Pioneer PL-51 User manual

Y PIONEER

Thank you very much for your purchase of Pioneer model
PL-51.
You will get many years of pleasure from this top-quality
stereo turntable.
To get the most from this feature-packed turntable, please
read the operating instructions and follow the directions
indicated.
For the psychological benefit of those who still want to
use their optional phono cartridges, no phono cartridge is
equipped with this turntable. The first thing you have
to do is to attach your option to a head shell referring to
the directions indicated in the instructions.
FEATURES
Direct Drive System
No belt or idlers. The DC servo motor drives the platter
directly, resulting in lowest possible vibrations transmitted
to the tonearm.
The result is a new height of turntable performance plenty
for the most demanding audio enthusiast.
Electronic Servo Control
Turntable revolution speed is affected by many factors,
including ambient room temperature, etc., which cannot be
predicted or corrected by motor performance alone. This
electronic circuit comes into play at the touch of a button,
letting you adjust the speed +2% during either 33-1/3 or
45 rpm play.
Precision Tracking, Sensitive Anti-skating System
Playing 4-channel records requires extra tonearm precision,
and the PL-51 delivers. Not only with an exactly-balanced CONTENS
tonearm design, but also with an ideal anti-skating system.
The result is stable tracking over every part of the record
dines : Beatures: © sacs. Acs |e cos. 4-3 we ecea lee hig eel eae 2
for brilliant response from the first note to the last.
Eye-appeal Design Installation ........ 0.0.0... 00 0.0008. 2
The cabinet is set off by the natural beauty of selected Stereo System Setup ................. 3
walnut, with a smart black base plate.
All controls are grouped on the right for easy one-hand | Assembly ............ 0. sees ee ee eee 4
OEKAnON: Adjustments ........... 0.0 cece ee eee 6
IN ST ALL ATI ON | Stereo Amplifier Connections .......... 7
| Dust Cover Attachment ............... 7
Install the PL-51 with the following points in mind. | . .
@ The place must be well-ventilated and free from Parts and Their Functions ............. 8
humidity and dust. Operation ....... 0.000. cece eee 9
@ The unit should not be exposed to direct
sunlight. Precautions: ities Wess has ee ee wa aes 10
@ The unit should not be placed near any source
at heat. . - Troubleshooting ................ 00005 10
© The unit should be placed as far from the Specifications sasteaewsbrancueinaitas 11
speaker systems as possible.

STEREO SYSTEM SETUP
The PL-51 is a first-quality stereo turntable and
can provide its full performance only when
combined with other components of equal quality,
so you should select other quality components
comparable to this turntable. Set up the system
as shown in Figs. 1 or 2.
A WORD ABOUT COMPONENTS
Be sure to select the rest of your system with
an eye to achieving sufficient performance and
response so that you can make the most of your
PL-51.
A wise choice would be the Pioneer components
designed and manufactured to provide these very
characteristics.
The Amplifier
There are many types available: Integrated stereo
amplifiers, AM/FM stereo receiver, stereo pre-
amplifiers and stereo power amplifiers. You can
take your choice of systems, making sure the one
you choose will blend well with the speakers
you select. Look for high performance and
stability in an amplifier.
The Speakers
Here there are also many possibilities. You have
a choice of bass-reflex type or fully-enclosed
type cabinets, full-range, 2-way, 3-way and other
types of speaker component combinations, and
bookshelf, floor type or omnidirectional, etc.
styling. With all these choices, your main guide
should be how well the speakers sound with the
rest of your system.
The Phono Cartridge
There are magnetic (moving coil, moving magnet
and induced magnet types) cartridges as well as
semi-conductor types and optical types.
If you use a moving coil (MC) type cartridge with
the PL-51, make sure your amplifier has the
capability of accepting this type of input signal.
PL-51
(RECEIVER)
ee
|O00# 0 OreeQ O00]
STEREO AMPLIFIER |
SPEAKER SYSTEMS
PL-51
STEREO PREAMPLIFIER
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STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER
SREAKER SYSTEMS
PIONGER
Fig. 1
Fig. 2

