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Pioneer pl-530 vs JVC QL-Y5F

Franco989

Franco989

Member
Hi folks,

Looking for your advice, I'm looking at getting back into vinyl and have an opportunity to pick one of the tables above, they are both similarly priced (pioneer $300 vs 375 for JVC) but can't decide. I've heard great things about the electro-dynamic servo tonearm but not sure how prone to failure they are. Thanks
 
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The JVC's of that vintage are quite remarkable. I own a QL-Y55F and have owned the Pioneer Pl-530 way back when and would choose the JVC over it. Obviously, if there are electronic problems with the QL-Y5F, then that's another story. After 30 some odd years, the JVC still operates perfectly. One person's opinion.
 
Duane said:
The JVC's of that vintage are quite remarkable. I own a QL-Y55F and have owned the Pioneer Pl-530 way back when and would choose the JVC over it. Obviously, if there are electronic problems with the QL-Y5F, then that's another story. After 30 some odd years, the JVC still operates perfectly. One person's opinion.
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Thanks, from what the seller describes no problems it does have a different mat (a bit smaller) then stock but I don't think that should be a problem.
 
Welcome to AK!

That's a tough one. I've owned a Pioneer PL-15R in the past and presently own a JVC QL-A7. Both are great tables, the 15R being more of an entry table, but still very good.

Here is an AK link for the Pioneer:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/how-do-you-rate-the-pioneer-pl-530.212793/

and the JVC:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/jvc-ql-y5f-questions.126823/

Also, go to Vinyl Engine and sign up (free) and download the owner's manuals for both so you can become more familiar with them.

I don't think you can really go wrong with either. Just make sure that both are functioning perfectly and that they look good. For those prices, you don't want to get stuck with bad tables.

I'm sure more knowledgeable members will come through soon. Good luck!
 
ranf1970 said:
Welcome to AK!

That's a tough one. I've owned a Pioneer PL-15R in the past and presently own a JVC QL-A7. Both are great tables, the 15R being more of an entry table, but still very good.

Here is an AK link for the Pioneer:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/how-do-you-rate-the-pioneer-pl-530.212793/

and the JVC:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/jvc-ql-y5f-questions.126823/

Also, go to Vinyl Engine and sign up (free) and download the owner's manuals for both so you can become more familiar with them.

I don't think you can really go wrong with either. Just make sure that both are functioning perfectly and that they look good. For those prices, you don't want to get stuck with bad tables.

I'm sure more knowledgeable members will come through soon. Good luck!
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Thanks for the JVC link very insightful.
 
Owned both that Pioneer at one time, and the JVC currently and IMO the JVC is a much better table because of that tone arm.
 
The JVC is the one to go for.

They are similar turntables, except that the JVC has a far superior tonearm, and was also a leader with quartz lock direct drive performance, since they invented the first quartz lock turntable in 1974. The tonearm on the JVC greatly improves distortion, resonance, wow and flutter, noise, resistance to physical shocks, trackability and stereo separation, compared to the same physical tonearm operating without its electronics.

All conventional tonearms, including the one on the Pioneer, are a long way behind in performance. So for a 25% higher price, you are getting a performance increase in a lot of different areas, to easily justify the difference. There was an article about the JVC QL-Y5F, and its tonearm, in the August 1980 edition of Radio Electronics (pages 56-58), which is available for download from here http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Electronics/80s/1980/Radio-Electronics-1980-08.pdf .

A similar article about the very similar Sony Biotracer tonearm appeared in the January 1979 edition of Popular Electronics (pages 20-23), which can be downloaded from here http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/70s/1979/Poptronics-1979-01.pdf . Both articles contain with and without measurements to show why these electronic tonearms were so vastly superior to conventional ones. Note that the Sony Biotracer electronic tonearm control wasn’t called Biotracer in those days, but ‘Velocity Feedback’.

I’ve compiled a list of the measurements for over 160 different tonearm/cartridge combinations, and the average resonance was 8.5dB (maximum 21dB – good luck with that one!), while all electronic tonearms (Denon, JVC or Sony) were 3dB or less – that makes quite a difference to distortion and tracking. Here’s a measurement of the resonance of the JVC QL-Y5F and the JVC cartridge fitted as standard in many parts of the world. It’s been damped to just 3dB at 8Hz, which is much better than most conventional tonearms.

