Hello, I have no frame of reference regarding these turntables. Last one I had was a Gerrard cheapie many yrs ago. Back then Dual 12xx series were plastered over every stereo magazine. But now that I am thinking of foraying back into vinyl (not a total lunge, but a dabble) just for grins, What's a decent TT for this. Kinda liked the PL-517 or 519. Do I really need to consider belt or direct drive as a factor at the level I'm planning to enter. What Dual would be comparable? Would welcom your thoughts -- and experience!

Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood or Dual would all do it. Drive does not make a difference at this level of planning except as it influences cartridge choice because of motor location (Grado vs Motor Hum?). AT this level, it's more important to get a moderate to light arm so you can have a good choice of cartridges and the speed controls need to work. You will lube and clean any thrift store or CL find. So, it's really a matter of what strikes your fancy and works well.

Hello, I have no frame of reference regarding these turntables. Last one I had was a Gerrard cheapie many yrs ago. Back then Dual 12xx series were plastered over every stereo magazine. But now that I am thinking of foraying back into vinyl (not a total lunge, but a dabble) just for grins, What's a decent TT for this. Kinda liked the PL-517 or 519. Do I really need to consider belt or direct drive as a factor at the level I'm planning to enter. What Dual would be comparable? Would welcom your thoughts -- and experience!
Just as a point of information, there is no PL-517 or 519. For the first you might have been thinking of the PL-117D, which is belt drive and full auto. I don't know what you were thinking of for the second one.

Yea, I think I got the models mixed up. I think I was also thinking of a Pioneer PL A45D -- or was it A46. Belt drive, later model than the 117D. Any good?

The PL-A45D came first, then the PL-117D. Both originally sold for around $175, so reasonably decent. Does it matter to you whether it is manual, auto-return or full auto?

The PL-117D is a nice table, but the PL-A45D is of slightly better quality...less plastic over all. However, the 117D has a GREAT tonearm. Either one set up properly with a decent cart will sound GREAT.

Joey

Thanks, AK members! I kinda thought my add-on regarding the PL A45 was probably gunna die there. I've only recently even thought of a TT and exploring some of the entry/mid level TTs. I'm beginning to seriously consider the PL 530. What's your thoughts on this model? Any good? Seems to receive a fair amount of respect -- might be in my ballpark and suit my needs. I haven't played any vinyl in -- I dare say it -- a few decades, but who know, might be my next venture! Thanks again for your help here and your knowledge.

Thanks, AK members! I kinda thought my add-on regarding the PL A45 was probably gunna die there. I've only recently even thought of a TT and exploring some of the entry/mid level TTs. I'm beginning to seriously consider the PL 530. What's your thoughts on this model? Any good? Seems to receive a fair amount of respect -- might be in my ballpark and suit my needs. I haven't played any vinyl in -- I dare say it -- a few decades, but who know, might be my next venture! Thanks again for your help here and your knowledge.
The PL-530 is very good. But consider the PL-570. Same series, but top of the line. Quartz lock, although you turn it off and adjust pitch if you want. Longer arm for better tracking. Also has adjustable VTA (tonearm height) and the automation is independent of the platter movement. And probably won't cost that much more.

I would stay clear of the PL-530. I never meet one that did not end up having issues with it's automation... Go with hakaplan's recomendation for the PL-570 for a KILLER Pioneer.

Just as a point of information, there is no PL-517 or 519. For the first you might have been thinking of the PL-117D, which is belt drive and full auto. I don't know what you were thinking of for the second one.

With all respect sir, there was in fact a Pioneer PL 519 direct drive turntable. I owned one for 10 years. (purchased 1978, +/- a year or so).

Been looking to get another one on ebay to complete the recreation of my "original (first) stereo system".

I saw a PL 518 on ebay tonight (4-19-08)....can't tell it apart from the PL 519 I had. If the dust cover wasn't so scratched....it would be close enough.

Marconi.

Marconi, I have never heard of, nor seen a PL-519--of course that in and of itself means nothing. But it does not appear in the Pioneer component database here at AK, which is quite comprehensive, and a google search turns up not one shred of it's existence, not in the US or Japan or anywhere. So until you can supply a picture or other documentation, I'm sticking with the info I have.

And on that PL-51x series, they went in succession 512, 514, 516, 518.

519?

Alan

And on that PL-51x series, they went in succession 512, 514, 516, 518.

519?

Alan
Exactly. The only thing I can think of is that a tiny bit of the lettering rubbed off such that the 8 looked like a 9 and he thought it was a PL-519. It would explain the fact that it looked identical to a 518.

