Latest Turntable Project

99.51.69.160

Posted on February 14, 2017 at 09:07:47

tubav
Audiophile

Posts: 549
Joined: March 21, 2009

Pioneer PL-112D purchased at a garage sale for $25.00. Was not able to test so I took a chance, quiet motor, no short in tonearm wiring. Cleaned up years of grunge, dead cockroaches, serviced bearing, cleaned spindle etc. Even though top deck is resin, I damped using imitation Dynamat from Lowes as well as the floating sub-platter. I found metric screws and locked the sub-platter down. I wonder if it's quieter or noisier that way?
Mounted a NOS Realistic RXT-4 which is their version of the Shure M97HE. The flimsy particle board base was wrapped in wood-grain vinyl which was peeling. At first I peeled it and restored but it still didn't look decent so I built a new one. Speed is rock steady and sounds pretty good.

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cockroaches

maxhifi

12:52:42 02/16/17

RE: Latest Turntable Project

jazzthusiast

19:24:13 02/14/17

The "Barbra Streisand" of vintage turntables

mr.bear

11:45:41 02/14/17

...

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cockroaches

maxhifi

12:52:42 02/16/17

RE: Latest Turntable Project

jazzthusiast

19:24:13 02/14/17

The "Barbra Streisand" of vintage turntables

mr.bear

11:45:41 02/14/17

RE: Latest Turntable Project

tubav

09:10:52 02/14/17

Good job....nice & clean. [nt]

alan m. kafton

11:28:46 02/14/17

RE: Latest Turntable Project, posted on February 14, 2017 at 09:10:52
tubav Audiophile Posts: 549 Joined: March 21, 2009	Pic of underside showing guts, damping, etc. Also damped the new wood base I built.

Good job....nice & clean. [nt], posted on February 14, 2017 at 11:28:46
alan m. kafton Manufacturer Posts: 5285 Joined: April 7, 2000	.

The "Barbra Streisand" of vintage turntables, posted on February 14, 2017 at 11:45:41

mr.bear
Audiophile

Posts: 4167
Joined: November 13, 2001

I say that because, remember in the late 80's when you'd drop into Goodwillies' and the LP bin was filled with numerous copies of Barbara Streisand? Similar vintage... this Pio seems to me to be one of the most popular TT's of all time, tied with maybe the Technics SL-BD20 and Yamaha YP-211.

They were good basic units then and still are! I like the sound of the Yam the best, but the Pio set up with a low-end Grado somehow sounds "just right" if you want the mellow vintage tone (let's say: warm, dark, smooth).

The Shure you are using may be taking it to the boundaries of its performance envelope. IMO the tonearm is a limiting factor, along with the very light platter. How's the VTA look? Shure sez: The VTA will be correct when the top of the headshell is parallel to the record.

RE: Latest Turntable Project, posted on February 14, 2017 at 19:24:13

jazzthusiast
Audiophile

Posts: 3078
Location: SE Texas
Joined: July 9, 2002

Always in awe of your DIY projects. I envy your skill & talent. Here's a pic of my PL112D found at a thrift yrs ago for $20. Cleaned it up a bit, lubed spindle bearing, installed a new belt & spikes. It's in a second system with all vintage components, an Andante P76 LC cart, Yam A500 integrated amp, & Dynaco A25 speakers. Listened to it recently & it still charms the heck out me. Sweet, musical, detailed, warm. Keepers all.

Best regards,
Jim
"If less is more, just think how much more more would be!" - Frasier Crane.
-----------------------------
Russco Studio Pro B/Syntec S220/Empire 2000E/3-Technics SL1210mkII/DL103R/Yam C-4 pre-Yam M-4 amp-KLH 5 spkrs-Outlaw sub

cockroaches, posted on February 16, 2017 at 12:52:42
maxhifi Audiophile Posts: 584 Location: Alberta, Canada Joined: August 4, 2004	I see I'm not the only one nuts enough to clean roaches and their leavings out of vintage audio gear rather than throw it out in disgust, like a sane person would :)

Vinyl Asylum

Latest Turntable Project

99.51.69.160