• Please note that there are a few updates and clarifications made in the Audiokarma Rules, mostly relating to advertising and the addition of the new "Paying it Forward" & "Giving back" forums in the AudioKarma Audio Marketplace section.

Newbie with PL-516 Pioneer looking for setup advice

S

stratcat

New Member
Just got into vintage stuff and have purchased vintage Silver Pioneer amp, cass and tuner. I just received my Pioneer PL-516 turntable today. Realized, I have no idea to set up. Been reading for 3 hours with a lot of language that is not making complete sense. Would really like a video on how to set up a vintage turntable. The manual make it sound easy, but I read that there are a lot of critical settings. I find videos for modern systems, but I really need to know how to properly set up a more vintage one. Any links would be appreciated. I am concerned with counterweight, tracking and anti-skate for the most part.
 
Register to hide this ad
That link did simplify it. I was seeing lots of sites saying you had to buy all these gauges, etc, to do this. Really lost me as a newbie. I also found this video that I thought was excellent to explain anti-skating. Does it apply to vintage turntables or just newer DJ type systems?
 
stratcat said:
That link did simplify it. I was seeing lots of sites saying you had to buy all these gauges, etc, to do this. Really lost me as a newbie. I also found this video that I thought was excellent to explain anti-skating. Does it apply to vintage turntables or just newer DJ type systems?
Click to expand...

Setting up a turntable could go from simple to very complicated.

Setting up anti-skate could be as simple as you want or very complex.

My suggestion is to start out simple for now.:music:

VTF = anti skate
 
I think what Balifly was trying to say is that anti-skate should be set to the same value as VTF (Vertical Tracking Force). And, yes, anti-skate works in the same way on modern and vintage 'tables alike.

If you don't have a stylus force gauge yet, I would recommend getting one. The Shure gauge is available at a reasonable price or you could get a small, reasonably priced digital scale to aid in setting VTF.

Welcome to AK and don't be afraid to ask questions. There's always someone willing to help.
 
Welcome to AK. Setting up the tracking force will be 1st.Zero your anti-skate, after you have installed your cartridge and set the overhang distance according to the manual, There is a counter weight at the end of the tonearm, turn this until you get the tonearm to balance or float at a level height. Zero the counter weight by holding the weight and moving the scaled numbers.

Now turn the counter weight counter clockwise to add the required force, depending on your cartridge, usually 1.5 -2 grams. once this is done you can adjust the anti-skate to the same number, 1.5-2 grams or what ever the specs are for your cartridge. The anti-skate is different on most tt's, the spring may be weaker or stronger, so this can be played with after the VTF is done.

Hope this helps, this will give you a starting point.

Any questions, just ask.

Enjoy your PL-516, it is a very nice TT.

Thanks,
John.:music::D
 
Last edited:
jleon92f said:
Welcome to AK. Setting up the tracking force will be 1st.Zero your anti-skate, after you have installed your cartridge and set the overhang distance according to the manual, There is a counter weight at the end of the tonearm, turn this until you get the tonearm to balance or float at a level height. Zero the counter weight by holding the weight and moving the scaled numbers.

Now turn the counter weight clockwise to add the required force, depending on your cartridge, usually 1.5 -2 grams. once this is done you can adjust the anti-skate to the same number, 1.5-2 grams or what ever the specs are for your cartridge. The anti-skate is different on most tt's, the spring may be weaker or stronger, so this can be played with after the VTF is done.

Hope this helps, this will give you a starting point.

Any questions, just ask.

Enjoy your PL-516, it is a very nice TT.

Thanks,
John.:music::D
Click to expand...

Just to flesh out John's excellent post a bit, after following the steps he outlines, you should reset the anti-skate control to the same value as you've set the tracking force.

Another critical setting is "stylus overhang", or the geometric alignment of the cartridge in the headshell. Fortunately, Pioneer and some other manufacturers simplified this by providing a simple shortcut for alignment.

In Pioneer's case alignment can be set correctly by installing the cartridge squarely in the headshell and sliding it forward or backward in the slots until the distance between the stylus tip and the rubber washer at the rear of the headshell is 49mm. That's all it takes.

Also, John is absolutely correct about the typical range of recommended tracking force but some are outside that range. If you can tell us what make and model cartridge you have we can give you a more precise figure.

John
 
Ummm, doesn't turning the counterweight clockwise (left to right) decrease tracking force? I am assuming that you are at the front of the table where you can see the numbers. Clockwise would be correct from a perspective behind the table.
 
boreas said:
Just to flesh out John's excellent post a bit, after following the steps he outlines, you should reset the anti-skate control to the same value as you've set the tracking force.

Another critical setting is "stylus overhang", or the geometric alignment of the cartridge in the headshell. Fortunately, Pioneer and some other manufacturers simplified this by providing a simple shortcut for alignment.

In Pioneer's case alignment can be set correctly by installing the cartridge squarely in the headshell and sliding it forward or backward in the slots until the distance between the stylus tip and the rubber washer at the rear of the headshell is 49mm. That's all it takes.

Also, John is absolutely correct about the typical range of recommended tracking force but some are outside that range. If you can tell us what make and model cartridge you have we can give you a more precise figure.

John
Click to expand...

John,

Some of the used turntables come with counterweights from unknown origins.:yes:

A digital scale of some sort would be very useful!
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weig...OQUQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1308849456&sr=8-9
 
Neosonic said:
Ummm, doesn't turning the counterweight clockwise (left to right) decrease tracking force?
Click to expand...

Yes. I missed that. I'm sure it was just a momentary lapse on John's part. I reckon he's probably set VTF a million times at least. ;)

John
 
I have no doubt that he has and I have learned things from more than a couple of his posts. Just wanted to make sure the new guy was getting the right info. Thanks.
 
boreas said:
Yes. I missed that. I'm sure it was just a momentary lapse on John's part. I reckon he's probably set VTF a million times at least. ;)

John
Click to expand...

Hi, on mine SL-1700 for an example, it is clockwise reading from the front. decreasing the force, counter clockwise Increasing the VTF. I don't remember what I posted, senior moment,,LOL.

Thanks,
John.:music::D
 
Neosonic said:
Ummm, doesn't turning the counterweight clockwise (left to right) decrease tracking force? I am assuming that you are at the front of the table where you can see the numbers. Clockwise would be correct from a perspective behind the table.
Click to expand...

Good Catch..I corrected the original post, Please do the same on the Quotes. Thanks guys for keeping me on my toes, if I remember right it was early and did not have my coffee or not,LOL. Always trying to help the Novice.:thmbsp:

Thanks,
John.:music::D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom