Steve's next turntable journey Pioneer PL-71

One cheap mat I liked on many decks is the NAS Spacemat, which seems like a thinner version of the Funk one.

The Japanese didn't "listen" to their decks back then as we Linnies did, but more often than not, used careful measurements and technology to great effect on the better designs, getting good sound by engineering rather than tweaking an otherwise ok design. If the Pioneer mat has two grades of rubber on the mat, then some serious work would have gone into its design I suggest. The insides are solid and the plinth isn't an outer chipboard shell either. Perhaps its success is an accident, but I'm glad it's a goodie.

There should be enough pics of the R200 on the internet, but to show the basic similarities of the two, I can take and post pics of mine as it is, before I get it sorted.

P.S. I think this is another rare one in the UK, but the Sony PS8750 sounded really fine to me as well

Got it today and fitted it. Nicely made bit of kit. Like the leads.

Its about 2.5 -3g heavier than the Technics shell it is to replace.
Not sure that was going to the what the 33 PTG ordered when I worked it out. It may suit a battleship Denon 103.
When I tried fitting the extra 3g mass Technics supplied to the Techi shell it sent everything basswards.

So, I've had a listen and it's ok. Need more time with it yet to say for certain.
Everything was to light on its feet before - hope I have not lost any of that.

Pic to follow.

Hi Steve,

How are you getting on with it all, mate? Let us know :)

Marco.

Was just about to write something to update on the headshells.

As an aside I've been doing a boot sale or two and have come up with some really nice vinyl. Record cleaner essential though...

Right headshells.

The Sumiko is reported to weigh in at 12g. Inc leads and screws my digi scales make it 13.5g
The Technics headshell on my scales inc Sumiko leads (nice) and screws is 9.4g.

That's a 4g diff! So more 1g than the 3g weight I bunged on to try heavy.

The extra weight does not suit the Audio Technica 33 PTG it must be said.

The sound got rather lifeless and well for want of a better word 'heavy'.
We perhaps not heavy but it lost that light trippy feeling and what someone else described the 33PTG as possessing - an almost holographic sound so involving is the sound stage and depth.
Now I'v not heard a top flight Denon 103 on the heavy weight shell so can't perhaps that would top it - who knows?

One day Gromit will come round with the SPU - and perhaps his 103 as well, so I can find out.

Music wise, I got a copy of the Frank Sinatra and Company - I just love the sound and production. This one has childhood memories of my parents playing it in the early 70's on a Garrard.
That copy is now long gone - I got one from the States. The vinyl is in ex condition.
Sounds just amazing. So much better than the CD I bought in Dallas back in 1995, it is unbelievable.

Other goodies that play really well / give me goose bumps are Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train (already mentioned that one). Saw a copy of that at the boot sale this morning.
Keith Jarret - Koln consert (got AoS John (the purveyor) to thank for that one... Still looking for Nick Drake - Five leaves left BTW).
Roxy Music - Avalon and of course Dire Straits / Communique (both albums on certain tracks).

Also found some of the alignment protractors of Vinyl Engine very useful.
+ this one http://www.enjoythemusic.com/freestuff.htm for initial set up.

So, as for TT's, shells and mats I will just use the PL-71 with Technics shell now for a while.

So, Steve, how's the PL71 experiments coming along?

The mat on my one is crumbling away so I'm using a Technics one at it seems to work well in combination with a cork mat on top. I've knocked up a new PSU / regulator board for the deck but have not had enough time for a good A / B listen. I've ordered new arm wiring and now have new phono leads from Maplin to fit...I'm hoping all this will make the deck better than standard without loosing too much of the character...

Sounds good NRG. Like to hear that PSU... i have a similar system on the SL-1210 I bought. That is 20V I believe.
I measured my PL-71 at closer to 20V. I've lent my scope at the moment so no chance to look at PSU noise.

I've just been using mine for the past month or so without any major changes.

Shame about that original mat:doh: It has almost magical properties on the deck for lightness of touch and musical appeal. I would think the Archomat I also have is closer to it than the heavy Techi rubber - I also have one of those oh and a Rega felt one.
Tried them all of course...

I am going to the two bake off's on PF.
1st one is Richard D's PL-71. 2nd one I've got a place on it for my PL-71.

I had a great session round at I_Should_Coco's. He's SP-10, SME and very fancy cart, tube and 15" Tannoy like me.

Coming home the PL-71 did not disappoint me.

I will be very interesting to hear all these decks back to back (admittedly on unfamiliar ancillaries.

That will be taking up all my hifi time for the next couple of weeks.

Other than that, I have been buying lots of vinyl. Net / bootsales / charity shop. Got some lovely ex / ex+ stuff I've been wanting.

I have fiddled with most things over the last year including PSU mods, and I have gone back everytime to the original. Some things were marginal but most made it worse. This turntable is the best synergy I have come across.

If you are using old carts like I am SPU / DL103 / M3D you need extra mass on the tonearm, but I was lucky to get - 'struth forgotten his name - to do me extra arm weights on his lathe before he packed it in for personal reasons. Does anyone else do a bespoke service?

Anyway see you tomorrow.

I'm now running with some 1.1A sckottys and I've also fitted the a captured phono cable and plugs - all from Maplin. To say this has made a difference would be a huge understatement! It's a big difference to my ears, can't say if its the new diodes or the cable but its much much better...the character has changed and you may or may not like it...for me it's moved in the right direction...better detail, texture, more define bass lines etc. Glad I did it.

Good luck with the bake off Richard, have fun guys.

Indeed have fun, people :)

Steve, could you do a write-up of the event please for AOS, preferably with pictures? :cool:

Marco.

Quote:

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If you are using old carts like I am SPU / DL103 / M3D you need extra mass on the tonearm, but I was lucky to get - 'struth forgotten his name - to do me extra arm weights on his lathe before he packed it in for personal reasons. Does anyone else do a bespoke service?

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Richard, I think you mean John (a.k.a 'Thrunobulaxx'). Yes, it's very sad what happened there.

J7/Audio Origami, if he's not too busy, can provide the same service. Failing that, I also know of someone else just as good :)

Marco.