Hi Gents
The difference between P3 & P3a is the slightly upgraded tonearm. The plinth/motor unit sound the same according to Pioneer technicians. as mentioned in vintage knob, the changes in s/n ratio was new measurements, not better table.
as Jwfabrie mentioned, Pioneer Japan do the service on any Exclusive product for life. My P3 was serviced, but generally the main issues are damping fluid in the inside of the tonearm, so they generally do a dismantle and clean.
My P10 had no service, however it has worked flawlessly sine I received it, so it may be no big deal.
Maybe T-bone can comment on caps etc, but remember the P3 was the best table pioneer could make, so it is way over engineered. |
Downunder,
What differences do you find between the P3 and P10. Often, a higher model number would indicate a more advanced design. That doesn't appear to be the case here(as in the sp-10 and sp-15).
What table do you listen to the most((AC-3, P3, P10)? |
No matter how well engineered it was in 1980, caps is caps. After 20 or more years, any electrolytic in any component should be changed out in favor of new. If the thing works without that service, fine, but there is a finite chance that it could work better with new caps. If Pioneer serviced it prior to or after sale, then they likely changed any cap that displayed either leakage of DC voltage or leakage of electrolyte (which comes later after DC leakage has already started to occur and can damage physically nearby elements of the circuit). My SP10 Mk3 is NOS, yet Bill Thalmann tells me there were physically leaky electrolytics here and there, after 27 odd years since manufacture. He opined that it was a good thing I did not try to run the table prior to having him service it. |
Hi Sonofjim.
Differences between the P3 and P10. Control, continousness and excecution in reporducing music. The P3 has the best bass control that I have heard from a table, in that it seems to be able to start and stop notes so fast it appears continous in doing it. This frees up musical detail and freedom overhang in the mid range. top to bottom coherence is uncanny.
The P10 has that simlar family sound, but just a bit looser all round. Still a really nice table.
TW AC-3. Bigger/looser bass v the DD's. has a larger soundstage both wide and deep v the P3. In direct comparison can sound a little soft or notes not as precise. background is a little dark v the P3. OTOH The AC-3 is more forgiving and does add some nice bass weight and spread on brighter/tighter recordings which does come in handy with some of my modern/rock alternative LP's.
Which one do I play more - I would probably say the table that has the Ortofon A90 on it.
If I had a gun to my head to choose only one table, it would be the P3. having all of the tables is great fun thou.
cheers |
Downunder,
Thanks for the comparison. That's what I would have expected to hear. So, in a way your thread has come full circle and you've answered the initial question yourself.
Based on my experience, I agree. That's why I love my sp-10s and have an interest in all top DDs. Once they're properly isolated they seem to all behave quite similarly. That continousness and bass slam are due to the fact that there are no transients complex enough to slow these things down. In fact, if you forgot to dry brush the LP before start up go ahead and do it while playing. The table still won't back down. Legend has it that the mk3 held speed with a man standing on the platter.
Enjoy the P3. It's a gem. Maybe one day I'll end up with one(or the DP 100, PS-X9, or L-D07). Too many tables, too little space. |
Just got mine today and it sounds fabulous so far with a Technic EPC 205mk3 i put on, quite a bit better than my other DD, a slate SP10mk2 and a few idlers i have. Initial impression is one of great bass, impressicve oundstage size , very dynamic and yet refined. Very happy so far. Now some eye candy.. P3 frontP3 and Micro |
Congrats Jasper. Looks beautiful
Enjoy!! |
Very, very nice! Enjoy it. |
It sounds fabulous. I'm a believer. Worth the pain to get it. |
I just aquired exclusive p3 a. Does anyone have a service manual or user manual ? |
Congrats Voraratc, wonderful table
I have the P3 manual if you want it - In Japanese :-) The P3A is functionally the same table with slightly different tonearm - mainly in the arm wand.
The only difficult thing about the table is the damping fluid that goes into the top of the tonearm moat. Inject it through a plastic syringe up to the line on the inside.
cheers |
Hi, all. This is particularly for Downunder and Jwfabrie - do you have any details you can share on the Japanese service center for Exclusive gear? I am considering a purchase of a P3, but would love to get it serviced in Japan before it is shipped to the USA.
And if you could also share the adjustments on the tonearm that would be most appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Robert |
Hi Robert
Pioneer service all Exclusive products themselves. Part of their policy when they introduced the top of range brand in Japan was to provide lifetime servicing - you pay for it now obviously, but it was quite reasonable cost.
The tonearm is generally what required most/all of the servicing, mainly due to the damping fluid sometimes getting into the arm due to not filling or emptying the damping cup correctly. Touch wood, most else is bulletproof.
I had mine serviced by Pioneer before it was shipped to Australia, however I had a friend who was living in Japan at the time that picked up the table and drove it to Pioneer for the service before shipping it to me.
I am not sure if your seller in Japan can and is willing to do that. If you buy from a shop like hifido, they will do that for you I believe.
good luck and let us know if/ when you get it. |
