PL-516 Turntable
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butcherevans
Member
Not sure about that particular model but I do have the PL-514 and it works well and has good sound. I think the belt has only been changed once since new. Would appear a good investment in 1978 heard it all my life at my father's and now passed on to me . A cartridge and stylus upgrade from original and sweet sound of music.
BillyBatts
ALOHA!
The PL-516 is a superior model. I had one for quite a while in the 80's. It's still a brilliant vinyl engine. IMO, you are lucky to have one.
I also have the PL-514 that I bought new in 1979. That's Belt Drive with no strobe. The table has performed flawlessly for decades with little maintenance. I use Armorall for the plastic cover and power cord once every six months to keep it from drying out and cracking, and I oil the motor. Two drops each hole every six months. Any good lightweight oil like sewing machine oil works. I use Marvel Mystery Oil. I think the 516 motor access is like the 514. Just lift the rubber platter mat and you'll see the motor holes if you spin the platter until you find the motor.
I had to replace my belt twice since I owned it. Just replaced it last year. Both tables take the same belt.
I bought mine at Amazon. Just search for "Belt for Pioneer PL-516" and you will have many options to choose from. They all work well enough.
Here is a link to Vinyl Engine's Info on that table:
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-516.shtml
Congrats on the new table! Enjoy!
I also have the PL-514 that I bought new in 1979. That's Belt Drive with no strobe. The table has performed flawlessly for decades with little maintenance. I use Armorall for the plastic cover and power cord once every six months to keep it from drying out and cracking, and I oil the motor. Two drops each hole every six months. Any good lightweight oil like sewing machine oil works. I use Marvel Mystery Oil. I think the 516 motor access is like the 514. Just lift the rubber platter mat and you'll see the motor holes if you spin the platter until you find the motor.
I had to replace my belt twice since I owned it. Just replaced it last year. Both tables take the same belt.
I bought mine at Amazon. Just search for "Belt for Pioneer PL-516" and you will have many options to choose from. They all work well enough.
Here is a link to Vinyl Engine's Info on that table:
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-516.shtml
Congrats on the new table! Enjoy!
Essay
Active Member
The 516 is basically a 514 (same arm, same automatics), with a far more advanced belt drive. In the 514, the speed is not actively controlled and they tend to go off speed over time. In the 516, there is an oscillator that controls the speed. This gives you extra speed control and a strobe light.
I have experienced that long term mainenance wise, you can do 2 things to a 516. If the speed fluctuates, first clean the three speed pots (the main control pot and two pots on the board) with contacta or similar. If the speed then still fluctuates, check whether the motor runs smoothly. The motor tends to accumulate dust and become clogged over time. Disassembling the motor and a good clean solves that. Another general thing you can do is to recap the power board, as these caps are now 35-40 old and will fail sooner or later potentially destroying your unobtainium speed oscillator.
I have experienced that long term mainenance wise, you can do 2 things to a 516. If the speed fluctuates, first clean the three speed pots (the main control pot and two pots on the board) with contacta or similar. If the speed then still fluctuates, check whether the motor runs smoothly. The motor tends to accumulate dust and become clogged over time. Disassembling the motor and a good clean solves that. Another general thing you can do is to recap the power board, as these caps are now 35-40 old and will fail sooner or later potentially destroying your unobtainium speed oscillator.
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