Cartridge Identification Help.

[lamstx]

I picked up a pristine Pioneer PL-L1000 earlier today and I'm drawing a blank on what cartridge it came with? Google lens said it was pretty much every cartridge that you can buy a yellow stylus for.

I would appreciate a replacement stylus recommendation also as this one is pretty bent. $150-$300 range.

I bought it as non-working for $125, and it looks like they simply had the power setting set to 220 rather than 120. I do still need to clean it up and DeoxIT the controls, but otherwise everything works as it should.

Thanks, pictures attached.

 

[borchee]

It says who the manufacturer is right on the cartridge - they didn't make that many different ones with a yellow body...at least by checking the pics googling yielded.

DaCapo Audio has some nice 360° views of replacement styli, so you can visually compare them to yours.

 

[NachoTemino]

Yep, definitely looks like you have a PC-600 cartridge. Take a look at this:

PN-600 Stylus

No other options than conical ones. Cheap enough to try wether you like it or not.

But honestly I believe the PL-L1000 deserves a better cartridge.

 

[avionic]

Yep, definitely looks like you have a PC-600 cartridge. Take a look at this:

PN-600 Stylus

No other options than conical ones. Cheap enough to try wether you like it or not.

But honestly I believe the PL-L1000 deserves a better cartridge.

Better look again. Me thinks. That PN-600 stylus doesn't look like it will work as intended on the OP's cartridge.

 

[avionic]

I can agree with a cartridge up-grade.

 

[borchee]

Better look again. Me thinks. That PN-600 stylus doesn't look like it will work as intended on the OP's cartridge.

It seems OPs stylus is aftermarket - I wonder what the form of the shank is...a round one might still fit.

 

[avionic]

Well maybe it might fit. Looking at the two again.

A lot of my military buddies over in Germany were buying the Pioneer PL-L1000 's new at the time.

 

[lamstx]

Yep, definitely looks like you have a PC-600 cartridge. Take a look at this:

PN-600 Stylus

No other options than conical ones. Cheap enough to try wether you like it or not.

But honestly I believe the PL-L1000 deserves a better cartridge.

Thank you. I'll buy one of those just so I have a working pairing, but I think I'll put something else on it.

I have a V15 lll that is paired with my PL-630 and I have it torn apart fixing the boots, so I could put that on. Or I have a Pickering XSV 3000 with a good stylus I'm not using on anything, because I can't easily replace the stylus. How would either of those pair?

I kinda lean towards buying something new I don't have experience with and would appreciate any suggestions in the $300-$500 range

I listen to rock, alternative, indie, classic country, no classical, some jazz, but not often. Probably just connecting to a SX-770 and a pair of Epicure M90s. I have bigger speakers and receivers, but this combo works great at my camp and sounds surprising good to my ears.

Much appreciated.

 

[lamstx]

Well maybe it might fit. Looking at the two again.

A lot of my military buddies over in Germany were buying the Pioneer PL-L1000 's new at the time.

This was bought in a town with a major Air Force base, so safe to say that's how this one found its way to rural deep south American, and explains the power setting set to 220.

 

[lamstx]

It seems OPs stylus is aftermarket - I wonder what the form of the shank is...a round one might still fit.

I took a better look, It's a round shank in a square hole.

 

[NachoTemino]

I have a V15 lll that is paired with my PL-630 and I have it torn apart fixing the boots, so I could put that on. Or I have a Pickering XSV 3000 with a good stylus I'm not using on anything, because I can't easily replace the stylus. How would either of those pair?

I'm not big fan of Pickering carts. But I believe that XSV is very well regarded between some of us. That being said, The V15 III would be my favourite.

 

[mrwood200]

I have a V15 lll ... Or I have a Pickering XSV 3000 with a good stylus I'm not using on anything, because I can't easily replace the stylus. How would either of those pair?

If you got them, might as well try them!
Both are good, and with the right stylus can be excellent. V.good cartridges!

However, depending on stylus, may not be a great match for a heavier tonearms.
I would still try them; consider a lighter headshell.

Got anything else?
Got a AT-VM95? The advanced profiles may still be a bit floppy, but the others will work AOK.

 

[lamstx]

No idea on the Pickering stylus, it was on a TD 165 I bought years ago. It's a great sounding set up, I think the best sounding of anything I've owned, but I couldn't make it work in my bouncy 100 year old home with a crawl space no matter how heavy the base and furniture it was on.

The V15 is a Jico VN-35HE SAS/B I bought new and is very low hours.

I also have a Grado MF 3, Shure RXT 6, Pickering XV-15, and a Realistic/Shure R1000XT.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ripblade]

I don't know if it's possible to adjust VTA on that arm. If not, it might be a good idea to check what cartridge has the proper height dimension to ensure proper VTA. They're not all the same height. Most are somewhere between 17 and 19 mm but that's enough range to mess with the VTA.

Sorry, I can't help with the cartridge ID.

 

[Fishead]

I think the best sounding of anything I've owned, but I couldn't make it work in my bouncy 100 year old home with a crawl space no matter how heavy the base and furniture it was on.

Do you still have the Thorens? If so, no need to unload it or keep it in a closet somewhere sitting unused......there are ways to address this problem with this type of suspension that might well put a big smile on your face!

 

[mrwood200]

Good selection here!
Of course it will depend on what styli you have, but I may start with the Grado.

No idea on the Pickering stylus .... It's a great sounding set up, I think the best sounding of anything I've owned, but I couldn't make it work in my bouncy 100 year old home ...

