Sony ps-2310 (1974-1976) Turntable

At 8.8kg, it sits solid on the shelf. It's a no-nonsense, belt-driven workhorse from Sony's mid-70s lineup.

Overview

The Sony PS-2310 is a manual belt-drive turntable system, priced at ¥38,800 in Japan. It's not flashy. It's built for stability, precision and long-term reliability. Sony would soon push direct-drive models, but this one stays conservative with a 4-pole hysteresis synchronous motor and a die-cast aluminum platter. It's a full manual setup: no auto-start, no tonearm automation beyond the basic lifter.

The tonearm is where the PS-2310 gets serious. It's a static balanced universal design with fine adjustments all around: needle pressure from 0 to 3g in 0.2g increments, height adjustment over a 5mm range, and ±13° of cartridge tilt. The effective length is 245mm with a 14mm overhang and a 20°30' offset angle, keeping tracking error under ±2 degrees. It's not a unipivot or a gimbal arm, but it's unusually adjustable for a mid-tier unit of its era. The headshell weighs 10.5g, and the system supports cartridges between 4g and 12g, which leaves room for a decent moving magnet or iron type. The included cartridge is labeled "IM Type," with a 0.5 mil diamond stylus. Recommended needle pressure is 2.0g, with a usable range of 1.5g to 2.5g.

Under the hood, the motor is a 4-pole hysteresis synchronous type, developed specifically for reduced vibration. It drives the platter through a double-side polished urethane belt. The belt is reportedly long-lasting, though replacements (like most rubber parts) will eventually be needed. The platter bearing is oilless metal, so no regular lubrication is required. Speed switching is handled by a lever system with a protective mechanism to minimize vibration transfer, and a special insulator is said to help prevent feedback and stylus skipping. The output cable is a low-capacity type, designed to reduce high-frequency loss. The 100 VAC power supply (50/60Hz) draws just 9W. The acrylic dust cover lifts off and has a fleece-lined top.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Sony
Model	PS-2310
Type	Record player system
Turntable	31 cm aluminum die cast, 1.5 kg
Motor	4-pole hysteresis synchronous motor
Drive system	Belt drive
Number of revolutions	33 1/3, 45 rpm
Start-up characteristic	Within 1/2 Rotation (33 1/3rpm)
Wow flutter	Within 0.07% WRMS
Signal-to-noise ratio	48 dB or more
Tone arm	Static balanced universal tone arm
Effective length	245mm
Total Length	312mm
Overhang	14mm
Tracking error angle	+ / - 2 degrees
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	10.5g
Usable cartridge weight	4g ~ 12g
Cartridge tilt adjustment range	± 13 °
Cartridge	IM Type
Frequency characteristic	15 Hz to 22 kHz
Separation	25dB(1kHz) 23dB(10kHz)
Output voltage	4mV
Optimum load impedance	50k Ω
Compliance	10x10 -6 Cm / dyne (vertical, horizontal)
Vertical tracking angle	15 °
Needle pressure (optimum needle pressure)	1.5g ~ 2.5g (2.0g)
Needle	0.5 mil diamond needle
Weight	6.8g
Exchange needle	ND-132GA
Power supply voltage	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	9W
External dimensions	Width 490x Height 164x Depth 395 mm
Weight	8.8kg
Attachment	45 Rotation Adapter
Sold Separately	Tracking error adjustment gauge
Replacement Shell	SH-150 (¥ 1,200)
Sony Oil	OL-2KA

Key Features

4-Pole Hysteresis Synchronous Motor

Sony developed this motor specifically for the PS-2310 to minimize vibration and rotational noise. The hysteresis type gives smoother torque and better speed stability than cheaper AC motors, especially during start-up. It's not as fast or precise as a direct drive, but it's very quiet and well-isolated, which helps the low wow and flutter figures.

Double-Side Polished Urethane Belt

The belt is a small detail with a big job. It's polished on both sides, so it makes even contact with the motor pulley and platter rim, which reduces slippage and resonance. Urethane is more stable than rubber over time, but like all elastomers it will eventually harden and need replacement.

Oilless Metal Platter Bearing

No oiling required. Sony used an oilless metal bearing, likely sintered bronze or a composite, that runs dry. That removes the risk of oil migration or drying out.

Static Balanced Universal Tone Arm with Full Adjustability

This arm is unusually flexible. It has independent control over vertical tracking angle, height, overhang, azimuth (via tilt), and internal force cancellation, so it can be dialed in precisely. The static balance means no springs or counterweights are under tension, which reduces long-term drift. That's a rare level of adjustability at this price point.

Removable Acrylic Dust Cover with Fleece Top

The cover lifts off completely, which is handy for cleaning or servicing. The top has a fleece lining.

Speed Switching Lever with Protective Mechanism

A front-mounted lever changes between 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. The mechanism includes a protective feature to reduce vibration during switching, which addresses a common problem in belt-drive designs.

Special Insulator to Prevent Howling and Needle Flying

Sony included a newly developed special insulator. It helps prevent acoustic feedback (howling) and stylus skipping, especially on loud passages or in less-than-ideal room setups.

Collectibility & Value

Market data is sparse, but recent listings suggest modest value. One unit was offered for $130 on Reddit, while a Japanese auction in May 2024 closed at ¥4,980. Common maintenance points include replacing the belt and stylus. Owners note that the ND-132GA stylus and SH-150 replacement shell are still available through niche suppliers. The OL-2KA oil is listed, though the bearing is oilless, so its use may be limited to other mechanisms. No tracking error gauge is included; it was sold separately.