Pioneer PL-71 User manual

DIRECT DRIVE
STEREO TURNTABLE
PL-71
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
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Thank you very much for your purchase of Pioneer model
PL-71. 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 en-
thusiast.
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-71 delivers. Not only with an exactly-balanced
tonearm design, but also with an ideal anti-skating system.
The result is stable tracking over every part of the record
for brilliant response from the first note to the last.
CONVENIENT AUXILIARY FEATURES
The tonearm is raised and lowered by ARM ELEVATOR,
saving both stylus and record wear.
The stylus overhang can be adjusted precisely with the
overhang gauge.
The semitransparent dust cover is held by spring-loaded
hinges and can be arrested in any desired position. If de-
sired, it can be removed altogether.
EYE-APPEAL DESIGN
The cabinet is set off the natural beauty of selected walnut,
with a smart black base plate.
All controls are grouped on the right for easy one-hand
operation.
CONTENTS
Features
Installation
Stereo System Setup
Assembly
Adjustments
Parts Identification
Operation
Stereo Amplifier Connection
Precautions
Line Voltage
Troubleshooting
Specifications
INSTALLATION
Install the PL-71 with the following points in
mind.
The place must be well-ventilated and free from
humidity and dust.
The unit should not be exposed to direct sun-
light.
The unit should be placed on horizontal situa-
tion.
The unit should be placed as far from the
speaker systems as possible.
2

STEREO SYSTEM SETUP
The PL-71 is a first-quality stereo turntable and
can provide its full performance only when com-
bined with other components of equal quality, so
you should select other quality components com-
parable 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 re-
sponse so that you can make the most of your
PL-71.
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 pream-
plifiers 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 or bass-reflex type or fully-enclosed type
cabinets, full-range, 2-way, 3-way and other types
of speaker component combinations, and book-
shelf, floor type or omnidirectional, etc. styling.
With all these choices, your main guide should be
how well speakers sound with the rest of your
system.
The Phono Cartridge
There are magnetic (moving coil, moving magnet
and induced magnet types) cartridge as well as
semi-conductor types and optical types.
If you use a moving coil (MC) type cartridge with
the PL-71, make sure your amplifier has the capa-
bility of accepting this type of input signal.
PIONCER
PL-71
STEREO
AMPLIFIER
SPEAKER
SYSTEMS
Fig. 1
PL-71
©O00O?O]| STEREO
9 2999 0909 PREAMPLIFIER
STEREO
POWER AMPLIFIER
SPEAKER
SYSTEMS
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 THE 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.
Then place the rubber mat on the turntable platter.
CARTRIDGE MOUNTING
The color-coded pin connectors in the head shell
conform to the international EIA standard. Attach
the cartridge according to the drawing (Fig. 4).
After connection of »in connectors, plug the head
shell into the tonearm and tighten firmly locking
collar (Fig. 5).
OVERHANG ADJUSTMENT
After mounting the cartridge, you must adjust
overhang length.
At first, set the 45 rpm record adaptor provided
with overhang gauge onto the center shaft.
Bring the head shell to the point of the overhang
gauge and regulate stylus tip to 14.5 mm index line
explained in Figs. 6 and 7.
When overhang adjustment is over, tighten the
cartridge-held screws.
HOW TO ADJUST OVERHANG
OVERHANG
CHECKER
Fig. 7
TONEARM PACKING
A TAKE OUT
Fig. 3
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WASHERS
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RED (+) R
S eee” BLUE (-) L
CARTRIDGE
SW
MEAD
SHELL
GREEN
(-)
R
a
Sa
This illustrates use of Pioneer cartridge PC-50.
Fig. 4
LOCKING COLLAR
Fig. 5
45 rpm ADAPTOR
(OVERHANG GAUGE)
Adjust cartridge so that the stylus
comes right over this index line
of 14.5 mm. Fig. 6

