Pioneer PL-514 Restoration
- Thread starter Zork
- Start date
Thanks for the compliments. I have to say the toughest part was choosing what color to go with. Mixing Dye's, experimenting different colors, staining vs dying. I found the dye was more transparent where as the staining was more like painting over the wood and hid the Birdseye.
PCMALO
Member
Hiya Bob! I just picked up a PL-514 today from a thrift store that needs a new belt, at least. Since you say your TT has rock solid speed, can you please tell me who you bought the belt from? Thanks!
Also, the TT being worked on here in this thread appears to have the same cartridge/stylus that my 'new' one has. But there are not names or model numbers on it at all. So do you or anyone else reading this know the make and model number of this cart?
Cheers, Pat
Attachments
Looks like an ADC XLM. Does the top of the stylus have any markings? If you have a DMM, measure the resistance between the + and - terminals. Remove the stylus first of course...
PCMALO
Member
Hi Ronald. Thanks for getting back to me. Yep, that does look 100% like an ADC XLM cart except for the fact that there are absolutely NO markings on either the cartridge or the stylus! All examples I've seen online of ADC XLM parts show branding marks of some sort. So I'm wondering if this is a no-name clone of some sort? And if so, has anyone seen another one? As for the resistance, this one measures around 800 ohms, each channel. A spec sheet for the ADC XLM MKII I found shows impedance of around 625 ohms, so this may not be the real deal. Still, if it's anywhere close, maybe its OK? As soon as I can find a decent belt, I hope to find out! Can you recommend a belt that actually works? Since this TT has no speed adjustment capability, it would seem getting the perfect belt would be an imperative!
Thanks again,
Pat
It's probably a later model XLM. Here's a list of what to expect as far as resistance and inductance on XML bodies:
XLM
Resistance 625
Inductance300
XLM Mk II
Resistance 625
Inductance 350
XLM Mk II Improved
Resistance 820
Inductance 580
Super XLM Mk II Quadraphonic with Shibata stylus
Resistance 280
Inductance 160
XLM Mk III
Resistance 820
Inductance 580
XLM Mk III Improved
Resistance 820
Inductance 580
As far as your stylus is concerned, it must be an aftermarket. Genuine styli have the ID clearly marked on the front.
ADC's are excellent cartridges with the XLM being top of the line until the ZLM came along. I have a few ADC's including an original XLM and an XLM Mk III. All of my ADC's have genuine styli so I don't know what to recommend when it come to replacements.
Here's a link to a Youtube channel that has more info on ADC XLM as well as many other vintage cartridges:
PCMALO
Member
Thanks for all that fantastic XLM info Ronald! Since there are no markings on either the cartridge body itself or on the stylus, it would appear that the whole thing is an aftermarket copy of either the MkII Improved or either version of the MkIII. If it sounds even half as good as reports on the original indicate, I'll be a most happy camper."It's probably a later model XLM. Here's a list of what to expect as far as resistance and inductance on XML bodies:
XLM
Resistance 625
Inductance300
XLM Mk II
Resistance 625
Inductance 350
XLM Mk II Improved
Resistance 820
Inductance 580
Super XLM Mk II Quadraphonic with Shibata stylus
Resistance 280
Inductance 160
XLM Mk III
Resistance 820
Inductance 580
XLM Mk III Improved
Resistance 820
Inductance 580
As far as your stylus is concerned, it must be an aftermarket. Genuine styli have the ID clearly marked on the front.
ADC's are excellent cartridges with the XLM being top of the line until the ZLM came along. I have a few ADC's including an original XLM and an XLM Mk III. All of my ADC's have genuine styli so I don't know what to recommend when it come to replacements.
Here's a link to a Youtube channel that has more info on ADC XLM as well as many other vintage cartridges:"
Cheers, Pat
I'm sure the cartridge body is genuine. Look at the connector end. I bet it will look just like:
PCMALO
Member
Well, right you are! I couldn't see the ADC before since it was partially hidden by the headshell and wires. Also, mine says "Made in USA" at the bottom of the cartridge under the LS pin. I wonder if that can identify it as a MK II or MK III, improved version or not? Would you know?
I checked 9 different ADC bodies and found "Made in the USA" on all but 2. The fact that yours has a gold body and a resistance measurement around 800 indicates that yours is a Mk III or Mk II or Mk III improved. Try accessing the thread "How to identify ADC carts" at:
PCMALO
Member
That thread is a great reference, thanks a lot, Ronald! You've been a tremendous help.
At first glance it would appear that I have a MK III because there is no patent number or other writing on top and it has open mounting holes. However, it does NOT have color-coded pins that Vinyl Engine user audiodk says indicates the MK III. So I'm still not sure what this is!
Also, the aftermarket (?) stylus appears to have a tapered shaft (indicating a MK III) but a bonded (MK II Improved) diamond tip but whatever it is, I'm hoping it actually sounds good as soon as my belt arrives and I can play it!
Hmmmm. Come to think of it, I may not have to wait at all if I just install the headshell in my main TT, a Pioneer PL-530 right now! I'll report back soon.
PCMALO
Member
OK, I just listened to the ADC MK II or III with the no-brand tapered stylus and it sounds absolutely fantastic! Plus the noise and hum level is quite low, much lower than the Micro Acoustics Stratus F1/S2 cartridge/stylus I've been using. So even if I can't restore the thrift store Pioneer PL-514 it was mounted on, I think I have quite the bargain for $10!
Thanks for all your very helpful information and assistance, Ronald! Cheers, Pat