Pioneer PL 550...thoughts?
- Thread starter nolan
- Start date
directdriver
New Member
I owned two PL-570 before and I much rather have the PL-550. The PL-570 is fully automatic and the complex auto mechanism and linkages under plinth can be a nightmare when it fails and in one case I ended up gutting all of that out and turned it into a manual table! The PL-550 is essentially a semi-auto or quarter-auto turntable that uses the same platter, motor, and electronics as the PL-570. So the PL-550 is really a simplified PL-570 without the potential headache. Unless you are really attracted by the bells and whistles and auto-features of the PL-570, the PL-550 is better in my opinion and this is coming from a PL-570 owner! So those who own PL-550 need not to worry about upgrading to the PL-570 and just enjoy its reliable good sounding smaller sibling.
Happy listening!
.
Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
Mostly true, but the PL-550 has a shorter arm, which is not a plus.
Balifly
Listening
There is no owners manual available at VinylEngine.
I have always assumed that the Pioneer PL-550 is a manual turntable and have found nothing to indicate otherwise. :scratch2:
It has been used as a manual turntable ever since I bought it used last spring.
The shorter arm is not a major concern, I am using the Denon DL-160 cartridge on it to compensate!!!
I would appreciate it if Brett and anyone else that have knowledge on this turntable would chime in!!!
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-550.shtml
Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
Don't know where Directdriver got the "Quarter Auto" idea. I ran one of these tables for a few years and it never moved the arm for me. The PL-550 is a fully manual 'table. There are no mechanisms connected to the arm. I've been under its chassis enough to know for sure.There is no owners manual available at VinylEngine.
I have always assumed that the Pioneer PL-550 is a manual turntable and have found nothing to indicate otherwise. :scratch2:
It has been used as a manual turntable ever since I bought it used last spring.
The shorter arm is not a major concern, I am using the Denon DL-160 cartridge on it to compensate!!!
I would appreciate it if Brett and anyone else that have knowledge on this turntable would chime in!!!
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-550.shtml
The manual is available at Vinyl Engine once you sign up and sign in. It's a rather comprehensive volume too. I found it a good read. Several pages (IIRC) just on the principles involved in the motor.
DonQuixote99
just give me some truth
That's the Service Manual, not the Owner's Manual. But yes, lots of great info in it of course.
DonQuixote99
just give me some truth
EDIT TO ADD:
Oh,wait! I found a picture of the arm.
Stick a feeler guage in the gap around the arm post---that is where it moves up and down. Leave the guage in there when you tighten the bots back in, then pull it out once its snug.
Ah! Glad to see that. Someone put the parts on backwards on the thrift store unit I just bought. Couldn't figure out how the weight dial was supposed to work....