio-MMF-23_Turntable-Turntables

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/86613/Pro-Ject-1Xpression_Carbon_Classic-Turntables

http://www.thorens.com/

http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Turntables-TD-190-2B?sc=7&category=1105
http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Turntable-TD158?sc=7&category=1105
http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Turntables-TD-240-Lightwood?sc=7&category=1105

 

[Dave Moritz]

Mmmmm was hoping to be putting money away for a new receiver with 4K video switching, Dolby Atmos and DTS-X so this turntable situation really does suck! And I am dying to get a 10 1/2" reel to reel tape recorder, where is all this money coming from?????


Am considering this one and if I just go with it I might have it by the end of next month or the following month at the latest. But if I get a new turntable I think I will have to splurge on a few new albums.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Turntables-TD-190-2B?sc=7&category=1105

 

[Dave Moritz]

So who else would like to chime in on this subject? Anyone else have any input?

 

[Dave Moritz]

There is a record shop that has a very similar model for $300 but I think I might want a newer model for just alittle more $.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

My preference is for manual operation as on those tables I linked above. Auto start and stop features like on your JVC, the Thorens, and that Dual just add to the complexity and potential for failure, IMO. I have a 15 year-old Music Hall MMF-5 that I got second hand about 10 years ago and everything still works flawlessly. No moving parts other than motor, platter, cuing lever, and tonearm. I replaced the cart about 6 years ago with a nice AT and have been very happy with it for the few hours a week I play vinyl.

That said, the Thorens is a very nice unit if it fits your budget.

 

[Dave Moritz]

The one thing I want to stay away from is a turntable made in China! I have always wanted a turntable made in Germany or Switzerland as long as I can remember. And so the only turntables I would be interested in would be made in USA, Germany or Switzerland.

Thorens has two different models I was looking at starting at $499 and the next one up is $799. Am looking at a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC and am wondering where the power switch is on it and where the speed selector is? I find the Dual to be well built and would trust it better than a Technics, Yamaha, Sony or even a Denon. I also see a Music Hall on Needle Dr, Music Hall MMF 2.3 for $499 - $549. I have actually looked at Music Hall a number of years ago but I will have to know where it is built before I will put down my cash on it. I want to limit made in China as much as possible.

Thank you Peter for your input as I very much appreciate it.

Depending on where they are made, here is what I would consider:
Dual
Thorens
Music Hall
Pro-Ject
Clearaudio


No DJ turntables and No Plastic Base Turntables

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

The Music Hall turntables are made in the Czech Republic, Pro-Jet are from Austria.

There's also Rega, which are made in the UK. Price points similar to Music Hall and Pro-Ject.

Other than U-Turn, the rest of the American made tables are mostly high end. If you go second hand, you might be able to snag a VPI for around a grand.

EDIT - speed change on the Carbon is like my MH, it's manual. You lift up the platter and move the belt to another pulley.

 

[Robin9]

One other point to bear in mind is that some turntables are very sensitive to vibration. With such turntables, it is normally best to site them in such a way as to minimise this effect. I use a specialist wall shelf because I have wooden floors, and my walls are far more stable and solid than the floor!

You'll probably find masses of information (and opinion) on this topic all over the web! Whomever you buy from may also be able to offer advice.

 

[Dave Moritz]

I used to have a vibration dampener that the turntable sat on but I do not know what happened to it. It did a great job at taking vibration out from underneath the turtable. Might have to see if I can find another one. It used to be my fathers and he used it because he used to DJ parties on the side and had two pair of Altec Lancing A-7's and a pair of 18" subs. I will be giving the Needle Dr a call to get some info on some turntables tomorrow. I am looking at replacing this turntable by the end of next month if possible and if I decide to no repair the old JVC. I do not feel the design of this turntable is the greatest and that I could do better. I also feel I get a lot of vibration up through the feet on this turntable and that there is no dampening at all. I like the platter stop on it and I think the only thing that makes this turntable is the tone arm. If I get a belt drive turntable I will at least buy a back up belt to have it handy, maybe two.

 

[Dave Moritz]

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Ground-It-Deluxe?sc=2&category=444

 

[Dave Moritz]

Need to stop looking at turntables, am getting a headache!

There is a place uptown that has used turntables so I will give them a call Monday.

 

[Dave Moritz]

I think I made up my mind after trying to fix the issue myself. After opening up the bottom and looking the unit over seeing no adjustment pots for the speed control. And after using some contact cleaner to try and clean out the speed switch and it having no effect. The platter is attached to the body of the turntable and there is nothing to dissipate any vibration. Any vibration can go through the base to the tone arm and it may not cost alot to fix it but I feel it is time to put a fork in this turntable and try to upgrade to a better used turntable or get a new turntable. The only thing now is deciding and picking one that I can afford! Do I try and save up longer taking more money away from my receiver upgrade or just spend what ever I can afford next month and live with what ever I get till income greatly improves and I can afford a really nice turntable? To me it is a cheap turntable with a nice tonearm!

So does anyone have a good reason why I should put money into this turntable?

 

[Dave Moritz]

Record shop close to me has a vintage Dual Model 1241 belt driven turntable for sale for $300.

Turntable has been fully serviced and has a new belt! Don't remember it having the extra high center spindle! And I find myself actually considering it if it has a decent cartridge on it and I can replace it with an Ortofon cartridge later on. I can always upgrade this turntable when finances are better and besides this dual would go good with a 77' Marantz stereo receiver and a pair of JBL L100's!

Well I am waiting for a return call from a local shop and I will be also calling Needle Dr and having a conversation with them as well. But I want to weigh my options and I need to remember that I am stuck making $10.25/hr part time. Saving for a new reciever that I very badly want and need has proven to be very challenging. If I go with a vintage turntable and pick up the Dual at the record shop for $300 I can live with it as long as it plays and sounds good. Will have them plug it in and play something before I commit to buying it and I will look it over really good. I will look into buying a replacement belt for it just to be ready.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Decided to check out a local retailer tomorrow and check out some Thorens and Music Hall turntables. Good chance I will buy one through a local dealer instead of having it shipped across the country.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Made my choice, and that will be a Thorens TD 295 MK IV belt drive turntable and after that I will get an external phono preamp and upgrade the cartridge to a Ortofon 2M Bronze Phono Cartridge. The last part will be getting some Audio Quest cables. Then I will get back to upgrading my Pioneer SC-05 to at this point will be a Marantz SR-7010 surround sound receiver.

Ortofon Cartridges I will be looking at:

External Phono Preamp:

Audio Quest Cables:

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Nice choice! If I recall correctly, the Ortofon 2M series are upgradable by simply changing the stylus assembly, so you can start with the lower end model and move up when you can afford to. I'm not currently using an Ortofon but loved the old OM5 I had back in the 80s and 90s on my HK turntable.