JVC Turntables - often overlooked and underappreciated

[SmileyFaceEQ]

JVC turntables.

When browsing the local listing for treasures, a lot of folks are looking for the big brand names (we all know the ones). JVC often gets overlooked, not always, but they as like all the companies at the time manufactured some top pieces of kit.

I restore a lot of turntables. I try to avoid the BSR'esque style of changers at all costs, but the bulk of the tables I work on are entry to mid level consumer grade turntables. A lot of people just starting out into the hobby or upgrading from a uber cheap unit. Most of the tables are Sony, dual, technics, the list goes on.....but I am always impressed with JVC. Why?

JVC styling is minimalist and in a lot of ways holds up today. Nothing too flashy.

JVC turntables are very easy to service. Easy to gain entry, simple layout. Not overly complicated.

If you buy a turntable and it has broken hinges....you know where the the spring busts out the back side of the plastic....JVC hinges that I find are like new. Also good replacements for other tables of the era.

Dustcovers are durable and easy to refinish. No broken tabs like technics or bad hinges like just about evey sony. Dual always have the stress cracks on the rear of the lid.

Im just saying for $125 to $200 a serviced direct drive unit from 1980ish is a good option for folks getting into audio.

 

[nicholas2381]

Once had a JVC L-E22 (linear tracking) that was a solid and reliable performer.

 

[Joel66]

JVC turntables.

When browsing the local listing for treasures, a lot of folks are looking for the big brand names (we all know the ones). JVC often gets overlooked, not always, but they as like all the companies at the time manufactured some top pieces of kit.

I restore a lot of turntables. I try to avoid the BSR'esque style of changers at all costs, but the bulk of the tables I work on are entry to mid level consumer grade turntables. A lot of people just starting out into the hobby or upgrading from a uber cheap unit. Most of the tables are Sony, dual, technics, the list goes on.....but I am always impressed with JVC. Why?

JVC styling is minimalist and in a lot of ways holds up today. Nothing too flashy.

JVC turntables are very easy to service. Easy to gain entry, simple layout. Not overly complicated.

If you buy a turntable and it has broken hinges....you know where the the spring busts out the back side of the plastic....JVC hinges that I find are like new. Also good replacements for other tables of the era.

Dustcovers are durable and easy to refinish. No broken tabs like technics or bad hinges like just about evey sony. Dual always have the stress cracks on the rear of the lid.

Im just saying for $125 to $200 a serviced direct drive unit from 1980ish is a good option for folks getting into audio.

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I had a L-A31 for a while. It was a nice table. I sold it to a friend a couple of years ago when he got into records. He got out of records almost as fast as he got into them and sold the table without me knowing. I'd kind of liked to have had it back.

 

[mythless]

The goal is to not mention lesser known brands to keep them affordable, at least that's what I do. So, new people to the hobby don't need to spend a lot for something decent.

 

[Kit Carson]

JVC/Victor Japan was one of the audio "big boys". It really depends on the market location country, some mfgs were better than others when it came to selling their products even if the item wasn't any better than the competing companies products.

 

[SmileyFaceEQ]

JVC/Victor Japan was one of the audio "big boys". It really depends on the market location country, some mfgs were better than others when it came to selling their products even if the item wasn't any better than the competing companies products.

In north america the Victor line, from all of the gear I have witnessed, has been high quality and is very rare to find.

 

[HamboneF18]

I have the NIVICO 5240B (1971) and QL Y5F (1980). Both great tables. But the QL Y5F is hardly “simple”.

As for dust cover hinges, lack of lubrication of the spring and hinge pin causes the breakage you often see. It will corrode, bind and break. Cleaning and lubrication of the hinges is what I do first thing before installing a dust cover. I have yet to have one break.

 

[radiokom]

In north america the Victor line, from all of the gear I have witnessed, has been high quality and is very rare to find.

Because JVC means "Victor Company of Japan"

 

[HamboneF18]

Actually, it means Japan Victor Company.

