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Tonearm not doing aything on PL-115D when switched to down

G

goforsoda

New Member
Hi All,

Just getting in to the world of turntables, I picked up a Pioneer PL-115D off eBay. The posting said "PLAYS RECORDS FINE!" so I assumed that it was a functional turntable. When I release the arm clamp and bring the tonearm over the record, when I switch the arm elevation control to DOWN, the tonearm is not doing anything. Would this be an electronic/mechanical failure, or do I not have the counterweight set up properly? I would assume that even if something was not configured right, the tonearm would at least drop when switched.

Any help would greatly be appreciated.
 
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Did you balance the tonearm and set it up properly? What is the tracking force set to?
 
classic carl said:
Did you balance the tonearm and set it up properly? What is the tracking force set to?
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Hi Carl, I read an instruction guide I found online and attempted to do so, I think it is set up right but maybe not. The tracking force was set to the right level, I don't recall the cartridge that is in it right now, but I researched it and made sure to set that properly.

So am I incorrect in assuming that even if it's not configured properly, the tonearm will still drop when I change it to down?

Thanks.
 
You didn't mention whether the platform that the tonearm rests on moves downward when you switch the elevation control to down.

John
 
boreas said:
You didn't mention whether the platform that the tonearm rests on moves downward when you switch the elevation control to down.

John
Click to expand...
Hi John,

No, there does not seem to be any movement occurring when the elevation control is switched to down.
 
goforsoda said:
Hi John,

No, there does not seem to be any movement occurring when the elevation control is switched to down.
Click to expand...

Just to be sure, there's no movement in the cuing platform? It stays against the tonearm, preventing it from moving down?
 
boreas said:
Just to be sure, there's no movement in the cuing platform? It stays against the tonearm, preventing it from moving down?
Click to expand...
Correct, the only thing starts moving when I release the arm holder is the platter. I see no movement anywhere else. I can take a video and upload it to YouTube if that would help you at all.
 
Try pushing the platform down with your finger after moving the lever to the DOWN position. Do this with the arm clipped into the rest so as to protect the needle.

John
 
boreas said:
Try pushing the platform down with your finger after moving the lever to the DOWN position. Do this with the arm clipped into the rest so as to protect the needle.

John
Click to expand...
When you say try pushing the platform down with your finger, are you referring to the whole tonearm or the headshell? Because I have tried pushing down the headshell and it just comes right back up.
 
It sounds to me that the counterbalance isn't set correctly. Meaning that the weight is too far back, preventing the tonearm to set down. There is a video of basic TT setup in the TT forum here. I attached the link below. Check it out and make sure the tonearm is set to zero to start. Then balance the tonearm before setting the tracking force.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...c-turntable-setup-video-a-new-version.457897/
 
classic carl said:
It sounds to me that the counterbalance isn't set correctly. Meaning that the weight is too far back, preventing the tonearm to set down. There is a video of basic TT setup in the TT forum here. I attached the link below. Check it out and make sure the tonearm is set to zero to start. Then balance the tonearm before setting the tracking force.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...c-turntable-setup-video-a-new-version.457897/
Click to expand...
Perfect, I will give this a look and see. Thanks!
 
classic carl said:
It sounds to me that the counterbalance isn't set correctly. Meaning that the weight is too far back, preventing the tonearm to set down. There is a video of basic TT setup in the TT forum here. I attached the link below. Check it out and make sure the tonearm is set to zero to start. Then balance the tonearm before setting the tracking force.
Click to expand...
The tracking force may or may not be set correctly but, if the cuing platform stays up when the lever is moved to DOWN, then that is a problem that needs to be addressed before anything else.

John
 
boreas said:
The tracking force may or may not be set correctly but, if the cuing platform stays up when the lever is moved to DOWN, then that is a problem that needs to be addressed before anything else.

John
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with Pioneer tables. None of my tables have a platform of which you speak.
 
Good news, the counterweight was simply not on the tonearm all the way. I had to push it on there and as soon as I did that, the tonearm dropped.
 
goforsoda said:
Good news, the counterweight was simply not on the tonearm all the way. I had to push it on there and as soon as I did that, the tonearm dropped.
Click to expand...
So this is a tell that you did not get the tracking force and anti skate set correctly, so take the time and watch the video, then adjust it. It's worth the effort.
 
Renegade said:
So this is a tell that you did not get the tracking force and anti skate set correctly, so take the time and watch the video, then adjust it. It's worth the effort.
Click to expand...

Also an indication that the cuing is working correctly and not keeping the arm elevated.

Glad you're getting a handle on things.

And, yes, do watch that video.

John
 
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