Pioneer PL-540 Issues

[Rob_Feature]

Hi all,
I thought I got a great deal on a PL-540. But now I'm running into problems. Here's my two major problems to start with:

1. When I purchased it, it was missing the feet (the rubber had deteriorated). Ordered some used feet off ebay but they're not tall enough! The bottom of the metal chassis still touches the tabletop instead of the rubber feet. Is there supposed to be a 'riser' or something under the rubber feet to make them taller?

2. I'm hoping it's not broken, but I can't figure out how to get the counter weight to sit properly on the arm. I slid it on and made a few turns to get it close to the 'far forward' position...then tried to balance it. If I get it so the arm 'balances' properly, when I go to put it on a record it "pulls back" towards the rest position rather than going straight down onto the record. Hoping that's just not understanding how to setup the counterweight and nothing's busted.

The number portion of the weight also spins really freely...is it supposed to feel more 'locked down' than this? I may shoot a video if no one understands what I mean...

Any help? Would love to get this up and running!

 

[Balifly]

Hi all,

The number portion of the weight also spins really freely...is it supposed to feel more 'locked down' than this? I may shoot a video if no one understands what I mean...

Any help? Would love to get this up and running!

Have a look at the following video.

Not the same turn table, same principle.

 

[Rob_Feature]

Have a look at the following video.

Awesome video, thanks! Here's the problem (I'm not sure if it's a problem, actually, or I'm just doing it wrong): When I get the weight set so my stylus looks "weightless" (as said in the video) it's fine...but then when I got to set the tracking weight, the weight is already so close to the end that I can't go any further forward (ie. heavier) than 1g. At that point it 'hits the end' of the area available for adjustment.

 

[boreas]

1. When I purchased it, it was missing the feet (the rubber had deteriorated). Ordered some used feet off ebay but they're not tall enough! The bottom of the metal chassis still touches the tabletop instead of the rubber feet. Is there supposed to be a 'riser' or something under the rubber feet to make them taller?

Yes, the stock feet have suspension springs inside rubber boots which raise the turntable up sufficiently. It's these boots which rot and cause the feet to fall off. As I recall, there's an eBay seller that has come up with replacement boots but the springs are a different issue. You'd need original springs to complete the installation. You'd also need to know which corner which spring is meant to go to since there are several different spring rated used.

2. I'm hoping it's not broken, but I can't figure out how to get the counter weight to sit properly on the arm. I slid it on and made a few turns to get it close to the 'far forward' position...then tried to balance it. If I get it so the arm 'balances' properly, when I go to put it on a record it "pulls back" towards the rest position rather than going straight down onto the record. Hoping that's just not understanding how to setup the counterweight and nothing's busted.

It sounds as if you don't have a full understanding of the process of setting up a tonearm. Watch this video.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...c-turntable-setup-video-a-new-version.457897/

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...c-turntable-setup-video-a-new-version.457897/

The number portion of the weight also spins really freely...is it supposed to feel more 'locked down' than this? I may shoot a video if no one understands what I mean...

It's supposed to spin freely. Once you have the counterweight set so that the arm floats horizontally, you must then rotate the numbered wheel so that the "0" is at 12:00, lined up with the mark on the arm stub. You must do this without moving the main weight at all. Now, having done that, you move the whole counterweight to set the number on the counterweight to the amount of tracking force recommended by the stylus manufacturer.

Again, watch toe video and all will become clear.

John

 

[Rob_Feature]

Yes, the stock feet have suspension springs inside rubber boots

Ahhhh, that explains things. Thanks! I'm watching videos on setting the tone arm balance but see my previous post. Not sure if I'm doing it wrong or the weight is just off on this tone arm for some reason.

 

[boreas]

Awesome video, thanks! Here's the problem (I'm not sure if it's a problem, actually, or I'm just doing it wrong): When I get the weight set so my stylus looks "weightless" (as said in the video) it's fine...but then when I got to set the tracking weight, the weight is already so close to the end that I can't go any further forward (ie. heavier) than 1g. At that point it 'hits the end' of the area available for adjustment.

