turntables

I bought a PL-71 in 1974 from Radio Shack, when I was attending a university in Cookeville Tn.  Back then, there just weren't many Hi-Fi stores around, unless you went to Nashville, even then maybe a couple.  Audio Systems and Nicholsons.  Anyway, I stopped playing vinyl around 1987 and went to the CD.  About 8-9 years ago, I decided to get my old Pioneer back out and started with replacing the stylus in the original shure V-15.  After trying a few different cartridges, I installed a Koetsu Urishi Black.  It sounded awful until I beefed up the mass of the tonearm.  The difference was like day and night-truly.  I lubed the spindle and cleaned the pots that adjust the speed and the performance of the old Pioneer is very good.  Some can't tell the difference between it and my VPI Scoutmaster.  Proper motor speed, good flawless arcing, sufficient tonearm mass and of course proper cart set-up is all I need.  The main thing I found, was the stock tone arm just didn't have enough mass.  You really have to experience this, to hear the difference and it's amazing what increasing the mass will do, for the sound.  Definitely keep the "51", get a good cart and experiment.  

Let me amend my last post about the PL -51. Why not buy a good cart, like the Lyra Delos and install it on the 51. If results are not satisfactory, invest in a new TT and put the new cart on it. Nothing ventured-nothing gained. 

Hi Nakamoto:
What kind of stylus do you need?
Handymann

Hi Raul:
Sometimes I look at the question, without looking at any of the other answers, before I chime in.  I agree with what you say, concerning the disparity in quality between the two Pioneer TT's.  I was just saying that if he has all the prerequisites  of the basics in TT mode, sometimes it's senseless to spend bookoo bucks on a new TT.  I don't have the top of the line TT's, but would like to.  I've noticed if one has the basic requirements of a good TT, sometimes you can tweek it to sound almost as good as a superior make and model. IMO, if you have the basics, money is better invested in a superior cartridge.