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Pioneer 5MC

A

Atlee1080

Member
Hi Turntables and Tapes folks! I usually stick to the speaker / vintage Solid State boards but this is one for you guys. I just mounted a Pioneer 5MC cart and I must say, it is , very nice. I have had nearly every 70-80's budget Moving Coil and this one is very impressive. In fact, I think it is far better than the Adcom MC that I replaced with the Pio. I've never seen it before, or read any direct mention of this model in the past (although being Pioneer, it can't be all that rare). I got it on a nice Pio table I bought this week for a song so it was basically free. I was just curious if anyone had any specs on the little guy or had owned one (or currently I guess).

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Just another reason to give those cheap looking plastic carts that appear to be "stock" another look before passing em up or tossing em out. To look at that case you think, "meh", but there are some mighty fine coils in there.
 
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mc5

I just received a turntable through the bay with a damaged stylis on my Mc5:tears: Were can I get another cartridge, I haven't been able to located one:scratch2:
 
kydog said:
I just received a turntable through the bay with a damaged stylis on my Mc5:tears: Were can I get another cartridge, I haven't been able to located one:scratch2:
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You can purchase a replacement stylus for the 5MC here.

This thread is starting to make me think about getting a new stylus for my 6MC.

- JP
 
I recently came across a curbside find.........a small, black box with a drop down front door. It said, Pioneer PL-x300 on the front. I flipped down the door and lo and behold........a turntable!
I brought it home, cleaned it up, and plugged it in. Well, it worked. The drawer came out about halfway and an arm appeared from the back.........very cool, and it set down perfectly on the lead in groove!
So I hooked it into a system (Pioneer SX-850 w/ Rectilinear III High Boys, and have been duly impressed by its peformance, both mechanically and sonically. The cartridge, BTW, is a 5MC. It provides a very smooth, balanced sound, without a hint of sibilance. If they have any left, I think you can get a NOS replacement from garage-a-records' eBay store for $49. Good luck. :D
Edit: Just checked and they have 1 left.
 
The 5MC was used in the Pioneer PL-05, and PL-44FS both front loaders. They are high output MC carts and very nice. The next one up in that series, the PL-88FS used an even finer cart the 41MC also high output. I have all three TTs and another PL-88FS is on the way. It will need some TLC but having been inside all three models that should bo no big deal.

Actually I believe the PL-05 was supposed to come with the 3MC but maybe I just got lucky.
 
Hate to reopen a thread that's been dead for so long but I recall having one of these cartridges laying around from the first turntable I ever owned. I wouldn't consider playing a record with that 30 year old stylus that I'm sure has been to hell and back though. It appears the replacement stylus can still be bought from LP Gear for around $60. A few years ago I had asked an eBay seller if he had some in stock, he did, placed all of them for sale for around $12 or something stupid, and the next day when I logged into eBay some asshole had bought all 10 of them. I was and still am choked about that which is why I never considered the LP gear one. Anyhow, my everyday cartridge I broke recently (mostly an accident but I did cause more damage out of frustration when I released of the rear pins completely broke off; let's just say that stylus won't be playing a record ever again). It was an Audio Technica AT95E or something which I liked when I first got it a few years ago but lately have been using my Ortofon OM20 and really do prefer the cleaner sound. I'm wondering though if you guys think the Pioneer 5MC would make a decent replacement for an everyday cartridge? For $60 am I better off buying something else similar to the AT cartridge or is this Pio one really that great? I also have a Stanton 500 V.3 which I don't really use (78s only); don't really recall how it sounds playing LPs.
 
I have a PC3MC fitted with an upgraded PN401MC stylus (.02 X .07) ellip and a PC4MC (essentially same stylus as 401). Both very nice sounding. Both of these, from what I understand (could be wrong; often am) are very similar to the PC5MC. Issue is replacement ellip stylii which are essentially unobtainium. The LP gear replacement is conical. I think the 5MC with a conical stylus would be a significant step down from your OM20. I have the OM10 (thanks for the tip, Rene) and I like it a lot.

