Pioneer PL-380

Commentary

A full auto player with a quartz PLL DC servo motor.

It uses an electronic full auto mechanism that allows automatic lead-in, Oatley turn, auto-cut, and Oatley operation without touching the tone arm. With this full auto mechanism, you simply place a record on the turntable, set the record size selector, and press the start button to start playback.
In addition to the convenience of the electronic full-auto mechanism, the PL-380 has also been pursued in terms of performance. The full-auto mechanism is realized while keeping the tone arm and phono motors independent of each other. Therefore, the system is highly reliable without affecting basic performance unlike the mechanical system.

The central part of the PL-380 full-auto mechanism is computerized, and the reliability and durability are enhanced by integrating logic circuits equivalent to 5000 transistors into two Pioneer original ICs. The DC motor exclusively for driving the tone arm is operated by commands from the IC, thereby realizing quiet and smooth full-auto operation.

In order to realize accurate return operation without losing the sensitivity of the tone arm, an optical electronic return position detection mechanism is mounted.
This mechanism is completely contactless by combining an LED and a phototransistor to prevent excessive lateral pressure on the tone arm.

Equipped with a quick play mechanism, the turntable starts rotating when you move the tone arm to the record board with your fingertips.
It also has a Klix/Klukš top mechanism that stops rotating when returned to the arm rest.

The height of the tone arm can be adjusted within ± 3 mm to obtain the proper vertical tracking angle of the cartridge to be used.

The drive motor is equipped with a high-torque quartz PLL brushless DC servo hole motor with starting characteristics of 1.3 kg ・ cm.
The servo mechanism uses a quartz PLL that controls the phase difference by comparing the reference signal of the crystal oscillator with the speed detection signal of the motor itself. In addition, the speed detection mechanism of the motor itself uses the all-round integration method, and the AC signal obtained by the print pattern coil with the same number of poles attached facing 200 poles magnetized at equal intervals over the whole circumference of the lower surface of the rotor magnet is integrated over the whole circumference. This is not affected by the accuracy of the magnetizing pitch or the accuracy of the mounting of the detector, so the high performance of the quartz PLL can be fully demonstrated.
In addition, we have achieved excellent characteristics by adopting a brushless motor with Pioneer's original Hall element for the switching circuit of the magnetic pole of the motor, and by applying precision processing technology to the rotating mechanism parts to keep the precision of the shaft and bearing to be less than micron.

The cabinet uses a coaxial suspension system.
This system employs a structure in which the motor and tone arm are fixed on a single underboard and the entire underboard is supported by springs from an aluminum die-cast cabinet, eliminating the influence of sound pressure from speakers and vibrations transmitted from the floor.

The tone arm uses a highly stable gimbal support system. In addition, the vertical axis and horizontal axis that support the arm use a stability support system. By storing the pivot itself in the pivot holder and supporting it with a spring, an excellent initial motion sensitivity of 7 mg is achieved. This system is resistant to shock and pressure and can maintain initial performance over a long period of time.

The tone arm itself uses a mass concentration system in which the main weight is close to the rotating shaft to reduce the moment of inertia which adversely affects the traceability.

All operation buttons except for the record size selector are arranged on the front, and operation can be performed while the acrylic cover is closed.

Equipped with MM type cartridge.

Uses a quartz lock indicator.

Model Rating

Type	Record player
Phono Motor Section
Motor	Quartz PLL brushless Hall motor
Drive system	Direct drive
Turntable	33 cm Aluminum Die Cast
Inertial mass	330kg-cm2
Number of revolutions	33 1/3, 45 rpm
Uneven rotation	0.025% or less (WRMS)
S/N	78 dB or more (DIN-B) 65 dB or More (JIS)
Load variation	0% (Needle Pressure 200g or Less)
Start-up characteristic	1/3 turn or less
Starting torque	1.3 kg / cm
Rotational speed deviation	Not more than 0.002%
Drift	Time drift : 0.00008% / h Temperature drift : 0.00003% / ° C.
Tone Arm Section
Type	Static balance S-shaped pipe arm
Effective length	237mm
Overhang	15mm
Applicable Cartridge Dead Weight	4g ~ 9g
Height adjustment range	+ / - 3 mm
Head shell	Aluminum impact press
Cartridge Section
Type	MM Type
Needle tip	0.5 mil diamond needle
Exchange needle	PN-200
Output voltage	2.5 mv (1 khz, 50mm/sec. horizontal)
Load resistance	30k Ω ~ 100k Ω
Appropriate load resistance and load capacity	50k Ω · 170 pF ~ 300 pF
Proper needle pressure	2.0g ± 0.3g
Frequency characteristic	10 Hz to 32 kHz
<Others>
Auto function	Full Auto with Dedicated DC Motor (manual, Quick Playable)
Attachment mechanism	Quick play Quick stop Auto lead in Auto return Autocut Autorepeat Arm Elevation (Dedicated DC Motor Used) Needle pressure direct reading weight Arm height adjustment mechanism Anti-skating Free stop hinge
Semiconductors used	Crystal x1 ICx8 cdsx1 Hall element x3 LEDx5 Transistor x17 2 phototransistors 5 diodes
Power supply voltage	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	10W
External dimensions	Width 456x Height 140x Depth 377 mm
Weight	11.0kg