COUNTERWEIGHT INSTALLATION
Counterweight consists weightsleeve and main
weight. At first, the weightsleeve slips into the
rear end of the tonearm (Fig. 8).
Once it is slipped on a bit the threads will engage.
Screw on more turning in a clockwise direction a
few times.
Next, the main weight slips into the rear end of
the weightsleeve and tighten weight-fasten screw
so the clearance cound be made 3 mm between
main weight and weightsleeve (Fig. 9).
LATERAL WEIGHT INSTALLATION
Install the lateral weight as follows:
1. Loosen the screw which holds the lateral crooked
bar on the tonearm.
2. Slip the lateral weight stored in accessory box
into the lateral crooked bar, then tighten the
fitting screw of lateral weight (Fig. 10).
3. Tighten the lateral crooked bar-held screw so
that the lateral crooked bar is kept vertically
against the tonearm pipe.
NOTE:
The lower the lateral weight is installed, the lower the
center of gravity becomes. The higher the lateral weight is
installed, the higher the center of gravity becomes.
This is called “variable center-of-gravity type lateral
balance.”*
THE HEIGHT OF THE ARM REST
ADJUSTMENT
The height of the arm rest can be adjusted by
untightening the fitting screw (Fig. 11).
ADJUSTMENT OF TONEARM HEIGHT
The height of the tonearm must be kept parallel
with turntable platter.
This height can be regulated by untightening 2
clamp screws as shown in Fig. 12.
Fig. 12
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INIC-
WEIGHTSLEEVE
TONEARM
WEIGHT-FASTEN
SCREW
Fig. 9
LATERAL CROOKED
BAR-HELD SCREW
LATERAL CROOKED
BAR
Fig. 10
ARM REST
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Fig. 11

ADJUSTMENTS
HORIZONTAL BALANCE ADJUSTMENT
1. Set the anti-skating force control knob to the
“6.
2. Remove the stylus protection cover from the
cartridge.
. Free the tonearm from the arm rest.
. Bring down the arm elevator.
. Move the weight sleeve slowly back and forth
(by turning it) until the tonearm floats in hori-
zontal position.
6. Keeping the weight sleeve in this position, turn
only the tracking force dial ring so that the zero
aligns with the black index line on the tonearm.
(Fig. 13).
7. After the horizontal balance is complete, return
the tonearm to the arm rest and clamp it.
TRACKING FORCE ADJUSTMENT
After the horizontal balance adjustment is com-
plete, the tonearm is at zero tracking force. Turn
the weight sleeve (the tracking force dial ring and
main weight will turn with it) until the gauge reads
the correct force for the cartridge (Fig. 14).
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).
What is “Anti-skating”’?
A force is created by the record rotation which tends to
pull the stylus (and tonearm) toward the center of record.
The anti-skating device provides a precisely controlled
counter force to cancel this tendency.
LATERAL BALANCE ADJUSTMENT
Adjust the lateral bar length as shown in Fig. 16,
so that the lateral bar length become from 20 to
24 mm.
om ©
NOTE:
After this adjustment once made, no readjustment is
needed
even
if
the
supplied
phono
cartridge
is
replaced
with your option.
Installation of the Cartridge
It is possible for this tonearm to install a cartridge of which
weight is 4 to 32g by positioning the main weight on the
weightsleeve. In using almost all the cartridge on the mar-
ket, this tonearm will be adjusted by above-stated way.
But only when using extremely heavy or light cartridge,
tonearm adjustment may be impossible.
In such a case, untighten the weight fasten screw, then,
slide the main weight back and forth.
TRACKING FORCE
DIAL RING
~ ANTI SKATING FORCE
CONTROL KNOB
Fig. 13
WEIGHTSLEEVE
MAIN WEIGHT
TRACKING FORCE
DIAL RING
INDEX LINE
The gauge is graduated between
0.5
and
3.0
grams.
Fig.
14
ANTI SKATING FORCE
CONTROL KNOB
For example, if the tracking force of the cartridge is 2
grams, set the anti-skating force control knob to 2.
Fig. 15
<~LATERAL WEIGHT
LATERAL
CROOKED
BAR
“LAT
ERAL CROOKED BAR-HELD
SCREW
Fig. 16
Corresponding relation of the cartridge weight and the
clearance is shown as below:
Cartridge weight
Proper clearance —
0
a 3 mm 7
25 g 15 mm
32 20 mm

PARTS IDENTIFICATION
DUST COVER
STROBOSCOPE
COUNTERWEIGHT
LATERAL WEIGHT
~ ARM REST
TONEARM
y
STROBOLIGHT
CARTRIOGE
MOUNTING
SCREWS
DUST COVER ATTACHMENT
Slip the hinges on the plastic dust cover into their |
counterparts on the cabinet. Be sure to press the
two sets of hinges together firmly (Fig. 17).
MAIN WEIGHT
TURNTABLE PLATTER WEIGHTSLEEVE
CENTER
SHAFT
pi
Le
PIONEER
45 rpm ADAPTOR
( OVERHANG GAUGE )
LATERAL
WEIGHT
HEAD
SHELL
CARTRIDGE
MOUNTING
NUTS
WEIGHT
PLATE

PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
STROBOSCOPE
The proper part of the stroboscope band to read
illuminated by the strobolight depends upon the
frequency of the power sources and record speeds
as below.
33-1/3 rpm
45 rpm
STROBOLIGHT
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.
ARM REST
OPERATION
The operation is very simple about playing records
on the PL-71 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. Push the 33-1/3 RPM BUTTON or 45 RPM
BUTTON. This operation will simultaneously
cause the turntable platter to rotate.
4. Watch the proper stroboscope band running
illuminated by the strobolight. Adjust the speed
with the speed control as explained above.
5. When the proper stroboscope appears to stand
still, move the tonearm so that the stylus is
directly in the starting point of the record.
SPEED CONTROL KNOBS
With either of the speed selectors pressed, watch
the appropriate stroboscope band and strobolight.
Adjust the precise speed (so that the band appears
to stand still) by turning the speed control knobs.
Turn toward + (clockwise) for faster speed, toward
— (counterclockwise) for slower. When the strobo-
scope appears to stand still, the speed is correct.
S7GRD GSDNAGL,
SPEED CONTROL
KNOB
45 rpm
| —~ 33-1/3 rpm
6. Move the ARM ELEVATOR down. The tonearm
will be gently lowered onto the record, then
the performance will begin.
7. If you wish to start playing in the middle, simply
move the ARM ELEVATOR upward.
8. After the record has been played, move the
ARM ELEVATOR up and return the tonearm
to the arm rest.
9. When the performance is over, the POWER OFF
switch must be pushed immediately.
HOW TO USE THE ARM ELEVATOR
The arm elevator is particularly convenient when
you wish to choose your favorite music or songs
from the several songs recorded on the same side of
an LP record.

es
LO
ES
45 RPM BUTTON a ARM ELEVATOR
Push this button for playing a 45 rpm speed re-
cord, Simultaneously the power will be turned on.
33-1/3 RPM BUTTON
Push this button for playing a 33-1/3 rpm speed
record.
Simultaneously the power will be turned on.
[ONES BE EO)
45 rpm
33-1/3 rpm
——— POWER “OFF” SWITCH
Push this button for turning off.
POWER “OFF” SWITCH
FQMEACTAR )
#@ PIONEER
amor Gm
This is a lever for controlling the up-and-down
movement of the tonearm.
Setting the ARM ELEVATOR up, the arm head
will be floated from the surface of the record.
Setting the ARM ELEVATOR down, the arm head
will be quietly descended on the surface of the
record.
This
is
a
convenient
device
for
cueing
in
any
portion
of
the
record
without
fear
of
scratching
the
record
surface.
STEREO AMPLIFIER CONNECTIONS
1. The connection cords of the PL-71 are marked L
and R; connect them to the stereo amplifier left
and right PHONO MAG terminals (Fig. 18).
2. The cord provided with spare lugs is the ground
wire. Firmly connect it to the GND or E ter-
minal of the amplifier.
NOTES:
1. When employing a low level moving coil (MC) type
cartridge, use a step-up transformer or a stereo am-
plifier equipped with an input terminal for a moving
coil cartridge.
2. When a non-standard cartridge is to be used, make am-
plifier connections according to instructions which
come with the cartridge.
L CHANNEL
onge
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RG
R CHANNEL

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PRECAUTIONS
NO VIBRATION
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-71 is assembled with a number of small
and delicate components into one precision mecha-
nism which should not be touched. There is no
reason to open the unit or remove the turntable
once assembly is complete.
NO LUBRICATION
There is no use to lubricate this model because of
the use of oilless bearings in the rotating parts.
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 habit to clean a
record surface before each play.
e Touching the stylus with a finger is a common
cause of stylus damage, so be very careful when
handling the tonearm and when cleaning it.
CHOOSE A LEVEL LOCATION
If the unit is not level various performance
problems will occur, so play careful attention to
this point.
LINE VOLTAGE
Be careful of line voltage. Your PL-71 is possible to
operate on five kinds of voltage. The turntable is,
of cource, factory-adjusted for the local line
voltage of the country to which it is being shipped.
If you use the unit in the different country or area
from where you bought it, please confirm if the
local line voltage is the same as at place you bought
it.
The line voltage of the unit can be adjusted by the
LINE VOLTAGE SELECTOR PLUG that provided
inside the wooden base. You can regulate the line
voltage for operation by yourself as follows:
1. Unscrew a total of 10 bottom plate-held screws
as shown in Fig. 19.
2. Remove the bottom plate, and you can find the
LINE VOLTAGE SELECTOR PLUG.
3.The cut-off of the selector plug shows the
voltage which operate the unit. (Perhaps, it
ought to be different from your local line
voltage.)
4. Pull out the selector plug, and put it back as
indicated in cut-off your house voltage 110V,
120V,130V, 220V or 240V. (Fig. 20).
10
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Il
I
Ma wl
To remove bottom plate, unscrew
a total of 10 screws. Fig. 19
LINE VOLTAGE
SELECTOR PLUG
Insert selector plug so that correct
voltage figure is visible in cut-off. Fig. 20

