Beast_of_burden
Active Member
I have been enjoying the PLX1000 for about a month now with a DL103R cartridge. The phono stage is the usual suspect- Schiit Mani.
Why the PLX?
The fact that it is available here in a India at a reasonable price that is almost a straight up translation of its USD price abroad.
I have been a previous owner of the venerable SL1200 which was a nice experience. I did a lot of research to make sure the PLX compares well with the old Technics.
Very hard to source a used SL1200 here in Bangalore. There were a couple of listings pan India but they were asking as much as the new PLX.
Very Favourably reviewed on Youtube and on Stereophile.
I couldn’t audition but did get to see the unit before ordering at the experience center in Indira Nagar Bangalore. I had to order a pair but that wasn’t a problem as my brother wanted one too.
Many teething issues
I might hasten to add, none having to do with the TT itself. I had a Denon Grado black and a Shure M97Xe on hand. The Grado proved to be too dull for my tastes. The M97xe sounded great but had a highly skewed channel balance. My setup was plagued with terrible earthing issues that caused an extremely loud hum. I researched the topic a lot and it took me nearly a month before I changed the power cord of the TT to one with the earth prong. The stock cable does not have the earth prong. After the cable swap all was super quiet.
Then it was another couple of weeks before my brother sent me his used DL103R he had as a spare. I suddenly saw what the fuss was all about a LOMC cartridge. The Schiit has plenty of gain. It doesn’t have very many loading options but it works.
I also got an AT95E which was cheap but there is no reason to use this if you have a DL103R. The difference is like night and day. The M97xe is better. The DL103R is a very lively performer in this TT. I experimented with the extra 4gm headshell weight but this made the sound dull. There is also an extra weight at the tonearm end which is evidently enough . It sounds much better without the extra headshell mass. I don’t have to describe the sound of the DL103R, it is very much in line with what a lot of others have written. It’s a lively and engaging performer with extended frequency extremes and excellent suppression of surface noise. I am sold on this cart and there is good synergy with the PLX. Extraordinary dynamics to boot especially when set to maximum gain, I had to tone down the gain to suit my taste. It is not warm sounding but neither is it harsh.
Lessons learnt
You have to be willing to spend a packet on the cartridge! Also be prepared to wreck a couple during handling!
Have to get the spirit level, protractor, carbon fibre brush and miniature weigh scale. These are must have accessories and it beats me they aren’t included with every TT. The PLX has nearly all adjustments except azimuth which can be had by buying a headshell that provides it.
It takes a bit of time to gain the required dexterity to safely handle the cartridge. Initially it’s all quivering hands but it gets better after a few iterations.
But is it worth the effort ?
It’s a long and arduous process. It’s every bit as fiddly as you already knew. The PLX with its removable headshell, height and easy VTF adjustment makes living with a TT a wee bit easier in my view.
With a decent cartridge and phono stage the music is astonishing and unfailingly intimate and engaging. I’m loving it. However bad pressings will not fare well on this, not all LPs are mastered well unfortunately. You will have no trouble identifying those turkeys on this TT.
Why the PLX?
The fact that it is available here in a India at a reasonable price that is almost a straight up translation of its USD price abroad.
I have been a previous owner of the venerable SL1200 which was a nice experience. I did a lot of research to make sure the PLX compares well with the old Technics.
Very hard to source a used SL1200 here in Bangalore. There were a couple of listings pan India but they were asking as much as the new PLX.
Very Favourably reviewed on Youtube and on Stereophile.
I couldn’t audition but did get to see the unit before ordering at the experience center in Indira Nagar Bangalore. I had to order a pair but that wasn’t a problem as my brother wanted one too.
Many teething issues
I might hasten to add, none having to do with the TT itself. I had a Denon Grado black and a Shure M97Xe on hand. The Grado proved to be too dull for my tastes. The M97xe sounded great but had a highly skewed channel balance. My setup was plagued with terrible earthing issues that caused an extremely loud hum. I researched the topic a lot and it took me nearly a month before I changed the power cord of the TT to one with the earth prong. The stock cable does not have the earth prong. After the cable swap all was super quiet.
Then it was another couple of weeks before my brother sent me his used DL103R he had as a spare. I suddenly saw what the fuss was all about a LOMC cartridge. The Schiit has plenty of gain. It doesn’t have very many loading options but it works.
I also got an AT95E which was cheap but there is no reason to use this if you have a DL103R. The difference is like night and day. The M97xe is better. The DL103R is a very lively performer in this TT. I experimented with the extra 4gm headshell weight but this made the sound dull. There is also an extra weight at the tonearm end which is evidently enough . It sounds much better without the extra headshell mass. I don’t have to describe the sound of the DL103R, it is very much in line with what a lot of others have written. It’s a lively and engaging performer with extended frequency extremes and excellent suppression of surface noise. I am sold on this cart and there is good synergy with the PLX. Extraordinary dynamics to boot especially when set to maximum gain, I had to tone down the gain to suit my taste. It is not warm sounding but neither is it harsh.
Lessons learnt
You have to be willing to spend a packet on the cartridge! Also be prepared to wreck a couple during handling!
Have to get the spirit level, protractor, carbon fibre brush and miniature weigh scale. These are must have accessories and it beats me they aren’t included with every TT. The PLX has nearly all adjustments except azimuth which can be had by buying a headshell that provides it.
It takes a bit of time to gain the required dexterity to safely handle the cartridge. Initially it’s all quivering hands but it gets better after a few iterations.
But is it worth the effort ?
It’s a long and arduous process. It’s every bit as fiddly as you already knew. The PLX with its removable headshell, height and easy VTF adjustment makes living with a TT a wee bit easier in my view.
With a decent cartridge and phono stage the music is astonishing and unfailingly intimate and engaging. I’m loving it. However bad pressings will not fare well on this, not all LPs are mastered well unfortunately. You will have no trouble identifying those turkeys on this TT.