Pioneer Turntable

Pycroft
Pycroft Posts: 1,960
edited November 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
I have been looking at upgrading a turntable. I know nothing about tables/cartridges, etc.

Is this any good? http://cnj.craigslist.org/ele/2690749947.html

Thanks :)

James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on

Comments

  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    edited November 2011
    I don't know much about that model but I have a cassette deck that matches (CT-6R) if interested.
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited November 2011
    Grab it if it works as it should. These tend to be finicky though. Linear tracking is my favorite way to spin a record.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited November 2011
    Pass, way better deals out there.
  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2011
    chumlie wrote: »
    Pass, way better deals out there.
    +1, you should try to find a nice belt drive TT instead of a direct drive. I would also look for some with better overall condition.
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
  • rebuy
    rebuy Posts: 695
    edited November 2011
    I agree that the price is too high but the linear tracking is nice. I've had those tables before and you get no tracking error in the play back. This actually extends the life of your records and doesn't wear our the grooves in your records like a standard tone arm. Yeah, offer $75, it probably wasn't over 200 or so new. It was made for 2 years 1981-82. If you buy it get a new cartridge.
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2011
    that asking price is way to high..... as mentioned.. there are better vintage tables out there..
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited November 2011
    rebuy wrote: »
    I agree that the price is too high but the linear tracking is nice. I've had those tables before and you get no tracking error in the play back. This actually extends the life of your records and doesn't wear our the grooves in your records like a standard tone arm. Yeah, offer $75, it probably wasn't over 200 or so new. It was made for 2 years 1981-82. If you buy it get a new cartridge.
    Theoretically true, if the lin-tracker actually tracks, but, IMO, it's far simpler to assure pivot tone arms are properly tracking, and when they are, groove wear is negligible.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited November 2011
    Thanks for the info. Can someone assume I know NOTHING about EVERYTHING (It's true) and let me know what linear tracking is, opposed to belt driven?
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited November 2011
    Linear tracking is a type of tone arm. The arm moves sideways across the record instead of on a pivot.

    Belt drive is a type of drive, and the drive is what spins the thing you set the record on (platter). The main types of drives are belt, direct, and rim. There's also exotic types like magnetic induction and I'm sure others.

    Belt drive uses a belt that goes around the motor and platter. Direct drive has the motor directly turning the platter. Rim drive uses a wheel that touches the rim of the platter.

    That's basically it.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited November 2011
    rebuy wrote: »
    I agree that the price is too high but the linear tracking is nice. I've had those tables before and you get no tracking error in the play back. This actually extends the life of your records and doesn't wear our the grooves in your records like a standard tone arm. Yeah, offer $75, it probably wasn't over 200 or so new. It was made for 2 years 1981-82. If you buy it get a new cartridge.


    The PLL-800 was about 700 bucks new. The PLL-1000 is the one to have as this was Pioneer's top table back in the day.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited November 2011
    Price is a bit steep but Pioneer Tracking Arms were awesome sounding in there day. I would pass on this though.
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited November 2011
    The PLL-800 was about 700 bucks new. The PLL-1000 is the one to have as this was Pioneer's top table back in the day.

    I don't doubt you, but that's hard to believe. The table looks so 'cheap' in the Pic. Cheaper looking than my entry level Technics?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2011
    I had and liked the PL-1000 Pioneer TT back in the early-mid 80's; though I preferred my later acquired Yamaha PX-3.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited November 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I had and liked the PL-1000 Pioneer TT back in the early-mid 80's; though I preferred my later acquired Yamaha PX-3.


    My PX-3 has a permanent home with me. It would be tough to replace with anything close for less than 5k. Linear tracking is the best way to play a record IMHO. Has anyone made a linear tracker with a belt driven platter? That would be the best of both right there.

    This Pioneer is not a bad table. I remember drooling over them when they were new, but it was way out of reach for a 15 year old. Today there is better out there, but if it works and can be had for 75.00 or 100.00, it is still a very good table.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited November 2011
    This Pioneer is not a bad table.... Today there is better out there, but if it works and can be had for 75.00 or 100.00, it is still a very good table.

    I agree with John, it is a decent table if bought for around $75. I do prefer some of the other vintage Pioneers, both belt and direct drive. One thing to consider when buying a vintage TT is that linear tracking is one more motorized mechanism that can go bad/require maintenance.

    FYI, he's selling it on eBay as well:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clean-Pioneer-PL-L800-Turntable-Original-Box-Manuals-/230698134104?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item35b6ae2a58
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2011
    I thought the linear tables were better as well. They just seemed a little more neutral, with a blacker background. I could kick myself sideways twice for selling that PX-3, as well as it's later acquired PF-800.

    The PL-1000 was much lighter/flimsy and plasticy than the Yamaha, which had very solid build all the way around.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • rebuy
    rebuy Posts: 695
    edited November 2011
    Tour2ma wrote: »
    Theoretically true, if the lin-tracker actually tracks, but, IMO, it's far simpler to assure pivot tone arms are properly tracking, and when they are, groove wear is negligible.

    When records are cut, I believe they are cut on a linear lathe. A linear tracking table plays records the way they were cut. Groove wear is not negligible or else they would not have anti skate and tracking error tech built into the pivoting arm table. When listening to records that have have repeated plays, a lot of times the tracks closest to the label can have a lot more distortion in them due to groove wear caused by tracking errors inherent in pivoting arms.

    While it true linear tracking tables have more moving parts and are probably computer controlled as far as the arm goes, I personally think they produce superior sound from LP's due to the design.
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited November 2011
    Browns Mills is lowlife central. Pass all day long son.
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited November 2011
    I didn't notice the seller was in Browns Mills, Steer clear. I wouldn't trust anyone in that area.
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    edited November 2011
    This has been posted before but... Here is a link to an interesting look into how records were made. Things may have change some since then.
    http://www.archive.org/details/SoundAndTheS
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited November 2011
    James - clear your inbox!
  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited November 2011
    All Clear Big Dawg -

    Never heard of Brown Mills - What's the deal? What County?

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player