I recently picked up a Pioneer PL-530X TT on the auction site that is missing the lateral weight that hangs on a small rod off the side near the rear of the tonearm. Since none of my past tables (BSR, Dual) have had this type of lateral weight I have no experience with this and would like to ask how important it is to have this weight in place when using the TT? The cartridge in it does not have a stylus so I haven't been able to try playing an album yet. I have ordered a new cartridge so I thought I'd better inquire about the need for the weight before the cartridge arrives. Dare I use it without the lateral weight or not even try it until I can locate one?

The TT seems to be operating correctly with only one slight problem. Fortunately I have read about the potential fix in another thread here. The tonearm does not quite return fully to the rest position. It stops about a 1/4" short but from the old thread here it seems there is a felt or foam pad on the mechanism that if replaced should cure this. I haven't looked inside yet to confirm if the pad is missing or rotted. I'll probably get inside in a couple of weeks to complete my clean up and get it working. Any advice from you folks is appreciated. Thanks.

Hi,

I also have a PL530. If the weight your talking about is the one I think it is, it's designed to place a consistent force on one side of the arm to take out any bearing slop that might present and prevent the arm from rocking (however minutely that might be) during record play due to that bearing slop.

-Kevin-

Oh Yeah, My arm also doesn't completely return to the armrest either. It doesn't bother me enough to do anything about it.

Hi,

I also have a PL530. If the weight your talking about is the one I think it is, it's designed to place a consistent force on one side of the arm to take out any bearing slop that might present and prevent the arm from rocking (however minutely that might be) during record play due to that bearing slop.

-Kevin-

Oh Yeah, My arm also doesn't completely return to the armrest either. It doesn't bother me enough to do anything about it.

Interesting theory, but I don't think so. I'll cut you a break since you're a Delaware Valleyan. :D

It's to laterally balance the arm, since being S-shaped it exists in two planes, rather than a straight arm which is only in one plane. The idea is that torque will be applied if the turntable is not perfectly level. If you lift up the left side of the base, then the right side, the arm shouldn't move if laterally balanced. The fact that Pioneer omitted the weight in its later high end s-arms leads one to believe that it wasn't that necessary to begin with. If you make sure the turntable is perfectly level, I'm sure you can do without it. Some people like to have it for completeness and because it looks cool. I can relate to that. :D

If you'd like to make your own, I'll weigh mine so you'd know how much weight to use.

[QUOTE=hakaplan;1349437]Interesting theory, but I don't think so. I'll cut you a break since you're a Delaware Valleyan. :D

It's to laterally balance the arm, since being S-shaped it exists in two planes, rather than a straight arm which is only in one plane. The idea is that torque will be applied if the turntable is not perfectly level. If you lift up the left side of the base, then the right side, the arm shouldn't move if laterally balanced. The fact that Pioneer omitted the weight in its later high end s-arms leads one to believe that it wasn't that necessary to begin with. If you make sure the turntable is perfectly level, I'm sure you can do without it. Some people like to have it for completeness and because it looks cool. I can relate to that. :D[QUOTE]

Hi Howard,

Thanks for cutting a fellow Delaware Valleyan a break!:D

I read this somewhere a long time ago and I've since been trying to find where I got this but I can't now. I thought it was in the manual for the table itself but upon rechecking I see it's not. The fact that the manual only tells you approximately how to set this weight and it has no precise markings suggests to me that it's setting is not really all that critical.

Anyway, I certainly trust what Howard says to be true! As for my answer, sorry to mislead with info that I didn't double check before posting. :nono: Lesson learned!

-Kevin-


From the PL530 Operating Instructions manual:

Step 5 of Assembly Procedure:

"Using the accessory screwdriver, attach the lateral weight to the lateral bar. Tighten the lateral weight to the lateral bar, 18 - 23mm from the tonearm (fig. 7). Even when a new cartridge is mounted, it is not necessary to re-adjust the lateral weight."

This is the only mention of this weight in the manual. I still have no idea where I got the other misinformation from. Sorry about that.

Hey, Kevin, no sweat. I've written plenty of stuff that turned out to be wrong. You just have to hope nobody goes back and reads it. :D

Yes, the manual gives you the impression that even Pioneer didn't know what it was for. I think they included it because everyone else did (except Technics, that is) and maybe because it looked cool.

Guys,
Thanks for the info! I'll level up the TT when I hook it up and be on the lookout for the lateral weight on the auction site or from a unit being parted out.