Sony ps-x45 (1980)
Direct-drive turntable with quartz-locked speed and Sony’s Biotracer active servo tonearm, released in 1980.
Overview
The Sony PS-X45 is a direct-drive turntable system released in 1980, featuring full auto playback and enhanced safety mechanisms. It uses a quartz-locked speed control system for precision playback, with wow and flutter measured at just 0.02% wrms. The turntable includes an arm limiter mechanism that disengages the auto function if the tonearm is manually obstructed during operation.
Specifications
| Drive type | Direct-drive |
| Speed control | Quartz lock |
| Wow and flutter | 0.02% wrms (rotating system) |
| Start-up characteristic | Within 1/2 Rotation (at 33 1/3rpm) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 78dB(DIN-B) |
| Tone arm type | Biotracer |
| Tone arm description | Active servo tonearm |
| Tone arm effective length | 216.5mm |
| Tone arm total length | 300mm |
| Needle pressure adjustment range | 0 ~ 3.0g |
| Shell dead weight | 8.0g |
| Usable cartridge weight limit (including shell) | 11.5g ~ 18.5g |
| Usable cartridge weight limit (Auxiliary Weight Used) | 18.0g ~ 25.0g |
| Cartridge type | MM Type (XL-15) |
| Cartridge frequency characteristic | 10 Hz to 30 kHz |
| Cartridge output voltage | 4 mV (1 kHz, 5cm/s, 45°) |
| Cartridge needle | 0.6 mil diamond needle |
| Cartridge dead weight | 5.2g |
| Load Impedance | 47K ohm |
| Channel Balance | 2.5 dB |
| Channel Separation | 18dB @ 1kHz |
| Turntable diameter | 31 cm Aluminum Die Cast |
| External dimensions | Width 430 × Height 135 × Depth 375 mm |
| Weight | 7kg |
| Attachments | 45 Rotation Adapter, Auxiliary weight, Head shell, Cartridge (XL-15), Dust cover |
Design
The PS-X45 uses a linear BSL motor without brushes or slots and a magne-disk speed detection system that generates a signal of approximately 284 Hz at 33 1/3rpm. The servo circuit employs crystal lock phase control for stable rotation. The tonearm features a Longspan bearing shaft supported by a single straight shaft with four-point support, and structural integration minimizes resonance. The cabinet is made of SBMC, an acoustic material with high strength and low resonance, and includes a thick dust cover and gel-filled insulators for vibration damping. The "Biotracer" active servo tonearm eliminates tracking error and resonance.
Context
The PS-X45 is part of Sony's Biotracer turntable series, following the 1979 release of the PS-X75, which introduced the Biotracer active servo tonearm technology.
Market
Common issues include start/stop button jamming, drive motor failure, and tonearm lift mechanism malfunctions. Cleaning the button area, inspecting the lift linkage, and lubricating moving parts can resolve many of these. Drive problems may require belt or motor replacement. Regular cleaning and gentle handling help prevent mechanical faults. Spare parts are available on eBay. Current market value is around $300 for units in good condition.
eBay Listings
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