Pioneer PL-520 turntable

 

Dual-Motor Direct-Drive Full Automatic Turntable with Brushless DC Servo and Front-Control Design, Low Howling

 

Precision mechanisms. Precision speed control. Pioneer has combined the best of both in a turntable which, not surprisingly, delivers precision performance. What will surprise you, pleasantly, is the price. Where elaborate, costly devices in other turntables are needed to drive the platter and the arm from one motor, we use independent motors for each and save the expense. Where uncomfortably bulky cabinets are used by other manufacturers to disguise internal vibrations and shut out howling, we use a high-mass base and wrap-around SPC steel plate to achieve good looks and the highest anti-howling characteristics of any competing model. On the PL-520, all controls for the fully automatic/manual operations and speed adjustment are up front, outside the dust cover. On the PL-520, a newly-designed Pioneer tone arm with direct stylus pressure adjustment and special anti-resonance features ensures precision performance where it counts most.

 

PL-520 Features

Brushless DC Servomotor with Hall Elements

The PL-520 incorporates a high-precision phonomotor combining control circuitry composed of semiconductors with Hall elements in the brushless DC motor. The speed of the platter is smooth since the Hall elements guarantee accurate position detection and the motor's winding current is controlled by transistors. Another feature is the high inertia platter. Altogether, these attractive features make for a Signal-to-Noise Ratio of more than 73 dB (DIN-B) and wow and flutter of less than 0,03% (WRMS).

 

Two-motor, Full-automatic Turntable with Precision Geared Motor Mechanism

The lead-in and return of the tonearm are performed by a special precision geared motor mechanism which does not affect the speed of the platter at all. Furthermore, a speed detection-type auto-return mechanism controls the tonearm for accurate and stable operation every time it is returned to the arm rest.

 

Switches and Controls are Located at the Front for Easy Operation

The two-speed fine-adjustment knob for adjusting the speed of the platter, the push-button speed selector switch, the size selector for selecting the size of the records, the stop button, repeat button and start button are all located on the front panel. This means that you don't have to lift the dust cover every time you want to make an adjustment. It also means that it is much easier to use this turntable on a shelf or audio rack.

 

High-sensitivity Tonearm with Excellent Trackability.

The newly developed, high-sensitivity S-shaped tonearm comes with built-in lateral balance and anti-skating mechanisms and it displays excellent tracking performance with a light tracking force cartridge. There is a separate tracking force weight in front so that you can easily change the tracking force even if you have mounted your turntable in an audio rack.

 

Wide Selection of Accessory Mechanisms

There is a plentiful variety of accessory mechanisms including an independent arm-elevation mechanism, a headshell stand for conveniently storing a spare cartridge, a free stop-hinged dust cover which allows easy attachment and removal, and large-sized insulator feet.

 

Specifications

Drive System:  Direct-drive

Motors:  Brushless 8-pole 24-slot DC Servo controlled motor (for platter drive), Warren motor (for automatic functions)

Turntable platter:  330 mm diam. Aluminum alloy die-cast

Inertial Mass:  200 kg-cm² (including platter mat)

Speeds:  33-⅓ and 45 rpm

Speed Control Range:  within ±2%

Wow and Flutter:  no more than 0,03% (WRMS)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:  more than 73 dB (DIN-B0, 60 dB (JIS)

Tone Arm

Type:  Static-balanced S shaped pipe arm

Effective Arm Length:  221 mm (8-11/16")

Overhang:  15,5 mm (5/8 ")

Tracking Error:   0,21 deg./cm (0,525 deg./in)

Usable Cartridge Weight:  4 g - 10 g

Cartridge Specifications

Type:  Moving Magnet

Stylus:  0,5 mil diamond (PN-400)

Output Voltage:  2,5 mV (1 kHz, 50 mm/s peak Velocity, LAT)

Tracking Force:  1,0 g to 1,8 g (proper 1,5 g)

Frequency Response:  10 to 40,000 Hz

Power Requirements:  110/120/220/240 V 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption:  8 watts

Dimensions (W x H x D):  460 x 171 x 395 mm (18-1/8" x 6-3/4" x 15-9/16")

Weight:  8,5 kg (18 lb 12 oz)