Pioneer Direct Drives - Now and then?

I've got a Pioneer PLX-1000 on my #2 system (with a Parasound P5, Primare a30.2, and Tekton Double Impacts, customized with ribbon tweeters in place of the standard tweeter array). I bought that turntable because I always wanted to try a direct drive (my other turntables -- a Rega P3 and a vintage Micro Seiki MB14 -- are both belt drives), but I didn't want to pay a steep "nostalgia premium" for the Technics brand on what is a nearly identical turntable. Of course, the word "nearly" can hide a lot of significant differences, and there are some between the Pioneer PLX-1000 and the Technics 1200MK7. Some of those differences actually would appear to favor the Pioneer. It's 7 pounds heavier, has more initial torque, and less Wow and Flutter. On the other hand, its tracking error is 1% higher than the Technics. I don't how much, if at all, these specification differentials reflect audible differences in performance. But one difference that I certainly did notice was that the Pioneer retails for about half the price of the Technics.

Erik,I have an older Rega Planar 3 that I will donate to you if you'll pay the shipping. It may not be as good as some metioned but is respected as an entry level turntable. Let me know if your interested. I also have those 5 albums your looking for.

great post @markmay 
LOL

@dancole

I’ve got a Pioneer PLX-1000 on my #2 system...... I bought that turntable because I always wanted to try a direct drive.... Of course, the word "nearly" can hide a lot of significant differences, and there are some between the Pioneer PLX-1000 and the Technics 1200MK7. Some of those differences actually would appear to favor the Pioneer. It’s 7 pounds heavier, has more initial torque, and less Wow and Flutter. On the other hand, its tracking error is 1% higher than the Technics. I don’t how much, if at all, these specification differentials reflect audible differences in performance.

It’s like reading the specs without actual comparison test. The trick is how did they measure. The specs alone will not tell you much. You have to compare Pioneer and Technics side by side and if you already like Pioneer (which is good for the money) you will love Technics mk7, because Pioneer is just a blueprint of older Technics with minor tweaks.

Both turntables are high torque and this minor difference in torque is irrelevant.

The main difference is CORELESS DIRECT DRIVE motor on Technics mk7, GR, G, GAE, Anniversary, SP-10R - this is revolution at the price Technics offering this motor in many new models today.

Pioneer does not have a Coreless DD Motor and this is all you need to know.

While the Technics Coreless Motor is High-End motor, same motor utilized is reference SP-10R model, the Pioneer PLX-1000 is 100% DJ turntable (designed and made for clubs/djs) with average good DD motor (not a High-End motor).

The pinnacle of HIGH-END Direct Drive is CORELESS MOTOR. This is the heart of the well engineered DD.