Pioneer PL71
Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 12:16 am
I had been thinking of a change in the turntable department as part of a general “overhaul” of my system.
A recent medical examination has revealed some hearing problems (none of us are getting any younger). In addition, I quite simply was not using my Rega RP10 due to a lack of opportunity.
So the Teddy Pardo amp has to go as I need something with a balance control or left/right volume controls. The RP10 also needs a new home so I can free up some funds.
To cut a long story short I decided to buy the Doc’s PL71. I had heard it a few times at Muppet Labs and thought it was something I could live with especially as it would not be used very often.
I collected the tt last weekend and the Doc also had a Denon dl103 available. Yes, the 1963 designed mc cartridge with a spherical stylus - so old hat.
The 103 was not fixed to the headshell so I had to buy a cartridge protractor and it took a week for me to get my act together and get the tt up and running. So it’s the PL71 into a twin psu phono 2 then a Teddy Pardo amp and monoblocs.
So how does it sound ? In short it’s a bloody great surprise. This is my first dd turntable and I’m now wondering why I didn’t buy one before. It has the most incredible “solidity” to instruments and I have been amazed by the tonality - a piano really does sound like a piano. When it comes to prat, this tt is excellent. My cube 3s are sounding like people playing musical instruments and bands sound like, well bands !
Perhaps the biggest shock has been the way the 71 has the ability to “hold it all together” during complex passages of music. I’m using sound cords between the tt and the phono 3 so I’m wondering what will happen with a cable upgrade. The sound cords must be one of hifi’s bargains.
Needless to say, I played a few records today and I really cannot find fault with the 71. My pre is now sold so it will be some time before the records are spinning again but after the first few hours of listening I can say that the 71 has the potential to be a formidable performer. I’ll try to remember to write an update once I get a new amp (I wonder who is going to be building that...).
A recent medical examination has revealed some hearing problems (none of us are getting any younger). In addition, I quite simply was not using my Rega RP10 due to a lack of opportunity.
So the Teddy Pardo amp has to go as I need something with a balance control or left/right volume controls. The RP10 also needs a new home so I can free up some funds.
To cut a long story short I decided to buy the Doc’s PL71. I had heard it a few times at Muppet Labs and thought it was something I could live with especially as it would not be used very often.
I collected the tt last weekend and the Doc also had a Denon dl103 available. Yes, the 1963 designed mc cartridge with a spherical stylus - so old hat.
The 103 was not fixed to the headshell so I had to buy a cartridge protractor and it took a week for me to get my act together and get the tt up and running. So it’s the PL71 into a twin psu phono 2 then a Teddy Pardo amp and monoblocs.
So how does it sound ? In short it’s a bloody great surprise. This is my first dd turntable and I’m now wondering why I didn’t buy one before. It has the most incredible “solidity” to instruments and I have been amazed by the tonality - a piano really does sound like a piano. When it comes to prat, this tt is excellent. My cube 3s are sounding like people playing musical instruments and bands sound like, well bands !
Perhaps the biggest shock has been the way the 71 has the ability to “hold it all together” during complex passages of music. I’m using sound cords between the tt and the phono 3 so I’m wondering what will happen with a cable upgrade. The sound cords must be one of hifi’s bargains.
Needless to say, I played a few records today and I really cannot find fault with the 71. My pre is now sold so it will be some time before the records are spinning again but after the first few hours of listening I can say that the 71 has the potential to be a formidable performer. I’ll try to remember to write an update once I get a new amp (I wonder who is going to be building that...).