PE 2020L (Perpetuum Ebner)
There are quite a few models of PE turntables (later bought out by Dual, some early Dual turntables are very similar), some have small platters some full size, the 2020L is a full size platter. There are various amounts of automation but most seem to have, at least auto return at the end of a record. The 2020L is fully auto with manual option. They appear to be considered problematic with a complicated mechanism. Hardened grease is just one of several common problems with any old turntable with an auto mechanism.
This turntable had been cleaned of old grease but had been over oiled to try and fix a persistent problem and then been abandoned when that did not fix the problem; the tonearm would not cue or return. Apparently that is a very common problem. The mechanism needs to be repaired not just cleaned and/or oiled to fix cueing & return problems. Too much oil makes matters worse as the arm movement relies on an unusual friction mechanism to move the arm about (not easy to photograph and a bit tricky to repair).
After repairs and cleaning, time for some serious listening; this is an idler drive turntable the same as the famous Garrard 301/401 and that means high expectations, the PE also has a very heavy platter meaning wow & flutter should be low.
Yes the sound is really good, surprisingly I couldn't hear any noise from the idler drive although the auto mechanism can be heard but only when cueing or returning, as expected, nothing while the music is playing. So far I have only used the Ortofon for listening but George Benson's "breezin' " sounds open and clean with very nice tight bass and clear highs, very immune to feedback. The arm may preclude the use of some high end cartridges but I would be happy to listen to this deck and already rate it better than many mid-priced modern decks.
This turntable had been cleaned of old grease but had been over oiled to try and fix a persistent problem and then been abandoned when that did not fix the problem; the tonearm would not cue or return. Apparently that is a very common problem. The mechanism needs to be repaired not just cleaned and/or oiled to fix cueing & return problems. Too much oil makes matters worse as the arm movement relies on an unusual friction mechanism to move the arm about (not easy to photograph and a bit tricky to repair).
After repairs and cleaning, time for some serious listening; this is an idler drive turntable the same as the famous Garrard 301/401 and that means high expectations, the PE also has a very heavy platter meaning wow & flutter should be low.
Yes the sound is really good, surprisingly I couldn't hear any noise from the idler drive although the auto mechanism can be heard but only when cueing or returning, as expected, nothing while the music is playing. So far I have only used the Ortofon for listening but George Benson's "breezin' " sounds open and clean with very nice tight bass and clear highs, very immune to feedback. The arm may preclude the use of some high end cartridges but I would be happy to listen to this deck and already rate it better than many mid-priced modern decks.