• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Pioneer PL-400 Cartridge Questions

I

ignis-fatuus

Member
Unexpectedly I found myself picking up a Pioneer PL-400 turntable from someone locally via FB Marketplace this past weekend. They listed it as not working, but when I brought it home I found the only problem is that they had the tonearm counterweight set all the way in which, as you can imagine, was causing all sorts of sound issues--and possibly damaging the stylus. This brings me to the point of this post as I am wondering if anyone can tell me the following based on the supplied photo:

a) Does this look like an original cartridge that would have come with a PL-400? The manual references a PC-150 cartridge and the one supplied looks quite different to me.
b) Any general opinions around such a cartridge?
c) I've heard that original cartridges are difficult to find these days. Would it be possible to locate a new/aftermarket stylus?
d) Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Many thanks. I am quite looking forward to servicing this turntable, and at $50 bucks, it seemed like a steal--especially since the only thing wrong with it seemed to be user error.

Many thanks
 

Attachments

  • 20220112_140323.jpg
    20220112_140323.jpg
    61.4 KB · Views: 17
Register to hide this ad
I have a PC-150 cartridge with a broken cantilever in my box of old cartridges. It looks quite different than the one in your pic. I bellieve it has a conical stylus.

Are there no markings on yours? Perhaps on the top of the body?

There are replacement stylii for the PC150, but I cannot speak to their quality. In any case, since you don't appear to have a PC-150, they would be irrelevant.

If you can figure out what cartridge you have, there are likely to be after-market stylii available for it. Keep in mind that a high-quality stylus is often not much less than a whole new cartridge. There are good new cartridges available in the $75-125 range. I am a big advocate for the ATVM95 series, but there are certainly others.
 
Or possibly on the top of the cart. I had a PC-150 on a PL-518 I gave to a friends wife as a barter for repairs on a quilt my great grandmother made for me decades ago. Basic cartridge. aftermarket stylus available from turntableneedles.com Set it up at 2.25 grams for her and she's happy playing her records on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom