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Pioneer PL-514 Dragging across record

J

jimburgio

New Member
A few days ago I sort of grazed/bumped into my PL-514's tonearm while the cue arm was up and immediately after that the tonearm/needle drags directly across the record when I play it. Earlier in that same day it was fine, which leads me to think it isn't just that the cartridge needs replacing (although admittedly I could use a new cartridge.)

I received this turntable from my uncle and it's been in great shape for the past ten years, so far the only repair I've made was a belt replacement one time.

I found a specialist (in the NYC area, so they're in the Lower East Side) that will take a look at it but charges $75 just to examine it, before they can even give me an estimate.

My question is - does this sound like I'm about to enter a rabbit hole of high cost to repair this thing? Is the turntable worth keeping? I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile, but I love listening to records and really like this turntable, especially given the family connection.

I tried recalibrating the weights and was having trouble - it almost seems like something might be off in that department as well - couldn't find a proper balance with the counterweight.

Are there any guesses as to what might be causing the issue so that I can be prepared? Also any suggestions in the NYC/NJ area that might be an alternative place to bring the turntable would be welcome.

Thank you!!
 
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i had that happen last year (skipping across the record)

2 duh things to check. if you have kids or pets or others in your home, no telling if anything happened to it when you were not looking

first time - my stylus guard was down (sweet)
second time - bent the cantilever. make sure you have a stylus (didn't break off) and that your cantilever is straight with no suspension (rubber) missing
 
the other possibility is the diamond broke off the stylus. I've had that happen too. Can usually tell with just a visual inspection.

honestly record players are not that complicated and most repairs can easily be done by an even moderately handy person. Belt you already know about. Cartridges are usually a couple screws, 4 wires, and you align it with a gauge of some description to put it in the right spot.
 
I would put my money on a missing/broken stylus. If this is the case, you should be able to find a new stylus assembly for your cartridge; the stylus assembly is removable from the cartridge body. You will need to first identify the make and model of your cartridge. BTW, after 10 years (assuming regular use) a new stylus is probably a good idea anyway!

The other suspect is the lift bar (cueing bar) under the tonearm. If it is sticking or set too high, it will interfere with the tonearm, not allowing the stylus to drop fully onto the record. It may appear to be touching the record, but without enough downforce to actually sit in the groove. So, it slides across the record instead.

And, because you mention concerns about the counterweight, it could be that your tracking force is set much lighter than you realize...so light that the stylus is not forced downward into the groove and slides across it instead.

Are you saying that you are unable to position the weight so that the tonearm "floats" parallel to the platter (neither dropping down nor raising up, aka neutral force)?

Unless you have added weight to the headshell, there really has to be a point at which the counterweight, by moving it forward or backward, is in a position to achieve neutral force. Once you get to that place, put the tonearm back in its rest and turn the tracking force gauge to zero while assuring that the counterweight does not move. The gauge is now calibrated to zero. This MUST be done before you can use the gauge as a reliable indicator of tracking force.

Now turn the counterweight so that the gauge indicates the tracking force recommended for your cartridge. The gauge will turn with the counterweight. They are coupled, but in such a way that allows them to be turned independently (to allow for the calibration of the gauge).

FYI, you can find the user and service manuals at vinylengine.com. Free, but you do have to register as a member first. The manual will show you how to set up the tonearm and align the cartridge.

Other than keeping the motor oiled and perhaps cleaning out the platter spindle bearing and putting new oil in it, plus keeping the stylus and belt in good shape, there is little that needs to be done in the way of maintenance on that TT. Very easy to work on, and no special skills required.
 
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spark1 said:
I would put my money on a missing/broken stylus. If this is the case, you should be able to find a new stylus assembly for your cartridge; the stylus assembly is removable from the cartridge body. You will need to first identify the make and model of your cartridge. BTW. after 10 years (assuming regular use) a new stylus is probably a good idea anyway!

The other suspect is the lift bar (curing bar) under the tonearm. If it is sticking or set too high, it will interfere with the tonearm, not allowing the stylus to drop fully onto the record. It may appear to be touching the record, but without enough downforce to actually sit in the groove. So, it slides across the record instead.

And, because you mention concerns about the counterweight, it could be that your tracking force is set much lighter than you realize...so light that the stylus is not forced downward into the groove and slides across it instead.

Are you saying that you are unable to position the weight so that the tonearm "floats" parallel to the platter (neither dropping down nor raising up, aka neutral force)?

There really has to be a point at which the counterweight, by moving it forward or backward, is in a position to achieve neutral force. Once you get to that place, put the tonearm back in its rest and turn the tracking force gauge to zero while assuring that the counterweight does not move. The gauge is now calibrated to zero. This MUST be done before you can use the gauge as a reliable indicator of tracking force.

Now turn the counterweight so that the gauge indicates the tracking force recommended for your cartridge. The gauge will turn with the counterweight. They are coupled, but in such a way that allows them to be turned independently (to allow for the calibration of the gauge).

FYI, you can find the user and service manuals at vinylengine.com. Free, but you do have to register as a member first. The manual will show you how to set up the tonearm and align the cartridge.

Other than keeping the motor oiled and perhaps cleaning out the platter spindle bearing and putting new oil in it, plus keeping the stylus and belt in good shape, there is little that needs to be done in the way of maintenance on that TT. Very easy to work on, and no special skills required.
Click to expand...


Thanks all for the responses! I don't think it's the cue arm, that seems to be working alright and goes low enough for the needle to at least go lower than the platter's height. I've balanced the tonearm in the past, and I'm not sure if I was just having trouble with it now or if something I did knocked everything out of whack. I will give that an attempt again.

It sounds like I can at least attempt changing the stylus before doing anything else too drastic. If there is an issue with the cantilever on the cartridge will replacing the stylus address that? It appears to be a Stanton 500 cartridge. Should I replace just the stylus or the whole cartridge? What's the difference? I see I'll need a protractor to measure the cartridge angle - do I need a tracking force scale?
 
Just take a look at the stylus. I also think it will be gone. The PL-514 is a fairly simple and robust turntable. We have sold dozens of them. They all worked for years without trouble. Try making a picture of the stylus assembly and upload it.

Of course spark1 hints are valid and valuable.
 
You don't need a scale. I described how to calibrate the gauge and set tracking force, above. Calibrated properly, the gauge will be quite accurate.

You don't necessarily need a protractor. See here:

PioneerOverhangcolor.jpg

This will give you a perfectly serviceable alignment.

Stylus assembly includes stylus, cantilever and suspension. The cartridge body contains the motor, and connections for the headshell/tonearm wiring. A new cartridge includes body plus stylus assembly.
 
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The Stanton 500 is a perfectly decent cartridge. I'd just put a stylus on it.

if you're looking for an excuse to get something different though, you've got a pretty decent one.
 
You guys are the best, thanks! I'll give a new stylus a shot. Here are some pictures, as good as I could capture. It does look pretty worn down.
 

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gadget73 said:
The Stanton 500 is a perfectly decent cartridge. I'd just put a stylus on it.

if you're looking for an excuse to get something different though, you've got a pretty decent one.
Click to expand...

Perfectly decent might be a stretch.

But if OP has been happy with it for 10 years, aftermarket stylii are available for cheap.

Turntableneedles.com is a reliable supplier with quick delivery. Their version is $30.

If you go that route, order an inexpensive digital scale from them too, since you are having trouble with calibrating the turntable's tracking force gauge.
 
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Get a digital scale. They cost about 2 or 3 beers and are far more accurate. Your problem is not because of this, however. I, like others. believe you have damaged your stylus or broken it off. While you are buying that new digital scale, get a jeweler's loop so you can look at the stylus.
 
jimburgio said:
You guys are the best, thanks! I'll give a new stylus a shot. Here are some pictures, as good as I could capture. It does look pretty worn down.
Click to expand...

Your pictures are nowhere near close enough to see if the stylus is damaged, but it most likely is past its best before date anyway. :)

Get a new stylus (or complete cartridge) and let's go from there.
 
jimburgio said:
You guys are the best, thanks! I'll give a new stylus a shot. Here are some pictures, as good as I could capture. It does look pretty worn down.
Click to expand...
It looks like the tip is missing. If the tip is missing the arm will skate towards the center of the record. Install a new stylus, balance arm, add tracking force and all will be fine.
 
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