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Pioneer PL 520 troubleshooting

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Dowopsound

New Member
Hi, I recently bought a vintage pioneer TT w Pickering XV625e that I only get the faintest sound from on a Yamaha Ave receiver w phono input. I ran the table through a djpre 2 and regular line input, and there's still little output, but lots of hum. I've checked all the cartridge connections already.
Does anyone have experience with this table, or any idea what the problem might be?

Thanks
 
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I have, had... that Cart. with same stylus. Swapped out the coil for another one. It solved the problem. Identical issues as you. Do you have a spare head shell with different cart on it. If so swap it out.
cheers
Mark
the world is awesome today..
 
Dowopsound said:
That was going to be my next move. Do you think I should replace the entire cart or just add a new stylus? And which do you recommend for this table?
Click to expand...
I would suggest borrowing another stylus this way you can confirm that indeed it's not operating. Try your cart on another table if you have one. First determine the coil is indeed working. Do you have a multi meter. Test for ohms on the positive and negative side or the cart. Do this with the head shell "Removed" from the tone arm assembly. Did you confirm proper alignment... was it working prior to this. I'll be back and forth today so i may be a tad late with my responses. I'll try to help you best I can.
cheers,
Mark
 
Thanks guys. This is my first turntable in over a decade, I bought a pair of old school Thiels and one rabbit hole led to another, as I'm sure you know. I don't have any other turntable accessories around, but will Test the cart and stylus this week.
 
Did you test the 1/4 inch jacks on the phono inputs for milli volts. Always test that before plugging your TT in. You'll need a digital multi for that. Fluke Avro, etc...
Is there a muting function on your amp ?
Cheers,
Mark
 
Not yet. The seller represented it as working on his end. It was fairly well packed, but I suspect something went awry in transit.
 
Lets think positive about it. Be logical, first look at the phono inputs of your amp, test for milli volts at the rca jack with volume low and speakers connected. Does the amp have a M/C or M/M capability. Secondly test the turntable on another amp with a working phono stage. If problem continues on a verified amp, then move to the stylus and cart. Check the connections are they correct. is the head shell properly bottomed in the tone arm, Verify proper alignment. Is your stylus tip intact use a loupe if you have one. Is your stylus tracking properly ? This type of cart stylus combination are known for tracking issues. (.75 to 1.5 grams of tack force.) Lift the brush out of the way does it play better without it. Should just lift back. Should float (brush) effortlessly. Check the values between connections corner to corner then top to bottom. verify no continuity between - or+. No sense rushing into another stylus until you rule everything else out. I looked around they retail about 44 US dollars. I have two nos stylus's for that cart that I no longer use as my cart's coil is dead. I'd gladly let you give it a try if you lived local. Check back in when you've completed. Good luck

cheers,
Mark

the world is awesome today..
 
Mark,

Thanks! I took the brush off, and went with a lighter tracking force. Improved dramatically, but still only playing from one speaker. I'll keep playing with the tracking to see if I can get the other channel to come in, and also pick up a volt meter.
 
If you're the least bit handy with a soldering iron it's not a difficult job at all. A temporary fix would be to cut the end off and add a new connector.
 
Mounted connector on the amp or cabled connector off the turntable either way we can walk you through it.
Cheers,
Mark
 
Off the table. I fiddled with it and both channels are up for the time being (sounds awesome— I've been A/B testing the same material from different sources), but I don't have much faith in the left rca pin.
 
Operation Time.. using some kind of twist tie, a-fix the tone arm to it's rest. Unplugged from all sources. Flip your table over on a nice clean towel so we do not scratch the nice lid. Primarily we are going to remove the bottom access cover. Before we start you must be confident with a soldering iron. If your not then I do not recommend you do this. So please confirm that you are able. I will assume you are, must of us here are, those that are not ask for help. There are some very serious electrical guru's here at AK. I'm certain if I say something incorrect I'll be quickly corrected. At any rate if you've decided to move forward with the repair. Please let me know.
I know it's a Pioneer TT what's the model so I can pull the service manual out. I have several at my disposal. AS well " I DO NOT RECOMMEND" you continue using the TT as the RCA leads are damaged and may pose a life threatening issue with your amp. Like blowing your outputs on it and so forth. A short cut would be splicing it, solder, tape.YUK. Not the right way. Yes it works in a short term, most here would frown on this. I would remove the bottom access cover and replace the defective lead with a fresh new one. If your in there might as well do both. If one is bad usually the other's not to far away. RCA jacks get pulled, yanked, inserted, removed often, also check your ground connections on the TT as well. Look over it, proper TT lube, clean as required. Remember that there will residual energy stored in your turntables capacitors. Unplug it for a day before you repair. You can also discharge your cap's if your capable. Some ceramic cap's have 250 volts. So be mindful. Before we continue let me know if you want to move forward with the repair. I'll need more info on your TT. Is it the PL 520 s/ st/ x/s. Many variables here.

Cheers,
Mark
the world is awesome today..
 
Dowopsound I will be leaving for some well deserved fishing. (speckled trout) I will return on Sunday coming. If your able to wait that's kool, I'd like that. If not I understand.
In the mean time you'll need several items to complete the task. soldering iron, solder, solder sucker A nice level workbench light, lots of it. Sm & lg Philips screwdrivers.
Side cutters, needle nose pliers, wire strippers, alligator clips, these will come in handy for holding things in place when your two hands are busy. Some paper to cover the exposed pcb boards. Over kill maybe, but solder splatter is our enemy. A large towel to wrap around the lid (when flipped) so you don't scratch it. You will need a quality set of RCA cables.. Pen and paper 4 notes, a camera 4 pictures. Small tie straps. A couple cloths to elevate, protect your pcb boards from rubbing or hitting other components when removed. Small containers for screws. This procedure is not difficult. Be prepared, then looking for stuff. I'm a retired millwright and pride my abilities on doing it the right way. After your done gathering your tools you can have a beer. You deserve it.
Cheers,
Mark
the world is awesome today..
 
Thanks Mark,

I haven't soldered anything in a while. Yes it's a pl 520. I'm comfortable with the idea of soldering, but it's been a while since I've done it. if there's a link you can point me to a refresher is probably a good idea. I think as long as I'm operating I should replace left, right, and ground since they're all 40 years old, and show some wear. Are there specific wires I should get for the task?

Thanks!
 
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