ASSEMBLY
To avoid possible damage during transport, heavy
parts (such as the platter) and delicate ones are
packed separately from the main body. Assemble
them into one unit as shown in the illustrations.
REMOVE TONEARM PACKING
Gently remove the tonearm packing as shown in
Fig. 3.
PLATTER INSTALLATION
Remove the platter from its separate package and
slip it onto the center shaft.
CARTRIDGE MOUNTING
You will have to mount the cartridge you want to
use. Follow the directions in Fig. 4 being careful
to connect the leads properly.
Before tightening the cartridge in the head shell,
adjust the overhang as shown in Fig. 5. Use the
overhang adjustment gauge included among the
accessories.
HEAD SHELL INSTALLATION
Slip the head shell onto the end of the tonearm
and fix it securely with the locking collar attached
to the tonearm (Fig. 6).
MAIN COUNTERWEIGHT INSTALLATION
The main counterweight slips onto the rear end of
the tonearm. Once it is slipped on a bit the threads
will engage. Screw on further, tuming in a
clockwise direction a few times (Fig. 7).
LATERAL BALANCE WEIGHT INSTALLATION
Slip the lateral balance weight onto its shaft and
tighten it at about midway, using the screwdriver
supplied with the accessories (Fig. 8).
LATERAL
BALANCE
WEIGHT
Fig. 8
Fig. 3
CARTRIDGE
L (+) WHITE
R (+) RED
L(-) BLUE
R(-)GREEN Fig. 4
Adjust cartridge so that the stylus
comes right over this index line
Fig. 5
HEAD SHELL LOCKING COLLAR
TONEARM
COUNTERWEIGHT Fig. 7

PIONEER
PARTS IDENTIFICATION
DUST COVER
RUBBER MAT
TURNTABLE PLATTER
STROBOSCOPE
AC CORD le
TONEARM
FUNCTION LEVER
WOODEN BASE
BASE PLATE
Fig. 9
LATERAL BALANCE
HEAD
SHELL
TONEARM
MAIN
LOCKING
|
arm
REST
ARM
ELEVATOR
COUNTERWEIGHT
a
:
Sea
MP
TRACKING
FORCE
DIAL
RING
ANTI-SKATING
FORCE
CONTROL
KNOB
Fig.
10

ADJUSTMENTS
LEVEL BALANCE ADJUSTMENT
Set the anti-skating force control to ‘‘0,’’ remove
the stylus protector cover from the cartridge and
turn the main counterweight until the tonearm is
well-balanced horizontally (lead end and weight
end the same height). The turntable body must of
course be level before this adjustment is made.
Once the level balance is achieved, turn the front
part of the main counterweight so that its ‘‘0”
reading aligns with the black line on the top of
the tonearm shaft (Fig. 11).
Be sure to turn only this front ring the rest of the
main counterweight should not be moved.
CARTRIDGE WEIGHT AND SUB WEIGHT
If the cartridge you wish to use is extremely heavy
or light you will not be able to achieve level
balance with the above method.
For an unusually light cartridge, slip in the special
weight plate (included in the accessories) between
the cartridge and the head shell.
For a very heavy cartridge, add the sub weight to
the rear end of the tonearm as shown in Fig. 12.
LATERAL BALANCE ADJUSTMENT
Adjust the lateral balance weight, as shown in
Fig. 18, so that the left end of the weight is
10 ~ 15mm from the end of its shaft. Then
retighten its screw. The screw should be on the
rear side.
What is “‘Lateral Balance’?
When the plane between the stylus on one end and
the tonearm pivot is level, optimum response is
assured. If this slips to either the left or right then
the stylus pressure will not be the same on both
walls of the record groove, affecting stereo
response. Lateral balance means keeping this
left-right plane in line.
TRACKING FORCE ADJUSTMENT
After the level balance adjustment is complete,
the tonearm is at zero tracking force. Turn the
whole main counterweight (the front part ring
gauge will turn with it) until the gauge reads the
correct force for the cartridge.
The gauge is graduated between 0.5 and 4.0 grams
(Fig. 14).
TRACKING FORCE
DIAL RING
MAIN
COUNTERWEIGHT
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
LATERAL | ;
BALANCE WEIGHT \S Fig. 13
TRACKING FORCE
DIAL RING
i een
COUNTERWEIGHT
AS
[OD
DEX LINE
Fig. 14

