Sony ps-x500 (1980)
A quartz-locked direct-drive turntable system with microcomputer-controlled biotracer tone arm technology, released by Sony in 1980.
Overview
The Sony PS-X500 is a quartz lock direct-drive turntable system introduced in 1980. It was recognized as a "Legendary Product" in Sony's brand history. The turntable features an advanced tone arm system called biotracer, which uses sensors and linear motors to control arm motion with high precision. It automatically lifts the tone arm at the end of playback and includes a 45 RPM adapter, auxiliary weight, head shell (SH-151), cartridge mounting screw, and dust cover.
Specifications
| Wow and flutter | 0.015% wrms (rotating system) |
| Load characteristic | 0% (Needle Pressure 150g) |
| Start-up characteristic | 1/2 turn or less |
| Velocity deviation | 0.0003% |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 78dB(DIN-B) |
| Tone arm effective length | 216.5mm |
| Tone arm total length | 295mm |
| Needle pressure adjustment range | 0 ~ 3.0g |
| Shell dead weight | 5.0g(SH-151) |
| Usable cartridge weight limit (including shell) | 7.5g ~ 12.5g |
| Usable cartridge weight limit (including shell, auxiliary weight used) | 12.0g ~ 17.0g |
| External dimensions | Width 430 x Height 120 x Depth 385 mm |
| Weight | 8.3kg |
| Turntable diameter | 32 cm Aluminum Die Cast |
Design
The PS-X500 uses a microcomputer-controlled biotracer system that makes hundreds of logical decisions in under 1/1000 second to electronically manage tone arm motion via speed and position sensors and linear motors, suppressing low-frequency resonance by less than 3 dB and improving crosstalk. It features a brushless, slotless BSL motor and a quartz lock servo that controls phase using a magnetic disk speed detection method. The tone arm includes a long-span bearing shaft on a single straight shaft with widely spaced fulcrums, a tapered special aluminum alloy arm pipe for increased rigidity, and reinforced joints to minimize vibration. The cabinet uses SBMC material for low resonance, high precision, and strength, while a thick dust cover and gel-filled insulators further reduce vibration. The system includes an auto lift-up mechanism that raises the tone arm and stops the turntable when playback ends.
Context
The Sony PS-X500 is listed as a "Legendary Product" in the Sony brand history.
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