I'm the lucky owner of a very nice Pioneer PL-570. I had to replace the queing gearbox in it and now it fuctions perfectly most of the time. I've tried a few different cartridges on this and have not met anything that reproduces sound to my satisfaction, a Pioneer unmarked with blue stylus, a Pioneer 2002 line contact and a Shure V15III. My Technics SL-1400MK2 blows it out of the water with the same cartridges but I don't know that it is a better table, I'm just guessing I haven't got the right combination yet. It sounds flat to me and I'm wondering what you guys are using to get the most out of this beautiful classic table. Thanks John

Hmmm, that's not been my experience at all. My PL-570 sounds more alive and up front and that's comparing with several different cartridges. The Technics I used for comparison was a 1600MK2, but it's essentially the same arm. Being old cartridges, it could be worn styli or failed cantilever suspensions giving poor performance, and the Technics is just more forgiving.

Depends on your budget. At the low end, the AT-95E comes to mind. But again I've tried it with several Shures, the AT440MLa, other ATs, DL-110, V15-IV, some older Ortofons, and it sounds great with all of them.

Also, what do you mean by the cueing gearbox? Do you mean the cylinder that holds the arm lift bar?

Hmmm, that's not been my experience at all. My PL-570 sounds more alive and up front and that's comparing with several different cartridges. The Technics I used for comparison was a 1600MK2, but it's essentially the same arm. Being old cartridges, it could be worn styli or failed cantilever suspensions giving poor performance, and the Technics is just more forgiving.

Depends on your budget. At the low end, the AT-95E comes to mind. But again I've tried it with several Shures, the AT440MLa, other ATs, DL-110, V15-IV, some older Ortofons, and it sounds great with all of them.

Also, what do you mean by the cueing gearbox? Do you mean the cylinder that holds the arm lift bar?

I probably have about 15-20 cartridges in the house, some needing stylus so I have lots I can try. I have not had an AT cartridge on it yet, I have an AT-110E that needs a stylus and an AT-OC9MKII which I may try soon. I need to build or buy a passive step up for MC's and see how it works out. I am using this with vintage tubes but I do have a nice Pioneer 939 I can try with it also . It's such a great looking table I need to get it sounding as good as it looks.
As you probably know , the PL-570 has a seperate motor for the tonearm. The motor assembly has a gearbox incorperated into it,which from my research and experience, is the weak link in an otherwise nice design. The gearbox has plastic gears which are pressure fit onto a metal shaft. These become brittle over time and the plastic splits. I actually made a pretty good repair with the original by making a sleeve that slid over the plastic, then to make it slide over the shaft easier I drilled it out too large making it non- functonal. Can't win them all I guess! Bought a table off ebay that had been damaged in shipping and replaced the assembly.
Thanks for your input for which I am grateful . John