PIONEER
ANTI-SKATING ADJUSTMENT
The anti-skating force control knob should be
adjusted to the same setting as that required for
the tracking force (Fig. 15).
For example, if a tracking force of 2 grams is
required, set the knob to 2.
What is “Anti-skating’’?
As the record groove moves in relation to the
stylus it exterts a force on the stylus which pushes
it toward the center of the record. This is called
“skating force’? and will actually cause the stylus
:
“
spate
ANTI-SKATING
FORCE
to jump
out
of
the
groove
and
‘“‘skate”’
if
it
is
too
CONTROL.
KNOB
strong. Even when this does not occur, the force Fig. 15
distorts the sound response. The anti-skating
device is designed to cancel this force.
STEREO AMPLIFIER
CONNECTIONS
The input jacks on the amplifier, to which the
PL-51 leads must be connected, will vary according
to the type of cartridge used. To choose the
proper jacks, consult .the instructions furnished
with the cartridge, then connect the PL-51 leads
as follows (Fig. 16):
@ Remove the L and R cords from the PL-51 L-CH
packing case and plug one end of each into the Sy Gy
proper PL-51 amplifier input jack. Do not CORD A AC CORD
confuse the L and R connections. = sik PHONO ae
® The single cord with metal clips at each end is ZY if
the ground lead. It should be firmly connected un
to the ground (E or GND) terminals on the L-CH GROUND
PL-51 and the amplifier. pa
AMPLIFIER OR RECEIVER Fig. 16
DUST COVER ATTACHMENT
Slip the catches on the plastic dust cover into their
counterparts on the cabinet.
Be sure to press the two sets of catches together
firmly (Fig. 17).
Now the dust cover can be lifted up to stay in
place at angles of 30° to 60°.

PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
FUNCTION LEVER
This three-stage lever turns the motor on and off, and
raises and lowers the tonearm (Fig. 18).
@OFF Position
Shuts off power to the motor, stopping platter rotation.
@ON-UP Position
Switched from OFF this position causes the platter to
begin moving. Switched from DOWN it raises the tonearm
so that the stylus leaves the record surface smoothly.
eDOWN Position
When you are ready to begin record play move the lever
to this position and stylus will lower gently onto the
record.
ARM
ROWER / ELEVATION
PIONEER
DIRECT DRIVE
TURNTABLE
STROBOSCOPE
The proper part of the stroboscope band to read depends
upon the power source and record speed as shown below
(Fig. 19).
Fig. 19
ARM REST
The tonearm should be on the arm rest whenever the
turntable is not in use. If the unit is to be moved or
transported, first secure the tonearm to the arm rest with
the built-in clamp (Fig. 20).
33-1/3 RPM BUTTON
Push this button for playing a 33-1/3 rpm speed record (Fig. 21).
45 RPM BUTTON
Push this button for playing a 45 rpm speed record (Fig. 21).
SPEED SELECT
33 - 1 33-1/3 RPM
45 45 RPM
Fig. 21

——— 45 RPM ADAPTOR
A
45rpm
adaptor
is
supplied
in
the
accessory
group,
which
permits
45
rpm
records
to
be
fitted
on
the
PL-51
platter
shaft.
When
the
adaptor
is
not
in
use,
keep
it
on
the
stub
located
in
the
upper
right
of
the
base
plate.
S MOLDS
2
45 RPM ADAPTOR
Fig. 22
———ARM ELEVATION DEVICE
This
hydraulic
system
controls
the
height
of
the
tonearm
according
to
the
function
lever
setting.
Its
height
can
be
adjusted
by
loosening
the
screw.
f !
A RM ELEVATION
10
Fig. 23
~~ SPEED CONTROL KNOBS
With
either
of
the
speed
selectors
pressed,
watch
the
appropriate
stroboscope
band.
Adjust
for
precise
speed
(so
that
the
band
appears
to
stand
still)
by
turning
that
speed
control
knobs.
Turn
toward@(clockwise)
for
faster
speed,
toward@(counterclockwise)
for
slower.
When
the
stroboscope
appears
to
stand
still,
the
speed
is
correct.
SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL -KNOBS
33 ‘¢ 33-1/3 RPM
+
45 45 RPM
Fig. 24
RPIONGCER
OPERATION
The
operation
is
hardly
anything
difficult
about
playing
records
on
the
PL-51
once
you
are
accustomed
to
the
operation.
Simply
follow
these
steps:
1. Place a record on the platter.
2.
Remove
the
stylus
protector
from
the
cartridge
and
free
the
tonearm
from
the
rest
clamp.
3.
Move
the
function
lever
from
OFF
to
ON-UP
(the
platter
will
start
to
revolve).
4.
Set
the
speed
selector
corresponding
to
the
speed
of
the
record.
5.
Watch
the
proper
stroboscope
band
running
and
adjust
the
speed
with
the
speed
control
as
explained
above.
6. When the stroboscope appears to stand still,
move the tonearm so that the stylus is directly
over the starting point of the record.
7. Move the function lever to DOWN. The tonearm
will gently lower onto the record and play will
start.
8. If you wish to stop play in the middle, simply
move the function lever to ON-UP.
9. After the record has played, move the function
lever to OFF and return the tonearm to its
arm rest.
HOW TO USE THE FUNCTION LEVER BEST
The function lever is particularly convenient when
you wish to choose your favorite music or songs
only from among the several songs recorded on
the same side of an LP record.
@ If you move the tonearm with the function
lever set to DOWN, be sure to lever it very
carefully.

