I'm looking to replace a 40 year old Pioneer PL-400 turntable. I like the automatic versions and was looking at a Denon DP-300F. Anyone have any guidance for turntables in that price range?
That PL-400 was, and still is, a very fine turntable.
High quality design inside and out.
Also has high quality specs, and quartz lock speed control.
Asides from doing some minor servicing to it, (cleaning/lube/etc) if it were mine, I'd hang onto it.
Because even $500 today wouldn't give you the dependable performance of that unit.
Try and find a "today" turntable with such low wow/flutter figures! (under .03%!)
Good luck finding That today!
High quality design inside and out.
Also has high quality specs, and quartz lock speed control.
Asides from doing some minor servicing to it, (cleaning/lube/etc) if it were mine, I'd hang onto it.
Because even $500 today wouldn't give you the dependable performance of that unit.
Try and find a "today" turntable with such low wow/flutter figures! (under .03%!)
Good luck finding That today!
Not so... it was a mediocre unit back in 1979 and hasn't got any better over the years.
Full marks to the O/P for keeping it going for so long !! 🙂
Your upgrade path will be cogniscant of the current state of your album collection.
If you are happy with the previous PL-400 then find another on ebay....🙂
If not then use your local audio outlet to audition a replacement or upgrade.
Best,
Bob.
additional info and links for repair...
Pioneer PL-400 2-Speed Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine
Pioneer PL-400 2-Speed Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine
Mediocre???
You call
Wow and flutter: 0.025%, Rumble: 75dB......mediocre?
You must not know that those two specs are rare to find on any turntable, particularly something made today!
The average offering today shows a TEN TIMES WORSE pile of specs.
Unless, of course, you spend at LEAST $2000 or more on something, and even that is a needle in a haystack!
The (current) Denon DP-300F's wow/flutter spec is MUCH worse at 0.10%, and they don't even offer to publish the rumble (db) figure!... go figure!
It must be higher, or they'd be proud to post it.
Plus, the Denon's a belt drive unit - and requires changing the belt in time, something not required of a direct-drive motor.
I strongly suggest the OP holds onto that Pioneer.
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The Pioneer PL-400 is similar to my Technics SL-QX200, but happily without the restrictions of that turntable's T4P cartridge mount system.
The suspension system that isolates the platter and tonearm from the chassis of the turntable in both models is worthy of note.
I'm with wiseoldtech on this. If the PL-400 is in good cosmetic and working condition I would hold on to it. It would be difficult to find a sub $500 turntable that would match it for facilities and performance.
Perhaps a cartridge upgrade would be money better spent? stereonomono - Hi Fi Compendium: Pioneer PL-400
The suspension system that isolates the platter and tonearm from the chassis of the turntable in both models is worthy of note.
I'm with wiseoldtech on this. If the PL-400 is in good cosmetic and working condition I would hold on to it. It would be difficult to find a sub $500 turntable that would match it for facilities and performance.
Perhaps a cartridge upgrade would be money better spent? stereonomono - Hi Fi Compendium: Pioneer PL-400
Have a look on E-bay, there are a few Linn LP12s on there under your budget price.
Linn Sondek LP12 Turntable with Linn Ittok LVII Tonearm - One Owner | eBay
Linn Sondek LP12 Turntable with Linn Ittok LVII Tonearm - One Owner | eBay
You know how ebay works right?😕
I've seen those arms sell for close to that starting bid.
jeff
The speed control on the Pioneer PL-400 is not working correctly. It will not maintain speed. I caught it once rotating about 1000 rpm, so fast it was out of balance and sounded like an out of balance washing machine, LOL.
@Drone7 - I did find the service manuals and will take a stab at repairing it. Problem is some of these chips are proprietary.
@Drone7 - I did find the service manuals and will take a stab at repairing it. Problem is some of these chips are proprietary.
Contact cleaner such as Deoxit is needed for cleaning the speed controls.
This is mandatory maintenance for any vintage stereo components.
It's been neglected, ignored, and is now crying out for a little attention....
Just as a car would, if you never had it serviced after decades.
A little fresh lube in the right places of the mechanism isn't a bank-breaker.
I would keep it. Clean & lube it, replace PSU dried elkos.
I would perhaps invest in a better cartridge if it works fine afterwards.
MY old PL-516X belt driven is still working fine after maintenance.
I would perhaps invest in a better cartridge if it works fine afterwards.
MY old PL-516X belt driven is still working fine after maintenance.
I moved the recap project to another thread: https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/358804-recap-pioneer-pl-400-turntable-questions.html#post6310281
Found this thread looking for automatic turntables. Any suggestions for nice modern tt that have an auto return? I’m coming from the Rega P25 and love it, but I think an automatic table would get more play in my household!
Why don't I use a better-sounding turntable? - YouTube
Why don't I use a better-sounding turntable? - YouTube
You can have those flat board boring machines that sell for rediculous prices.
I'll stick with my 1980's DD Kenwood linear tracker and my 1970's Dual changer.
To me, that's a "nice, modern turntable with auto return."
And both have better reliability and specs than those flat board crap things.
I'll stick with my 1980's DD Kenwood linear tracker and my 1970's Dual changer.
To me, that's a "nice, modern turntable with auto return."
And both have better reliability and specs than those flat board crap things.