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TROUBLESHOOTING
HUM
“HUM” is a low-pitch droning noise, often 60 or
50Hz, resulting from a loose connection of the
ground lead. If hum occurs:
e Check the connection of the PL-71 running near
the power transformer of your amplifier. Chang-
ing the connection of the PL-71 in relation to
the amplifier will often eliminate hum.
e Check the connection of the PL-71 ground lead
(the black lead with a split lug) to your
amplifier. If it is loose, connect firmly.
e
Reversing
of
the
AC
cord
may
occasionally
eliminate
hum.
HOWLING
“HOWLING” is acoustical feedback from speakers
to the tumtable unit. Increasing the distance
between the speakers and the turntable, or even
better, laying a soft cushion under the turntable
will eliminate howling.
SPECIFICATIONS
Phono Motor and Turntable
Motor. 66 keeles Brushless DC servo Direct-drive motor
SDGCU oo vs vice. sveisie’ wis ewes Two speeds: 33-1/3, 45rpm
Wow
and
Flutter
...............
0.05%
(WRMS)
or
less
SIN us aide nteaie e702 60dB or more (in case of using Pioneer
cartridge model PC-50)
Turntable
platter
..
0...
,
31cm
diam.
Aluminum
alloy
Tonearm
Tonearm
type
.........
Static
balance,
S-shape,
pipe
arm
Effective
armlength
..................0...
224mm
OVE
ANG:
5
sis.
c00
aie
a
hse
eve
ds
wd
ote
Shae
whales
14.5mm
Usable
cartridge
weight
........
4g
(MIN)
to
32g
(MAX)
Subfunctions
Anti-skating force control
Lateral balancer
Hinges (Free-adjustable)
Large-size shock absorbers
Arm elevator
Height-adjustable arm rest
Speed
fine
adjusters
(33-1/3rpm,
45
rpm:
for
use
in
turntable
speed
adjustment
with
stroboscope
and
strobo-
light)
a
eee
Others
Power
requirements
.........
AC
110,
120,
130,
220
and
240V, 60 or SOHz
Power
consumption
.............0.e0005
5.2W
(MAX)
Outer
dimensions
......
480
(W)
x
410(D)
x
185(H)
mm
18-7/8
(W)
x16-1/8(D)
x
7-1/4(H)
in.
Weights
ois
nad
sa
iace
aro:
aie
aac
ieee
vw
are
11.0kg,
24
Ib
30z
Accessory Group
4Srpm
adaptor
(with
overhang
gauge)
...............
1
SCIOWOTIVER
55
Ses
sy.
ioce
seid
votre
Sadie
Re
caste
one
1
Output
cord
(Connection
cord)
........
0.
cece
eceuee
1
Weight
plate
(Cartridge
weight-adjustable)............
1
Cartridge
mounting
screws...
2.2.2...
00.
ccceeeceees
10
Cartridge
mounting
washers
................00-0000,
2
Cartridge
mounting
nuts
............00.eceeeeeeee
2
Operating
instructions
...
2.2.2.0...
cece
ee
ece
eee
2
NOTE:
Specifications and the design subject to possible modifica-
tion without notice due to improvements.
11

<74K01FO5E>
PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
4-1, 1-Chome, Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153, Japan
U.S. PIONEER ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
7S Oxford Orive, Moonachie, New Jersey 07074,U.S.A.
PIONEER ELECTRONIC (EUROPE) N.V.
Meir-Center Meir 21, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
; PIONEER ELECTRONICS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
<PRB-006-0> Printed in Japan 256-8 City Road, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia