Pioneer PL-series turntables (late 1970s) · c. 1978–1980
Pioneer PL-518
$490–600typical eBay ask
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 3, 2026
PioneerModel PL-518 · Turntable
The story
The PL-518 is a two-speed (33 and 45 rpm) direct-drive turntable from Pioneer’s late-1970s PL range, made at the same time as the SX-x80 receivers. It is direct drive, not belt drive and not quartz-locked: the platter sits on a 16-pole, 24-slot DC servo motor that Pioneer designed to reduce torque ripple, with a ±2% pitch adjustment. The 320 mm platter is die-cast aluminium alloy, and Pioneer quoted 0.03% wow and flutter. The tonearm is a static-balanced S-shaped pipe arm with a 221 mm effective length. Operation is manual, but it has an auto-return that lifts the arm and returns it at the end of a side, which is convenient for everyday use. There is no belt to wear out, so a working motor and servo usually stay reliable. It is a good match for a period Pioneer receiver if you want a matching look without the cost of a high-end deck.
Before you buy
The pre-purchase checklist
Checklist · 7 checks
- 01Ask the seller to play a full side at both speeds and confirm the speed holds steady using a strobe disc or a phone speed app.
- 02Check that the auto-return lifts the arm and returns it cleanly at the end of the record.
- 03Confirm the pitch control adjusts smoothly without jumps.
- 04Inspect the tonearm for a bent headshell or a cueing lift that drops too fast.
- 05Ask what cartridge and stylus are fitted and how worn they are, since a replacement stylus often costs more than sellers expect.
- 06Make sure the dust cover hinges and plinth corners are intact.
- 07For shipping, the platter should be removed and the tonearm secured.
Buying guide · from Oct 3, 2026 listings
Which one to buy
88 PL-518s are listed, three for parts, and most complete ones ask $490–600 delivered. Shipping swings from $23 to $174 on otherwise similar decks, so compare delivered prices rather than asks. Prioritise a seller who has played both speeds and confirmed the auto-return works, and ask what cartridge and stylus are fitted, since a new stylus can add real cost. Red flags: a 'tested working' deck with an admitted auto-return issue, and a boxed 'MINT' one at about $1,234 delivered, over twice the typical price. Bargain hunters can watch the auction; the boxed, tested deck at $600 or the serviced one at $664 suit someone who wants to play records straight away.
- Listed now
- 88
- For parts
- 3
- Typical ask
- $490–$600
- Full range
- $248–$1,200
Cheapest$307.50est. deliveredView on eBay →An auction at $248 with 14 bids and about 8 hours left, about $308 delivered at capture from a 100% seller. It will climb and isn't described as tested, so cap your bid well under the $490 band floor and ask whether both speeds and the auto-return work.
Pioneer PL-518 Direct Drive Automatic Return Turntable Vintage
Best value$494.11est. deliveredView on eBay →Listed in working condition, about $494 delivered with Best Offer from a 100% seller, at the bottom of the $490–600 band. $145 of that is shipping, so offer on the $349 item price and ask how the platter and tonearm will be packed.
Pioneer PL-518 Turntable In Working Condition
Best for beginners$664.08est. deliveredView on eBay →Fully serviced, in great condition per the title and with its manual, from a 99.6% seller, about $664 delivered with Best Offer. That is $64 over the band, mostly from $174 shipping, so make an offer and ask what the service covered.
*Fully Serviced* Pioneer PL-518 Turntable / Great Condition, With Manu
- Easiest to get working$664.08est. deliveredView on eBay →
The only PL-518 here listed as fully serviced, so it should play on arrival once the platter is refitted. Ask what cartridge and stylus are fitted and how worn the stylus is.
*Fully Serviced* Pioneer PL-518 Turntable / Great Condition, With Manu
Collector's pick$549.90est. deliveredView on eBay →Comes with its original box and is listed as tested, about $600 delivered with Best Offer from a 99.7% seller, at the top of the typical band. The boxed 'MINT' deck asks about $634 more, so this is the sane way to get a boxed PL-518; the title is cut off at '*R', so read the description.
Pioneer PL-518 Turntable With Original Box Vtg Record Player Tested *R
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 3, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ; eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
Snapshot captured · listings may have ended
8 of 88 listedLive on eBay right now
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 3, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ; eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
- Used
- Cheapest
Pioneer PL-518 Direct Drive Automatic Return Turntable Vintage
$307.50 est. delivered
$247.50 + $60.00 shipping
Auction · 14 bids · ends in 8h 28m
Good buy
14 bids and about $308 delivered at capture with hours left; no testing claim, so bid with care.
Seller: ltk_kc
100% positive
- Used
- Best value
Pioneer PL-518 Turntable In Working Condition
$494.11 est. delivered
$349.00 + $145.11 shipping
Buy It Now$349.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Working per a 100% seller at about $494 delivered, though $145 of that is shipping; offer on the item price.
Seller: simons_pawn
100% positive
- Serviced
- Best for beginners
- Easiest to get working
*Fully Serviced* Pioneer PL-518 Turntable / Great Condition, With Manu
$664.08 est. delivered
$490.49 + $173.59 shipping
Buy It Now$490.49
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Fully serviced with its manual, about $664 delivered; the $174 shipping is the catch, so make an offer.
Seller: montrealonlinestore
99.6% positive
- Used
- Collector's pick
Pioneer PL-518 Turntable With Original Box Vtg Record Player Tested *R
$549.90 est. delivered
$499.95 + $49.95 shipping
Buy It Now$499.95
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Tested and with its original box at about $600 delivered, the best-priced boxed deck in this snapshot.
Seller: watertownsdvideogames
99.7% positive
UsedPioneer PL-518 Direct Drive Turntable Tested Working Auto Return Issue
$338.41 est. delivered
$299.99 + $38.42 shipping
Buy It Now$299.99
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Plays, but the seller admits an auto-return issue; about $338 delivered is fair only if you can fix or live with it.
Seller: westcoastvintageco
97.6% positive
UsedPioneer PL-518 Direct Drive Automatic Return Turntable Silver 33.3/45R
$553.37 est. delivered
$450.00 + $103.37 shipping
Buy It Now$450.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
About $553 delivered, mid-band, but the title doesn't say it was tested; ask before offering.
Seller: nescai54
100% positive
UsedPIONEER PL-518 DIRECT DRIVE TURNTABLE MADE IN JAPAN (RECORD PLAYER) Wo
$572.93 est. delivered
$550.00 + $22.93 shipping
Buy It Now$550.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
About $573 delivered with low shipping; the title is cut off at 'Wo', so confirm it actually works.
Seller: neltuml0
100% positive
Used- Priced high
MINT Pioneer PL-518 Turntable, Original Box & Packing
$1,234.03 est. delivered
$1,199.99 + $34.04 shipping
Buy It Now$1,199.99
Heads-up: priced high
Priced high at about $1,234 delivered, over twice the typical price; the box and packing don't justify that for a deck that isn't stated as tested.
Seller: vintage_3448
100% positive
Prices and availability change daily. The full, current search on eBay shows every matching listing, including new ones since Oct 3, 2026.
See all current listings on eBay →After you buy
Search supplies on Amazon →Stylus, cartridge and setup
Budget for a new stylus or cartridge with any used PL-518: a worn stylus damages records. A stylus gauge and a protractor make setup easy.
Step up, step down, or stay in the family
