Pioneer PL-510A | Suggestions for Cartridge, Stylus, and/or Headshell

[hazyIPA]

Hi everyone! I recently picked up a Pioneer PL-510A from a pawn shop that came with a Technics headshell, Shure M97 cartridge, and Shure N97EJ stylus. It's running and sounding pretty good so far. I thought a new stylus would be a good next step before investing in records, so I emailed Shure about a replacement stylus, and they said to replace the cartridge (with an M92E).

With that in mind, I thought I would reach out to AK to help me figure out my next step. If I do need to replace the cartridge, does anyone have any other suggestions? I know there are many, many options out there, but with this non-original headshell, I wanted to be sure I didn't order the wrong type.

It probably goes without saying, but I'm new to turntables. However, I've been learning a lot quickly, thanks mostly to this community! Thank you!

 

[boreas]

Shure doesn't know what they're talking about. The M97 is far superior to the M92E. If they were doing their job, they would have recommended the M97xE which is the currently available equivalent to your cartridge.

But keep that old (Era IV) M97 - It's much better than the current version - and get one of these. Best $10.00 you'll ever spend in this hobby. It's a conical but you'd never know it to listen to it. Great stylus at a completely ridiculous price.

The PL-510A is a keeper, by the way. It may need the speed pots cleaned, the suspension adjusted and the spring isolating foam replaced but after those three things are done, it should serve you admirably.

John

 

[Bob T]

Nothing wrong with that headshell. I've run several different brands of headshells on my Pioneer PL-516, Pioneer, Sony, Ortofon, etc. They all take a standard 1/2 cartridge, which gives you many options, if you want to experiment.

As for styli, there are many vendors out there that can help.

Run some searches on cartridges or stylus, and you will have days of reading.

 

[hazyIPA]

But keep that old (Era IV) M97 - It's much better than the current version - and get one of these.

boreas -- Thank you for the recommendation! Bought one!

The PL-510A is a keeper, by the way. It may need the speed pots cleaned, the suspension adjusted and the spring isolating foam replaced but after those three things are done, it should serve you admirably.

Great to hear! I've already worked on the speed pots. I'll try adjusting the suspension. And, forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by "spring isolating foam?"

Nothing wrong with that headshell. I've run several different brands of headshells on my Pioneer PL-516, Pioneer, Sony, Ortofon, etc. They all take a standard 1/2 cartridge, which gives you many options, if you want to experiment.

Bob T -- Great to know. Thank you!

 

[boreas]

boreas -- Thank you for the recommendation! Bought one!



Great to hear! I've already worked on the speed pots. I'll try adjusting the suspension. And, forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by "spring isolating foam?"

Each of the 4 suspension springs has a piece of foam rubber stuffed loosely into it to dampen vibrations. The foam will probably have dried out by now, perhaps even turning into dust.

If you haven't already done so, download the service manual for the PL-510A here.


https://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-510a.shtml

John

 

[hazyIPA]

Boreas -- I see what you mean now that I'm home, looking at the TT. The foam seems to be in better-than-dust condition. Still worth replacing?

 

[boreas]

Boreas -- I see what you mean now that I'm home, looking at the TT. The foam seems to be in better-than-dust condition. Still worth replacing?

If it's still resilient and not crumbly, it's probably not worth fooling with.

John

 

[boreas]

I just noticed in your photo that the sheet of foam between the sub-chassis and the chassis appears to be intact as well. That usually rots too. It would appear that Central Florida is a pretty foam-friendly environment.

John

 

[hazyIPA]

I just noticed in your photo that the sheet of foam between the sub-chassis and the chassis appears to be intact as well. That usually rots too. It would appear that Central Florida is a pretty foam-friendly environment.

John

Humidity must be the key! We have plenty of that here.

 

[boreas]

I had a PL-510 for a while during my "Turntable of the Week" period. (It's identical to the A Model except that the hash marks on the platter are black on a silver background and the 50Hz/60Hz label is a sticker placed next to the strobe "bump" instead of being silk screened on it.) When I removed the bottom panel, I was greeted by a pile of black powder which was all that remained of the foam.

