PL-30 Turntable Designed for Vinyl Enthusiasts
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today formally launched the PL-30 turntable, designed for consumers who enjoy the warm, rich and accurate analog sound generated by vinyl records. With the recent resurgence of vinyl, Pioneer developed the PL-30 to get the most out of any vinyl collection using key built-in features including a dual-layered chassis with a four millimeter thick metal plate, built-in phono equalizer, and a low center of gravity.
“There’s a resurgence of people who want to play records again, so we developed a turntable for this new generation of vinyl listeners,” said Chris Walker, director of AV product planning and marketing for the Home Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “The PL-30 has a very high-end look with very thick mats and a thick aluminum base. The beauty of this player is that we built in the phono EQ, so no matter what type of receiver you have, the PL-30 will work for any vinyl enthusiast.”
Build Quality
The PL-30 employs a dual-layered chassis with a 4mm-thick metal plate for increased mass and rock-solid stability. Its low center of gravity further provides stable playback and audio reproduction with little feedback and resonance. The combined DC-servo-controlled motor and belt drive offer the most musical performance, with low wow and flutter (0.1% or less WRMS) and a signal-to-nose ratio of 60 dB (DIN B). Pioneer’s precision machined, aluminum die-cast platter supports a 5mm-thick rubber mat to suppress external vibrations. The player is also equipped with a high-performance, high-output, moving magnet (MM) pre-mounted stereo phono cartridge. Set with a built-in phono equalizer and On/Through selector, the PL-30 can be used with a preamp, integrated amp or receiver with or without a built-in phono stage.
Pioneer’s aluminum die-cast tone arm has a static-balanced design configured with a straight arm tube for optimum geometry. The detachable aluminum die-cast headshell allows easy cartridge swapping and overhang adjustment. Its anti-skate dial enables precise adjustments to achieve the most accurate stylus tracking in the lateral plane, reducing tracking distortion on the inner grooves of a record. With a fully automatic operation compatible for both 33 1/3 rpm LPs and 45 rpm 45s, the Pioneer PL-30 makes positioning the tonearm convenient and problem free.
The PL-30 comes with a tonearm cable fitted with gold-plated RCA connectors, a detachable AC power cord, and a clear acrylic dustcover with removable hinges to keep the turntable clean and pristine.
The Pioneer PL-30 vinyl turntable is currently available with a suggested price of $299.
About Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets.
2 thoughts on “Pioneer PL-30 Vinyl Turntable Launched”
At the end of the golden era for turntables, this would be a common model to many companies. Put an audiophile cartridge, and you get audiophile sound. People should realize the difference between this model and the many more expensive turntables if the others are mostly hand built to exacting specifications. Until you go above $2000, the improvements from this to them are incremental improvements. If this turntable last, then add a quality cartridge ($200-500) and a good preamp $129-350 and wallah!! you have all the sound you get in those hand built models. Keep that in mind when you’re making the decision. This is a very good turntable, and quite capable of playing the Ortofon Black or the Audio Technica 150 cartridge, but as I said you still need a quality preamp to maximize your sound. I would have no problem dropping $300 for a an excellent (assembly line) model from Pioneer.
Thank you so much for your comment. I have really been stressing over the decision on a low-cost turntable, as I have a very restricted budget at this point in time; although at the same time, I want the best bang for the buck I can get, as I am an audiophile with a pretty extensive and expensive audio set up at home. I found this particular model at a local store that is brand-new for only $150. as you mentioned, with upgradability in mind (which is key to making my decision,) this really finalizes the deal for me without hesitancy! Thank you so much for your comments, information, and advice!
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