Sony PS-2350 (1977)

At 7.7 kg, it sits solid on the shelf. Not heavy by audiophile standards, but substantial.

Overview

The Sony PS-2350 is often called the PS-23 for short, and sometimes gets confused with the PS-2310. It is a self-contained belt-drive turntable system from the late 1970s, when Japanese manufacturers were refining mass-market hi-fi with precision engineering. It wasn't a flagship, but it carried Sony's tight tolerances and easy automation. It was built for reliability, ease of use and consistent performance, not for showy sound. Owners report a clean, stable signal with low mechanical noise, thanks to a carefully isolated motor and a thoughtful chassis layout.

It spins at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm using a 4-pole hysteresis synchronous motor, a design known for low vibration and excellent speed stability. The motor drives a 300mm aluminum die-cast platter through a high-precision urethane belt. Both sides of the belt are polished to minimize surface irregularities that could induce flutter. Startup is brisk, within half a rotation at 33 1/3 rpm. Speed changes go through a lever system with a protective mechanism to reduce mechanical disturbance. The platter bearing uses oilless metal, so it is meant to run maintenance-free. Nobody has to fuss with lubrication.

The tonearm is a static balanced universal type, 221mm in effective length, with an offset angle of 20°30’ and an overhang of 15mm. It has an inside force canceler, a lateral balancer and height adjustment (±5mm), which suggests Sony wanted flexible setup despite the modest price. There is also a cartridge tilt adjustment of ±13°, useful for fine-tuning alignment with different cartridges. It ships with the SH-135 headshell (7.5g) and is rated for cartridges between 4g and 12.5g. The included XL-15 is an MM-type cartridge with a 0.5 mil diamond stylus, 3 mV output, and a compliance of 10×10⁻⁶ cm/dyne. Optimum tracking force runs between 1.5g and 2.5g, with 2.0g recommended. That is light by today's standards, but typical for the era.

Auto-return and auto-cut are included. Even so, some users have noted a slight edginess in female vocals and high-level passages. The cause could be the tracking force sitting at the lighter end of the range, or the arm's damping. One owner summed it up simply: it “works well enough.” It wasn't trying to compete with the finest manual turntables of its day, but it offered a good package of features, build quality and sonic neutrality for the price.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Sony
Product type	Record player system / Turntable
Production years	1977
Original price	¥ 38,800
Drive system	Belt drive
Motor	4-pole hysteresis synchronous motor
Turntable	300mm aluminum die-cast, 1.5 kg
Number of revolutions	33 1/3, 45 rpm
Start-up characteristic	Within 1/2 Rotation (33 1/3rpm)
Wow flutter	0.06%WRMS
Signal-to-noise ratio	63dB(DIN-B)
Rumble	-65dB (DIN B)
Tone arm type	Static balanced universal tone arm
Tone arm effective length	221mm
Tone arm total length	300mm
Overhang	15mm
Tracking error angle	Within 2° per record
Offset Angle	20°30'
Needle pressure adjustment range	0 ~ 3g (0.2g scale)
Inside force cancel range	0 ~ 3g
Arm Height Adjustment Range	5mm
Shell Weight	7.5g(SH-135)
Usable cartridge weight	4g ~ 12.5g (when using the attached shell)
Cartridge type	MM Type
Cartridge frequency characteristic	10 Hz to 30 kHz
Cartridge separation	25dB(1kHz) 23dB(10kHz)
Cartridge output voltage	3 mv (1 khz, 5cm/s)
Cartridge optimum load impedance	47k Ω ~ 100k Ω
Cartridge compliance	10x10^-6 cm/dyne (vertical, horizontal)
Cartridge vertical tracking angle	15°
Cartridge needle pressure (optimum needle pressure)	1.5g ~ 2.5g (2.0g)
Cartridge needle	0.5 mil diamond needle
Cartridge dead weight	5.5g
Exchange needle	ND-134G
Power supply voltage	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	8W
External dimensions	Width 450x Height 160x Depth 380 mm
Weight	7.7kg
Attachment	45 Rotation Adapter, Cartridge spacer, 1 set of cartridge mounting screws
Tracking error confirmation gauge	Sold Separately
Shell	SH-135
Replacement Shell	SH-150 (¥ 1,200)
Cartridge	XL-15
Sony Oil	OL-2KA

Key Features

4-Pole Hysteresis Synchronous Motor with Low Vibration

Sony developed this motor specifically for turntable use, with minimal mechanical disturbance in mind. The 4-pole hysteresis design gives excellent speed stability and low wow and flutter, measured at 0.06% WRMS. That is a solid figure for a consumer-grade unit of its time. The motor is isolated from the platter by a belt, and the drive system includes a protective mechanism in the speed-switching lever to further reduce vibration transmission.

Oilless Metal Turntable Bearing

The main platter bearing uses oilless metal, so it needs no periodic lubrication. Sony chose this for long-term reliability and convenience. Combined with the 1.5 kg aluminum die-cast platter, it gives enough inertia for stable rotation without demanding maintenance.

Static Balanced Universal Tone Arm with Inside Force Canceler

The arm's static balance design allows tracking force adjustment from 0 to 3g in 0.2g increments. The inside force canceler counteracts the natural inward pull of the arm as it moves across the record, reducing distortion and wear. The lateral balancer and ±5mm height adjustment add more setup flexibility, so the arm suits a range of cartridges within its 4g - 12.5g weight limit.

Auto-Return and Auto-Cut Mechanisms

The automation was a selling point for casual listeners who wanted a “set and forget” experience. After the record finishes, the tonearm lifts and returns to its rest, and the platter stops. It's convenient, though some purists argue such mechanisms can introduce micro-vibrations. In practice the system appears well-damped, and the benefits likely outweighed any minor sonic trade-offs for most users.

Removable Acrylic Dust Cover with Fleece Top Design

The dust cover has a fleece-lined top designed to minimize static buildup. It comes off easily for cleaning or when a clear view of the platter is wanted. Acrylic can attract dust, and the fleece lining helps reduce airborne particles settling on the record surface during playback.

Low-Capacity Output Cord

The interconnect cable uses a low-capacity design to reduce high-frequency loss and preserve detail in the treble range. Sony paid attention to the signal path even in the cabling, a detail often overlooked in budget systems.

Collectibility & Value

Current listings show prices from €9 to €220, so condition and seller perception clearly play a big part. A unit listed for €24 was noted as “DaCapo Audio,” possibly indicating refurbishment, while others appear to be untested or sold “as-is.” Spare parts turn up occasionally: a replacement flat belt is listed for €9, a Tonar VL-32G stylus for €24, and a JICO-branded equivalent for €59. The SH-150 replacement shell remains available at ¥1,200, so some support infrastructure still exists. It is not a high-demand collector's item.