PL 50A versus PL 514 comparision

[Bob in STL]

Opportunity knocks so I looking for insights from Pioneer enthusiasts.

PL 50A - very good shape, stock form, has a cartridge on it but I don't recall the model (it was not a significant model). Asking $125, not sure I can get it much lower.

PL 514 - also in very good shape, no cartridge. Asking $50 – I think it can be had for $30-35

Both seemed to be priced on the high side. Both have auto return (which is a feature I could use).

Which one will sound better? Which one can be tweaked to sound better? Can either of them play modern MC cartridges (i.e. tonearm mass not to low)?

I like the looks of the PL 50A - big wood base that looks like walnut veneer. On the surface it looks better but does it play better? I read a lot of good things about the PL-518 and the 514 looks to have the same tone arm.

Thanks, Bob

[Prana69]

Take the PL-50. They will sound similar but I find the earlier Pioneers a bit warmer. Plus, the wood box looks better than the resin on the 514.

D

[Bob in STL]

Take the PL-50. They will sound similar but I find the earlier Pioneers a bit warmer. Plus, the wood box looks better than the resin on the 514.

D

Someone beat me to the PL 50A.

I ended up with the 514 with an Ortofon OM-10 for $25. They tossed in an AT -411e to boot.

[Prana69]

Well, you can't go wrong for $25 with an OM10. Never heard the AT-411.

Is it the white/grey "A" version of the PL-514, or the black "X" variant?

D

[Bob in STL]

Well, you can't go wrong for $25 with an OM10. Never heard the AT-411.

Is it the white/grey "A" version of the PL-514, or the black "X" variant?

D

My PL-514 is the grey/silver one.

I brought it home and readjusted the cartridge, set the tracking force to 1.5 grams, and set tracking angle with a free protractor from this great web site. i cleaned the stylus tip and tried it out.

The deck plays very nicely indeed. The platter spins at the proper speed. The cartridge is in good shape. The OM 10 sounds nice. I need to do more listening still to decide more on this.

The deck is quiet and smoothe. The cueing lever works perfectly and is well damped in the up and down direction. This a manual deck with auto return and this function works as advertised. I like the auto return so I can work about the house while playing this deck.

Overall a very nice deck. Simple to use and good sound. The soft rubber feet seem to help with vibration isolation.

I and going to oil it, then clean it up and make it shine. Even the dust over is in good shape.

The belt seems to be fine but I would like to start with a new one. Can anyone recommend a place to buy the correct belt for this unit?

Also, I see from the manual that you oil the motor from the top at two points near the pully. Would it be wise to some how oil or grease the spindle/bearing?

Are there any simple tweaks and improvements that are recomended?

Thanks, Bob

[Bob in STL]

One more question ... there is no tonearm height adjustment.

Does this men VTA is set perfectly at the factory? What if I want to replace the platter mat with another one of a different thickness?

thanks, Bob

[Prana69]

Hi Bob

Sounds like you've scored yourself a nice deck. Answers to questions:

1. Belt. Definitely worth buying a new one. You can buy one from turntableneedles.com. Use the "Find my player" search function here:http://www.turntableneedles.com/find10.asp You need an FBM23.6, by the way.

2. Oil. Yes, a couple of drops in those holes near the pulley. And yes, it is worth putting a couple of drops into the base of the spindle shaft. If you are really keen, you can take the base off the table, disassemble the spindle and bearing mechanism and give it a really good clean out and replace the grease in there as it can get quite sticky after years of use. A light bicycle / lithium grease is best for this. Don't use an auto grease as it is too thick.

3. VTA. I would say the 514's arm is fixed, so the VTA is not adjustable. The optimum is for the arm to be parallel to the record during play. If it is not, you sure can use a thicker platter mat, or multiple mats to raise the platter height if necessary. Note however that having multiple mats may impact on the quality of sound output.

Many people experiment with different materials for mats. I used to use a felt mat until Alec here told me it's sonic properties were very average (looks cool though!). I have since switched to a cork mat and the sound difference is amazing. Lots of people have acrylic and glass platter mats specially made. Some people spend hundreds of $$$$ on specialist mats and swear by them. I'm not in that league..... I'm happy with my $30 cork mat.

4. Tweaks. Not my department. I am too lazy and change my decks too often to devote a lot of time to tweaking my tables. I just keep them factory fresh.

Dave

[Bob in STL]

Hi Bob

Sounds like you've scored yourself a nice deck. Answers to questions:

1. Belt. Definitely worth buying a new one. You can buy one from turntableneedles.com. Use the "Find my player" search function here:http://www.turntableneedles.com/find10.asp You need an FBM23.6, by the way.

2. Oil. Yes, a couple of drops in those holes near the pulley. And yes, it is worth putting a couple of drops into the base of the spindle shaft. If you are really keen, you can take the base off the table, disassemble the spindle and bearing mechanism and give it a really good clean out and replace the grease in there as it can get quite sticky after years of use. A light bicycle / lithium grease is best for this. Don't use an auto grease as it is too thick.

3. VTA. I would say the 514's arm is fixed, so the VTA is not adjustable. The optimum is for the arm to be parallel to the record during play. If it is not, you sure can use a thicker platter mat, or multiple mats to raise the platter height if necessary. Note however that having multiple mats may impact on the quality of sound output.

Many people experiment with different materials for mats. I used to use a felt mat until Alec here told me it's sonic properties were very average (looks cool though!). I have since switched to a cork mat and the sound difference is amazing. Lots of people have acrylic and glass platter mats specially made. Some people spend hundreds of $$$$ on specialist mats and swear by them. I'm not in that league..... I'm happy with my $30 cork mat.

4. Tweaks. Not my department. I am too lazy and change my decks too often to devote a lot of time to tweaking my tables. I just keep them factory fresh.

Dave

Thanks for the info on the belt. I need to start with a new fresh one.

Yes. It sure is a nice deck and very quiet. The first owner took very good care of it.

I made a cork mat for it and tha(at least to my ears). Turns out I have cork that is the same thickness as the stock mat. The VTA is not adjustable but looks fine as set by the factory.

I will clean it, oil it, grease it and post a picture by the end of the weekend.

This deck, with the OM 10 included, is a great $25 acquisition for me.

Cheers.

[Prana69]

Yep. $25 with an OM10 is a steal. It's not the prettiest deck around, but it's well built and delivers good sound quality.

Looking forward to those pics.....

D

[Bob in STL]

Yep. $25 with an OM10 is a steal. It's not the prettiest deck around, but it's well built and delivers good sound quality.

Looking forward to those pics.....

D

Here you go Dave.

It cleaned up nicely and it sounds good too. I am now replacing the spindle bearing grease and I have a new belt on order. Also, I noticed the motor mounts have rubber groumet isolators. They look good as is but could perhaps benefit from some restoration? There is a rubber restoring solution that might help rejuevenate them and improve isloation. Maybe I will do that next or maybe I will say "not broke so don't fix it".

Cheers! Bob

[Prana69]

Hi Bob - wow, that's really cleaned up nicely. Looks to be near mint on the base. Good work. That stylus sure is riding low! Not much clearance between the cart body and the stylus, but I guess that is the Ortofon om10 design.

D

[Bob in STL]

Hi Bob - wow, that's really cleaned up nicely. Looks to be near mint on the base. Good work. That stylus sure is riding low! Not much clearance between the cart body and the stylus, but I guess that is the Ortofon om10 design.

D

Dave,

I took note of your comment and bought a replacement stylus for the OM 10.

Now looking better and sounding better too.



Cheers, Bob