2. analog
  3. 149571-75799

Weight, Clamp or stabilizer?

I have a vintage Pioneer PL-560 Direct-Drive Automatic Turntable purchased around 1980. 
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-560.shtml
I'm trying to get it to produce the best sound its capable of.  I plan to order a set of SVS subwoofer feet to replace the worn feet (I have an SVS subwoofer and removed its feet and temporarily placed them on the TT base with good results).  I read an article about TT tweaks.  A few things they suggested were an upgraded mat, clamp and isolation feet.  Thing is since the TT is a direct drive I don't know how much extra weight it can take (if any), and the spindle is about 7/8 inches tall so I don't know if that's enough for a clamp.  The original rubber mat it came with is in great shape. Do I need to replace it, too? I'm willing to invest in tweaks to improve this turntable, but not interested in replacing it.
mewsickbuff
elliottbnewcombjr
5,118 posts
 

chakster2,823 posts06-28-2019 10:16am
I’m new here.

How do you respond to a specific post, or to the OP’s latest post when you see it later (above more recent posts)?

copy, paste, select and click first quote button in your window
Got it, thanks. I copied your name as well as text, so others would know who I was responding to.

I didn't get a notification that you had responded to me. Is that possible here?
elliottbnewcombjr
5,118 posts
 
now viewing my post above, it is not clear who said what in the quoted portion. 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,118 posts
 
oh, the little gray bar on the left, got it.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,118 posts
 

mewsickbuff OP136 posts06-27-2019 6:05pmI have the Shure m97xe high-performance magnetic phono cartridge. The arm is the original arm. I found instructions for cartridge and my specific turntable's arm setup online in the operating instruction manual, rare and detailed.

I also use M97xe. Love it, actually prefer it to my two Microline's (shure and audio technica).

Shure just stopped making stylus, the prices have tripled in a short time, keep your eye out for a replacement stylus at some kind of price.

I've had some fancy tt in my time, prior favorite was Thorens with SME arm, but my floors are too springy, it's bearing not good with vertical movement. I am quite happy with my current Audio Technica LP120 so I know what type of arm you have as well.

Often, finer engineering, i.e. 7 pound platter, involves the avoidance of potential problems, not apparent improvements in it's fundamental purpose.

mewsickbuff OP
233 posts
 
I bought an acrylic matt, but can't tell it's full impact yet but could hear it's more detailed than my original rubber matt. Instead of the SVS subwoofer feet, I've opted for a set of 4 Isoacoustics Orea bronze as replacement feet.

http://www.isoacoustics.com/orea-bronze/
Hopefully they'll be here next week.
@elliotbnewcombjr are you saying I should pass on the clamp and weight because they may damage the TT's 7 lb platter? Any other advice or  recommendations on what to use instead?
More to discover