Pioneer's new PLX-1000 Turntable

This will probably be my next table. I hate that it’s all DJ looking but the reviews are good and the price is right.

How the heck I'm going to mount the cartridge is not something I’m looming forward to. Ugh.

 

Don't worry, the detachable headshell makes the process fairly straightforward, if not simple. Take your time, proceed carefully and everything will be done before you know it.

 

This is a nice overview: How to Install and Align a Turntable phono Cartridge - Audio Appraisal
I didn't find a thread with the exact title " How to set up an cartridge on a turntable" here on stevehoffman. I hope the audioappraisal will do for you. On my PLX a Shure Cartridge is mounted with a Jelco TK 20 headshell. The MoFi geodisc was really helpful. Don't forget to fix your platter and the geodisc temporarily to the plinth with a piece of sticky tape while adjusting the needle tip and tightening the headshell screws. Use a cartridge with only rectangular surfaces for your first setup. Don't try to mount it unless you're sure that the cantilever is built in absolutely straight.
In between buy Gillian Welch " The Harrow And The Harvest", a fantastic pressing with exquisite acoustic duets and Felix Laband "Deaf Safari", exotic, punchy, intelligent, danceable. If you're enjoying these two records, you know that your turntable does everything right. It does.

 

I have a problem. After having experienced how good this deck is, I really want to try a 1200 or a 1210, just for fun...

 

What's the effective mass of the PLX-1000 arm?

 

About the GeoDisc : if, like me, you have a hard time lining it up to the pivot point, try using a thin metal ruler to "extend" the GeoDisc's sight line.

 

Indeed, that's crucial. I tried to aim with my phone camera to the pivot point. It worked out well. After three trials. Pioneer could build an "cheap plastic assistant" that could be mounted onto spindle and needle light. Something like a bridge between the two points with little holes to place the needle in for various positions ( Baerwald, Löfgren...)

 

Here's a link to an overhang gauge made specifically for the PLX-1000.

Pioneer PLX-1000 Overhang Gauge by LesE on Shapeways

I have no experience with this device, but thought some here might be interested.

 

Thanks! I placed an order and will check it out.

 

I hope you'll let us know how you like it!

Love your avatar too, BTW!

 

I found some cool & affordable O-Ring Suspension Feet for my PLX-1000 at that famous auction site.

I started another thread for them here.
Affordable O-Ring Suspension Footers for Turntables

 

PLX-1000 owners, have anyone used a digital scale for VTF? Are the counterweight's marks accurate?

 

By the picture I assume you are the guy with that great YouTube channel. I found it looking for reviews on the fluid damping. Nice to find you here, you do a great job with your videos.

 

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words.

Jeff

 

Do you still have the PLX? You were one of the first folks to have one, if it's still with you, it's been a few years, right?

 

I do and yes, I've had it for a few years.

 

Almost one year later it still looks like that.

 

musicalfrog.com now has a version of their foot with an M6 thread. A direct replacement/upgrade for the PLX-1000.

M6 Tread Turntable suspended isolation Leveling feet foot Set of 4 Black | eBay

 

Very cool. What other platforms are you using there?

 

The Auralex Iso-tone. It's like a poor man's Symposium Platform. Great bang for the buck. The musical frog.com feet and Iso-tone work really well together, nice black/silent backgrounds. Right now my PLX-1000 is really giving my Gyrodec a run for it's money.

https://www.auralex.com/product/iso-tone/

 

Just a quick heads up for anyone searching for a purpose made alignment protractor, I've ordered one of these (btw I've no connections with the seller, I had a tip off from a posting on another site);-

Pioneer PLX-1000 Custom Designed Tonearm Cartridge Stylus Alignment Protractor | eBay

 

I've been using the 54mm overhang squaring the cartridge and it matches the vinyl engine Baerwald protactor. Only used elliptical stylii so far though.

 

That's strange. It shouldn't match Baerwald but should be closer to Stevenson. I found on my PLX-1000 using the recommended 54mm from stylus tip to headshell washer (overhang is actually 15mm) matches the classic Technics alignment when I did a custom arc protractor for it. To match a true Baerwald IEC on the PLX-1000 you need the stylus to be 56.817mm from the stylus tip to headshell washer or an overhang of 17.817mm. That's impossible to achieve with the stock headshell slots or even the Technics headshells. I can reach it with the LPGear Zupreme or similar longer-slot headshells. When you do get to that alignment on the PLX-1000 it sounds amazing!

 

Maybe I'm doing something wrong then. This is how I did. I first used the 54mm rule. Then I squared the cartridge making sure the 54mm was still there (maybe there's a little difference but I'm pretty sure not up to 56.8mm). I did it with Nagaoka MP-110 on the stock headshell and with Ortofon 2M Blue with Ortofon SH-4 headshell. Then I took a correctly printed Baerwald protractor from Vinyl Engine and put it on the platter and dropped the needle on it. Seems like both cartridges/stylii/headshells match both points and the cantilevers seem straight up on the line. All checked by eye I admit.

 

This is the very reason I ditched the stock head shell - I use the Jelco HS25 as it also affords adjustable azimuth (as well as the longer slots).