pioneer: PL-740; Stylus replacement

A major advantage of the Pioneer PL-740 Quartz-Direct Drive Full-Automatic Stereo Turntable is it's high output moving coil cartridge PC-5MC. Other than common moving coil cartridges, the stylus PN-5MC is customer replaceable. Details:

Cartridge PC-5MC with permanent magnets

 

Stylus PN-5MC, cantilever with needle broken apart by incautious cleaning

The original stylus is obviously discontinued. Searching the web resultet in two NOS sources: One in USA (price $98 plus freight plus VAT), the other one in Australia (net price $198).

To get forward faster and with lower cost, Ortofon OM5 was choosen to replace the Pioneer cartridge.

As the Pioneer cartridge has built-in threads for the mounting screws, the screws coming with the Ortofon catridge was too short to fit the thick non-standard headshell. Longer screws was fortunately on hand. Finally the tone arm was new balanced, and the owner is happy now.

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.