Better TT: Pioneer PL-41 or Pioneer PL-50?

[MWalt]

Can anyone give me andea as to which turntable is better; the Pioneer PL-41 or the Pioneer PL-50. I have a PL-41 which I like, but it has issues. I can get a nice PL-50 for a song and at a minimum was thinking that some parts might be interchangeable since they look so much alike.

Opinions?

 

[Balifly]

Of all the Pioneer raised platform style belt drive my favourite would be the PL-61 or is it the PL-41 ?
My own is a PL-A35 with a new AT 95HE cartridge.

According to the published specification numbers the later models are slightly better.

I would like to hear Howard's take on the topic!:yes:

 

[hakaplan]

The PL-50 is essentially a PL-41 with anti-skate and auto-return. I would go for it. What kind of issues does your PL-41 have?

 

[MWalt]

The PL-50 is essentially a PL-41 with anti-skate and auto-return. I would go for it. What kind of issues does your PL-41 have?

It will not turn off. I have to unplug it. The arm doesn't float down when lowered; you have to gently move the lever by hand. Also, the 45 rpm speed is not functioning correctly. Other than that it sounds good.

 

[BmWr75]

Hello Mark,

As we discussed before the purchase, the 45 rpm issue is due to the mechanism that moves the belt on the drive spindle being a little out of adjustment and causing the belt to walk off the bottom of the platter. Somebody on AK told me how to fix that one time, but since I don't have any 45 records, never messed with it.

Never had a problem with the tonearm lowering. Remember that I set it up to run with the brush "up" on the Shure cartridge. It the brush is not up, the needle will not contact the record, at least at the weight the vertical tracking force was set at.

The on/off issue happened when I first bought the TT. There is a ?relay? switch inside it that controls this. I sprayed some Deoxit in it. Also, IIRC wiggling the cueing lever a few times at the OFF position fixed the issue. I had forgotten about this because the TT had not done it since the initial fix.

Regards,
Scott

 

[MWalt]

Hello Mark,

As we discussed before the purchase, the 45 rpm issue is due to the mechanism that moves the belt on the drive spindle being a little out of adjustment and causing the belt to walk off the bottom of the platter. Somebody on AK told me how to fix that one time, but since I don't have any 45 records, never messed with it.

Never had a problem with the tonearm lowering. Remember that I set it up to run with the brush "up" on the Shure cartridge. It the brush is not up, the needle will not contact the record, at least at the weight the vertical tracking force was set at.

The on/off issue happened when I first bought the TT. There is a ?relay? switch inside it that controls this. I sprayed some Deoxit in it. Also, IIRC wiggling the cueing lever a few times at the OFF position fixed the issue. I had forgotten about this because the TT had not done it since the initial fix.

Regards,
Scott

Scott, I have no complaints with the TT, especially for the money I paid. It sounds great. I just have to fix the small issues and just haven't had the time to take it apart and work on it. I am considering sending it to a guy in MA that does total restoration, custom plinth, cables and the whole nine yards. The TT is worth it to me to spend the money. I still can't believe you sold it.

 

[BmWr75]

Good deal.........enjoy.

 

[jeeves]

I have both the Pl-41 and Pl-50. I tend to use the Pl-50 more.

I like that it has an automatic arm return (it is a little primitive and needs some tinkering to get it dialed in right, but that why they call this a hobby) and antiskate.

I have the same issue with the arm dropping too fast on the Pl-41. I haven't fixed it yet, but I know it uses liquid silicone. (I think there is an article here on audiokarma that tells how to do it). The Pl-50 uses a spring mechanism.

Very few of the parts will be interchangeable. It looks basically the same, but it's a different animal.

 

[MWalt]

I have both the Pl-41 and Pl-50. I tend to use the Pl-50 more.

I like that it has an automatic arm return (it is a little primitive and needs some tinkering to get it dialed in right, but that why they call this a hobby) and antiskate.

I have the same issue with the arm dropping too fast on the Pl-41. I haven't fixed it yet, but I know it uses liquid silicone. (I think there is an article here on audiokarma that tells how to do it). The Pl-50 uses a spring mechanism.

Very few of the parts will be interchangeable. It looks basically the same, but it's a different animal.

I appreciate the info. I will probably just have my PL-41 totally restored.