My 2 cents.
 
5MC vs Shure 500S

I have to revive this thread to ask a question. I bought a Pioneer PL-950 from *bay and the seller didn't lock the tonearm in place before he packed it so the turntable came with a bent stylus on the 5MC. I changed the cartirage out with a shure 500S in a P-mount adapter. My question is, is it worth paying $60 to buy a new stylus for the 5MC or is the Shure a better one?
 
Let's try another revival, maybe with better luck this time :) I have a PN-3MC cart with an original Pioneer stylus, of which I don't know the age of, sounds still fine though. It seems it's very hard to find any information on these carts. Are the aftermarket replacement styli worth it? Or the originals for that matter, It seems I could still get a NOS original, but for the same price I could get a AT95e or something and still have some money left to buy a nice 2nd hand vinyl or two...

Also, it seems the cart is pretty sensitive to surface noise, is this a common observation? Maybe it's because of the very low weigth (3.1g) of the thing? Or it could just be my stylus I guess.
 
The PC3MC was specifically intended for use on the ultra low mass graphite straight arm Pioneers (PL-X series). As I indicated it's a nice sounding cart, IMO, but again IMO, probably not worth the $$ to buy the replacement stylus even if OEM.

With respect to the AT95e, if you have one of the ULM straight arm Pioneers it isn't a good match. The AT95e is better suited for a medium mass arm, lower end of the medium mass scale perhaps, but medium nonetheless.

My 2 cents.
 
beej said:
The PC3MC was specifically intended for use on the ultra low mass graphite straight arm Pioneers (PL-X series). As I indicated it's a nice sounding cart, IMO, but again IMO, probably not worth the $$ to buy the replacement stylus even if OEM.

With respect to the AT95e, if you have one of the ULM straight arm Pioneers it isn't a good match. The AT95e is better suited for a medium mass arm, lower end of the medium mass scale perhaps, but medium nonetheless.

My 2 cents.
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Thanks for the replies. I think the LPgear aftermarket styli was the one I was looking at. The turntable in question is PL-6, so yeah, it has the ULM straigth arm. Too bad if the AT95e isn't a good match, I've heards so many good things about it and it would've been so cheap :) Any cartridge recommendations for that arm? I have PC-220 and PC-230 available, currently hooked up with my other Pioneer TTs (PL-120=PL-2 and PL-210 which has mostly same arm, with some differences. Ie. the headshell fits the other series, but it is a bit lighter than what comes with PL-x)

I rather like the sound of those cheap Pioneer carts, especially the PC-220, it's not very neutral sounding but rather mid-range heavy, but that makes it great for jazz, it just sounds so musical. Still, I feel the tables, especially the PL-6 could take up better carts and make the most of them. There's still life left on that PC3MC, but as it is, I don't think it's gonna be a long term option, the styli are just so expensive and difficult to get.

I know these tables are not everyone's cup of tea and a lot of people seem to frown upon them, but I rather like them, both sound and looks, especially the PL-x series. The PL-210 I have is a couple years newer, it looks like crap to be honest and weighs a lot less, so it feels flimsy as well, it does sound ok though.

Oh and beej, are you the person who's put together some kind of manual for servicing the PL-series table? If so I'd be interested in that. I need to open up that PL-6 at some point since it has occasional speed issues with 45rpm, it seems to be the switch. I have serviced the PL-120 so I guess opening up the PL-6 shouldn't be much different, but still.
 
