Recommendations/Pioneer/Dual

[Vinylismo]

Recommendations needed.

Pioneer: PL-12AC vs. Pioneer PL-12D vs. PL-115D

Dual: 505-3 vs. 1225

Which of these you would choose?

[mmarston]

No experience with the PL-12AC. I had a PL-12D and later a 112D which is the same as the 115D except no arm return. Both sounded fine except for slight motor noise. I have a slight preference for the PL-12D because the suspended chassis of the 112 would occasionally bottom out when really digging in with a record brush. Since I didn't have them at the same time, I obviously didn't do direct comparisons, but can't hear any major differences in cassettes made with either one, that I could attribute to the turntable.

The Dual question is more enigmatic. Belt drive vs. idler and all that. Although I've never owned a Dual, many friends have and I have a soft spot for the 10xx and 12xx idler drives. The 1225's smaller platter weighs against it but not that much in my opinion. But the 503 was also well regarded in its day.

Out of those 5 choices, if condition is near perfect, I'd probably go with the PL-12D. But any of them could make nice music. And auto-shutoff can be a handy feature to have.

[lini]

Personally I'd go for the 505-3, but the PL-115D isn't bad either. One good extra point for the Dual: The 505-3 is hardly different from the 505-4 - and the latter is still in production, so there won't be a lack of replacement parts anytime soon.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

[akb778]

Even though I've ever owned a Pioneer, I've heard the PL-12D is very good.

For the Duals: I do own a 506-1 which is essentially the 505-3 with a strobe. Both are really good belt drive tables. The 1225 is a really good idler table, and, out of all the choices, that's probably the one I'd go with. If you can get one in good, fully working condition, you've got a winner on your hands. If you wanted one of the belt drives, I'd go with either the PL-12D or the 505-3.

[mmarston]

Oops, I meant 505... Silly dyslexia...

[Smoke Screen]

PL-12D and PL-115D are simple and solid build decent japanese entry
level decks from before the plastic era with good medium mass tonearms.
The PL-115Ds drive system seems a tiny bit better than the older model
but its to close to make a (audible) difference i think.
A cart like the SAE 1000E/LT or AT15XE will be a good fit.

In general the Dual 505 is on the same level. The drive is slightly
better than the PL-115Ds and the tonearm is better suitet for soft hanged
carts like Ortofon VMS.

Both can,equipped with a fitting cart,make sweet music. No doubts about
that. So it breaks down to personal preferences in carts rather than a
simple decision about which deck is technical superior to the othere because none is.

Personaly i would choose the PL-115D with a SAE 1000E under its headshell.