Probably high compliance. Probably would not be best fit here.
Does the stylus it have a brush? I have the XSV w/vivid line & brush; brush does provide some dampening, and may help with TT & floors.

The V15 is a Jico VN-35HE SAS/B I bought new and is very low hours.

sweet. V15III is an excellent cartridge. Best of the bunch x3. I got the same setup. Not my 1st option w/new TT, and probably not a good fit here.

I also have a Grado MF 3, Shure RXT 6, Pickering XV-15, and a Realistic/Shure R1000XT.

Grado w/OEM stylus should work here. I think I would start here.
No to RXT (P-mount w/adapter).
XV-15 is good generator and stylus may have stiffer suspension. Maybe next in line for trial.
Realistic, assume oem stylus or similar, is probably not a good fit.
With any of the cartridges, you would probably benefit with lighter headshell.

 

[lamstx]

Do you still have the Thorens? If so, no need to unload it or keep it in a closet somewhere sitting unused......there are ways to address this problem with this type of suspension that might well put a big smile on your face!

I still have it and it's quite literally sitting in the top of a closet with a few other projects. I just looked and it's a 160 not a 165, if that matters as far as fixing the suspension?

 

[lamstx]

Good selection here!
Of course it will depend on what styli you have, but I may start with the Grado.

Probably high compliance. Probably would not be best fit here.
Does the stylus it have a brush? I have the XSV w/vivid line & brush; brush does provide some dampening, and may help with TT & floors.

sweet. V15III is an excellent cartridge. Best of the bunch x3. I got the same setup. Not my 1st option w/new TT, and probably not a good fit here.

Grado w/OEM stylus should work here. I think I would start here.
No to RXT (P-mount w/adapter).
XV-15 is good generator and stylus may have stiffer suspension. Maybe next in line for trial.
Realistic, assume oem stylus or similar, is probably not a good fit.
With any of the cartridges, you would probably benefit with lighter headshell.

Tons of great info here, much appreciated.

No brush on the Pickering, I think it's a D or X 3000 model #, I don't have it here to look at.

I do have the Grado here, fortunately. I think it's all original everything, so no idea on what the stylus may be. It was installed on a PL-540 I picked up about a year ago, was my first Grado, and I have been really happy with the sound. Glad to hear that's your first recommendation for the L1000 since I have it here to install.

I have the original, but I've meant to buy a new stylus for the XV-15, is there a good replacement?

A few pictures of the Grado, you may be able to tell what the stylus is installed?

Thanks again for all the knowledge.

 

[mrwood200]

Your color-coded dots look like original stylus.

Similar to today's Grado Blue: .3 bonded elliptical
Looks like there is a weight/shim between the shell & cartridge? I would remove prior to alignment.

This should work to get you up & running.
However, with a used stylus w/unknown hours, I would make stylus inspection and/or replacement plans.
With our best efforts, a .3 elliptical stylus @ 2g VTF is going to last 300 hrs. could be closer to 200. YMMV
Your photo #3 appears to have some vinyl debris, that may indicate stylus wear:

That said, I would run it, especially to try out new table. Give the stylus a clean, align, maybe try your workbench test LP before the limited 180g vinyl...

I have the original, but I've meant to buy a new stylus for the XV-15, is there a good replacement?

XV-15 was sold with a number of different styli for different uses.
Are you planning on using it on the Pioneer? Thorens? other??
I like to match the cartridge/stylus to the tonearm, and perhaps balance it against any other cartridges in service.
For you, you might be better off getting your #2 cartridge XSV back into active rotation!
And the Grado might not be a long-term solution for the Pioneer. If a stylus is needed, might as well revisit the cartridge!

 

[lamstx]

Your color-coded dots look like original stylus.
View attachment 3864068
Similar to today's Grado Blue: .3 bonded elliptical
Looks like there is a weight/shim between the shell & cartridge? I would remove prior to alignment.

This should work to get you up & running.
However, with a used stylus w/unknown hours, I would make stylus inspection and/or replacement plans.
With our best efforts, a .3 elliptical stylus @ 2g VTF is going to last 300 hrs. could be closer to 200. YMMV
Your photo #3 appears to have some vinyl debris, that may indicate stylus wear:
View attachment 3864083
That said, I would run it, especially to try out new table. Give the stylus a clean, align, maybe try your workbench test LP before the limited 180g vinyl...


XV-15 was sold with a number of different styli for different uses.
Are you planning on using it on the Pioneer? Thorens? other??
I like to match the cartridge/stylus to the tonearm, and perhaps balance it against any other cartridges in service.
For you, you might be better off getting your #2 cartridge XSV back into active rotation!
And the Grado might not be a long-term solution for the Pioneer. If a stylus is needed, might as well revisit the cartridge!

Good eye on the weight and what I thought were cobwebs, but are pretty clearly little stands of vinyl. Fortunately I haven't played many records through it. I bought the PL-540 as non-working for $30 and I figured worse case scenario I would get the Grado. Got it home, did absolutely nothing to it but plug it in and it worked fine.

I would probably put the XV-15 on the 540 since I'm stealing its cart, but it would mainly just be so I have a good stylus for it.

Now you have me thinking about trying the XSV on the PL-630, I can't believe I've never tested it out. My excuse would be I only have one of the magnesium head shells, but I know that doesn't really matter.

Anyway, I already promised myself I'd put the 630 back together tomorrow while I wait on the drive belt to come in for the L1000 so I don't have Pioneer parts strewn all over. I think the 1000 is going to require my full attention since I've never been inside any LT.

Thanks again for your time and knowledge, it's very much appreciated.