Try the Grado Black if you want a cheap replacement. It sounds good on my pl-950 that has the low mass straight arm as well and no grado hum either. Be sure to check the hum data base just to make sure yours won't either.
 
muovimies said:
Thanks for the replies. I think the LPgear aftermarket styli was the one I was looking at. The turntable in question is PL-6, so yeah, it has the ULM straigth arm. Too bad if the AT95e isn't a good match, I've heards so many good things about it and it would've been so cheap :) Any cartridge recommendations for that arm? I have PC-220 and PC-230 available, currently hooked up with my other Pioneer TTs (PL-120=PL-2 and PL-210 which has mostly same arm, with some differences. Ie. the headshell fits the other series, but it is a bit lighter than what comes with PL-x)

I rather like the sound of those cheap Pioneer carts, especially the PC-220, it's not very neutral sounding but rather mid-range heavy, but that makes it great for jazz, it just sounds so musical. Still, I feel the tables, especially the PL-6 could take up better carts and make the most of them. There's still life left on that PC3MC, but as it is, I don't think it's gonna be a long term option, the styli are just so expensive and difficult to get.

I know these tables are not everyone's cup of tea and a lot of people seem to frown upon them, but I rather like them, both sound and looks, especially the PL-x series. The PL-210 I have is a couple years newer, it looks like crap to be honest and weighs a lot less, so it feels flimsy as well, it does sound ok though.

Oh and beej, are you the person who's put together some kind of manual for servicing the PL-series table? If so I'd be interested in that. I need to open up that PL-6 at some point since it has occasional speed issues with 45rpm, it seems to be the switch. I have serviced the PL-120 so I guess opening up the PL-6 shouldn't be much different, but still.
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By all means, on the disassembly/reassembly guide. Shoot me a PM with an email address and I'll send you the guide along with some thoughts on deoxidizing that switch.

And I'll second the recommendation on the Grado Black. No Grado hum on these units and it matches up well with the arms.
 
Ok PM sent, thanks :)

And thanks for the cartridge recommendations everyone, from what I've read the Grado seems like it has the kind of characteristics I like, so I'll probably go with that, but no way to tell without hearing one.
 
Have to chime in and resurrect this. These cartridges are moving coil and underrated. The original review of them in the turntables they came in were reviewed by industry publications and got good reviews back in the day. Don't let posters on the net posthumously confuse you as they talk about their supposed deficiencies. There is a reason moving coil cost more. Listen for yourself and see they have sonic clarity that reveals nuances that are glossed over by the moving magnet cartridges: low level detail and micro dynamics. The cartridges have user replaceable stylus both conical and elliptical. The conical are great for reduced surface noise on older vinyl and 78s. The elliptical are harder to find but worth seeking out. The draw is moving coil usually has to be sent back and redone by the factory, but these do not. NOS styli can often be had in used market. Set them up correct and trust your ears
 
Another resurrection.... Some clarification is required. If I replace this with another cart (mm) does it have to be an HO cart? What is the difference between HO and LO carts? What's the collective opinion as as this is an MC cart is this worth doing a cart rebuild & retip? I was thinking it would be cool with a micro line and ruby cant ... Is nude an option?
 
MM (moving magnet) carts are generally HO (high output), so work with most standard phono sections. Normally, MC (moving coil) carts are LO (low output), for which you need a signal boost (a special pre-amp or step up transformer). There are a few MC carts that are HO, like the Pioneers under discussion here. They should work fine with a standard phono section. Note that MC carts generally do not allow for simple stylus replacement. The Pioneers here are no exception. That is because these Pioneer replacements have the entire motor in what appears to be a simple stylus holder. You are essentially replacing the cart, except for the holder, which costs almost nothing.

My opinion is that retip operations will cost more than any of these Pioneer carts are worth. However, if re-tipping, you can get pretty much whatever options you want to pay for.

Here is a nice primer on the subject: https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/how-choose-cartridge

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
rsrguy said:
Another resurrection.... Some clarification is required. If I replace this with another cart (mm) does it have to be an HO cart? What is the difference between HO and LO carts? What's the collective opinion as as this is an MC cart is this worth doing a cart rebuild & retip? I was thinking it would be cool with a micro line and ruby cant ... Is nude an option?
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I had a 4MC retipped with a 0.2x0.7 elliptical by former forum member needlestein, and am absolutely happy with the result. I think the sound quality more than justifies the cost, and it looks awesome on my Pioneer PL-L800.
 
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