Pioneer Pl-990 Turntable Review

My thoughts on the Pioneer PL-990 turntable. Cheap but better than I expected it to be.

[@lennykrapitz4794]

Just found one of these, brand new in the box, never opened for $30. Didnt know much about it, but my AT just went out and just wanted something to listen to until i got around to fixing mine. Looks like a got a good deal!

[@teletheates]

Great to see you still doing the occasional hi-fi-related video here once in a while, JC. Cheers from Greece!

[@jeffreyjoshuarollin9554]

I just got this turntable on your (and others') recommendation, and I love it! Cheers Joe!

[@ArthurJS123]

Thrilled to see another video about audio from you! And thanks for shattering myths about conical styli. Enjoy your new turntable!

[@tonivaripati5951]

I got this Pioneer PL -990 turntable , first record player I've ever bought, amazing sound, play alot of country records on it, beautiful sound, really love it, its plugged into a thirty year old Rotel Amp, plays through thirty year old Mission Speakers, so I am bit old fashoined with ma Music Gear,

[@redcomusic]

I read the reviews on several retailer sites regarding the "not keeping on speed" issue and then I looked harder...it plays a different pitch +/- on arm-in, arm-out and idling (stylus up); however it keeps the same speed you set during actual playback. It's by far the most perfect-sounding automatic home turntable I've ever owned, after growing up with a Technics SL-3110. - Red

[@DjZelous]

Doooopeeee! I was waiting for this one! I might pick it up for a bedroom setup once i move out of my parents house, soon hopefully :)

[@angellbachier869]

I still have the owners manual and checked , due that it has a pre-amp it recommends to plug it in the Aux input

[@MaximumUtmost]

I totally agree of this content. I enjoy analyzing audio technologies and implementations relative to me.

[@dereksmith7781]

I dig the vintage audio man keep it up please!

[@neilstewart9343]

Sounds really great for the price. Very pleased

[@EddieJazzFan]

I picked up the Sony equivalent to this turntable at the Goodwill. It looks extremely similar to this. I wonder if it's made in the same factory? BTW the Rega p1 also uses the same AT cartridge as this, but they call it the "REGA CARBON" cartridge. Please do more audio videos!

[@EzeeLinux]

They are based on the same chassis design. Whether they are made by the same people or not I'm not sure. There were actually a lot of turntables based on this design made from the late 1980s on. :)

[@stevenvandenbosch5528]

I have the Dual cs410 version of this Hanpin design and can add a little: with the internal phono amp the SNR is about 55dB. The noise is 50Hz, 100 Hz and 200 Hz (50 hz mains here, I expect 60, 120 and 240 hz noise with 60hz mains). With an external phono pre-amp the SNR rises to 65 dB ish. I guess the amp picks up the power supply noise even more than the tone arm cables do. I'm going to use a regulated power supply to try and get rid of the 50Hz and 100 hz noise (and the 200 hz harmonic). The bass is about 2 dB over 1 khz reference level, treble drops off about 4dB at 6khz and 8 dB at 14 khz . The internal phono pre-amp switches off when the sound drops to about -50dB, very annoying once you hear it do this

[@EzeeLinux]

Thanks for the feedback. :)

[@uxwbill]

These inexpensive turntables sure are getting a lot of press amongst my subscriptions. I think they're entirely decent -- maybe even far better than a lot of people would give them credit for. Rather amusingly, KZbin and its HTML5 player "gave up" around the 23 minute mark and displayed a buffering indication, while the video kept right on going perfectly!

[@EzeeLinux]

I was shocked at how good this thing sounded... I didn't expect to have as much nice to say about it as I did. :)

[@NotAnUploader]

I am about to get an Ion Profile Pro out and start using it, got it for $20 a while back. Not sure if its cart is ceramic or not or if its stylus is sapphire, but I noticed it has the four wires for a replacement cart, so I am going to try to jerry-rig my old Luxman cart to it! Curious to see how the thing sounds.

[@dclcav]

Good video Joe, trying to record one of my old LP's from my Dual CS505-2 record deck with the Tape button pressed in on my Nad3130 amp, through my little audio box to PC using Ubuntu Mate 16.04, but nothing coming through..not sure what to set in Audacity? Can you do a demo video for us?