Marconi, I have never heard of, nor seen a PL-519--of course that in and of itself means nothing. But it does not appear in the Pioneer component database here at AK, which is quite comprehensive, and a google search turns up not one shred of it's existence, not in the US or Japan or anywhere. So until you can supply a picture or other documentation, I'm sticking with the info I have.

I won't challenge your facts on Pioneer's published model numbers. I will suggest, however, that back in the 70's, many retailers would sell products (with neighboring model numbers) in their stores manufactured by name brand suppliers. That's how the Sears tower in Chicago was built!!

My case in point is the Pioneer PL 519 turntable. I purchased one from "The Lion Store", Toledo, Ohio, now "Dilliards" in 1978. Name brand audio from a retail department store was dying fast in 1978. My sister worked there, and I got her discount (the only reason I owned it).

Looking at a recent PL 518 on ebay, I cannot see/remember any difference.

But I assure you sir, the PL 519 TT did exist. At least the black silk screened lettering, most likely on a PL 518, either bought in quantity for a third party retailer or cheapened up somewhat for the department store retailer.

Pictures talk, memories walk. I cannot provide you a picture.

But, don't bet against ever seeing a PL 517 or PL 519 silkm screened on a direct drive Pioneer TT.

Respectfully,
Marconi

I won't challenge your facts on Pioneer's published model numbers. I will suggest, however, that back in the 70's, many retailers would sell products (with neighboring model numbers) in their stores manufactured by name brand suppliers. That's how the Sears tower in Chicago was built!!

My case in point is the Pioneer PL 519 turntable. I purchased one from "The Lion Store", Toledo, Ohio, now "Dilliards" in 1978. Name brand audio from a retail department store was dying fast in 1978. My sister worked there, and I got her discount (the only reason I owned it).

Looking at a recent PL 518 on ebay, I cannot see/remember any difference.

But I assure you sir, the PL 519 TT did exist. At least the black silk screened lettering, most likely on a PL 518, either bought in quantity for a third party retailer or cheapened up somewhat for the department store retailer.

Pictures talk, memories walk. I cannot provide you a picture.

But, don't bet against ever seeing a PL 517 or PL 519 silkm screened on a direct drive Pioneer TT.

Respectfully,
Marconi

I understand what you are saying, but your analogy to Sears is not valid. Sears obviously sold products manufactured by other companies, but up until maybe 15 years ago, all of them bore the Sears family of names. Based on that, your turntable would have been a "Lion" PL-519. But I assume you mean that it was sold as a Pioneer. Well, that would explain why they are so rare, and also why Pioneer does not list it as an official model.

Your point regarding Sears and the fact that they establish their own brand name on other's products is well taken (and correct to the extent of my knowledge). What I should have emphasized was model numbering, and given a better example.

As a better example, in recent years, Yamaha receivers have become available at Best Buy.

At Yamaha dealers, Yamaha receivers have an "RX" model number prefix. I currently own an RX-595 and an RX-V2500 for example. At Best Buy, the Yamaha models have "HTR" prefixes.

Yamaha swears up and down that the HTR's are inferior quality (look up their web site), but you and I both know most of the parts are the same.

My point has been that marketing via "major retailers" isn't a new practice, and that model number designations get massaged. I suggest the PL 518 was tweaked for big retail as a PL 519, like the Yamaha RX-___ is being sold at Best Buy today as an HTR-___.

Not intended to be defensive, just another angle to consider.

regards,
Marconi

I bought a PL-518 off of Ebay.

To the best of my memory, I can't tell any difference from this TT and the one I had as a kid in the late '70's, which I would have bet money on was a PL-519.

Even the problems are the same. The TT will stall when you adjust the speed potentiometer......tap down on it and it comes back to life.

Maybe memory has failed me. Though I've always prided myself on knowing the specs of what I've owned.....even the cam specs in the hot rod...though the cam was always "smaller" when describing it before a race, haha.

PL-517 (in original thread)-518 (currently own)-519 (a memory)......honestly don't know, but willing to admit a mistake after buying the 518.

Bill

Bill, I was all ready to extend to you an apology. I did a search here in the AK archives and found a member who referred to his PL-519 several times. There is also a pic, and while it is at the top of a rack and the pic is taken from below, the front of the base has the look of the PL-518. I PM'd the member and was awaiting his confirmation, but since he mentioned it so many times and was using it, I was just about convinced. But he just got back to me and told me he was mistaken. It was indeed a PL-518. Aside from his posts on AK, there is nothing anywhere except in your head. :D Keep looking.