JVCQL-Y5F MD1025EB.JPG
 
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Technically the JVC would be superior. But the Pioneer is no slouch performance wise with the right cartridge installed. I own the PL 530 presently, and would love the JVC. Both do have significant disadvantages, the JVC tonearm is electronic, if it fails, very difficult to get repaired. The Pioneer's plastic tonearm mount is delicate and needs special care. That said, the JVC is a really grail DD automatic, and higher end in it's line than the Pioneer is. But both are superb performers in their own right. Advantage JVC (and this is coming from a Pioneer owner)
 
Wow thanks for all the great info guys, really liking this community. Now for some news the pioneer Pl-530 decided to get as much money as possible and is putting it up on eBay. The JVC guys wants $412 total with shipping, is the JVC worth the money, it will need a new cartridge (has an old AT10 cartridge) so I'm looking at around $500 for the total price. Not sure if it's worth the money. I'm new to this forum is there a classified section of members selling their gear? Or anyone thinking of getting rid of any of the above models? Thanks
 
ETI_5000 said:
The JVC is the one to go for.

They are similar turntables, except that the JVC has a far superior tonearm, and was also a leader with quartz lock direct drive performance, since they invented the first quartz lock turntable in 1974. The tonearm on the JVC greatly improves distortion, resonance, wow and flutter, noise, resistance to physical shocks, trackability and stereo separation, compared to the same physical tonearm operating without its electronics.

All conventional tonearms, including the one on the Pioneer, are a long way behind in performance. So for a 25% higher price, you are getting a performance increase in a lot of different areas, to easily justify the difference. There was an article about the JVC QL-Y5F, and its tonearm, in the August 1980 edition of Radio Electronics (pages 56-58), which is available for download from here http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Electronics/80s/1980/Radio-Electronics-1980-08.pdf .

A similar article about the very similar Sony Biotracer tonearm appeared in the January 1979 edition of Popular Electronics (pages 20-23), which can be downloaded from here http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/70s/1979/Poptronics-1979-01.pdf . Both articles contain with and without measurements to show why these electronic tonearms were so vastly superior to conventional ones. Note that the Sony Biotracer electronic tonearm control wasn’t called Biotracer in those days, but ‘Velocity Feedback’.

I’ve compiled a list of the measurements for over 160 different tonearm/cartridge combinations, and the average resonance was 8.5dB (maximum 21dB – good luck with that one!), while all electronic tonearms (Denon, JVC or Sony) were 3dB or less – that makes quite a difference to distortion and tracking. Here’s a measurement of the resonance of the JVC QL-Y5F and the JVC cartridge fitted as standard in many parts of the world. It’s been damped to just 3dB at 8Hz, which is much better than most conventional tonearms.

View attachment 718266
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Wow thanks for the stats really good info, makes my decision much easier.
 
Franco989 said:
Wow thanks for all the great info guys, really liking this community. Now for some news the pioneer Pl-530 decided to get as much money as possible and is putting it up on eBay. The JVC guys wants $412 total with shipping, is the JVC worth the money, it will need a new cartridge (has an old AT10 cartridge) so I'm looking at around $500 for the total price. Not sure if it's worth the money. I'm new to this forum is there a classified section of members selling their gear? Or anyone thinking of getting rid of any of the above models? Thanks
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To say if that table is worth it is a hard one. Because of the popularity, prices have increased in the past few years. You could do a search on Ebay and look at the ones that have sold to get a ballpark idea as to what they are being sold for. If you wait for one for under $300, it might be a long wait. Also, you stated that the mat is not original. The original mats on these tables are substantial.

If you become a subscriber, there's a forum named Bartertown that is used for buying and selling. To find that specific JVC table will be hard to find. You could pay the membership fee and then post your wanted ad.
 
Duane said:
To say if that table is worth it is a hard one. Because of the popularity, prices have increased in the past few years. You could do a search on Ebay and look at the ones that have sold to get a ballpark idea as to what they are being sold for. If you wait for one for under $300, it might be a long wait. Also, you stated that the mat is not original. The original mats on these tables are substantial.

If you become a subscriber, there's a forum named Bartertown that is used for buying and selling. To find that specific JVC table will be hard to find. You could pay the membership fee and then post your wanted ad.
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Thanks for the info, but can you explain why the mat is of such importance?
 
I can't explain it's importance. Others may be able to. What I do know is the original mat is thick and has tapered edges. Don't know what it's made of. This is my table but the QL-Y5F is the same in appearance.

004.JPG 005.JPG
 
Any tips for how the seller should package the turntable? I remember reading somewhere of taking out the platter so it prevents damage while shipping. Not sure if I should ask anything else for the seller to do so it prevents damages to the turntable.
 
ranf1970 said:
I was going to mention that packing is the MOST important thing at this point. One wrong move and you have a boat anchor. Is it close enough where you could go and pick it up personally? Also, don't let the seller just take it to the UPS/FEDEX store. They don't know how to pack a TT.

This sub-forum has a lot of good information:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/packing-shipping.87/
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Unfortunately no he's in a different state. Thanks for the link I sent him some info I found in the forum.
 
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