Having spent several years with a Pioneer PL-550 turntable, even after upgrading to more expensive setups, a sense of nostalgia and appreciation remains. There’s a certain quality to the PL-550 that’s hard to forget, particularly when comparing it to more modern counterparts.
One immediately noticeable advantage was its remarkably quiet noise floor. Replacing the PL-550 with a Rega Planar 2 was quite an eye-opener, but not in the way expected. The Rega, surprisingly, exhibited a noticeable rumble, a stark contrast to the near silence of the Pioneer. This difference was unexpected and highlighted the impressive engineering of the PL-550 in minimizing unwanted noise.
Beyond its quiet operation, the Pioneer PL-550 also stood out for its unwavering pitch accuracy and speed stability. The heavy platter, a visually appealing and substantial component, undoubtedly contributed to this performance. It’s a testament to the turntable’s robust design and build quality focused on delivering consistent and accurate playback.
It’s worth noting that the PL-550 is the manual version of the PL-570, and while similar, the PL-550 features a shorter tonearm than its sibling. This characteristic is crucial when considering cartridge pairing. The tonearm is best suited for low-compliance cartridges. Ideally, cartridges with recommended tracking forces of 2 grams or higher are the way to go to achieve optimal performance.
My personal experience with an Audio-Technica AT440MLa cartridge on the PL-550 serves as a valuable lesson in cartridge matching. While the AT440MLa is a fine cartridge, it turned out to be not the ideal match for the PL-550’s heavier tonearm. The cartridge, designed for lighter arms, didn’t fully synergize with the PL-550. This became strikingly clear when the same AT440MLa cartridge was mounted on a Rega RB250 tonearm. On the Rega arm, the AT440MLa truly came alive, delivering a significantly more refined and open sound. This wasn’t a fault of the Pioneer turntable itself, but simply a matter of understanding cartridge and tonearm compatibility.
Close-up of Pioneer PL-550 tonearm showing VTA adjustment mechanism.
For those seeking cartridge recommendations for the Pioneer PL-550, Denon cartridges are often suggested as excellent pairings, known for their compatibility with medium to heavy tonearms.
Another significant advantage of the PL-550 is its user-adjustable Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA). This feature allows for fine-tuning the tonearm height to optimize cartridge performance. The adjustment process involves loosening two bolts on the tonearm mast, allowing for vertical movement. A practical technique I discovered for precise VTA adjustment involves using a jackknife-type set of feeler gauges. By inserting the feeler gauge into the gap on the arm post, you can incrementally adjust the height. Adding blades raises the tonearm, while removing them lowers it.
This method, while perhaps requiring a visual reference to fully grasp, offers a tangible and repeatable way to dial in the VTA on the Pioneer PL-550. Simply place the feeler gauge in the gap, tighten the bolts to secure the setting, and then remove the gauge.
In conclusion, the Pioneer PL-550 remains a memorable turntable, even when compared to more modern and expensive options. Its quiet noise floor, pitch stability, and VTA adjustability are standout features. Understanding the importance of cartridge matching, particularly opting for low-compliance types, is key to unlocking the full potential of this classic turntable.
