JVC L-A31 quality ?

S Clark · « **on:** 11 Dec 2006, 03:55 am »

Can anyone tell me anything about this TT? It has a Grado F3+ on it. Can it be modded to improve it?

Berndt · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Dec 2006, 02:36 pm »

It was my first TT, don't really have a reference point for it though, that was 20 years ago.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Dec 2006, 05:27 pm »

I don't know that model in particular....but if it's one of the JVC's with thin, black plastic arms it's probably not worth modding. If it has the more larger, silver tubed arms - you can probably do a bunch to it to improve it.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=22938.0

This is what I went thru get my JVC QL-A2 to good standards of playback. It actually is excellent (wanna' buy the ugly beast - I'll sell it cheap to ya'; but it sounds very, very good)

I had a belt drive JLA-20 that I filled with about 10 lbs of clay over 20 years ago that also responded extremely well to this tweek.

Here's a JVC timeline that says your model is direct drive (maybe not quartz servo, tho) and introduced in 1981: http://www.vinylengine.com/library_model.php?make=JVC&selected_model=Timeline

Berndt · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Dec 2006, 05:50 pm »

here's a pic on this ebay auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270066305866&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=5879167009&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget#ebayphotohosting

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Dec 2006, 05:53 pm »

It might be okay...but without FG Quartz Locked Servo drive it's probably not worth putting much time or dollars into it. It won't keep time with teh best of 'em in JVC's line withoput that substantial motor feature.

Doesn't look bad, otherwise. It'll certainly benefit from 10 lbs of Plast-i-Clay inside and some good footers.

S Clark · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Dec 2006, 07:38 pm »

Thanks for the input guys-. I'll get to the local hobby store and see if I can find Plasti-clay. Where do you recommend putting it? If it cleans up the bass, I will be a happy listener

. If not, send me an email about your JVC QL-A2.
Scott

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Dec 2006, 07:45 pm »

Inside the base in as many places as you can without clogging up and moving parts. I think I shoehorned about 8 lbs inside...and probably used another 1 -2 lbs topside (that's where it gets ugly) and under the platter (to reduce ringing).

Some of the pics show it jammed inside.

You alos want to find the arm bearings and give it a squirt of something very slick - like Tufoil or Slick 50 teflon stuff. It was very easy to find on my QL-A2 auto return model...but I couldn't find on my QL-F6 fully auto model I'm using now, unfortunately.

It's a good upgrade - makign that bearing roll around in a bath of slick fluid. It helps tracking a lot and cut down on noise issues generated by that bearing chattering and ending up in your music.

Quote from: S Clark on 11 Dec 2006, 07:38 pm