PL550

About the PL550

The Pioneer PL-550 is a direct drive record player made in Japan from 1976 to 1978. It features a quartz PLL Hall motor for precise speed control at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm with a speed control range of ±6%. The turntable has a large 324 mm diameter injection moulded aluminium platter and weighs approximately 12 kg. It uses a statically balanced S-shaped tubular tonearm with an effective length of 221 mm and an overhang of 15-15.5 mm, supporting cartridge weights from 4 to 14.5 grams. The unit includes a stroboscope for speed accuracy and tonearm height adjustment. It is fully manual, requiring the user to place and lift the pickup arm manually. The turntable is known for its rock steady speed, low wow and flutter (0.025% WRMS), and high signal-to-noise ratio (>70 dB DIN-B), making it suitable for audiophile use. The plinth is walnut veneered chipboard with vibration isolating feet, and the dust cover has friction hinges. The original price was approximately 1,260 DM. The PL-550 is praised for its build quality, sound performance, and reliability, often compared favorably to its automatic siblings like the PL-530 and PL-570. It is no longer manufactured.