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Pioneer PL-10: How good?

J

jamesc760

Active Member
I came across one and would like to know if it's any good? It didn't have a pitch control, so how do you control the speed? What if it's gone out of spec and turns too fast or slow? How do you fix it? Is it even worth restoring? How difficult is it to restore? Please school me. Thank you!
 
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Very similar to the PL-12, for which you can find tons of info. Same performance specs. Not a great table by today's standards, but they out-performed their price point by a good margin.

They use a synchronous motor...so speed is determined by frequency of electrical service (60Hz in USA).

With the correct belt (very important), they will run at correct speed.

Maintenance includes cleaning out the spindle bearing well and replacing the oil (don't lose the ball bearing upon which the spindle rides), new belt, new foam for damping the springs, and perhaps new damping fluid for the cueing mechanism. Pretty simple table. My first decent table was a PL12D, which I still own (altho not in use).
 
The Pioneer PL10 is just one of the many decent belt drive tables they made back in the day. If you can find one locally for a reasonable price, A good sample quipped with a decent cartridge and perhaps a new belt would compliment many mid-fi stereo systems.

I was using a 45+ year old Pioneer belt drive with a Nagoaka MP11 cartridge and a new belt that sounds WAY better then it has any right too until recently when I upgraded to a New Rega. The Pioneer's speed was dead on, regulated by the 60 hz AC (which is pretty much perfect) motor.

Audio-Technica and Fluance make some very nice new tables that would work well with many mid-fi systems too for reasonable prices. I would never have a used turntable in this price range shipped.
 
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I have a Pioneer PL-12D and enjoy it a lot. As others have mentioned, not a top tier table, but is definitely a decent one.

The best thing about them is that they are extremely simple and easy to work on and maintain.
 
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Well built because the table is from the mid-70s when the gear was made right. Before the bean counters got involved. I got one from a friend and am impressed with the fit and finish. Who labels both the top and underside of the dust cover? Nice suspended deck with locking tabs to prevent the table from coming out of the base. Decent tonearm cause they hadn't figured out how to make em cheap and less than decent by that early time of stereo tables for the masses.

The 12 and 112 are written about as nice tables here on ak a decade ago and that holds true for the earlier 10.
 

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While packing this table for shipment, I was impressed with the dust cover. It is a softer plastic than the hard plastic ones that clank when they drop to the base or are flicked with a finger. This softer plastic is what they use on some better TTs like the Kenwood KD-500/600, Luxman PD-441/444 and others. A cover that will ring less when hit with sound waves.

The whole table was screwed down to the base for transport. The base has wood blocks attached to hold the screws. Easy to install some screws for that purpose.

The speed is adjustable to correct by raising/lowering the motor pulley. There is a set screw on it to allow this adjustment. Setting the height so the belt rides in the middle of the proper speed bumps on the pulley gives accurate speed.

The bottom cover has a layer of metallized paper attached to decrease RFI/EMI from reaching the phono wiring.

Overall, a well-executed table for that time even though it wasn't one of the expensive ones from Pioneer.
 
The PL10 was my first tt when i was a young lad, 1974 i think. In hindsight i wish i had kept it. Simple and easy to use with no frills. Sounded good but don’t remember what cartridge came with it. Good times for sure.
 
jamesc760 said:
I came across one and would like to know if it's any good? It didn't have a pitch control, so how do you control the speed? What if it's gone out of spec and turns too fast or slow? How do you fix it? Is it even worth restoring? How difficult is it to restore? Please school me. Thank you!
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It has already been correctly said here - the design of the PL-10 has many similarities with the PL-12D. There is an interesting blog on the maintenance of PL-12D - https://mr-ives.blogspot.com/2013/07/restoring-pioneer-pl-12d-turntable.html
 
It's powered by synchronous AC motor that is locked to the frequency of the AC power. Theoretically, if the power line maintains stable frequency (50Hz or 60Hz), and the belt is in the right specification, meaning not too tight or too loose, the speed will be maintained accurately. The PL-10 is very simple and built like a tank. It will outlive all of us if maintained correctly (a drop of lubricating oil every few months (and you don't need to open it because of the smart design).
 
Blue Shadow said:
Who labels both the top and underside of the dust cover
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I just picked up a PL-10 today for $50. The condition is amazing, as I was cleaning it up I thought exactly what @Blue Shadow did. Quality metal logo plates on both sides. Wow! After spending just a little more time with it I can see where every little detail was done right and thought out. Even the 1/16" lip around the edge of the dust cover...the little built in handle...the way the hinges release...the solid wood bottom....I'm still digging into it but so far I am very impressed, and a little afraid that I may need to build a period Pioneer system around this. :eek:
 

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FirstDave said:
I just picked up a PL-10 today for $50. The condition is amazing, as I was cleaning it up I thought exactly what @Blue Shadow did. Quality metal logo plates on both sides. Wow! After spending just a little more time with it I can see where every little detail was done right and thought out. Even the 1/16" lip around the edge of the dust cover...the little built in handle...the way the hinges release...the solid wood bottom....I'm still digging into it but so far I am very impressed, and a little afraid that I may need to build a period Pioneer system around this. :eek:
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Well look into the SA-9100 rebuild going on now in the Pioneer forum. That thing does everything. Might as well get the good one.
 
jamesc760 said:
I came across one and would like to know if it's any good? It didn't have a pitch control, so how do you control the speed? What if it's gone out of spec and turns too fast or slow? How do you fix it? Is it even worth restoring? How difficult is it to restore? Please school me. Thank you!
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It is worth restoring and using if you can get it for free or for $40 or less. It will require service! It will require new belt, lubrication of the motor, replacing the motor mount grommets for new ones, and aligning motor position so the belt stays in place without scrapping, Then, praying you got the correct thickness belt and you get close to 33.33RPM,otherwise you need to try a different belt thickness.

PL-10, PL-12 and PL-15 are very similar.

I find them acceptable machines but not great performers in any sense.
 
Blue Shadow said:
Well look into the SA-9100 rebuild going on now in the Pioneer forum. That thing does everything. Might as well get the good one.
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So funny you say that, I just got home from looking at one. Gorgeous piece. It's paired with the tuner for $1000. It looks beautiful, and just what I want. Just need a cheaper way, or just the amp if I can.
 
Blue Shadow said:
Well look into the SA-9100 rebuild going on now in the Pioneer forum. That thing does everything. Might as well get the good one.
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Well, after I couldn't stop thinking about that SA-9100...I did it. Got the tuner too, Now I really want a nice Pioneer TT to match!
 
This Pioneer PL-10 was found by my wife in a rural thrift store in Virginia for $15 two years ago. Came with a Shure M95ED cartridge with a servicable stylus, upgraded headshell and no belt. After a new belt, some lubrication, dust cover polishing and cleaning, it works beautifully and looks as good. A nice performing machine. I'll always have it.
Back in the day, this was Pioneer's entry level component quality machine with a $99 MSRP. I have seen a number of these sold on Ebay for over $200.
 

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