Pioneer PLX-1000

[DK1]

Yep it's a brutal way of checking! But surely there should be no lateral play in the tonearm bearings at all?

[Japi Roelofs]

Well, of course there is always a 'little' play, otherwise the tonearm wouldn't move at all. Question is; how much is acceptable?

[DK1]

Agreed... But seems strange that in the clip the Technics had very little discernible play.

The play in my Pioneer is as pronounced as the one in the clip. I have, under Pioneers approval, tweaked the bearing screws to the point where there is no adjustment left and they still rattle!

Unfortunately I let my Pro-Ject tt go a few weeks back otherwise I would have a benchmark. Anyone here got another turntable tonearm they would like to test and report back?

[macnoob]

I wonder if someone like KAB that repairs Technics TTs can upgrade the tonearm bearings ....

[DK1]

Well the "so-called" repair took the guy about 2 minutes, by which time I had left their premises and was on my 25 mile journey back home with a message waiting for me that he had "fixed it", so I turned around and headed back to pick it up. Got it home and set it up again... wouldn't play a record!! He'd tightened the gimbal screws too much! So much for a repair! But then again I guess I should have taken the complete deck to him - I removed the platter and headshell to minimise any possible transit damage.

The main problem I have with Pioneer is as soon as you mention PLX1000 they say oh it has to go to one of our DJ Repair Centres; seems obvious to me that DJ centres don't know how to repair turntables! I'll continue to play around with the gimbal bearings as at least he managed to loosen the top screw adjuster, which I couldn't budge. My ideal solution would be minimal rattle whilst still offering free movement of the arm. If I can't solve it then I'll look out for a "proper" turntable repairer, but it's probably a fault with the design.

Hey, it still plays records, but I find myself questioning whether the loose bearing syndrome causes any playback issues as I can only get this deck, (with any of the Ortofon 2M series fitted), to "pass" band 6-bias setting on the HiFi News Test LP with an overly heavy anti-skate setting, bands 7 & 8 forget it. I know other owners on here manage to get theirs to pass 6, 7 and 8 without problem, (but there is no free-play in their bearings); my Pro-Ject DC also passed without problems with the same carts fitted.

[irons1965]

DK- My anti-skate was set to about 4 (my Nagaoka cartridge is set at 1.8g) just to be able to get rid of the buzzing sounds on that test record on bands 6,7 and 8.

What I did hear was a lot of surface noise 'sounds' across those bands but no buzzing in either channel....In the end I gave up with the test record and just set my anti-skate dial to around the same as the cartridge reading (1.8-2g).

[Lymbo90]

DK,

Why won't the retailer simply replace the table? A friend of mine who heard my PLX decided he wanted one after hearing mine and bought one at the local Guitar Center. He received one of the loose tonearm bearing stinkers. He then called Pioneer and ask if he should have it repaired and Pioneer told him to take it back and have GC replace it since it had been less than 30 days since the purchase.

GC replaced it without question and his new one is perfectly fine.

I had to adjust the bearings on an SL-1200 that I bought off of fleabay a couple of years ago and I just used KAB's instructions on their website and it wasn't difficult. I imagine the process would be the exact same with the PLX.

[irons1965]

Lymbo

How did you settle on your anti-skate settings- Did you just follow Pioneer's instructions of matching your chosen cartridge figure with a similar anti-skate reading?

[Lymbo90]

Lymbo

How did you settle on your anti-skate settings- Did you just follow Pioneer's instructions of matching your chosen cartridge figure with a similar anti-skate reading?

Yes sir, I did. I'm still blown away with this TT. MUCH better than I had anticipated. I honestly prefer the sound of it over the Scout 1.1 that I owned prior to buying the Pioneer. And the VPI cost more than double the price of the PLX.

[irons1965]

Nice one Lymbo, cheers!

[DK1]

Cheers for all the info Lymbo and Irons. KAB adjustment for Technics looks interesting and is totally opposite of what the repair guy did - he just tightened the centre screw without touching the locking ring. Doubtful whether Pioneer would replace as the deck is now two months old but I'll give it a try, especially now with the peeling paint on the tonearm too.

Doug

[Lymbo90]

Cheers for all the info Lymbo and Irons. KAB adjustment for Technics looks interesting and is totally opposite of what the repair guy did - he just tightened the centre screw without touching the locking ring. Doubtful whether Pioneer would replace as the deck is now two months old but I'll give it a try, especially now with the peeling paint on the tonearm too.

Doug

Doug,

I'd call Pioneer if I were you. Just a suggestion.

[DK1]

I think you are spot-on Lymbo, Pioneer will either be getting a call or a letter requesting a replacement. This whole episode has cast a shadow over this, otherwise, fine turntable.

[irons1965]

Don't give up try and stick with it Doug, I'm sure it'll be worth the hassle.

Cheers

Darren

[DK1]

Oh, it's definitely worth the hassle Darren. I do like this turntable very much, I just don't like the one I've currently got!!