Ultra-Rare Pioneer PL-90

[Retro Stereo]

An ultra-rare Pioneer PL-90 TT just sold on eBay for for $610 without a dust-cover and "as is"

Here's the auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5870477260&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

Pioneer's most expensive TT ever made and was part of the early "Elite" series of components.



Retro

 

[theodoric]

A NIB one showed up a couple months ago. IIRC, it went for ~$800.

I really need one to complete my Elite rig, but I'm not paying that much money for one.

 

[Retro Stereo]

A NIB one showed up a couple months ago. IIRC, it went for ~$800.

I really need one to complete my Elite rig, but I'm not paying that much money for one.

A few years ago, when I was putting together an Elite system, a "new in the box" PL-90 showed up on Audiogon for $1000, I offered him $800 and he said it already had sold for the $1000, and that was within a couple of hours of putting it up!
When I saw how much the Elite components were selling for, I sold most of mine and was able to start collecting my silver-faced Pioneer SPEC seperates.

I still do have a few Elite components that I'm hanging onto, one being an M-91 power amp that I'm using to drive my Ohm 4 speakers with. An excellent combination.


Retro

 

[pilebgd]

Pioneer PL-90

Hi,
Pioneer PL 90 Elite, is not Pioneer's most expensive TT ever made.
Pioneer made much better TT then PL 90.
Pioneer made only for Japan market TT
exclusive P3
exclusive P10
PL 70 L_2
If you want you can buy it today
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWexclusive/G1/P0/A10/E/0-10/S0/C08-35925-13992-50/
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWexclusive/G1/P0/A10/E/0-10/S0/C08-37011-17595-00/
PL-70 L_2 you can see on
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWpioneer/G0301/E/10-10/C07-32780-96327-00/
I think that the better TT, then PL-90 is Pioneer PL 590C.
For Japan market Pioneer made PL-7L and it's similary as PL-90
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWpioneer/G0301/E/10-10/C07-33792-05091-00/

 

[Retro Stereo]

Perhaps I should have just mentioned that the PL-90 was the most expensive sold in the U.S.A.?




Retro

 

[spaceman]

Thanx for the links, pilebgd, they're definitely nice to look at. :thmbsp:

 

[Arkay]

Hi,
Pioneer PL 90 Elite, is not Pioneer's most expensive TT ever made.
Pioneer made much better TT then PL 90.
Pioneer made only for Japan market TT
exclusive P3
exclusive P10
PL 70 L_2
If you want you can buy it today
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWexclusive/G1/P0/A10/E/0-10/S0/C08-35925-13992-50/
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWexclusive/G1/P0/A10/E/0-10/S0/C08-37011-17595-00/
PL-70 L_2 you can see on
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWpioneer/G0301/E/10-10/C07-32780-96327-00/
I think that the better TT, then PL-90 is Pioneer PL 590C.
For Japan market Pioneer made PL-7L and it's similary as PL-90
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWpioneer/G0301/E/10-10/C07-33792-05091-00/

I agree that the PL-C590 is a better TT... but only because I have one, and don't have a PL-L90!

And you left out the best one of all: The PL-L1. Well, at least it's the best Pioneer TT I have. [And MIGHT actually have been their best ever (?)... not sure.].
You can see it at http://www.thevintageknob.org/PIONEER/PLL1/PLL1.html

UPDATE: I don't think the PL-L1 was Pioneer's best-ever TT, although it was definitely in the top 5 or so. It probably has the best stats for essentially zero (not measurable) inner groove distortion, but in most respects the Exclusive P3a (with 95 dB S/N!) beats out the PL-L1, and is, I believe, the best TT Pioneer ever made. In fact, it's probably one of the best TTs ever made by any major label, equalled by only a few of the other 190s Japan-market-only TOTL DD TTs, and bested only by the ultra-exotic boutique TTs like the Rockport Sirius III or Continuum Caliburn.

