Pioneer PL 3F

This is the Pioneer PL-3F, launched in 1985 as the successor to the highly regarded PL-707. It holds a special place in Pioneer’s legacy, as it marked the end of the company’s era in turntable production — the last high-end turntable Pioneer ever manufactured before the decline of vinyl in the late ’80s. At the time, many believed it was the final chapter for analog audio. Thankfully, history proved otherwise.

Technically, the PL-3F shares many internal components and design principles with the PL-707, including the quartz-locked direct-drive motor, low-mass straight tonearm, and solid chassis damping. It was Pioneer’s top-of-the-line model (TOTL) between 1985 and 1989 and is still held in high regard today for both its performance and rarity.

This is a full-automatic turntable, meaning it can start, stop, and return the tonearm at the touch of a button — ideal for those who want the convenience of automation without sacrificing audiophile sound quality.

The straight static-balanced tonearm offers superb tracking and low distortion, while the quartz-locked Hall-effect direct-drive motor delivers exceptional pitch accuracy and rotational stability. It boasts technical specs that rival modern high-end models: Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) greater than 80 dB and wow & flutter below 0.025%.

Its sleek, minimalist design and deep piano black finish lend it a sophisticated aesthetic that still looks contemporary today. The build quality is solid and refined — a true representation of the late golden age of Japanese hi-fi engineering.

In use, the PL-3F is exceptionally smooth and quiet, delivering a clear, detailed and musically engaging sound. It’s a pleasure to operate and an excellent companion for both vintage and modern vinyl setups.

A rare and elegant piece of Pioneer history — refined, precise, and built to last.