is the pioneer PL-100 any good for beginners?

[lwauren]

i’ve been looking to upgrade my record player for awhile now, as i’ve been living of a sh*ty crosley suitcase for too long. I’m very very new to record players (2 hours of research under my belt thus far ) and have found a pioneer PL-100 that’s in my budget and seems like it wouldn’t be to much trouble to maintain etc etc. The listing says the players just been serviced with a brand new belt and brand new stylus, which i assume means that it’s in good condition and shouldn’t be to much hassle for awhile at-least. I’ve been doing a tiny bit of research on them and found that $260 NZD (165USD £130) is quite expensive, but the seller is reputable and it’s been serviced so i don’t mind the price point at all. i live very rurally and so getting an amp and speakers isn’t going to be easy, a lot of people say to get speakers from the same time period (1980) but i don’t think that’s going to be an option for a long time. would just some cheap bookshelf speakers hold me over? also where the heck do i buy and amp from.

Here are the specs on the player:

Drive method: belt drive

Motor: FG servo motor

Speeds: 33 and 45rpm

Speed control range: +-2%

Wow and flutter: 0.045% WRMS

Signal to noise ratio: more than 70dB

Platter: 310mm aluminium die-cast

Tonearm: static balance type, pipe arm (s-shaped)

Effective length: 221mm

Overhang: 15.5mm

Dimensions: 420 x 95 x 365mm

Weight: 5.2kg



Is this something suitable for a beginner or should i be keeping my eye out for something else, if so what should i be looking for?

 

[knotscott]

That's a great TT for a beginner. The fact that's been serviced is excellent, and makes it worth the price IMHO. The quality of sound you get will depend a lot on the cartridge/stylus combo (what brand and model come with it?), setup, the rest of the system, etc.

No need to stick with speakers of the same era IMO. Completely irrelevant. Speakers are a very personal choice that should be based on how much you like them and how well they work with your particular room (and budget, of course). Pick an amp capable of driving the speakers you choose.

 

[gizzyman47]

You'll need a phono amp if you don't have one. Most all vintage receivers will have a built in phono amp. Many newer home theater receivers will also have one but that is not their priority. Surround sound is. Many times the phono amp is an afterthought. If going the separates route...."amp, preamp" the preamp will have to have a phono amp built in. In short, you can't plug a record player into an auxiliary input. It has to be a phono input, unless you buy a stand alone phono amp. I that case, the phono amp would be connected to the aux input of the receiver or preamp.

 

[flavio81]

That's a fine turntable and perfect for you to begin with. How do I know? I have owned it as well.

Get an amplifier that has a PHONO input, otherwise you will need a PHONO PREAMPLIFIER in addition to the amplifier.

As for speakers, get the best speakers you can afford. That is the most critical component ! Speakers ! Getting speakers from 1980 just because they're from the same period makes no sense though.