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Pioneer SL-570D TT Tonearm Suggestions

Greetings All

I acquired from the original, now deceased, owner a pristine Pioneer SL-570D TT. I replaced the cartridge with an Ortofon 2M Bronze. This TT is a work of art. Wood plinth is perfect. Cover is as clear as the day it came out of its packaging back in 1975. I have the original hand written sales receipt $395 in 1975.

Should I consider swapping out the tonearm?  I love the vintage nature of this TT. I would like to consider realistic options. And if keeping it just as-is should be the verdict then so be it.  P.S. I've researched this TT and just cannot figure what TA was OEM.  Does anyone know?

The TT is fed by all PS Audio components: Stellar Phono pre-amp, BHK Signature pre-amp, M700 (2 X 350w mono blocks), PowerPlant 12, all feeding DOM 1997 Thiel MCS1 speakers on Thiel factory metal stands.  I live in a 150 yr. old factory building. Built like a bomb shelter.  I have the TT sitting on a Solidsteel wall shelf lag bolted into 18" thick brick outside wall. Talk about isolation!

128x128veemike
veemike's avatar
veemike OP
28 posts
 

Thank you gentlemen. 
There is absolutely not issue with the tone arm. I was just exploring ideas. I had no idea if someone on the forum had specific ideas for this vintage TT.  I’ll keep checking in. But if the final verdict is “don’t touch a thing” then that’s where I’ll be. 

billwojo
397 posts
 

Yea, it's kinda like having a classic sports car in mint condition and doing an engine swap.

 

BillWojo

elliottbnewcombjr
5,314 posts
 

Seems you got yourself a winner example of that model, I would not change a thing.

did you have a TT already? Or is this the step into or back into vinyl?

......................................

I've been thinking a lot about quick/precise arm height adjustment lately, to make using a dedicated Mono cartridge and alternate Stereo cartridges, perhaps MM replaceable stylus and more costly fixed stylus MC easy/quick/accurate during a listening session.

Yours has a single screw for height adjustment. Perhaps make a set of small wooden blocks for each headshell/cartridge. Loosen screw/lift the arm up/dedicated block temporarily in place/drop arm onto it, secure, remove the block. Buy a new cartridge, make a new block for it.

lewm
12,994 posts
 

On their upper tier turntables, Pioneer tonearms were excellent. I concur with others that your probably best off leaving well enough alone.

veemike's avatar
veemike OP
28 posts
 

"I've been thinking a lot about quick/precise arm height adjustment lately, to make using a dedicated Mono cartridge and alternate Stereo cartridges, perhaps MM replaceable stylus and more costly fixed stylus MC easy/quick/accurate during a listening session."  elliott....

Thanks for that suggestion. I have been thinking about just that ever since I got this TT.  See my avatar pic? Me in 1961 at age 5. I live for great music, live or reproduced. But until wife #2 became just a faint memory a while back I never got back into good sound. But I have now. Got the Porsche I wanted and am building the system I want. The TT fell into my lap. And my interest in vintage, now having been cured and replaced by an entire PS Audio system, is in place with a 50 year old gorgeous TT.  Back in HS in the early 70's all I wanted was a stripper GF, gold top Les Paul and a Sansui Eight.  The first two came and went. Never got the Sansui.  So I have a similar era TT instead.

Two head shells, one for my mono, another MC for stereo. 

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