Sony PS-LX7 (1981)

A compact, full-auto direct-drive turntable with quartz-locked speed stability and integrated MM cartridge

Overview

The Sony PS-LX7 is a quartz lock direct-drive full auto turntable released in 1981. Its dimensions match the rest of Sony's Liberty Series components. Playback is fully automatic, with electronic speed change for 33-1/3 and 45 rpm records. It comes with an integrated Iori-branded XL-200 MM cartridge with a 0.6 mil-round diamond stylus. Sony aimed for precision and low noise, and used the advanced motor and speed control technologies of the time to get there.

Specifications

Drive method	Direct Drive
Motor	Linear BSL motor
Wow and flutter	0.02% WRMS
Signal-to-noise ratio	75dB(DIN-B)
Rumble	-78 dB (DIN B)
Tone arm type	Static balance type
Tone arm effective length	200mm
Tone arm total length	250mm
Overhang	15.5 mm
Tracking error angle	Within 2° 32' per channel
Needle pressure adjustment range	0 ~ 2.5g
Usable cartridge weight range	0 ~ 11.5g (including shell)
Cartridge type	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
Exchange needle	ND-200G(¥3,500)
Cartridge dead weight	8.2g
Platter/Turntable diameter	29.5 cm Aluminum Die Cast
Speeds	33-1/3 and 45 rpm
Speed change	Electronic
External dimensions	Width 355 x Height 82 x Depth 330 mm
Weight	5.5kg

Design

The PS-LX7 uses a 3-stage rotating system: a linear BSL motor, a magne-disk speed detector, and quartz lock. Together they keep rotation stable and quiet, with minimal wow and flutter. The linear BSL motor eliminates cogging and gives high torque. The speed detector uses a multi-gap head to read high-density magnetization on the turntable and pick up minute changes in rotation. Quartz lock uses the oscillation accuracy of quartz to hold speed steady despite temperature or power fluctuations. The tonearm is a static balance type with a low-mass straight design, paired with the Iori XL-200 high-compliance MM cartridge. Front-mounted feather-touch controls work with the dust cover closed. A contactless luminous sensor handles end detection without putting lateral pressure on the stylus, and a muting mechanism reduces contact noise. An opto-electronic disc size selector detects record size automatically so the tonearm leads in accurately.

Context

The PS-LX7 is a compact full-auto player. Its dimensions are unified with other components in Sony's Liberty Series, so the pieces fit together in one system.

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