Replacing my Pioneer PL-115D

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helijohn

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2025
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Stick with the PL-115D, it's (more than) good enough to feed a soundbar.

You do realise how small something like that Phono box is don't you?
If you really are pushed for space, you could have the necessary phono preamp built in to the TT - maybe something like a Rega P1+??.

But you know what I would do......
(A twin RCA plug to 3.5 mm stereo jack plugs connects from phono preamp to your soundbar input).
I have decided to stick to my Pioneer and the AT is on its way back.
I had thought of putting a phono preamp in the Pioneer. It would be an easy job electrically though I am not sure what to look for that would fit.
Also, may I ask, is there a particular oil I should use for the lube hole.
 
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Gray

Well-known member
I have decided to stick to my Pioneer and the AT is on its way back.
I had thought of putting a phono preamp in the Pioneer. It would be an easy job electrically though I am not sure what to look for that would fit.
Also, may I ask, is there a particular oil I should use for the lube hole.
No doubt plenty of people will tell you to use the 'proper' stuff.
But plenty of people are using sewing machine oil (and some are using synthetic car oil 🤔).
 
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helijohn

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2025
47
13
45
Ach blow £500 and get a Cambridge Alva ST off the Cambridge shop on Ebay - you'll get a discount on top of that if you're quick. Great deck too.
Talking of which, I have a rattle can of air duster which chucks out liquid more than air. Awful stuff.
 

daytona600

Well-known member
Oct 5, 2012
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Ach blow £500 and get a Cambridge Alva ST off the Cambridge shop on Ebay

Made in Japan or made in China !
Cambridge - half price , made in china & they still cant shift them
resale value wiill be a tenner & will end up in landfill very soon

Pioneer 50years old & worth £400 these days
 

helijohn

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2025
47
13
45
Excellent. You will not need much fresh oil.
But you might need a bit of kitchen towel. Don't let it go anywhere near the belt.
and stick a decent cartridge on it....
Do I need a pre-amp that has an earth facility like this one. I seem to recall never bothering with the earth lead when the TT was in use donkey's years ago.
 

record_spot

Well-known member
May 30, 2015
373
253
19,270
Ach blow £500 and get a Cambridge Alva ST off the Cambridge shop on Ebay

Made in Japan or made in China !
Cambridge - half price , made in china & they still cant shift them
resale value wiill be a tenner & will end up in landfill very soon

Pioneer 50years old & worth £400 these days

Can't yawn enough at comments like these these days. The Pioneers were churned out by the tens of thousands back in the 70s, so it's hardly surprising some have survived. Spare parts are also plentiful, so yes, your PL115D will last 50 years but let's not bring Trigger's Broom into the equation.

Oh and £400? For some, maybe. You'll be paying top dollar if you are though. Prices range from about £120 upwards. Or less in some cases looking at the Sold items on Ebay.

I'm not knocking the Pioneer, or your opinion of them, merely pointing out that your bias against anything built in China, it seems, isn't worth a glance.

Having owned the Cambridge for coming up on two years, Build quality is excellent and the minimalist design appeals to me. Partnered with the Benz Micro Gold and the Musical Fidelity phono pre-amp it's remained where the Thorens TD-160 I have was moved out. For good reason.
 
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helijohn

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2025
47
13
45
Ach blow £500 and get a Cambridge Alva ST off the Cambridge shop on Ebay

Made in Japan or made in China !
Cambridge - half price , made in china & they still cant shift them
resale value wiill be a tenner & will end up in landfill very soon

Pioneer 50years old & worth £400 these days
I saw those a few days ago. I still have the actual box as well and it reads , but faded, 1977. I stopped using it at about the time CDs came out more or less! lol
 

helijohn

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2025
47
13
45
Can't yawn enough at comments like these these days. The Pioneers were churned out by the tens of thousands back in the 70s, so it's hardly surprising some have survived. Spare parts are also plentiful, so yes, your PL115D will last 50 years but let's not bring Trigger's Broom into the equation.

Oh and £400? For some, maybe. You'll be paying top dollar if you are though. Prices range from about £120 upwards. Or less in some cases looking at the Sold items on Ebay.

I'm not knocking the Pioneer, or your opinion of them, merely pointing out that your bias against anything built in China, it seems, isn't worth a glance.

Having owned the Cambridge for coming up on two years, Build quality is excellent and the minimalist design appeals to me. Partnered with the Benz Micro Gold and the Musical Fidelity phono pre-amp it's remained where the Thorens TD-160 I have was moved out. For good reason.
I am still going to acquire an up-to-date cheapo turntable with all the latest bells an whistles. I wasn't particularly enamoured with the AT LP60X partly because of the feeling it was in control and not me. If it had the features that my Pioneer has I reckon it would have been superb. However, there are those out there that do have.
 

Al ears

Well-known member
Do I need a pre-amp that has an earth facility like this one. I seem to recall never bothering with the earth lead when the TT was in use donkey's years ago.
Yes, in some cases the earth is crucial.
All phono preamps should have one.
However, I would spend a bit more than the one shown here.
 

helijohn

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2025
47
13
45
Yes, in some cases the earth is crucial.
All phono preamps should have one.
However, I would spend a bit more than the one shown here.
I am going to give it a go - it will get the Pioneer "on the road" so to speak and I can always go better later on - Starmer willing.:(
 
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