Help Please: Headshell/Cart on this PL-560

[Moon_Man]

Can you identify this headshell or cart????

Thinking about picking this up locally - a PL-560 - supposedly in excellent condition. I am however wondering about this headshell and/or cartridge. All the other pictures I've seen of this TT have the typical Pioneer style headshell either in silver or black. This is very different from what I can see. Can anyone shed some light? It looks mightly long. I have attached a second picture that I have enhanced a bit.

Thanks. :thmbsp:

 

[cgutz]

It isn't the original. It is not uncommon for these SME universal type headshell mounts to sport a non original headshell on used equipment. That headshell is not something I'm familiar with, but looks like it is propriety for a certain type of cartridge. Someone else that knows what it is can chime in.

If you want to have a broader range of cartridge choices, you will want to get a headshell more in line with an OEM style.

A pioneer headshell, if you want one, can be bought on the auction site, usually for around $20 or so.

There are also other SME style headshells, similar to OEM, that run from $6 - hundreds, depending on what you want.

Nice local find, if the table works. If it all works, and the price is right, don't let the unusual headshell/cartridge be a deal breaker - easy fix!

 

[number13]

Those are very nice. I just finished refurbishing one to sell. Very heavy and well built.

 

[1tumbleweed]

It's a little hard to tell from that pic, but it looks like an integrated headshell/cartridge...possibly Shure. At any rate, replacing it with a new headshell and cartridge should be simple; lots of choices available.

Nice 'table, by the way!

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Appears to be a Shure M 97 HE-AH (AH means attached headshell) from 1980. Your Pioneer takes a standard SME-JIS-Ortofon type headshell.

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Yep as Kent said I'll second that

 

[GP49]

Consider, also that if you like the Shure M97 series (they are no slouches), this is the ideal way to go. It's more rigid, less resonant than a conventional headshell with an M97 mounted to it. You can ALWAYS buy another headshell to mount a different cartridge.

 

[boreas]

Consider, also that if you like the Shure M97 series (they are no slouches), this is the ideal way to go. It's more rigid, less resonant than a conventional headshell with an M97 mounted to it. You can ALWAYS buy another headshell to mount a different cartridge.

Right. Don't let that non-original headshell/cartridge dissuade you from getting the turntable. It;s quite a good turntable and the cartridge is both good and a good match. If necessary you can get a replacement stylus for the M97HE AH. Any stylus designed for an M97ED, M97HE or M97EJ will work well (but not the stylus for the current M97xE).

John

 

[seminole54]

StereoNeedles still has the NOS N97ED in stock, though not really cheap, it appears to be the going rate for a long out of production stylus

Jack

 

[majick47]

Photo is a little unclear but the headshell looks like an intergrated headshell/cartridge, possibly Audio Technica. Just about all the intergrated headshell/cartridges I'v seen are/were big bucks $$$ like my Technics EPC-205CMk3. If the stylus is damaged/wornout just replace the stylus, test and clean the stylus before you replace it especially if it's an exspensive stytlus.