This may be because you're using a headshell that's lighter than the one the turntable originally came with. You can correct the problem with a different headshell or by adding weight to the existing headshell. It sounds as if a 2 gram weight should do it. (A penny weighs 2.5 grams, by the way, and might be a decent temporary solution.)

John

 

[Rob_Feature]

This may be because you're using a headshell that's lighter than the one the turntable originally came with

Thanks that makes alot of sense. I'm going to play a little with it tonight to see what I can do. I think I may try to keep these feet (they were reasonably priced) by just putting some kind of 'spacer' under them to raise them up a little bit.

Thanks for the advice, hoping I can make it all come together! (now...only if I could find a reasonable set of hinges and dustcover...)

 

[boreas]

Stock PL-540 Headshell

 

[boreas]

Thanks that makes alot of sense. I'm going to play a little with it tonight to see what I can do. I think I may try to keep these feet (they were reasonably priced) by just putting some kind of 'spacer' under them to raise them up a little bit.

Thanks for the advice, hoping I can make it all come together! (now...only if I could find a reasonable set of hinges and dustcover...)

There are a number of threads here containing ideas for replacement feet, particularly for that series of Pioneers (PL-518, PL-540, PL-560) which all lose their feet sooner or later.

 

[Rob_Feature]

Yup...that's not the headshell I have!! I'll search around for the feet threads, I'll come up with something!

 

[ronh95]

I loved this idea for replacement feet. The feet on the PL540/560 are taller than the ones for their lower line brothers (PL-514/PL-516 and possibly the PL-518). Those lower line models didn't have the rubber/spring combo, but were rubber only. The idea in this link look very much like the original taller feet that came on the 540. Though not internally sprung this shouldn't be a problem I wouldn't think.

I haven't found the link, but another great idea shared here involved large urethane skateboard wheels that were used as feet.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/feets-dont-fail-me-now.338154/

 

[boreas]

I loved this idea for replacement feet. The feet on the PL540/560 are taller than the ones for their lower line brothers (PL-514/PL-516 and possibly the PL-518). Those lower line models didn't have the rubber/spring combo, but were rubber only. The idea in this link look very much like the original taller feet that came on the 540. Though not internally sprung this shouldn't be a problem I wouldn't think.

I haven't found the link, but another great idea shared here involved large urethane skateboard wheels that were used as feet.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/feets-dont-fail-me-now.338154/

Why, thank you!

All the direct drives in that series use the same feet. That includes the PL-518, of course. The three belt drives, the PL-512, PL-514 and PL-516, use a different foot.

Here's the skateboard wheels thread.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/diy-adjustable-turntable-feet.659183/

John

 

[Rob_Feature]

Awesome, good post! I may keep these feet (since they're nice, huge, and rubbery...and, well, already paid for and in my posession) and just try to rig something up to raise them a extra 1/4". Shouldn't be too hard after seeing that post.

 

[Rob_Feature]

Here's a shot of the cartridge and counter weight I have (any idea what the cartridge is?). Neither look to be factory according to that earlier pic. I can only estimate but it seems like I can only get about 1.5g of tracking force before I hit the end...which honestly seems to work just fine so far.

(sorry for the awkward images, still learning best way to post them here)

IMG_0894

• Rob_Feature
• Jan 28, 2016

IMG_0895

• Rob_Feature
• Jan 28, 2016

 

[boreas]

Can't see enough of the cartridge to ID it (but it might be a Sanyo/Fisher MG-29. If you were to take a shot of the cartridge with the headshell removed and with the cartridge facing up, we can get a better look.

The headshell is an inexpensive aftermarket one, readily available all over the internet. (Someone apparently decided to "modify" the finger lift.) It weighs about 6.5 grams or slightly more. The Pioneer headshell is heavier. I can't remember exactly what it weighs (if I ever knew) but I'd guess 8 grams or slightly more.

The counterweight is the correct one for the PL-540.

John