40 year old Pioneer stereo question

[ohiorider]

Years back, (2013) I posted that I'd taken this old amp I'd bought in 1980 to a shop that understood analog amps.  He got me going so I could enjoy some of my old LPs. 

Here's the question.  Did older LP stampings use a different tracking pattern (for lack of knowing what to call it) than newer (1980 and onward) stampings?  Maybe two track vs quadrophonic?

For some reason, the old Pioneer turntable and amp have no problem playing older LPs, but newer ones seem to drop out on the right channel.  At the moment, I'm listening to one of the first albums I purchased, John Lee Hooker's "That's Where It's At" stamped in 1969, and it still plays as well as ever.  A Stax record.

I don't know anything about testing stereos.  Any thoughts?

Bob

[LowRyter]

you might

1) adjust the tracking on the turntable
2) try a new needle and cartridge
3) check on an hifi forum

[aproud1]

Years back, (2013) I posted that I'd taken this old amp I'd bought in 1980 to a shop that understood analog amps.  He got me going so I could enjoy some of my old LPs. 

Here's the question.  Did older LP stampings use a different tracking pattern (for lack of knowing what to call it) than newer (1980 and onward) stampings?  Maybe two track vs quadrophonic?

For some reason, the old Pioneer turntable and amp have no problem playing older LPs, but newer ones seem to drop out on the right channel.  At the moment, I'm listening to one of the first albums I purchased, John Lee Hooker's "That's Where It's At" stamped in 1969, and it still plays as well as ever.  A Stax record.

I don't know anything about testing stereos.  Any thoughts?

Bob

There are mono, quadraphonic and stereo pressings. Stereo are by far the most popular and anything recent. As long as the are stereo 33 1/4 LP's, they should play on a standard table.  The issues you have might be a setup issue or maybe a cartridge issue. Might be fresh vinyl is harder on your setup or needle? How old is the cartridge? Does it drop out consistently?

If you're any where near Cincinnati? I have a setup record that takes you through most of a setup. Tracking angle, balance, anti skate. You are more than welcome to borrow.

[berniebee]

My nephew, who is a hard core vinyl man, pointed me to this article:
https://magazine.vinylmeplease.com/magazine/why-new-record-might-not-play-your-turntable/

[fossil]

The angle of the cantilever (roughly spoken) has an angle of 15° with older disks and 20° with newer. It is the angle in which the cantilever goes upwards from the stylus to the cartridge housing at the recommended vertical tracking force (VTF). It ensures that the stylus has an angle of (in praxi) 92° to the surface of the disk. Basically it is correct when at the recommended VTF the lower edge of the cartridge body is in parallel with the disk´s surface. (note: too small a VTF is much more harmful than a bigger. even a little too big one!)

A good explanation how this can be adjusted is here: http://enjoythemusic.com/resources/tonearmvta.htm . Good tonearms can be adjusted to the proper heigh, sometimes it is necessary to tilt the cart laterally a bit.

It is interesting to see that there are a lot of misleading and even false explanations in the net. Fellow enthusiasts should take a look at vinylengine.com and (of course) at audiokarma.org. A lot of knowledgeful members in those fora. A sort of wildguzzi for audiomaniacs (like me).

[bobrebos]

I cant help the original question as I am not knowledgeable enough, but I love old stereos and am in the market/looking for good pieces all the time.  I want to build my home/man cave/garage set-up to include a reel to reel!  Cool!   

[sib]

"As long as the are stereo 33 1/4 LP's...."  Formally it's 33 1/3 rpm.

[aproud1]

"As long as the are stereo 33 1/4 LP's...."  Formally it's 33 1/3 rpm.

I think something must be wrong with me! How did I screw that up???

[drbone641]

Depth/quality of grooves, and perhaps the condition of your needle. And don't use those ceramic needles for those cheap 'digital compatible' turntables. They ruin LPs

[fossil]

Do tell us which Pioneer equipment we are talking about! I am a big Pioneer - fan, I have sold and serviced that stuff and other great brands for years for a living. I have just discovered for me stereo equipment new and am restoring and collecting old stuff. And I like it so much again that my second motorcycle will not be a Himalayan but an equally expensive pair of Klipsch Heresy IV......

[dguzzi]

I cant help the original question as I am not knowledgeable enough, but I love old stereos and am in the market/looking for good pieces all the time.  I want to build my home/man cave/garage set-up to include a reel to reel!  Cool!   

  I have a Sony you might like. Goes with a box of tapes. I can get you specifics...

[ohiorider]

Do tell us which Pioneer equipment we are talking about! I am a big Pioneer - fan, I have sold and serviced that stuff and other great brands for years for a living. I have just discovered for me stereo equipment new and am restoring and collecting old stuff. And I like it so much again that my second motorcycle will not be a Himalayan but an equally expensive pair of Klipsch Heresy IV......

Fossil,
This was entry-level Pioneer in 1980, about $500.00 USD ($1555.00 in 2020 dollars) for the amp (SA 6500 II,) tuner (TX 5500 II,) turntable (PL 512X,)  cassette player (CT F500,) and cabinet.  My effete younger friends, who were into Bang and Olufsen, and other equally-pricey equipment referred to my turntable as Bob's 'pottery wheel.'  Ah, the early 1980s!

Years later, I acquired an old set of Epicure speakers that had been sitting so long in the basement, the rubber behind one of the speakers dry rotted and disintegrated under 'heavy load!'  Had them rebuilt with appropriate speakers  Someone prior had replaced one of the speakers with an automobile rear speaker .... impedance-matched? ..... don't think so!  I've attached a pic of the little system, pre-Epicure.  We've traveled a few places  starting in Toledo, then Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor, finally making it to the final destination of Hudson, Ohio.

Bob

[LowRyter]

If you get this sorted, let us know.

[ozarquebus]

I agree with other posters, it sounds like you should adjust and try swapping stylus, (Styli, styluses?)
Old pressings seem deeper, but I have never had the problem you describe except with large dirtballs on the stylus.

[fossil]

Nice setup. I have the SA 8500 II and the TX 9500 II and still love the stuff. At "audiokarma" and other HiFi - Fora the Pioneers of that aera are highly regarded - and rightfully so. Not only the totl  (top of the line) devices but also the smaller ones - like yours. And the PL-512? I sold dozends of them and never bought one myself - a mistake I am trying to correct now. Because it´s a good turntable. Simple but sturdy and well-built. Combine it with an ADC "brick" (e.g. an 220 X or XE) and it really shines. (I have a 220 X myself, only it does not fit in my Duals - so a 512 or 514 or a Lenco L75 would be the logical choice)

Let them play with B&O design toys - and enjoy your system.