5-Year PL-9 owner just now exploring the internals and has some questions.

[arres]

After some suggestions from some other audio enthusiasts to get a new stylus for the TT (I don’t recall if it was the original stylus, but it came with the 3MC cart), I purchased the AT VM95e cart/stylus, and got an extra headshell off eBay and some new head shell > cart cables so I could swap or sell the OEM cart as a package.

Prior to cart/stylus replacement I noticed some stuttering with the tone arm when auto start Play/Stop would engage. @beej suggested it may be the tone arm belt, (he’s been a great resource, my newb questions, but I wanted to branch out in an effort to not take up all of his time).

Since there is not a whole lot of info on this particular model (short of service/owner manuals, which do cover a lot), I have some questions about the different oils and greases and wondering if they should be completely removed and add new, or perhaps just apply more on top (probably not ideal, especially since I don’t know what’s been used.)

Here are some photos. I’ve begun cleaning up the base/boards, etc. per @beej ’s advice to not change what’s not broken, I don’t want to go crazy, but while it’s in 20 pieces and need to change the belt, I figured some new oil/grease couldn’t hurt. But let me know if you notice any glaring issues with any of the parts in the photos.

I'm unsure what that red stuff is on the speed adjustment pots. any ideas? should I leave as is or clean off and replace with the same or something similar?


Here's the old belt. Still haven't installed the new one. Wonder if I need to apply grease/oil to these parts? Clean with iso beforehand?


Same question about grease here. Last photo contains the supplies I have for cleaning/greasing/oiling.


Not sure if anything wonky stands out to anyone here? Guessing not if everything else plays fine.


Any idea what that yellow gunk is? Flux? Remove it?


Not sure what these pots are, I'll have to check the manual. Would they benefit from that same red goop?


Just a photo of the spindle.




Here's some of the stuff. Haven't used the D5 yet per Instructions not to -- guess really just for pots and such. I did get a regular contact cleaner from HF today which I guess could be used to clean off the PCBs. But I read about the Super Lube being a good thick lube, and I got the 3-in-1 oil for Motors, per suggestions i've read about it being preferred over the multi-purpose one (which I already had, of course).

Thanks for any help!
Chris

 

[beej]

Hey Chris, Responded to in email.

 

[Ftlbs]

I'm very interested in how this works out. I also have a PL-9 that probably needs service. It works great but there's a slight ticking/clicking from the arm when starting. I'm watching your success with great interest.

 

[beej]

@Ftlbs, How smooth is the operation of the tonearm in the start and return cycles?

 

[Ftlbs]

@Ftlbs, How smooth is the operation of the tonearm in the start and return cycles?

It appears to be pretty smooth. Just a slight tick/click sound when it's cueing.

 

[beej]

Yeah, one of my PL-9s emits a similar click from the tonearm motor. Candidly, I do not know what causes that click and I'm reluctant to disassemble that tonearm motor because I'm concerned that I'll end up with a bag of disassembled junk. My advice is to place it in service and see how she runs. Shouldn't affect audio quality.

 

[Ftlbs]

That's pretty much where I'm at on it. I'm pretty skilled in electronics and repairs but not so much with turntable mechanicals but I'll probably delve into it at some point. When I do I'll post results in a new thread. Apologies to OP. I don't mean to hijack your thread. I'm curious to know how yours is coming along?

 

[beej]

Not really a hijack, IMO, since the issue is the same model of turntable.

 

[Refugee]

Red stuff - I don't know either - I would leave it if it is not dried out and the speed is ok.
Gears pic - If the grease is not dry or thickening it should be ok - if not the superlube is the stuff for those plastic gears.
The Gunk - that is indeed flux - clean it off with the isopropyl alcohol.
The Pots pic - I always use caig fader lube on rotating pots - it has some lubricant that helps with friction. Protects the resistive trace IMHO
Enjoy!

 

[flavio81]

That's a sweet turntable. I had the PL-8 which is similar, very good TT.

Enjoy!