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.  

Hi Erik, I’ve owned a few old Pioneer tables.... The New PLX-1000 does look excellent and I know one person that has one and loves it. Everyone says that you’ll need to adjust the arm bearings right out of the box. For vintage....
The PL-530 is decent, PL-550, PL570, PL-55x,PL-540, PL-560, PL-610, PL630, PL-707....
There are a bunch of Pioneer models that are not very good, all the above can sound quite good.  I have played with all of these and own a PL-55X now, as well as a vintage technics.  

Why thank you @markmay -

That's' very kind.  For a variety of reasons, right now I can't actually accept a turntable in my home... it will be a few months, but I appreciate the offer.  I asked a little tongue in cheek. :)

I want to get into vinyl, at least a little, but things have to go only one direction in this home right now:  OUT! :)

Everyone says that you’ll need to adjust the arm bearings right out of the box.

What ?

"Turntable is good, just adjust tonearm bearing" - it sounds like a nightmare, how an amateur can adjust tonearm bearings? 

I've read about the Pioneer bearing issue, and that it's been cleaned up since they first came out.

Erik,I come here to read and learn without posting responses, but I have enjoyed your contributions for some time and felt the science project would be interesting. I look forward to reading the results of your experience with vinyl in your system. I do agree on the convenience of digital and with my setup with a speck more invested, digital sounds better than my entry level turntables (both Rega Planar3 and Pioneer PL-550) with a Musical Paradise Phenomenon II preamp.
Offer stands if I still have it when your ready to jump.
By the way, I couldn't agree with you more regarding room treatments as you have discussed in many other threads.

Hi Erik
Weird suppositions guy here.  Guilty as charged. I have read your posts for a long time and enjoy your enthusiasm for audio.   I was/am surprised (blown away) that your diy energy had not yet bubbled over into vinyl, a tweaker’s dream.  I assumed an experienced audiophile like you would already have listened to enough vinyl to make a decision. My bad. Not for everyone of course, due to the cost, additional work and space involved. “Why bother?” is a question everyone must ask themselves, especially those who are already happily into streaming.  I also think you got me going when you predicted only buying five records.  All the best,
David

I have fun looking at old wood or wood look TT’s occassionally,

very clean JVC quartz lock DD

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-QL-Y3F-Turntable/283953327063?hash=item421cefebd7:g:h~IAAOSwU0de1BbN

same model

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-QL-Y3F-Turntable/124253054224?hash=item1cee0f2510:g:kAEAAOSwW1NeUbP6

this DENON one is a beauty, free shipping from Australia

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-DP-59M-Direct-Turntable-Audio-Record-player-Condition-very-good-japan/193479485565?hash=item2d0c46a87d:g:ZssAAOSwWQdewBMD

interesting details about it here

http://www.thevintageknob.org/denon-DP-59M.html

another Denon

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-DP-37F-Fully-Automatic-Turntable-in-Very-Good-Condition-Japanese-Vintage/153772899750?hash=item23cd943da6:g:UVQAAOSwunNeAH-B

blonde wood look Denon

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DENON-DP-790-Turntable-DA-50-Tone-Arm-Micro-Acoustics-Cart-Excellent-L-K/283495094278?hash=item42019fd806:g:W6oAAOSwDG1dz74o

Denon, scroll down to see more info, photos (probably factory, not this unit)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-DP-1700-DP-1000-Direct-Drive-turntable-Ortofon-Stereo-Cartridge/254654180799?hash=item3b4a926dbf:g:aMoAAOSwQ8Ves~Dv

oh yeah, Pioneer

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-turntable-Pioneer-PL-530-Direct-Drive-Full-Auto-record-player/114313993007?hash=item1a9da51b2f:g:b90AAOSwL85fEHoq

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PIONEER-PL-518-TURNTABLE-CUSTOM-RESTORATION-ROSEWOOD-VENEER-FULLY-SERVICED/124268318365?hash=item1ceef80e9d:g:jtIAAOSwzCBfFyA5


belt drive

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pioneer-PL-514-Turntable-w-beautiful-Handmade-Santos-RoseWood-table/193219162748?hash=item2cfcc2727c:g:H34AAOSw6hBcpxMK

beautiful custom veneer job

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PIONEER-PL-514-TURNTABLE-CUSTOM-RESTORATION-CHERRY-WOOD-FULLY-SERVICED/124268338637?hash=item1ceef85dcd:g:6AkAAOSwgxhfFyFV