NIVICO means Nippon Victor Company. Nippon is Japanese for “Japan.”

 

[SmileyFaceEQ]

Here are 4 examples that show the plastic has failed. I get a kick when I get tables and see how people have "hacked" a solution. Two show a nail that seems to be quite effective, a piece of bent wire with a ball of paper shoved in under the hood, and what appears to be brown crazy glue or contact adhesive.

 

[radiokom]

Actually, it means Japan Victor Company.

NIVICO means Nippon Victor Company. Nippon is Japanese for “Japan.”

They always was "Victor Company of Japan". Now holding is JVC Kenwood.

https://www.jvckenwood.com/en/corporate/history.html

 

[LonnyG]

My JVC FX4 , gets used every day.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/nos-jvc-l-fx4.948666
Lonny

 

[T68]

...just like JVC vintage recievers.
(but don´t tell anyone. Keep on letting them chase thos overpriced Pioneers, Marantzes and Luxmans )

 

[BillWojo]

Huge fan of the higher end JVC turntable line. In fact I started the "JVC QL-?? owners thread". One of the tables I use has a TT71 motor drive
unit in a CL2P plinth, Victor UA-7045 tonearm on the right and a Audio Technica AT-1503 tonearm in the rear position.
I have a complete write up in the above post including info on how I machined my custom quick change armboard insert system. I also have the long arm version of the Victor tonearm and the AT arm as well.
Victor in Japan was an engineering company, they supplied companys like Micro Sieki with motors among other things. I consider them top dog among the main stream Japanese manufactures back in the day.
Once CD was introduced they shifted R&D to video and became the number 1 innovator in video technology as well.

BillWojo

 

[zeplin43]

Well JVC Tables caught my eye several years ago FOR Price and performance.They will stay with me Forever.
First i got a QL F6 .Then a QL - Y5F. They still run 100%.
There are more expensive JVC´s out there but since these work perfectly with my favorite Acutex 312 STR cartridge my search is over.
I did also get a Kenwood KD 990 in between before they to got famous.
Now i just want to enjoy my vinyl collection.
Seasons greetings to all you folks

 

[beekeo]

When I started building a system 10-15 years ago I first found a JVC LA-11 beltdrive, nothing special but everything worked fine and would have kept it if space wasn’t an issue. Currently running a JVC VL-8 that I can’t imagine parting with.

 

[SmileyFaceEQ]

If anyone has a lower end l-a21, l-a31, or Quartz L-a51......erratic tone arm movement....symptoms exhibited......arm returns as intended, but then skips back across tbe record in the middle of the LP for no reason....I have the solution.

Trouble: black foam damping block on the tone arm return has turned sticky......it deposits tar similar to old belt goo on the arm return post. (You will see it).

Solution: clean goo with ipa off of the post. Remove foam block and flip it around and fix in position with adhesive or double sided tape or just replace with a new foam block with same dimensions / density as the original foam block.

 

[sanlanman]

My "upstairs" system's table is a JVC QL-50 (an armless QL-5) with the Sumiko Premier MMT arm (built by Jelco) running an old Empire 2000Z cart with new old stock genuine Empire z stylus.
That table is not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[seely]

I've said, and I've seen others around my age (40ish "elder millennials") mention that JVC in the 90's for us was synonymous with gaudy integrated shelf systems and cheap car audio, which I think hurt their reputation/legacy. Most of my current setup is higher end 80's-90's JVC now, but I can't remember seeing most of this stuff when it was new, but I can recall plenty of Pioneer, Denon and Sony from that era.

 

[dualhead]

JVC never made any good turntables. They should be avoided like the plague. I kept one just to remind myself of how bad they are. It's my main table. Everyday I force myself to listen to it just to affirm my dislike for JVC. I mounted a Denon 103 and it is a perfect match for the junk arm. Figures. If forced to have just one table it would probably be the JVC. I'm just a slave to it's mediocre abilities. And a glutton for performance....I mean punishment!