Technics SL-1700 MKII or Pioneer PL-71?

[baratz]

Hello, I'm torn between purchasing these two new turntables:

• Technics SL-1700 MKII (480 euros)
• Pioneer PL-71 (600 euros)

Aesthetically I'm more inclined to get the Pioneer, but I would like also to check with you guys which would be the best for my system:

• Cartridge: Benz Micro Ref S (got it at 800 euros)
• Preamp: Vincent PHO-701 (with Brimar Cv4003 tube)
• Amp: Technics SU-V8
• Speakers: Proac Studio 1 MKII

I listen mainly to rock/metal and instrumental jazz (more on the fusion/free side)

What would be your recommendation? I'm trying to find a turntable with adjustable VTA, as it can improve the sound of the cartridge quite a lot.

Thanks!!

 

[Nat]

I assume that by 'new', you mean new to you.
I agree with you that the Pioneer is better looking, but with old turntables, condition is everything - "Handsome is as handsome does'.
Cosmetic condition doesn't affect the sound, but it certainly affects your enjoyment of the table, and clearly that matters to you since you are considering spending 120 euros to get better looks. So, if you can, inspect both tables carefully. And double check to see all parts are there.
But function is (or should be) more important than looks, so make sure everything works perfectly - at the prices you are considering, you shouldn't have to do a recap. So see if a full or at least a partial recap has been done.
I suspect both arms have relatively similar effective masses, so I don't see matching your Benz as a problem - if you want more bass, get a heavier headshell, or vice versa.

 

[sound hound]

Try to find out if either of these tables have critical parts the are unavailable, eg IC chips.

 

[Aerobat]

I vote for the Technics.

 

[mcgjohn]

the two tables may sound similar but I would vote for the Technics.
If nothing else, may be easier to get parts for at a later date.

 

[flavio81]

Hello, I'm torn between purchasing these two new turntables:

• Technics SL-1700 MKII (480 euros)
• Pioneer PL-71 (600 euros)

If they were at the same price i would choose the PL-71 which is very good sounding.

However for the price difference, i'd pick the technics. Even then, to be honest i'd look for more alternatives.

 

[curtisw99]

Hello, I'm torn between purchasing these two new turntables:

• Technics SL-1700 MKII (480 euros)
• Pioneer PL-71 (600 euros)

Aesthetically I'm more inclined to get the Pioneer, but I would like also to check with you guys which would be the best for my system:

• Cartridge: Benz Micro Ref S (got it at 800 euros)
• Preamp: Vincent PHO-701 (with Brimar Cv4003 tube)
• Amp: Technics SU-V8
• Speakers: Proac Studio 1 MKII

I listen mainly to rock/metal and instrumental jazz (more on the fusion/free side)

What would be your recommendation? I'm trying to find a turntable with adjustable VTA, as it can improve the sound of the cartridge quite a lot.

Thanks!!

Go for the real walnut veneer Pioneer
Because it's pretty

 

[Blue Shadow]

Pioneer PL-71 – Vintage Turntables

vintage-turntable.com

Technics SL-1700 MKII – Vintage Turntables

vintage-turntable.com

The Technics is a few years newer in a time of rapid advancement in tt system design and performance. Specifically, the SL is quartz locked vs. servo locked on the PL.

I’d go for the newer design, but I have a 1600 II as my auto table. @Aerobat ’s response is also influenced by Technics ownership which might be in a second system now that he has that 3-tonearm Micro Seiki. Note: The DDX-1000 is not quartz locked but with three arms who needs QL to impress the natives?

 

[nakmandan]

While the 71 is a beautiful TT and well worth having, if I could have only one, I'd take the Technics. As already mentioned, it's one generation newer, and the quartz locked drive is second to none. And the arm has more adjustability than the Pioneer to take full advantage of whatever cartridge you want. I've had a few vintage Pioneer TT's and they are all nice, but I also have a Technics SL-1600mkII, and it's hard to beat, IMHO.

One cautionary word about all of the Technics products from this era, they are all full of possibly leaking electrolyte Matsushita caps. I would advise anyone owning any Technics and Harman Kardon products from that era to take a look inside and carefully inspect the legs of all of the electrolytic capacitors. If you see what looks like burn marks under the caps, or any greenish, powdery/fuzzy looking corrosion on the legs, you need to replace those caps, as left long enough, that corrosion will eventually work its way down the legs to the circuit board, where it will chemically attack the copper traces and solder, and in the worst cases, disabling the unit and causing extensive board damage. While repairable, simply catching the problem before it becomes destructive is the way to go.

 

[flavio81]

While the 71 is a beautiful TT and well worth having, if I could have only one, I'd take the Technics. As already mentioned, it's one generation newer, and the quartz locked drive is second to none.

Some people would disagree with the "second to none" statement.

And the arm has more adjustability than the Pioneer to take full advantage of whatever cartridge you want.

The Pioneer has adjustment of VTF, antiskating, lateral balance, and height adjustment. How do I know? I owned one.
The Technics has no lateral balance adjustment, so actually the Pioneer is even more adjustable.

One cautionary word about all of the Technics products from this era, they are all full of possibly leaking electrolyte Matsushita caps.

Indeed, that's a good warning. I had a capacitor explode on a Technics SL-DL1.

 

[bkatbamna]

I really like my Technics 1700 MKII

 

[dcgibby]

The Technics is semi-automatic, the PL-71 is manual only. Get the Technics if you want the tonearm return. The Pioneer in good condition is as good as any turntable new or old for three times the price. I have a PL-71 and if it hasn't been serviced, you will need to refresh the cueing fluid (and it's a pain).

 

[NachoTemino]

Quartz locked makes the Technics the one to choose. I must admit the Pioneer is more handsome, but the Technics is probably more reliable and spare parts are less hard to find.

 

[flavio81]

Quartz locked makes the Technics the one to choose

Quartz lock brings nothing related to sound quality.

What Quartz lock only achieves is that if you set a speed (like 33.33), it will remain within 0.0005% of that even after hours have passed. Without Quartz lock, something like 0.1% or better. No big deal really.

Quartz lock has zero influence or contribution to wow or flutter, these are kept in check by the electronic servo and/or via mechanical means (inertia, mass, etc.)

 

[NachoTemino]

Quartz lock brings nothing related to sound quality.

What Quartz lock only achieves is that if you set a speed (like 33.33), it will remain within 0.0005% of that even after hours have passed. Without Quartz lock, something like 0.1% or better. No big deal really.

Quartz lock has zero influence or contribution to wow or flutter, these are kept in check by the electronic servo and/or via mechanical means (inertia, mass, etc.)

Thank you for your lessons. I own 5 turntables and already know what is QL and its benefits. What I meant in my post is that everything else equal, QL is a plus.

 

[Bruins]

I have the Technics 1700 MKII & I like it.
The main reason I purchased it was if my wife puts a record on I know the arm will return & not sit bouncing at the end for 5 minutes.
I would have gone with maybe a Raga P3.

 

[jsisk]

Another vote for the Technics. I have the SL-1710 MKII (black version) as well as SL-1600 MKII and SL-1610 MKII turntables. They have great acoustic isolation, so you can place them anywhere in the room without spending time and money trying and buying new feet or isolation platforms. I have them within a couple feet of my AR-90 speakers and I can turn it up as loud as I like without an issue.

When I first bought my system in 1980, I really wanted one of the Pioneer turntables with the wood plinth to match the rest of my system but they were subject to feedback in the listening rooms at the stores I visited. So I chose function over aesthetics and went with the Technics.