Pioneer - PL-12 Turntable

Hello; Pioneer PL-12 mk I manual turntable (first series) with a new belt, Audio Technica cartridge and brand-new original Audio-Technica AT VM 95 stylus, chassis in mint condition and top-notch, frankly, on par with the rest.

The presentation Pioneer made at the time; finally, a couple of technical data.

The Pioneer PL-12 (and its more common evolution, the PL-12D) is considered an icon of vintage turntables from the early 1970s. Key features: it is a fully manual belt-drive turntable, equipped with a high-torque 4-pole synchronous motor that uses an S-shaped tonearm with a standard SME-type headshell, considered well-finished and smooth in its price range. Construction: it features a spring-damped upper chassis to reduce vibrations, housed in a plinth with wood finish. Ease of Maintenance: thanks to its purely mechanical nature, it is very easy to repair or restore even for less-experienced users. Performance and Sound: sound quality described as lively, bright, and “rhythmic,” offering the warmth typical of 1970s vinyl. Isolation: despite the spring suspension, some users report a certain sensitivity to footsteps or floor vibrations... I recommend placing it on a very rigid surface. Pairings: it is often paired with vintage cartridges such as the Shure M75 or more reliable “modern” options like the Audio-Technica AT-VM95 series.

And more.

Description of the Pioneer PL-12 turntable with belt drive; the PL-12 motor drives the platter not via a troublesome tensioning system, but via Pioneer’s proven belt-drive, which eliminates motor vibrations and hum, improving the overall signal-to-noise ratio. The belt, made of durable polyurethane, holds up very well to temperature fluctuations and aging. The 4-pole synchronous motor provides extremely precise and stable speed and runs essentially vibration-free. Stability is further enhanced by the finely machined zinc alloy platter. To keep the stylus tracing perfectly along the center of the groove, a specially developed wire-activated anti-skating device is provided: its effect is to guarantee precise channel separation when playing stereo records. The lightweight tracking tonearm is shaped for near-perfect geometry and minimal tracking error. With its dark brown, walnut-finished base and balanced black-silver colors, the PL-12 looks like the precision instrument that it truly is.

Specifications; Motor: 4-pole synchronous motor - Drive: belt driven - Speeds: 33 and 45rpm - Speed accuracy: 1.0% or less - Wow and flutter: 0.1% WRMS - Rumble: 47dB - Platter: 30cm aluminium alloy - Tonearm: S-shaped pipe - Effective length: 221mm - Dimensions: 430 x 160.5 x 349mm - Weight: 8.5kg

Thank you for the time you’ve given me, good life and good music to you. Andrea.