 

[Catswold]

Hi,
Pioneer PL 90 Elite, is not Pioneer's most expensive TT ever made.
Pioneer made much better TT then PL 90.
Pioneer made only for Japan market TT
exclusive P3
exclusive P10
PL 70 L_2
If you want you can buy it today
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWexclusive/G1/P0/A10/E/0-10/S0/C08-35925-13992-50/
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWexclusive/G1/P0/A10/E/0-10/S0/C08-37011-17595-00/
PL-70 L_2 you can see on
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWpioneer/G0301/E/10-10/C07-32780-96327-00/
I think that the better TT, then PL-90 is Pioneer PL 590C.
For Japan market Pioneer made PL-7L and it's similary as PL-90
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWpioneer/G0301/E/10-10/C07-33792-05091-00/

What's the current exchange rate? I have a yen for yen, up the yin-yang-which is not to be confused with the wazoo!

 

[SX-950SX-980]

Im thinking about buyin a pl-70 II. To me its a better looking machine them the PLC-590, P3, P3a. I have a pl-630 and pl-707 is the Pl-70 II a much better unit? Or any I buying the Pl-70 II the same

 

[ji4m]

Interesting (to me) as I also have a PL-630 and PL-707. I would like a chance at a PL-70II, but don't think that will happen anytime soon. Sorry, I can't help you on the sonic comparison as I have never heard one. Go out and buy it, tell us all about it, and then I can live vicariously through you.

 

[SX-950SX-980]

Comparing the pl-630 to pl-707 and wishing for a pl-70II

Interesting (to me) as I also have a PL-630 and PL-707. I would like a chance at a PL-70II, but don't think that will happen anytime soon. Sorry, I can't help you on the sonic comparison as I have never heard one. Go out and buy it, tell us all about it, and then I can live vicariously through you.

Interesting, why have you ended up with these two models? Did you decide they were the best? Which one do you think is better?

 

[ji4m]

I own a fancy belt drive TT that I've had for many years. Before that, I had a series of direct-drive tables. I "upgraded" to the belt drive because they are "better". It may sound better but nostalgia is hard to beat and I recently began a search for a quality DD TT.

Based on info from forums and visual appeal, I narrowed down the field. Although not at the top of my list, a PL-630 came available locally. It was well cared for and at an attractive price so I couldn't pass it up. It is a fine player but I still longed for a wood grain finish.

I bought the PL-707 on that auction site. It is in terrific shape. The original plan was to sell the 630 as soon as its replacement arrived. That hasn't happened yet.

I haven't determined which one sounds best. I am having too much fun just playing them and I know I am not objective enough yet to decide. The 630 has a more substantial suspension. The 707 has a technically better motor. The 630 tonearm is beefier and may be a better match for the AT OC9 I am using.

Eventually I will pick a winner. For now, I am just grinning too much to care. Also, the fully automatic operation has been a joy after so many years with a manual turntable.

 

[tomnxx]

Well, I have one in pristine conditions, and I´m going to sell it soon as I received today a Michell Gyrodec.
I know my PL-90 is a better machine than my Gyrodec, but I need to renew some stuff.

Here is a video about my machine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l4pig-NoZc

Certanly one of the best TT around.

Best regards!!!

 

[DENNYDOG]

Thanks for posting the video. I had the last PL-90 that was on Ebay on my watch list and it went for right around $1200. This was without a dust cover or tonearm if I remember correctly.

 

[tomnxx]

Hello Denny, that TT was sold for $1400 and it had no armwand and some scratche on the dust cover if I can remember..
There was another advertisement on e-bay selling the ceramic armwand only for $350.00, but when the owner saw the TT advertisement, he increased its price to $500.00, I think he was willing the TT buyer buy as well his armwand.
Quiet a good machine, I love it but I have no room for it now, and it is time to make a change.

Best regards.

 

[tomnxx]

Well, mine is in e-bay right now, about an hour auction time left. Hope the buyer will take care of it as I did.

 

[Dmitry]

Well, mine is in e-bay right now, about an hour auction time left. Hope the buyer will take care of it as I did.

Did you happen to save a copy of the PL-90 manual? I'm having a tough time finding one. Thanks.

 

[762rob]

Did you happen to save a copy of the PL-90 manual? I'm having a tough time finding one. Thanks.

I posted a copy of mine on vinylengine last fall.

And the sales brochure info as well.

 

[burneyreid]

resurrection thread from 2006.:drool:
Like the bunny, it just keeps on going and going.

 

[White_wolf]

Would like to own one my self, but since the last one I saw on ebay sold for $3000 I doubt that will be anytime soon. Until then I will continue to enjoy my PL-707 my vote for 2nd best Pioneer turntable sold in America.