[@peterregorsek1504]

It is always problematic with analog electro-mechanical things like turntables. You can invest a lot of money in cartridges, phono preamps, even better tonearm, but if things are not compatible, you will be unsatisfied with what comes out of the speakers. On the other hand plastic automatic like PL990 for 160 eur, where every part invested in it was designed to be compatible, can sound fantastic. Problem is that many people are buying turntables because of look and prestige and not because of functionality. On this one I would pull out integrated cheap rca cables and replace them with better ones, that could be a huge upgrade.

[@mervynstent1578]

It looks better than what it is! Think I stick with my old Pioneer PL L800

[@johnsweda2999]

yes I was going to say cork try it out, what about copper mat? might work better especially in the mid-range and vocals soften the bass a little bit the way you were talking it sounded a bit on the extension side

[@jameshanson5722]

PL990 just bought one it plays well untill I play 45 I have to place the syltlus on to the record manually it is a mm or two short of the 45 is this correct ?

[@MrSweelinck]

Picked it up at Goodwill for $19 at Goodwill today. Mostly because nothing I want is available right now. Seems good enough for now.

[@macinman]

I love these types of videos, and this type of tech as well. Do they still use diamond for the needle (didn't realize it was called a stylus) we always called it the needle, or have they changed to other tech? It's been a while since I've had a turntable. Not since I was a kid actually. Also love Eddy Arnold I have two main songs by him: Cattle Call Cowpoke

[@EzeeLinux]

Diamond is the hardest substance on earth so I don't think they'll ever come up with something to replace it. :)

[@macinman]

Hey Joe, that's true, so I would agree. I was more asking from the prospective of cost-cutting as a lot of tech is today compared to stuff made years ago. I was talking to my mother who was born in the 40's so i'm sure she used all the legacy tech as it came along as they had access to it. She was wondering why people would still want to deal with records today, when there are so many other options. I told her I thought it was because the sound Vinyl produces, but without having a turntable or records for myself anymore, I can't compare for myself at this time. Was wondering if you could comment, because I was also curious. Thanks again for the great videos you do!

[@EzeeLinux]

Digital audio has never matched the sound of good analog. While it may be convenient, it isn't nearly as musical so folks are going to records for a more intense musical experience. I came back to analog in 2010 and now I seeking out used records. It's nice to hear something as it was originally intended to be heard and not re-mastered or reprocessed to fit modern trends in sound. :)

[@Nathan0490]

So if you connect this to a Yamaha audio receiver you don't need an Amp in between the connection, correct? Is the output 3.5mm or red/white composite?

[@tonyblack3957]

The last load of these Pioneer Turntables will be imported into the U.K. sometime in September, after that there will be no more, I don't know if the Manufacturer has ceased Production of The Pl-990 Turntable, but as far as the U.K. is concerned No More will be Coming to The U.K. so get it while you Can,

[@mervynstent1578]

Onkyo

[@domnech]

Hey Joe...was thinking of buying this. Can I use this with my exsiting amp which has a phono input? Can you switch the pre amp off at the back? Thank you for the info.

[@EzeeLinux]

You can't switch the pre-amp off and the preamp in it sucks. :)

[@domnech]

Thank you Joe. Great video! I'm not sure if i'm going to buy it then. My receiver does have a phono input...and also tape, Cd etc...i'm just not sure how the TT will sound when using one of those inputs instead of the dedicated phono. If you say the pre-amp sucks I may just go with a LP-60 because of the option to turn off the pre-amp.

[@EzeeLinux]

@@domnech You may warn to check out an Orbit by U-Turn. Great table for the money. The basic unit is awesome. Spring for the cue lever, though. It's worth it. :)

[@domnech]

Hey Joe...you mentioned in the video that the preamp was ok...what about it sucks?

[@domnech]

Also I sprung for the U-turn Orbit with a Grado Black cart. Overall i like the design and love the company...only complaint is buzzing when played at loud volumes and also the needle skipe right into the first song on most of my albums. Built in anti-skate sucks.

[@thomaskennedy388]

It has a switch on the back if you want to use a different pre amp.

