In my opinion, the PL-630 is the nicest consumer turntable Pioneer ever produced, having the same specs as their TOTL PL-C590 with its PA-5000 tonearm, with the addition of full automatic operation (and it's prettier too). This table is truly elegant in design, and for the purists who fear that the automatic functionality and mechanism will detract from the sonic performance, unless an automatic function is active, no additional mechanism is in contact with the tonearm in ANY way (the mechanism is fully retracted from the tonearm). The suspension for this table is so good, you can put it right on top of your speakers, and run up the volume...there will be no feedback or howling. My main rig will never be without a couple of these beauties.
This thread is for those who have had a PL-630 since they bought it new, or discovered Dad's PL-630 in the closet, and want it to perform up to, or exceeding, original factory specs. After almost 30 years all of these will need some restoration operations performed on them, even if they appear to 'work'. They may work, but you will never know what they can 'do' until you bring them back up to full steam.
Here is an overall list of operations I perform on these units, before offering them for sale (in my opinion, none are optional):
The unit you will see belongs to a fellow AKr. If he decides to chime in, you will be able to get his opinion as to value and changes in performance. Here is what the unit looked like when it was all done...
Note: Don't attempt this job without a service manual. You'll be sorry if you do.
Rich P
This thread is for those who have had a PL-630 since they bought it new, or discovered Dad's PL-630 in the closet, and want it to perform up to, or exceeding, original factory specs. After almost 30 years all of these will need some restoration operations performed on them, even if they appear to 'work'. They may work, but you will never know what they can 'do' until you bring them back up to full steam.
Here is an overall list of operations I perform on these units, before offering them for sale (in my opinion, none are optional):
- Initial Preparation (accessing the innards).
- Rebuild the tonearm drive mechanism (most of these units have very sluggish tonearm drives at this age, if they function at all).
- Supplement the rubber of the suspension boots (most are pretty dry and cracked).
- Replace all electrolytic capacitors (they have only a 20-30 year lifespan)
- Refresh all circuit board solder joints (flow-soldered joints also have only about a 30 year lifespan)
- Verify the power supply voltages and filtering.
- Clean and deoxidize all user controls (most units have dirty controls, which don't show up audibly, but in table speed instability).
- Perform a complete platter drive and speed meter calibration/adjustment
- Optimize the tonearm settings for the cartridge (VTA (vertical tracking angle), lifter height, rest height are all adjustable)
- Optimize the stylus drop point (where the stylus sets down on the LP)
- Perform a complete cosmetic detailing, including polishing out the dustcover (there are a couple of tricks and gotchas, even for this operation)
The unit you will see belongs to a fellow AKr. If he decides to chime in, you will be able to get his opinion as to value and changes in performance. Here is what the unit looked like when it was all done...
Note: Don't attempt this job without a service manual. You'll be sorry if you do.
Rich P
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