New Sony HX500 turntable looks nice. How have Sony tables been historically?

So if you connect an outboard phono stage, can you still use the A to D converter?
The mat has a recessed center to accommodate the record label and provide a better fit with the vinyl. That sounds interesting. But if that's important, why haven't high end tables ever done this?

 

I don't know what makes you so certain about all that, personally I'm going to buy one if it shows up in New Zealand it can't be all that terrible. It's got to be a step up from my Welling F700 at least which no doubt you'll stick your nose up at too because it actually is made with a lot of plastic.

 

Im waiting for someone to buy one and post a needle drop

 

they have been doing that forever...mine is like that...

 

Just checking back on the forum, and apologize for my delayed response. I think the on board A-D converter is bypassed when using an external phono stage. I assume when the switch is thrown to "phono" the internal phono amp is bypassed, and also the D-A converter inactive. (it is one or the other, not both) It makes sense to me that only one phono amp should be active, since the phono inputs are impedance sensitive. So we can not have another phono preamp connected to the input of another one.

Someone may have a better answer for you.

 

A photo of this A/D converter is on Sony's webpage for this turntable: Vinyl to MP3 USB Turntable | USB Record Player | PS-HX500 | Sony UK »

Says "PCM4202". Is that good?

 

Same chip as the TASCAM, so yes very good

 

Sure, there will always be people who will prefer to get a cost-no-object TT and a stand alone 11.2 MHz DSD A/D from Playback Designs, rather than an entry-level all-in-one turntable/ADC, but there's perhaps market for both?

 

Forgive my complete ignorance in the subject.
I know some of you have high standards for turntables and converters.
But my question is: at this price or a tad more, can you have any better?
If you can't, commercially speaking, the product does make sense, IMO

 

I think if it comes in at around $500 or whatever they suggested, it's an amazing deal. I'll be curious to see how it sounds if you swap cartridges, or if that's even possible. I can't envision buying it personally, I have a disease that forces me to continually shovel money at audio stuff. But I think the idea is real neat for people just getting into it.

 

Yes these were phenominal tables right up until they weren't. I had bot an 800 and a 600. The 600 was similar but with a pivoting rather than linear arm. In both cases after some months the arms just lost the ability to track properly. These arms used very sensitive sensors and servos to move the arm when they go, they get hypersensitive.

 

Sound & Vision reviews the Sony PS-HX500 Hi-Res USB turntable

Sony PS-HX500 Hi-Res USB Turntable Review »

 

No measures?

 

Thanks for posting the review. Seems like it performs well and has a pretty interesting digital feature set.

 

Wow and Flutter: +/– 0.25% Not impressive.


Now, if their conversion software corrected for this...


No vta? What? That's a big problem on a table with a lowered platter. Lowering the platter also limits the carts you can use on it, as well as making arm changes impossible. This should be a $175 table. Probably see it at $280.

 

Now available:
Sony-PS-HX500 USB Hi-Res Turntable|Acoustic Sounds »

 

Sony did make some pretty decent stuff for the middle of the market. Quartz-lock direct-drive 80's Sony PS-LX410 with the auto mechanism removed and inside packed with clay. Well used Sony VL45G cart, P-mount. Vocal siblance replicated on better gear:

Elisa_Fiorillo-08-Headin_For_A_Heartache-sample.flac

I have a feeling that the institutional knowledge of building good turntables left when the previous generation of designers retired. Technics even stopped making turntables, probably just because a used 1200 works just as well as a new one does. The straight arm on this new turntable is a compromise, but at least it is a long one with anti-skate. Putting digital audio circuitry along with USB chips in a turntable is always a sketchy move, but at least they are raising the bar from the current market of super-crappy ION etc USB turntables, the worst way ever to digitize records.

 

Anyone pick one of these up? Reviews?

 

Sony PS-HX500 Turntable Reviewed »

 

"splitchy"?

 

Sounds a bit underwhelming. Just wait a few months - someone is bound to come out with an outboard preamp/digitizer combo that beats this thing.

 

Ugh, looks hideous. Nowhere near the level of Sony's classic PS-X and Biotracer decks. But I'm sure the economics of a smaller LP market force that.

I really wish Sony would bring back the Biotracers. Those are terrific decks, a final triumph before CD took over in the '80s.

 

I haven't had any problems with my PS-X600. Its big brother, the legendary PS-X75, sometimes has problems today, and the tonearm goes all crazy. But we're talking about 35-year-old tables. You'd just have to replace some worn parts, and I do believe someone has built new computer chips for the Biotracers to replace the old ones.

But I wouldn't worry. The X600 and later models are very reliable. Mind you, I said the same about my Trinitron just before it suffered a fatal heart attack, sob.

 

Another fan of Sony's early '80's PS-X600. So far, it's been totally reliable.




I have a PS X55 as a spare.

 

Ya, well he hasn't reviewed a sub $2000 turntable in over a decade. More interesting would be a review from someone who can provide some context of similarly priced options.