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98% sure this Cart/Stylus will fit my Pioneer PL-7 head-shell...

motleypixel

motleypixel

New Member
Hi folks, first timer here.

I now have dad's old Pioneer PL-7 and it works great, but I feel it needs a new cart/stylus. I'll attach a short video clip below. This is what I know:

- I don't know the brand/model cart/stylus currently on it.
- I do know from personal correspondence that the Sumiko Pearl MM Cartridge will work as a direct replacement to my head-shell. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C6IBH7E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would like to know if the Sumiko Moonstone Cart/Stylus would work as I have found on on the used market where the seller says it came off a new Pro-Ject TT. He said he already had another cart he wanted to use.

Thank you,
Roy Niswanger

 
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ripblade said:
Thats a Red Ed, aka Sanyo MG29. If the Pearl works ok the Moonstone should as well since they're basically the same cartridge.
Click to expand...

Great thank you for the reply Ripblade. Now I've come to understand why the seller of the Sumiko Moonstone is selling so low, that's because he broke off one of the 4 pins on the cart. He said he's primarily just selling the stylus but will throw in the cart for free. Is this something that can be repaired? I'm decent with ckt board work/repair from my background/training. Here's a picture, notice only 3 pins:

upload_2023-4-21_15-1-37.png

Thank you,
Roy
 
Replacing/repairing that pin is not an easy fix.

Just about any cartridge will work in that headshell. I have owned PL7, PL8 and PL9 turntables. I ran a variey of Shure, AT and Stanton cartridges on them.

The tonearm on this series of tables was designed/optimiized for higher-compliance, lower tracking force cartridges, but will work just fine with medium complance carts as well.

If you state a budget, you will get suggestions for specific cartridges. $30 is probably the lowest for anything decent, $100 or thereabouts gives you a lot of good choices, the $250 range can get you a pretty big step up, and the sky is the limit from there.
 
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Admin, please assist in deleting those images from my above post. I've attempted to delete the entire post but keep coming up with a server error.
 
motleypixel said:
Great thank you for the reply Ripblade. Now I've come to understand why the seller of the Sumiko Moonstone is selling so low, that's because he broke off one of the 4 pins on the cart. He said he's primarily just selling the stylus but will throw in the cart for free. Is this something that can be repaired? I'm decent with ckt board work/repair from my background/training. Here's a picture, notice only 3 pins:

View attachment 2866007

Thank you,
Roy
Click to expand...
It might be doable if you're adventurous. You'd have to locate a new pin, disassemble the cartridge to access the inside of the back panel, install the pin with a suitable adhesive then solder the coil wire to it. The coil might've been damaged and need some unwinding to free up enough wire for reattachment, depending on where the wire broke. It would be a labour of love for the time it's worth.
 
Alright, so far it's down to probably 3 carts that are new and one very odd nearly NOS find on my local fb marketplace (in order of my perceived preference based on really a $150 or less budget): 1. Nagaoka MP-110. 2. Audio Technica AT95ML (moving out of my price -range a bit). 3. Sumiko Pearl. 4. Old, but only used about 30 hours as the seller said it was his Dad's NOS that was never mounted. He used it for roughly 30 hours over the course of the last 4 years on his Dual 701, selling now because his current tone arm has medium mass, whatever that means? Pickering XSV 3000 and original Stereohydron stylus with headshell, see pic below: I do think this Pickering high compliance cart would pair well with my PL-7. Thoughts?

upload_2023-4-24_18-28-54.png
 
ripblade said:
Looks good to me. Nude Stereohedron for $150?. No brainer!
Click to expand...

Actually, and to be honest I'm new to this gear stuff, it's the whole package of the picture I posted above, Pickering XSV 3000 cart, with brush, nude stereohedron and headshell for $200 but chap agreed for an even trade of my like new Sony WH1000-XM3s which I have listed for $130. So this Pickering setup where does it rank among sound/quality/performance to the other 3 I mentioned? Thank you.
 
I would say it's on par with the ATVM95ML, and above the other two. Based on stylus tip , not arm-cartridge synergy. The Pearl is a nice cartridge IMO, but the bonded stylus is not the greatest. Same with the Nagaoka
 
The only slight concern with the Pickering would be condition of its suspension. They can become overly stiff with age and lack of use.

But if good, it is the best match for your tonearm, from a compliance standpoint, of the carts you listed. I have one, and several of the Stanton versions. I like them quite a bit.
 
Took my first stab at creating an A/B of the Pickering Cart VS the Red Ed. I think I'll start a new thread to focus on it as well. Thanks.

 
That XSV 3000 is an exceptionally good cartridge. Needs a moderate to low mass arm, but, if in good shape and set up correctly, should sound very good.
 
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