• 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 tell me about it, please.

Lazarus Long

Lazarus Long

Super Member
I just picked up a pioneer pl 400. It has a audio technica AT14S cart, but the stylus is broken. The table powers on and spins. It's in good condition. Is it worth it to get a new stylus for that cart? From my research it looks like a decent one. Is it worth doing any upgrades to this table? If so, what are the best and most cost effective? I have other tables, it's just fun to mess around with different ones. Any info is appreciated!
 
Register to hide this ad
The Pl-400 is a good turntable but isn't particularly upgradable. About the best thing you can do for it is put a good cartridge on it and the AT14S is a good one. Original styli are exceedingly tough to find. JICO makes a Shibata for it that's pretty good.

John
 
boreas said:
The Pl-400 is a good turntable but isn't particularly upgradable. About the best thing you can do for it is put a good cartridge on it and the AT14S is a good one. Original styli are exceedingly tough to find. JICO makes a Shibata for it that's pretty good.

John
Click to expand...
Thanks John. I'll look into that jico.

Is there a way to test the cart? I don't want to buy a stylus if the cart is fracked...
 
John will return shortly, but If there's anything left of the cantilever ("needle"), simply hook the turntable up to a PHONO-equipped receiver, rub the stub gently with a fingertip, and listen for loud bassy rubbing sounds to come from both speakers. If you hear 'em, the cartridge is good.

Otherwise, you'll need to check continuity in the body using a digital multimeter.
 
Last edited:
audio-technica ATS14 on at14s.jpg
Yes, there appears to be a stub remaining. Gently frob it with a fingertip while the 'table is hooked up to a live amp or receiver. Keep one hand on the volume control, just in case.
 
Last edited:
Passed the test. Good. This table was an auction buy, and it looks like it was a good deal. Any diys about replacing the stylus?
 
As John said, it won't be easy finding an ATS14. I don't know if it'll help, but there are clones of the AT14S cartridge, and sometimes you can find a NOS clone going for less than the "real" cartridge. I call this strategy the Clone Game. Some AT14S clones: JVC 4MD-20X (stylus: 4DT-20X); AT53W3; AT2014S; AT2015S; AT2214SH; Pro14S. There are probably others-- these are the ones I either own or have convincing photos of in my archive.

There's always the Jico John suggested, which is reportedly very good.
 
Good catch finding that NOS ATS14 at Thakker.

For what it's worth, I've ordered from Thakker a handful of times and find it to be dependable. As of today, Thakker's price would be roughly $170 plus shipping.

While not as advanced as its descendant the 440MLb, the AT14S is, in my experience and opinion, an excellent cartridge and the original styli are worth pursuing. However, and speaking of the 440, as of today prices seem to hover around the $190 mark, and that includes shipping from some vendors.
 
But isn't it an AK rule that if you've spent over $17,000 for your garage (current market value), you need to spend at least $170 on a stylus? No, that's some other AK rule. I'm kidding, of course, and was subtly hinting that the current rarity-driven price is too high. You might want to stick an Ortofon Omega on that table and save the AT14S for another setup. NOS styli do pop up, but the pops are coming more and more slowly now.

The AT13E stylus will fit and work, though the top two octaves will be slightly exaggerated due to the voicings of the styli being matched to bodies that differ by about 2:1 in their inductance. But in a garage setup, that's not very likely going to be a problem-- might even help. That stylus in the LPGear link is an aftermarket job, so keep that in mind. If you want to keep looking around, the ATS13 is Pfanstiehled as 201-DEM and the ATS14 is 201-DQ.
 
I got it up and running. Sounds pretty good even with a cheap denon cart. Makes me want to swap out a grado that I have on another table. I checked out the 201-dem stylus. I'll go with that for now, until I can find a deal on an original 14.
 
Lazarus Long said:
I got it up and running. Sounds pretty good even with a cheap denon cart. Makes me want to swap out a grado that I have on another table. I checked out the 201-dem stylus. I'll go with that for now, until I can find a deal on an original 14.
Click to expand...
I just got an e-mail from turntable Needles .com as I have been waiting for a needle for my very old from the 70's cartridge. I still have my original stylus but it has some wear on it, playable but doesn't sound as good as it should. These are made for 4 channel sound. I actually didn't know that when I bought it but knew I wanted a good cartridge. Here is the link if you have interest in it.
Glenn
https://www.turntableneedles.com/AT...nica-AT14S-etc--our-Needle-201B-DQ_p_919.html
 
Have you ordered the Technicraft TCN4000 stylus TTN.com talks about in that link? I spotted their proposal to do the Technicraft/AT14S off-label swap only a few days ago myself.

I knew that the ATS13E stylus, mechanically similar if not absolutely identical to the ATS14, does not fit properly in a Technicraft cartridge-- the magnets are jammed against the pole pieces-- so this claim of compatibility the other way (ie, the Technicraft stylus in an AT13/AT14) made me curious.

The fact that TTN.com now has the TCN4000 stylus in stock for a not-outrageous price is good news regardless. I have one myself and it's an excellent stylus in the TC4000 cartridge.
 
Last edited:
fingersmagoo said:
I just got an e-mail from turntable Needles .com as I have been waiting for a needle for my very old from the 70's cartridge. I still have my original stylus but it has some wear on it, playable but doesn't sound as good as it should. These are made for 4 channel sound. I actually didn't know that when I bought it but knew I wanted a good cartridge. Here is the link if you have interest in it.
Glenn
https://www.turntableneedles.com/AT...nica-AT14S-etc--our-Needle-201B-DQ_p_919.html
Click to expand...
If you buy one, please post some pics of the stylus. This is the first that I've heard of that one! Thanks
 
Hey
Pl 400 was my original tt. Still got it.
Also have the at14s on a Kenwood kd 770d. The stylist are tough to find. But worth the effort I thought. Eric
 
Grbluen said:
If you buy one, please post some pics of the stylus. This is the first that I've heard of that one! Thanks
Click to expand...
I haven't pulled the trigger yet but if memory serves me correctly it was an excellent sounding cartridge so if I do I will post photos.
Glenn
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom