Turntable Dilemma

jdinaz

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Hello All, My first post on this forum with a very important question, I'm getting back into some vinyl and was about to purchase a Pro-ject EVO when a friend gave me his Pioneer PL-71, it just needs a cartridge and a dust cover. This is for a second system, but probably the one I listen to the most. Not sure if I should put the $300+ into the Pioneer or spend the $500. on the Pro-ject EVO ??? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks

The PL-71 was top of the line back int he 70's, it's in great shape and seems to have stable speed. The arm lift needs some oil, and as I said it needs a cartridge. The dust cover is cracked badly, but works for now. I also would need a cartridge recommendation if I keep the PL-71 Thanks
 
If that is a fully functioning PL-71 it will run circles around the EVO and pretty much anything in the Project lineup. If you don't have the manual and haven't looked, sign up for an account at vinylengine.com as the have both the owners and service manual for the PL-71. The drying up of the damping fluid in the tonearm cueing mechanism is pretty standard for TT's of that vintage and can be drained an replaced most likely with some form of silicone. Pretty much all of the companies from that era that made cartridges normally fitting for that TT are out of business though a couple still remain. Depending on you cartridge budget you can look at Grado, Audio Technica and Nagaoka. A good source for the appropriate cartridges would be turntableneedles.com. If you still have a functioning cartridge on the TT and just need a new stylus they can help with that too. This is the link to the manuals for the PL-71.

Pioneer PL-71 Electronic Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine

Another thing if not a member is to look into the turntable forum at audiokharma.com as you might find multiple members there still using either the PL-71 or one of it's line mates. As a general rule all of the members there are still using vintage turntables from that era and many have a lot of repair and mod experience.
 
I would fix the Pioneer. I had a PL-51 and used it for years. I replaced it with a Rega that sounded much better but the Rega had a better cart and professionally set up where I didn't really know what I was doing to correctly dial in the 51, so may not be appls to apples. There is a huge cult like following for those Japanese direct drives.

Denon makes a cart that is reasonable and people seem to love them, I believe it's the 103. You might also look at the Clear Audio MM carts. I really like Ortofon carts, very lively sound, but not sure what thebodies look like these days.

It may be worth checking into one of the forums Jack mentioned to see what folks use for carts on the vintage tables. Good to know what tracks well and fits the head shell.

And, welcome
 
Welcome to the fold, . As the others have said if the Pioneer is worthy I'd spend the 3-500 on a cartridge. MM or MC will depend on your phono stage and how much gain you have. Tell us more ..........

if you have the gain, in the sub $500 this is one of my favorites ....

DL-103R Moving Coil Cartridge Turntables | Denon
 
If that is a fully functioning PL-71 it will run circles around the EVO and pretty much anything in the Project lineup. If you don't have the manual and haven't looked, sign up for an account at vinylengine.com as the have both the owners and service manual for the PL-71. The drying up of the damping fluid in the tonearm cueing mechanism is pretty standard for TT's of that vintage and can be drained an replaced most likely with some form of silicone. Pretty much all of the companies from that era that made cartridges normally fitting for that TT are out of business though a couple still remain. Depending on you cartridge budget you can look at Grado, Audio Technica and Nagaoka. A good source for the appropriate cartridges would be turntableneedles.com. If you still have a functioning cartridge on the TT and just need a new stylus they can help with that too. This is the link to the manuals for the PL-71.

Pioneer PL-71 Electronic Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine

Another thing if not a member is to look into the turntable forum at audiokharma.com as you might find multiple members there still using either the PL-71 or one of it's line mates. As a general rule all of the members there are still using vintage turntables from that era and many have a lot of repair and mod experience.

That is a great, useful reply. Well done! [emoji106]
 
If that is a fully functioning PL-71 it will run circles around the EVO and pretty much anything in the Project lineup. If you don't have the manual and haven't looked, sign up for an account at vinylengine.com as the have both the owners and service manual for the PL-71. The drying up of the damping fluid in the tonearm cueing mechanism is pretty standard for TT's of that vintage and can be drained an replaced most likely with some form of silicone. Pretty much all of the companies from that era that made cartridges normally fitting for that TT are out of business though a couple still remain. Depending on you cartridge budget you can look at Grado, Audio Technica and Nagaoka. A good source for the appropriate cartridges would be turntableneedles.com. If you still have a functioning cartridge on the TT and just need a new stylus they can help with that too. This is the link to the manuals for the PL-71.

Pioneer PL-71 Electronic Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine

Another thing if not a member is to look into the turntable forum at audiokharma.com as you might find multiple members there still using either the PL-71 or one of it's line mates. As a general rule all of the members there are still using vintage turntables from that era and many have a lot of repair and mod experience.
+1
The PL-71 was Pioneer's top of the line (or close to it), and has a great reputation.
Pioneer PL-71
Pioneer PL-71 Electronic Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine
 
The Pioneer sounds like a good table to start with. I have and have had the entire Ortofon 2M series, up to the Black. Good solid cartridges. I do also have an Ortofon 2M Blue mounted up in order to test used albums that are in roof shape (I have not had to do this much). I prefer the Audio Technica myself. I have the VM740ML on my secondary Technics table and really like it.

Audio Technica - VM740ML Dual MM Phono Cartridge

My main Rega table has a Rega Moving Coil (MC) cartridge on it.

The Denon suggestion also appears to be a good cartridge, although I have never used one. One thing to be aware of is that it is a MC cartridge. You will have to make sure your phono stage can handle MC cartridges. Moving Magnet (MM) is the standard that most built in phono stages handle (ala the Ortofons and ATs that have been suggested).
 
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