Still on my search for a decent turntable... This morning, I found a Pioneer PL-200 for $45 on Craigslist. I've searched here and it seems like a decent tt. The Craigslist ad description doesn't say much - 'direct drive, auto return, good audio technica cartridge, model no PL-200, heavy, solid platter'. I've emailed the seller to check on the working condition. What should I be looking for when I take a look at it?
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Pioneer Pl-200?
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boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
Those are decent tables and $45 is a good price if it's clean, complete and functioning. You'll want to check the operation of the auto-return mechanism and the table's ability to hold speed. Of course, you'll want to check for sound out of both channels too.
John
boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
I bought it. It's working and sounds good, but not great. I had a PL-X505 a few weeks ago (when I started my venture back in vinyl) and the sound was amazing (it was malfunctioning), so I'd like to figure out how to replicate that sound. I need to do some research and figure out what I can do as far as cartridge and stylus replacement. If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them, but I haven't spent a lot of time searching for basic info yet...
boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
Congratulations! I think you'll be happy when you get the turntable sorted out. The PL-X505 isn't bad by any means but the PL-200 should yield better performance.
A few things to look at......
What cartridge is on the PL-200?
Is it aligned correctly?
Do you know the condition of the stylus?
What is the condition of the headshell leads and RCA cables?
John
jancumps
iRock
Come on, you don't mean that, do you?
boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
The one I had was, as were the two PL-400s I also had.
I was hoping that their "detractor" would respond to my question and tell us what he didn't like about the turntable but so far he's been silent.
The thing I try to remember is that there are a lot of people on this forum with lots of different preferences and lots of different budgets so when someone pipes up with a comment, especially an unsupported comment, like "worst load of hi-fi junk I have ever owned" it's bound to strike nerves and hurt feelings. Best to avoid such remarks, IMO.
John
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Smorgy
Vinyl Junky Speakerhaulic
I own and use a Pioneer PL-200 (among other TT's). I like it, its a nice turntable. I like the "S" shaped arm, it holds speed well, its simple and easy to use. Being direct drive means no belt to change. It uses a standard 1/2" mount cartridge. Its every bit as dependable as my Technics SL-D2.
Just my .02 cents.
//Smorgy
Just my .02 cents.
//Smorgy
Smorgy
Vinyl Junky Speakerhaulic
More to the point, the OP asked what to look for, so here are some things to check out in person:
Dust Cover - If its cracked or damaged, barter down on the price
Feet - Some feet seem to survive better than others. Check that they are all ok
Wiring - Does the wiring look damaged or repaired in any way? If so, barter down on the price
Speed - Make sure it holds speed and also that the speed adjusts freely
Arm Clamp - Make sure that the clamp for the arm works properly
Cut Function - Make sure it works and that the arm returns to the rest properly
Arm Return - Make sure the end of the record will bring the arm back to the rest properly
Cuing - Does the cuing work properly? It should gently lower the arm. If not, its not a deal breaker but barter down on the price if the arm drops like a rock
Hinges should function with no issues. Mat should not be damaged. 45 adapter should be present but its not a deal breaker (they're cheap)
Hope that helps.
//Smorgy
Dust Cover - If its cracked or damaged, barter down on the price
Feet - Some feet seem to survive better than others. Check that they are all ok
Wiring - Does the wiring look damaged or repaired in any way? If so, barter down on the price
Speed - Make sure it holds speed and also that the speed adjusts freely
Arm Clamp - Make sure that the clamp for the arm works properly
Cut Function - Make sure it works and that the arm returns to the rest properly
Arm Return - Make sure the end of the record will bring the arm back to the rest properly
Cuing - Does the cuing work properly? It should gently lower the arm. If not, its not a deal breaker but barter down on the price if the arm drops like a rock
Hinges should function with no issues. Mat should not be damaged. 45 adapter should be present but its not a deal breaker (they're cheap)
Hope that helps.
//Smorgy
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Amcrebelfan
Super Member
I had one of these as well, it went to a friend who didn't have a table. He is still using it, as a matter of fact we listened to it today. He put a shure m97xe on it and it sounds very good. I would buy one for that price for sure.
After playing quite a few records, the sound overall is great. It varies from record to record, but you probably knew that already. My issue now is that every once in a while, the speed slows down. It happens about every 3-4 records. I thought it was happening only with heavier albums, but now I've noticed it on a lighter one. So...
