turntables


I have a pioneer pl-51 direct drive tuntable I bought back in the early 70's. last time I used it was around 1989. it doesn't have a needle because my grandkids broke it. is it worth buying a needle to use it again?
128x128g_nakamoto
I would probably take it in for a tonearm and motor lube, but yes!

^^^ This!

There are a lot of good affordable moving magnet cartridges available today--Ortofon 2M Red or Blue, Shelter 201 (esp. if you buy from a Japan vendor on an eBay storefront), Audio Technica AT150Sa on closeout ... and there are some very cool headshells available now.
i have a grado cartridge, last i heard they still have a replacement stylus for it.
I would advice you to find a good Brick and Mortar store and have him set it up for you in your home. Makes a big difference.

Dear @g_nakamoto: Mainly depends on what level of quality performance you want to listen and how many LPs you own.

Pioneer design good, very good and excelent levels of products. Your TT model is not really in any of those levels for today standards, it has really poor measures as specs.
Of course that can works at some limited quality level performance. Its tonearm is not good neither.

You can get an inexpensive Pioneer vintage TT looking at the 600 series, as the PL 630 that's very good motor with good tonearm.

As I said all depends on what you want.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.