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PL-540: should I try to fix it or part it out?

goldfish

goldfish

New Member
Hi all, long time reader, first time poster.

I have a Pioneer PL-540 that I picked up for cheap a while ago, hoping I could nurse it back to health. The motor works, but the speed isn't right. Auto-return and bearings are fine. There are also some cosmetic issues: a broken tonearm rest, a burnt out strobe, and rotted rubber in the feet.

I had the internals looked at by someone I trust, and he told me someone had clearly tried to fix it in the past, and... well, they gooched it. Namely:
- some assembly screws are missing or the wood holes are stripped
- the regulation board support posts are cracked
- oscillator board had several wires cut and sloppily re-soldered back onto the (wire-wrap) posts
- the IC chip on that board is an aftermarket chip, and there's a blob of solder on several of the terminals
- the internal speed trims are fully advanced to compensate for the erratic speed
- some caps have been replaced (I'll take internal pictures when I pick it back up later this week)

I'd love to give this turntable a new life, and learn a bit in the process. I'm not an electronics expert, but I'm handy and have time to learn. The question is, is it worth it? Or should I just bite the bullet and part this one out? I know the ICs in particular are made of unobtanium, but oscillator boards must show up every once in a while? Any advice or opinions you all have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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These are the sort of decks that make acceptable donors to keep others alive. You probably won't get many arguments from most members about this one.
 
goldfish said:
Hi all, long time reader, first time poster.

I have a Pioneer PL-540 that I picked up for cheap a while ago, hoping I could nurse it back to health. The motor works, but the speed isn't right. Auto-return and bearings are fine. There are also some cosmetic issues: a broken tonearm rest, a burnt out strobe, and rotted rubber in the feet.

I had the internals looked at by someone I trust, and he told me someone had clearly tried to fix it in the past, and... well, they gooched it. Namely:
- some assembly screws are missing or the wood holes are stripped
- the regulation board support posts are cracked
- oscillator board had several wires cut and sloppily re-soldered back onto the (wire-wrap) posts
- the IC chip on that board is an aftermarket chip, and there's a blob of solder on several of the terminals
- the internal speed trims are fully advanced to compensate for the erratic speed
- some caps have been replaced (I'll take internal pictures when I pick it back up later this week)

I'd love to give this turntable a new life, and learn a bit in the process. I'm not an electronics expert, but I'm handy and have time to learn. The question is, is it worth it? Or should I just bite the bullet and part this one out? I know the ICs in particular are made of unobtanium, but oscillator boards must show up every once in a while? Any advice or opinions you all have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hard to say. I'd probably try to fix it first by diagnosing the actual problem and fixing the "gooched" previous work. Then if the IC is the problem in the end for sure, sit it aside and go patiently looking for one for a while. If that doesn't pan out for however long you want to wait, use it as a parts donor for another unit. Or simultaneously look for a "working" unit with issues you have the parts for to complete it.
 
Those sellers may have not listed IC, but willing to sell if you ask them. .

btw, I also watch Goodwill online auctions for good donor tables.
 
AudioWaters said:
ebay may have all of the parts you need, https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1312&_nkw=pioneer+pl-540&_sacat=0
Click to expand...

There are two motors with complete boards for sale right now for $60ish, which I've had my eye on.

But after removing the solder from the chip (PA2004), the speed seems to be much closer to correct. I think I may take a chance on replacing the burned out strobe bulb and see if I can dial in the speed with the variable resistors. Don't have an oscillator, but with the strobe on it'll be a lot easier to do trial-and-error. I'll report back if anyone is interested!
 
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