I've investigated the cartridge a bit, but not removed it. It's an Audio Technica cartridge, but looks like it is not aligned correctly. I'm attaching a photo - the cartridge tilts toward the front more than the example drawing in the manual. Also, the manual states the distance from the back of the cartridge to the stylus should be 49 mm. It is currently 45 mm. I'm thinking that I should take it off and try to readjust, but I have no idea what I'm doing other than following the directions in the manual. Do you agree that it should be adjusted?
I've also done some reading about cleaning the pots and it seems like that's the thing that would be affecting the speed, right?
Attachments
boreas
"If it sounds good, it IS good." E.K.E.
Yes, cleaning the speed pots with an electronics contact cleaner like DeoxIT could cure your speed problems. You'll need to open the turntable up to get at them.
As for the cartridge, some are designed to have a slight downward angle as shown in the photo but I don't know whether yours is. Make sure that the cartridge's mounting is in full contact with the headshell and that there aren't any tapered shims or something causing it to be angled. If all that's fine all you need to do is to loosen the mounting screws and slide the cartridge forward until the stylus tip is 49mm from the rubber washer at the rear of the headshell. Also make sure that the cartridge is mounted squarely in the headshell.
John
I think I have a reasonable audio memory - but 31 years ago??? However I do recall wondering why LPs sounded worse on this tt than they did on the trashy "music centers" with their ceramic cartridges that I'd used previously. The presumably factory-set cartridge alignment was well out and the VFT weighed in at 8 g when purchased, for a cheapy 2.0 g cartridge.
Once these faults were ironed out and the supplied cartridge was replaced by a low-end Grado things looked up a little. To the extent that I bought an AR tt and installed the Grado on that, replacing the less than adequate Jelco tonearm with a Rega RB300. And learned what vinyl playback was intended to sound like. The AR gave 25 years of sheer pleasure.
Was the Pioneer the worst automatic direct-drive turntable? I've no idea - I've not listened to another one since that unfortunate experience.
multijd
Active Member
thumbs up for the pl-200
We've had one for about 31 years. After cleaning last year and a replacement stylus on the second or third cartridge I am very happy with this machine. The good folks here at AK offered me a lot of great advice and instructions when I was cleaning, replacing and upgrading last year. All of my tables are in this price range so I can't compare to the higher priced models that some AK'ers use. Being a musician I'm listening to the music and although I have a good ear for sound I always expect a turntable to sound as it was intended, which is a reproduction of the live/studio experience. It seems more of us are happy with the pl-200 than are disappointed. That may give you some idea of the value of the comments. Best of Luck and thanks again AK'ers for your helpful comments!
Here are some previous comments related to some of my questions:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=336942
We've had one for about 31 years. After cleaning last year and a replacement stylus on the second or third cartridge I am very happy with this machine. The good folks here at AK offered me a lot of great advice and instructions when I was cleaning, replacing and upgrading last year. All of my tables are in this price range so I can't compare to the higher priced models that some AK'ers use. Being a musician I'm listening to the music and although I have a good ear for sound I always expect a turntable to sound as it was intended, which is a reproduction of the live/studio experience. It seems more of us are happy with the pl-200 than are disappointed. That may give you some idea of the value of the comments. Best of Luck and thanks again AK'ers for your helpful comments!
Here are some previous comments related to some of my questions:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=336942
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Pete6
New Member
I just bought one of these PL-200s on ebay for $50. Times change and things get more expensive. I wanted a halfway decent turntable for my secondary system upstairs. This one was in good shape byt covered in dust. The speed control pot needed cleaning and wigleng back and forth a few time and now it is stable. The cover has a number of small scratches but most of these cleaned up after a session with Scratch-X cleaner. The cartridge it came with was an ADC Integra XLM-1 with a busted stylus (new one on order).
The CUt function needed a little attention wth the platter off but once that was adjusted, it worked well.
I put another headshell ant cart on it and plugged it in. The direct drive is good. Very litte rumble. Speed hold constant. The arm was easy to set up but my digital stylus scales disagree with the pioneer arm. The arm said 2gm and the scales say 1.77gm. so it is all good.
Disregarding which cart, amp and speakers, the sounds coming off this turntable are indistinguishable from my Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference Turntable. I think the PL-200 is a good turntable. $50 well spent.
The CUt function needed a little attention wth the platter off but once that was adjusted, it worked well.
I put another headshell ant cart on it and plugged it in. The direct drive is good. Very litte rumble. Speed hold constant. The arm was easy to set up but my digital stylus scales disagree with the pioneer arm. The arm said 2gm and the scales say 1.77gm. so it is all good.
Disregarding which cart, amp and speakers, the sounds coming off this turntable are indistinguishable from my Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference Turntable. I think the PL-200 is a good turntable. $50 well spent.