AT PL-120 in the house (arcorob gets a woodie thread)

[iLUVanalog]

Once in awhile I check the market price for used PL-120 (non USB) - This came to mind today because I'm using mine to spin some 78s later today

I REALIZE asking price isn't true market value

I found a new one for $999 :nono:

Three used ones for $400-600

BTW-- What happened to Rob? Last post 09-10-2014

It's unbelievable that a table that wasn't very highly regarded when it first appeared is now selling for such insane prices. A NEW one for $999??? Crazy. When I bought my PL 120 brand new, I paid less than what people now want for a USED one! My PL 120 is not new now, but it is meticulously cared for and very gently used, and it still looks like I just bought it yesterday. And the insane price thing is not limited to the PL 120...this has also happened with the LP 240...the predecessor to the LP 1240. Look up an LP 240 and see what it will set you back!....(I also have an LP 240 that I bought brand new). I just now checked on Amazon, and a USED LP 240 is $650!!!!

Am I selling my PL 120 or my LP 240? No way in hell.

 

[eriathomas]

I have a PL120 as well, had it for quite a few years now. How hard was removing the preamp? It looks a bit more complicated than the LP120's USB board, since it's in more than one board. I've never soldered before, so it looks really intimating. I added some o-rings last weekend, and it sound more dialed. Running a AT120E cart. into a Schiit Mani pre-amp to my system.

 

[Frank Sol]

I have a PL120 as well, had it for quite a few years now. How hard was removing the preamp? It looks a bit more complicated than the LP120's USB board, since it's in more than one board. I've never soldered before, so it looks really intimating. I added some o-rings last weekend, and it sound more dialed. Running a AT120E cart. into a Schiit Mani pre-amp to my system.

You will need to practice solder a few times - NOT on the PL120

After you get the hang of it then dive in

My pics & instructions in this thread should help with the removal

 

[4Play]

The "woodie" thing was an inside joke and was sorta funny taken in context and time frame

Rob started a thread that turned testy then finally got locked concerning certain TTs

I know Frank. This was before I read the thread and was thinking a wood plinth, and I was looking for ward to seeing some pictures. :thmbsp:

 

[eriathomas]

Got to the mods today... Have not finished yet. Undecided if I'm putting new hardwired cables or female RCAs on the backside :scratch2:

Removed boards 1 , 2 & 3

Desoldered where the 'X' is on board 4 - The 2 common tonearm wires were combined there. Where the circle is is where the incoming R+ , R- , L+ , L- and 5th wire ground are. I will be soldering my permanent cables/wire there.

The ground on #5 , circled , has to be reconnected to the new ground wire coming from board 4. Otherwise there is a hum which cannot be tamed. Sorta stumped me for a little while

Sounds really good , better I'd say , than before even though she is in pieces

I am going to attempt this tomorrow. The only question I guess I have, is on 5 where the ground wire is, did you remove the wire that goes to board 3 and leave the one on that goes underneath the platter?

 

[Frank Sol]

Howdy , good luck tomorrow :thmbsp:

The wires on 5 going to 3 were removed

The black ground wire on 5 held on with screw connects to the spring or very close to the spring - Its been awhile

 

[naimnatnod]

Hey Frank, is the AT-LP120-USB is exactly the same as yours with an add-on USB thing?

I might get one (Fry's from time to time has it on sales for $199) and see how it is.

There is instructions on youtube on how to remove the usb thing on the LP120 but not the LP1240 which I already have.

 

[Frank Sol]

Hey Frank, is the AT-LP120-USB is exactly the same as yours with an add-on USB thing?

I would NOT think so... However, I've never seen the insides of the USB model

 

[eriathomas]

The preamp boards are completely different on the PL120 and the LP120-usb. The USB model looks a lot easier to remove, since the premp is all on one board, while on the PL is looks like it is spread across 3 different board you have to remove.

 

[Frank Sol]

This is the NON USB model

After all these years

Basically the same TT... Spinning CTA this morning

I put a Shure Type III w/VN-35HE SAS/S cart on about 3-4 weeks ago. I was thinking at the time the TT would NOT do justice to the cart

I was wrong... Nice combo

 

[Trekkie4]

After all these years

Basically the same TT... Spinning CTA this morning

I put a Shure Type III w/VN-35HE SAS/S cart on about 3-4 weeks ago. I was thinking at the time the TT would NOT do justice to the cart

I was wrong... Nice combo

From 2013 to 2020, and judging by your recent post, still going strong... So much for those who insisted how Hanpin tables won't last for longer than a year or two... I know someone who owned LP120 for just above 5 years. He decided to sell his LP120 because he was looking to step up (I believe it was Rega Planar), so I almost bought his 120 off him. But in the end decided to grab a brand new unit instead, especially since it was a XMAS/holiday sale & they had a special discount.

I still say that PL120 & even LP120 were the best tables for the money. I sold mine back in 2019, which (and I never thought I'd say this) I'm starting to regret. Regardless of its quirks, it had a "character" which just isn't the case with LP140XP, regardless of being technically superior model.

 

[Frank Sol]

I was lucky - IMO - to stumble on this PL many yrs ago. Priced right too

Also it was enjoyable and fulfilling doing the Mods

Cannot see it in picture above but behind the counterweight , sticking up from TT , is my 78 cart. PL120 is a fine 78 spinner

 

[FluxT]

From 2013 to 2020, and judging by your recent post, still going strong... So much for those who insisted how Hanpin tables won't last for longer than a year or two...

My brother has had his PL120 since 2007 or 2008, I believe, and it’s still going strong. It’s been through absolute hell and back and rather a sight for sore eyes, and he’s pointedly refused my offer to give it a nice tear down and cleanup, but at the end of the day, it’s still spinning. My first “nice” table (and major purchase) was an LP120 that I bought on seeing how well his served him, almost 4 years ago to the day. It was a tossup between that and a “restored” Dual 1229 from a local seller, but in the end, I went with the LP120 based on how well it held up under his use.

In an ironic twist, I am currently using a Dual 1229 that I fixed up myself, but that LP-120 is still singing away for a very good friend of mine, and I’d certainly make room for it if they ever decide to get rid of it.