Newbie! Need advice re: vintage turntable and cassette players

[GuppyRocks89]

Hi all!

I'm a new member, and I joined specifically to learn about some equipment I have and learn everything I can about their history/use. I have 4 pioneer pieces, a PL-520 turntable, an 8 track stereo system, a CT-F500 stereo cassette tape deck and a CT-F700 stereo cassette tape deck. I also have 4 boxes of 8 tracks and casettes. All 4 were well taken care of by the prior owner. I myself know very little about owning and using any of this stuff. I'd like to learn the history of these pieces, any trivia or interesting news, how well they hold up in use, anything really. Thanks!

 

[jobrewer1983]

Hi all!

I'm a new member, and I joined specifically to learn about some equipment I have and learn everything I can about their history/use. I have 4 pioneer pieces, a PL-520 turntable, an 8 track stereo system, a CT-F500 stereo cassette tape deck and a CT-F700 stereo cassette tape deck. I also have 4 boxes of 8 tracks and casettes. All 4 were well taken care of by the prior owner. I myself know very little about owning and using any of this stuff. I'd like to learn the history of these pieces, any trivia or interesting news, how well they hold up in use, anything really. Thanks!

Hi GuppyRocks89,

Welcome to AK. Big Pioneer fan myself, but I think you would get better info if posted in the Pioneer thread. I've only heard the PL-520 once, on a SX-850 and it sounded pretty good to me. Sound is subjective, so I wont go there. Nonetheless, its a good table. As for the tape/8 track player... I tend to say away from tape. Nothing against it, just don't have the storage to collect it. What amp/receiver are you running?

User manual/info for your 520:
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-520.shtml


Not sure what info you are looking for or, what others can add, but try posting in the Pioneer section of the site, you may get some good feedback.

Kind Regards,
John

 

[Nightwisher]

Hi all!

I'm a new member, and I joined specifically to learn about some equipment I have and learn everything I can about their history/use. I have 4 pioneer pieces, a PL-520 turntable, an 8 track stereo system, a CT-F500 stereo cassette tape deck and a CT-F700 stereo cassette tape deck. I also have 4 boxes of 8 tracks and casettes. All 4 were well taken care of by the prior owner. I myself know very little about owning and using any of this stuff. I'd like to learn the history of these pieces, any trivia or interesting news, how well they hold up in use, anything really. Thanks!

That's fine stuff. Fire 'em up and see if they work! Report back with results and let us know if you need any help.

 

[62vauxhall]

Along with several other formats, I have 8 tracks and like them. There is a "community" of like minded people. If any of the tapes you got prompt you to play a cartridge - don't. Not until it's been reconditioned. Not hard and there is lots of "how to" info onlne.

 

[50nstillhifi]

Wow ..... you have a "stash" of some vintage stuff.... And you didn't mention the nature of the recordings, 8 track and cassettes?

However you will find the combination to be quite enjoyable I'm sure. The early pioneers were well built and I have used a 518 TT, its still going strong!

On the matter of the tapes, I tend to agree with 62vauxhall... you may wish to have a thorough service or cleaning of the track mechanisms. Most of this is light work for the audio tech having done it before and will save you the disappointment of tangled tape or jammed cartridges.

I am having fun restoring older model cassette players current day. Most return to full performance not needing major rework. But the ones I see with tarnished heads, sludged capstans or filthy transport mechanisms... to include heads badly oxidized... are left where they be...

 

[62vauxhall]

It was actually the tape cartridges I was referring to. Not that the deck should be overlooked, but it more likely than not that an 8 track tape (even a never before played factory sealed one) will fail if not overhauled prior to playing - properly working deck or not.

You have gotten me curious. What 8 track machine do you have and what genre/artists/titles are the tapes?

 

[1tumbleweed]

Sounds like he has a Pioneer all-in-one with a built-in 8 track. Those don't usually need more than just possibly belt replacement, assuming the electronics work.

The tapes themselves, as 62vauxhall says, usually need restoration. Sticking an unrestored cart in your machine without close examination can result in messy problems.

Several folks around here - me included - are pretty knowledgeable on 8T restoration. Feel free to ask; there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

Cheers,
Larry B.

 

[jlh3rd]

I use a pl 518 bought in 1978, the 520 was a slight step above with quartz lock speed control. Those tables get good reviews by most people on multiple sites. Some people even feel that they rival turntables that sell for $1000 today. The feet on those tables do de-generate. I was able to figure out a way to save and recondition my original feet but substitutions are out there. I have never had my table worked on. It is in excellent condition including the top and I could probably get close to $300 plus on ebay without my shure V15 III cartridge.
I also purchased a CT-f700 in 1978 and spent hours and hours and hours transferring my records to the best cassette tapes I could buy and using a garrard MRM to reduce the clicks and pops . I thought that tape deck was awesome for the money. Being able to adjust and monitor recording levels to a beginner like me made me feel like a pro. The only issue was probably a belt . ( yes... I threw it away about 20 years ago, I'm an idiot).....