Steve's next turntable journey Pioneer PL-71

I am hoping to get a Spu on the PL-71 arm - Will have to buy one I guess.
Does anyone know of dealers/suppliers who have demo carts for trials? - perhaps asking rather a lot but a Spu is not just for Christmas is it...

Cartridges are something that NOONE used to lend out, unless it was to a very well known client we trusted...

Richard Dunn may be able to offer assistance regarding a listen. My own experience of old SPU's is that they have a powerful and very "meaty" bass but with marginal tracking, which may be better with modern suspensions and stylus technologies. If you've heard and loved an M3D/N21, you'll probably like it a lot, although the Shure tracks better than elderly SPU's do ;)

To be honest, Ortofon introduced the SL15 series because they felt they could better the then elderly SPU design. It's that old steam engine thing again IMO..

HiFi dave has a SPU on dem I think and can compare with more modern designs of high quality into Tannoys, Harbeths and decent valve gear (EAR, Puresound and Croft last I heard)......

Thanks.
I have heard Richard's Spu / PL-71 recently.

I really need to hear one on my system - Will contact Gromit again...

I got around to changing the pitch trim pots and the 8 caps on the motor control board. the imbedded four 4.7uF ones were a right pain but patience and care and it's all done and it now sounds better than ever.
Surprising what getting the speed right does to the music.

New caps on motor control board

http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/42...600x600Q85.jpg

New pitch pots and previous done switches

http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/29...600x600Q85.jpg

What does Richard suggest for lubing the spindle and bearing thrust plate?

Hi Steve, same caps as I changed....did you also do all the PSU one's as well inc the ceramic? ...I did but still found my pre-tracking PSU was better than the original...

I replaced the oil in the main bearing with the Panasonic / Technics SL1200 stuff, seems to be OK ...I've also read EP80 works well....

NRG: I replaced the Electrolytics but not the ceramic. Was not aware that that one would get tired? Can easily replace it and it will be a discrete update so I might hear a different.

Could you give more details as to how to change the oil - was that the 12,000 mile service? :)

hmmm - why all this fuss about the PL71?

It was a highish quality mid seventies DD with elementary speed control, a strongish motor, an average bearing and a decent but resonant S-shaped arm; all solid mid-price Jap fare from that period, but nowt special!

The really clever one was its replacement; the PL600X (PL120 in Japanese market); costing £230 in 1979 it had even better build with an independently sprung subchassis, all metal plinth, beautifully crafted tonearm, etc. Quite a lot better than the '71, IMHO, and likewise the SL1200. One to look for...

http://twitpic.com/duwnc

Errr... Are you sure about that, David? It looks a bit 'plasticy' to me :confused:

Marco.

P.S Looking forward to getting the 'SL-1210MP' (with DL-103SA) review done and dusted... :)

Should be interesting!

...there's barely a single piece of plastic on it Marco! It's all cast alloy, even the underside on the base which is of course rubberised plastic on the SL1200. It's as well built as an SP10/II; I kid thee not! Even the arm feels like an Ikeda, although sadly it's not detachable like the SL1200. So the best tweak that can be done is to have it rewired...

The 'ermm it looks plastic to me' reaction is what's keeping second hand prices down - I bought my last one for £26! Long may that continue...