[@domnech]

Hey Thomas...are you sure about this? thinking of purchasing it in the next few days. I have an amp with phono inputs. Would like to have the option of switching the pre amp off...cheeers.

[@MrSweelinck]

It does not.

[@thomaskennedy388]

@@MrSweelinck there is a switch underneath the platter mat on the newer models.

[@randallfawc7501]

Joe; Does this turntable have a switch to go from preamp to phono level output?

[@EzeeLinux]

No... It's a dedicated line out. :)

[@angellbachier869]

@@EzeeLinux i have one and when connected to an Onkyo TX-NR696 it sound with a heavy distortion. What's the problem?

[@EzeeLinux]

@@angellbachier869 You have it plunged into the phono input. You should plug this in a line level input. It has its own built in preamp.

[@angellbachier869]

@@EzeeLinux thanks, I plugged into the AUX and its soun nice.

[@analogueaddict]

I had a similar one back in the '90s made by Radio Shack/Realistic. Not too bad actually, it didn't ruin my records. I upgraded a couple of years later to a Dual CS505-4 with an Ortofon OM10 pre-installed.

[@Anjaan_Ajab]

brother What is the power specification? will it work on 220V? i am from india.

[@EzeeLinux]

They made 220 versions, I'm sure. They stopped making them a while back. You might find a used one. :)

[@jloh]

Just bought one 2 years ago new from Pioneer Australia which is the 220V model.

[@bobnob1130]

ABOUT TIME JOE!!!

[@WayneMickel]

Cheap is right it looks a lot like the Sears Turntable I picked up for five dollars at Goodwill I have a Sanyo that at least has a balance for the weight of the needle and a bias ajustment at another thrift store for five dollars. I have a Kenwood that is a lot like that and I have a Realistic Radio shack that is like it. and I have three GRADO cartridges and one Shure cartridge and the best is the Linn Sondek turntable with a Grace 727 tone arm, the GRADO signature cartridge. 3 1/2 grams is really heavy I always go for 1.5 grams.

[@DrLongSchIong]

So you can't just plug it into speakers and play? You need a pre amp as well?

[@EzeeLinux]

You need an amp but not a preamp. The preamp is built in. Plug it into a line level input anywhere. :)

[@thevictimofawhale1684]

Joe Collins would I be able to use an RCA to TRS adapter to plug it into my monitor speakers if it has an in-built preamp?

[@Pizzaguy975]

Or use active speakers

[@WaffleBoy13100]

But does it have mainline drivers ? :P

[@thedoctor6610]

Hi This video was good to watch I like to play vinyl record

[@WarpedRecord]

This is an old video, but I just came across one of these new for $200, and it seemed like a good price until I watched this. It’s actually going for a lot more online. It does look pretty cheap, but it sounds like it’s a decent player. Still, I think I’ll save my $200 because I could do better.

[@jonbeard1876]

I just bought one for my girlfriend , I was guessing that she would not care to fiddle with balancing a tone arm with a counterweight . I was going to ask , are you recommending the Audio Technica AT3600 stylus as a replacement ? I have no idea of the condition of the stylus on the turntable I bought as it has not arrived yet but was described as working . I'm kind of excited to get this player in her hands , she has been wanting to dabble in vinyl but won't spend the money . So I did it for her . I wanted to get something with a throwback feel but not so tech filled she wouldn't enjoy it . Thanks for any help .

[@randallfawc7501]

OH well, never mind!!!

[@5hroomishum812]

Perfect pitch, you either got it or you don't.

[@vivipalm817]

Does it work without speakers?

[@MihaiGradin]

Vivi Wu What?!Of course not.It doesn't have built in speakers.

[@smash461986]

Put your ear to the needle and you can hear the record.

[@iangrozier7877]

Why why why did they bloody build this 2 inches too wide that it won't fit in my hi fi cabinet!!! Another upgrade ruined

[@MrSweelinck]

Because they could. Let's see how mine does. I'm guessing I'm going to need a stylus and a belt, but meh.

[@vincenzoperondi1000]

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[@vincebaker3384]

I would like to see more videos like this but not so long

[@matthewrichards88]

Vince Baker I find them full of info and covers all the factual information needed ,(to me they are not long enough! :) )