Thread: A preview of a turntable restore project

I bought a clunker. On purpose. Actually its not a clunker but a very fine table in its day and it operates. But it is dirty dirty dirty. It was used in a garage and it looks it. But don't let that fool you. In a few weeks, she is going to be a looker and operate perfectly.

Its a Pioneer PL-600 which is a sweet table - full auto, quartz speed lock and its actually suspended (platter and arm are on a suspended platform working in tandem).

So just wanted you to see how ugly something can start....

Nice Rob!! I think I had one of those in the 80's. Can't imagine how many led zeppelin,
Lynyrd skynyrd and Rolling Stones albums I played on it. Lol. Have fun fixing and cleaning!!

Yeah..something to keep me busy...like building a ship in a bottle...which might be easier...LOL

I see no belt Rob!

Its on my pants !!! Its a direct drive !

Want to hear something funny ? The original owner never removed the transport screws...so he never had the benefit of the suspension..LOL

Which day is the garbage truck coming up your street Rob?

Originally Posted by NorthStar

Which day is the garbage truck coming up your street Rob?

FUNNY MAN...LOL..Okay wise guy

Here is the last one I restored...Same model...

Wow that one is sweet Rob!!! Nice!!

Nice table Rob. When you fix up that dog that you just got in be sure to give Steve first dibs on it. That's gonna' be his new mono table.

Yo Yo Rob: Can't wait to see.

Originally Posted by ohbythebay

Very sweet looking Rob; excellent work.

* Serious question : Under the plinth of that model you got the motor mechanism (without a belt);
1. Can you hear any noise from it?
And 2. Do you prefer belt-drive turntables (manual or semi-auto)? ...Like some classic Pioneer TT models for example (I got one of those; I forgot the model # though - PL-sometin').
Last (3.); What do you think Rob about Linear Drive TTs?

P.S. I'm glad you can read my sometimes sense of humor. Tres important for advancement in smart and friendly discussions, anywhere and everywhere in life. ...Excellent for the heart.

First, yes..I can always "get" your humor and never take anything personal...not even critical feedback...that is what the forum is for !!!

No noise from the motor (I have never had an issue with direct drive and usually prefer)

For these, I like AUTO or SEMI auto. Now my Concept is the complete opposite. Belt drive, full manual. That's okay. In a higher end table that is what I want. Why ?

Higher end, I trust belt drive speed more. I also do not want extra "parts" in my better table that support the auto lift functions..make sense ?

As to linears...never used em and they don't interest me. Don't know why..maybe its the traditionalist in me...LOL

When I take this one apart, I will show you pictures. The motor is a sealed motor by the way. Quartz Phase Locked Loop Brushless Hall Motor...

Brushless DC electric motor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Very interesting answers because you separate the cheaper from the better TTs. I like it; you are not generalizing but specifying.

__________________

- I prefer belts myself - cheap or expensive TTs.
- Linear TTs also have belts, and I like them too - even more so sometimes.
- Fully manual, semi-manual; I'm all good - even semi-auto and full auto.

* Cool that you'll share some internal pictures, I luv it!

<<>> "Never take anything personal...not even critical feedback..."; well said.

Yup..the only reason I have a second table that is auto is so that I can play vinyl and not be there to shut it down.

My serious IN THE ROOM listening is exclusively the Concept. When I lift the dustcover its like taking the cover off my Ferrari (lol..I wish)...that feeling...

Though I have to tell you, since I bought my DAC, I am loving my digital too for background !!!

Now it's becoming dangerous; you are introducing a DAX (DAC) into the analog equation!

No sweat Rob; nowadays people use DACs to transfer their analog LP collections into their PC's (Mac's) hard drives.

MAC Donalds has Hard drives ? Wow...So does my vinyl collection go above or below the two all-beef patties ?

More pictures guys !!! The teardown and beginning to clean and rebuild...Pay attention from the first pics of how bad the platter and buttons WERE.

That's a great hobby Rob; you truly put all yourself into it.

Now...the plinth goes in my arcorob bidy shop..lol..BTW..ITS RED not PINK...lighting with the camera phone sucks...LOL

Rob....the Pink....I mean the Red looks so good.

Make sure you got enough Dr.pepper with you tonight .

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

Rob....the Pink....I mean the Red looks so good.

Make sure you got enough Dr.pepper with you tonight .

Its Dr. Pepper Red...LOL

Serious...when it is done, I'll make sure its in proper lighting ...

Paul, I notice you don't list a turntable...maybe we can get you set up...lol

This is what Jeff got me into...LOVE IT


He has been trying to talk me into this one...But I would have to sell the house...LOL

VPI CLASSIC DIRECT DRIVE TURNTABLE at Music Direct

$30,000 for a rotating wheel, are you nuts!

Originally Posted by NorthStar

$30,000 for a TT, are you nuts!

No, VPI is nuts...Even Mike doesn't buy these...YET...LOL

I modified my above post, to not spin any perturbation among spinners. ...An analogy?

Rob...I've been thinking about it for a while and still I am.

I really like your turntable at the audio show especially with new wood finish. ( here is the shot I took )



I'm still looking...too many choices out there. But Hell Nope I won't spend $30 K for sure lol

I really like the very simple and attractive design. ...And that wood too.

I really liked the turntable in my Avatar.

I prefer the one in your above post.

__________

Do you like that TT from my own avatar?

Originally Posted by NorthStar

I prefer the one in your above post.

__________

Do you like that TT from my own avatar?

I thought it was so cool when I saw it first place....now it drives me banana

♧ Really ???? What don't you like one in my avatar ?????

Paul..that one is TOO cool...but my wife would never believe me if I said I traded some tubes for it...LOL

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

Rob...I've been thinking about it for a while and still I am.

I really like your turntable at the audio show especially with new wood finish. ( here is the shot I took )



I'm still looking...too many choices out there. But Hell Nope I won't spend $30 K for sure lol

How do I get a wood band for mine ? Jeff ?

Originally Posted by ohbythebay

How do I get a wood band for mine ? Jeff ?

Do you like it Rob ?

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

Do you like it Rob ?

Uh..YEAH..I get wood for wood...LOL

Originally Posted by ohbythebay

How do I get a wood band for mine ? Jeff ?

Methinks you're screwed!

Its getting there...closer than I thought actually. A new tonearm belt is on its way (its a small rubber belt - almost a rubber band that works the auto function), the Plinth is done, the electronics are done...Today I mask and paint the tonearm base section...then reassembly, cart mount and viola...a custom PL600..LOL

It reminds me some of the tape decks I fixed in the past; with some rubber bands the size of the original belts. ...And they worked perfectly too.
{I don't know if some of you here ever replaced the belts in your tape decks but it ain't for the impatient type.}

It's fun to follow your progress through each step Rob. ...And with those small details explained, like the tonearm's belt.

Thanks Bob..it is fun...she'll be a pretty and fine working backup table when done..!

Yeah, she wasn't so pretty right after you bought her.