Sony PS-LX5 (1981)
A fully automatic quartz-locked direct-drive turntable from Sony’s early 1980s lineup.
Overview
The Sony PS-LX5 is a full-auto player released in 1981. It is built around Sony's "3-stage block" rotational technology, which is meant to give precise, quiet operation. It detects record size automatically, has a muting mechanism to stop needle drop noise, and has built-in guides for centering records and setting needle pressure. It comes with the XL-200 moving magnet cartridge, a straight tone arm made for light tracking force, and a die-cast aluminum platter.
Specifications
| Production year | 1981 |
| Wow and flutter | 0.02% WRMS (Rotating System) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 78dB(DIN-B) |
| Tone Arm Effective length | 216.5mm |
| Tone Arm Total Length | 280mm |
| Needle pressure adjustment range | 0 ~ 3.0g |
| Usable cartridge weight range | 7.4g ~ 11.7g (including shell) |
| Cartridge | MM Type (XL-200, Shell Integrated Type) |
| Cartridge Frequency characteristic | 10 Hz to 30 kHz |
| Cartridge Output voltage | 3 mv (1 khz, 5cm/s, 45 °) |
| Cartridge Needle | 0.6 mil-round diamond |
| Cartridge Dead weight | 8.2g |
| Cartridge Exchange needle | ND-200G(¥3,500) |
| External dimensions | Width 430x Height 105x Depth 355 mm |
| Weight | 6.3kg |
| Turntable | 31 cm Aluminum Die Cast |
| Drive type | Quartz Lock D. D. Full Auto Player System |
Design
The PS-LX5 uses a 3-stage block rotational system. First, a brushless slotless (BSL) linear DC motor removes cogging, so rotation is smooth and quiet with high torque. Second, a magne-disk speed detection system reads high-density magnetized signals on the platter and picks up minute speed variations across multiple gaps. Third, quartz lock keeps rotation stable by using the accuracy of quartz oscillation, so temperature or power fluctuations don't throw it off. The tone arm is a low-mass straight design suited to high-compliance, light-tracking cartridges. An opto-electronic disc size selector handles automatic record size detection and accurate lead-in, and a muting mechanism prevents audio noise when the needle makes contact. The cabinet is made from SBMC material for extra internal damping and structural strength. It also has built-in guides for needle pressure setting and LP centering.
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