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Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement

Introduction

This guide is designed to show how to replace a turntable cartridge, stylus, and headshell on your Pioneer Quartz PLL model PL-550 turntable.

You need to replace these when you start to hear static or notice your stylus is bending or cracking. Replacing these will clear up static and prevent damage to your records and create a better listening experience.

Be aware that this requires delicacy as the pieces of the turntable can be easily damaged. Before you begin this repair, make sure your turntable is off and unplugged from the power source.

This guide demonstrates a turntable repair on a Pioneer PL-550, but the same process applies to many other turntable models and brands.

What you need

  1. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement, Cartridge, Stylus, Headshell: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Identify the headshell by opening the turntable dust cover.

    Edit

  2. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Identify the stylus (needle housing) on the headshell and gently remove it from the cartridge by wiggling it carefully. Dispose of the stylus.

    Edit

  3. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Locate the tonearm weight located at the base of the headshell. While holding the headshell, turn the tonearm weight to the right to disconnect the headshell from the tonearm.

    Edit

  4. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver and remove the screws to free the cartridge. Retain the screws for reinstallation.

    • Use standard turntable head screws found at a local audio shop if missing.

    Edit

  6. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Locate the wires on the underside of the headshell and carefully disconnect the wires from the pins of the cartridge.

    Edit

  7. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Replace with a new cartridge by plugging the pins of the new cartridge into the wires.

    • Match the color of the wires to the color of the pins.

    Edit

    • Using the Phillips #0 screwdriver, re-screw the cartridge into the headshell the same way it was removed.

    Edit

  9. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Insert a new stylus (needle housing) into the cartridge before remounting the headshell onto the tonearm.

    Edit

  10. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Connect the newly assembled headshell into the tonearm and tighten until secure.

    • Do not overtighten.

    Edit

  11. Pioneer Quartz PLL PL-550 Cartridge, Stylus, and Headshell Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Test the new needle and allow for a break-in period.

    Edit
Finish Line

11 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 8 other contributors

Javier Torres

Member since: 02/24/15

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1 Guide authored

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 23-3, Green Winter 2015 Member of Cal Poly, Team 23-3, Green Winter 2015

CPSU-GREEN-W15S23G3

6 Members

13 Guides authored

4 Guide Comments

"on any turntable"? These instructions are only for one specific tonearm and cartridge and apply to a minority of cartridges. This claim is plainly bogus and anyone with a different cartridge is likely to find the instructions useless and potentially hazardous to their equipment.

Howard - Reply

Just commenting to disagree with above. Excellent tutorial and my audio technical cartridge and headshell are similar so it solved my issue. Thanks for the article.

Craig Smith - Reply

Yeah, I thought the above tutorial was very informative and easy to understand

Philip - Reply

You dont mention realigning the needle, as you've pulled the whole cartridge off. Some will just screw the new cartridge on and play

Troll cartridge - Reply

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