PRECAUTIONS
CHOOSE A LEVEL LOCATION
If the unit is not level various performance
problems will occur, so pay careful attention to
this point.
DO NOT PRESS ON THE PLATTER
Pressing on the turntable platter, especially during
play, can damage the mechanism.
ALWAYS CLEAN THE STYLUS
e If the stylus is dirty sound quality will deterio-
rate; brush it off with a soft brush from time to
time.
e@ if the record surface is dirty, clean it with a
record cleaner before playing.
e@ It is preferable to make it a babit to clean a
record surface before each play.
@ Touching the stylus with a finger is a common
cause of stylus damage, so be very careful when
handling the tonearm and when cleaning.
NO VIBRATIONS
The tracking force of your stylus will probably be
extremely light, so it is important to place the
unit in a location protected from vibrations. This is
another reason why it should not be too close to
the speakers.
DO NOT OPEN THE SET OR TOUCH THE
INSIDE PARTS
Your PL-51 is assembled with a number of small
and delicate components into one _ precision
mechanism which should not be touched. There is
no reason to open the unit or remove the turntable
once assembly is complete.
FOR FINE SPEED ADJUSTMENTS
To make proper adjustment, check the stroboscope
in fluorescent or other electric bulb light. Avoid
making use of sunlight.
10
TROUBLESHOOTING
HOWLING
‘“Howling”’ is acoustical feedback from speakers to
the turntable unit. Increasing the distance between
the speakers and the turntable, or even better,
laying a soft cushion under the turntable will
eliminate howling.
HUM
“Hum” is a low-pitch droning noise, often 60 or
50Hz, resulting from a loose connection of the
ground lead. If hum occurs:
@ Check the connection of the PL-51 ground lead
(the black lead with a split lug) to your amplifier.
If it is loose, connect it.
® Check if the output lead of the PL-51 is running
near the power transformer of your amplifier.
Changing the position of the PL-51 in relation
to the amplifier will often eliminate hum.
This unit is factory-set for AC 120V operation
when shipped.
If the house current in your area is not in 120V,
please contact your Pioneer dealer in order to
re-adjust the 120V unit for 110V, 130V, 220V
and 240V operation.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Phono Motor and Turntable
Motor: DC servo motor
Speed: Two speeds: 33-1/3 rpm
45 rpm
Wow and flutter: 0.06% (WRMS) or less
S/N: 55dB or more (in case of
using Pioneer cartridge model
PC-50)
Turntable platter: 31cm diam, Aluminum-diecast
alloy
Tonearm
Tonearm type: Static balance, S-type, pipe
arm
Effective arm length: 221mm
Tracking error: +3°~ -1°
Overhang: 15.5mm
Usable cartridge weight: 4g (min) ~ 14g (max)
Subfunctions
Large-size shock absorbers
Anti-skating force control
Lateral balance control
Oil-damping arm elevator
Hinges (Free-adjustable between 30°~ 60’)
Speed fine adjusters (33-1/3rpm, 45rpm: for use in
turntable speed adjustment with
stroboscope)
Stroboscope (On turntable platter band)
Others
Power requirements: AC. 120V, 60Hz
Power consumption: 5.2W (max)
Outer dimensions 480(W) x 410(D) x 185(H)mm
18-7/8(W) x 16-1/8(D) x
7-1/4(H) in.
Weight 11 kg, 24|lb 30z
Accessory Group
Overhang adjustment gauge .................., ]
45 (pm: adaptor, 05 hee ete hes Sh i ed ay 3 1
Weight plate (Cartridge weight-adjustable).......... 1
Heads shelling ts 30 ci Aackirutiorae gate ahah ea eee 1
Sub counterweight 2.2... . ee 1
Screwdriver? 2... 5.¢. wan Sine hte Se he ge kc RE at 1
Output cord (Connection cord) ..........000004 1
Cartridge mounting screws... 2.2.2.0... 00020005 2
Cartridge mounting nuts ... 2.0... 00.0000 ee eee 2
Cartridge mounting washers... ............0005 2
Operating instructions. 2... 0... ee 1
Mounted is a Pioneer phono cartridge model PC-50 in
this picture.
NOTE: Specifications and the design subject to possible
modification without notice due to improvements.
11