John

 

[hazyIPA]

I had a PL-510 for a while during my "Turntable of the Week" period. (It's identical to the A Model except that the hash marks on the platter are black on a silver background and the 50Hz/60Hz label is a sticker placed next to the strobe "bump" instead of being silk screened on it.) When I removed the bottom panel, I was greeted by a pile of black powder which was all that remained of the foam.

John

I'm glad I didn't have to deal with that! Just a couple cobwebs. Can't wait for that stylus to arrive!

Now I've gone down the rabbit hole of vintage speakers and receivers. Trying to piece together an okay setup now and upgrade as things pop up on Craigslist, Facebook, etc. Originally, I was eyeing a U-Turn and powered monitors, but I'm enjoying seeing what I can assemble for much less money.

 

[stereofisher]

The Pioneer PL510 was a fine turntable. Owned one. Sold it when I got married (78). Got $800 for a system. They were well built rugged and performed well. Not sure about early Shure 97s. Sold tons of equipment back then. I like the Shure M91EDs or M55s. You can buy a M91 used. I recently picked up a Garrard Zero 100. Came with a M91ED. I put a EVG stylus from Gary at Voiceofmusicenthusest. Nineteen dollars. Works well. The headshell is fine. The cool thing about Japenesse built tables. The plug in heads are interchangeable. Not like my Dual's and Garrards. They can be a PIA. Welcome to AK. Be patient and vintage receivers/amp and speakers show. You would not believe the stuff I have picked up. Good luck, drop a line if you have questions.

Eric

 

[hazyIPA]

Welcome to AK. Be patient and vintage receivers/amp and speakers show. You would not believe the stuff I have picked up. Good luck, drop a line if you have questions.

Eric

Thanks! I'm now trying to decide what to upgrade next. I bought a BBE phono preamp so I could try out the TT. Since then, I picked up a Pioneer SX-1100 receiver with a phono stage. Once the replacement stylus arrives tomorrow, I'll A/B test them to see which sounds best. My next step seems to be either investing in a better preamp or a bigger, better vintage receiver. If a vintage receiver's phono stage can compete with a modern preamp, that seems like a much more cost-efficient way to go.

 

[stereofisher]

Thanks! I'm now trying to decide what to upgrade next. I bought a BBE phono preamp so I could try out the TT. Since then, I picked up a Pioneer SX-1100 receiver with a phono stage. Once the replacement stylus arrives tomorrow, I'll A/B test them to see which sounds best. My next step seems to be either investing in a better preamp or a bigger, better vintage receiver. If a vintage receiver's phono stage can compete with a modern preamp, that seems like a much more cost-efficient way to go.

Let us know the receiver works,

Eric

 

[hazyIPA]

Well, the stylus didn't show up today, but this Nikko 7075 followed me home. It's in pretty good shape, too. The balance/volume pot is dirty. The left side in both Speakers A and B cuts out at times and turning the volume knob is crackly/noisy. Probably nothing a little Deoxit can't fix. I'm resisting the urge to spin some new records I picked up until the stylus arrives.

And yes, that SX-1100 works fine after going over it with some contact cleaner.

 

[boreas]

Hope you get the Nikko sorted, it's a good one. They made a black version that was stunning.

John

 

[hazyIPA]

The new stylus has arrived and sounds much cleaner. Thank you for the recommendation, John.

 

[boreas]

You're very welcome.

You might want to use the Dynamic Stabilizer brush. They really help with mid mass arms like yours. With that stylus, you'll want to add about a quarter gram to the tracking force rather than the half a gram Shure recommends. I'd use about 1.5 grams with the brush down (deployed).

John

 

[hazyIPA]

You might want to use the Dynamic Stabilizer brush.

I didn't even realize that was an option. Trying it out now. I also see that it can act as a guard. Good to know!