I started listening with the PL-30-K's build-in phono preamp, and the sound was fine. I was happy with its sound quality, but upgrading to an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge would be a smart move. The PL-30-K comes with an Audio-Technica 3600L moving-magnet cartridge. I used my NAD C316BEE and an Onkyo A-9010 integrated amps for all of my listening tests.
#Pioneer turntable manual
The owner's manual provides good information for first-time turntable buyers. I had the PL-30-K up and playing tunes in under five minutes. PL-30-K setup is no biggie: place the metal platter over the turntable's spindle, do a quick reach-around to thread the drive belt over the motor pulley, attach the tonearm's counterweight, adjust the stylus tracking force, and you're good to go.
#Pioneer turntable portable
So with the PL-30-K you can plug it directly into almost any receiver, integrated amplifier, desktop speakers, or any portable speaker that has an analog stereo input jack. Those manual turntables I just mentioned do not. Not only that, the PL-30-K has a built-in phono preamp. With "manual" turntables like the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, Rega RP1 or U-Turn Orbit you have to do all the "work" yourself, and move the tonearm into position, lowering and raising it from the LP, and so forth by hand. The auto mechanism works smoothly the PL-30-K performed flawlessly. The PL-30-K then turns the platter motor off. Then, at the end of the LP side, the tonearm automatically lifts from the groove, moves over the record and returns to the arm rest. What does that mean? After you place a LP on the platter, press the start button, and the metal platter starts turning, the tonearm automatically moves into position just over the LP's lead-in groove, then gently lowers the stylus onto the record to get the music going. That's where the new Pioneer PL-30-K turntable ( US $299, UK £299) comes into play: it kept LP surface noise down to a minimum, speed stability was good, and it's a fully automatic design. Vinyl listeners are more engaged, LPs somehow make music more enjoyable, but all bets are off if the turntable and/or phono cartridge are lacking. The answer is simply this: at its best, vinyl draws me into the music more than digital ever does. Why has this ancient format not only stuck around long after digital should have buried it? What the hell is going on? FYI the pictures need to be less the 1 mb in size to up load to this site.The ongoing surge in LP sales shows no signs of slowing down, but not everybody gets "it" - they don't understand what the fuss is all about. If you are still having problems figuring out what you need then take a couple of clear pictures of the tonearm and or cartridge if you have one and post them here. You will need to loosen the small screws on the head shell and drop the cart down and see in any info is on the top. Audio Technica likes to put the cart model on top. If you can't find a name or model number on the cart it could be on top. Now if you just need a new stylus/needle then take a good look at the cartridge for any name or model number and Google that info and a bunch of sellers will come up. If all you need is a cartridge or even just a stylus for and existing cartridge then let use know that. All it is, is just a head shell with no cartridge mounted. If you have the head shell don't buy the one I gave you the ebay item number for you don't need it. The stylus/needle is mounted on the front on the cartridge and can be easily removed to be cleaned or replaced. The wires in the head shell attach to the back of the cartridge. A cartridge is mounted to the head shell with two small screws and nuts. A head shell is that part that mounts on the end of the tonearm. Maybe you don't know exactly what you need or are unfamiliar with the terminology. Hi, I'm a little confused as to what you need, in your first post you stated you needed a head shell now in the last past you say thank you for cartridge advice.