Sony is reintroducing a vinyl turntable to the market with the PS-HX500 for the first time in years. The chassis features a 30-millimeter thick base with isolating feet. The aluminum die-cast platter is driven by a belt motor with two speeds. The device is equipped with a built-in phono preamplifier, allowing it to be connected to a standard line input on an amplifier. The PS-HX500 can be connected to a PC via USB to digitize vinyl records. Sony plans to provide its own software for restoring and archiving a vinyl collection. Music can be stored in various formats – the turntable also digitizes in high resolution with 24-bit or in the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format known from SACD, with rates up to 5.6 MHz (1-bit ΔΣ conversion).
Sony is reintroducing a vinyl turntable to the market with the PS-HX500 for the first time in years. The chassis features a 30-millimeter thick base with isolating feet. The aluminum die-cast platter is driven by a belt motor with two speeds. The device is equipped with a built-in phono preamplifier, allowing it to be connected to a standard line input on an amplifier. The PS-HX500 can be connected to a PC via USB to digitize vinyl records. Sony plans to provide its own software for restoring and archiving a vinyl collection. Music can be stored in various formats – the turntable also digitizes in high resolution with 24-bit or in the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format known from SACD, with rates up to 5.6 MHz (1-bit ΔΣ conversion).
Sony is reintroducing a vinyl turntable to the market with the PS-HX500 for the first time in years. The chassis features a 30-millimeter thick base with isolating feet. The aluminum die-cast platter is driven by a belt motor with two speeds. The device is equipped with a built-in phono preamplifier, allowing it to be connected to a standard line input on an amplifier. The PS-HX500 can be connected to a PC via USB to digitize vinyl records. Sony plans to provide its own software for restoring and archiving a vinyl collection. Music can be stored in various formats – the turntable also digitizes in high resolution with 24-bit or in the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format known from SACD, with rates up to 5.6 MHz (1-bit ΔΣ conversion).
Sony is reintroducing a vinyl turntable to the market with the PS-HX500 for the first time in years. The chassis features a 30-millimeter thick base with isolating feet. The aluminum die-cast platter is driven by a belt motor with two speeds. The device is equipped with a built-in phono preamplifier, allowing it to be connected to a standard line input on an amplifier. The PS-HX500 can be connected to a PC via USB to digitize vinyl records. Sony plans to provide its own software for restoring and archiving a vinyl collection. Music can be stored in various formats – the turntable also digitizes in high resolution with 24-bit or in the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format known from SACD, with rates up to 5.6 MHz (1-bit ΔΣ conversion).
Last updated at 06/24/2026 18:56:18
Sony PS-HX500 Hi-Res USB Turntable Direct Stream Digital DSD Tested Japan 100V
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Sony Ps-hx500 Digital Usb Stereo Turntable Record Player
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Sony Ps-hx500 Stereo Record Player Hi-res Usb Dsd/pcm Recording Belt
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originally posted on sony.co.uk
My first surprise being my first record player ever is how good Vinyl can sound, in this regard this is as good as any at the price. The sound background is quiet with little hiss, the music fun, clear, spacious and the integrated phono amp useful. You do not need to invest in anything else. I was deciding between the Rega P1 and this, the set up is very similar between both including identical cartridges, with no doubt that the Rega would be a better all analog sound. Nevertheless, I went for the Sony knowing that its DAC has to be good and so it is. Ripped albums sound excellent, no identical but conserving all the dynamics that has taken vinyl back to the mainstream.There is a big but, it is borderline unacceptable that Sony is using an AT91/3600L phono, which ... MoreMy first surprise being my first record player ever is how good Vinyl can sound, in this regard this is as good as any at the price. The sound background is quiet with little hiss, the music fun, clear, spacious and the integrated phono amp useful. You do not need to invest in anything else. I was deciding between the Rega P1 and this, the set up is very similar between both including identical cartridges, with no doubt that the Rega would be a better all analog sound. Nevertheless, I went for the Sony knowing that its DAC has to be good and so it is. Ripped albums sound excellent, no identical but conserving all the dynamics that has taken vinyl back to the mainstream.There is a big but, it is borderline unacceptable that Sony is using an AT91/3600L phono, which it is been their norm since who knows in the twentieth century. The cartridge is fun and venerable, but low (17 mm), too cheap and basic for a product that is meant to be the first step on the Hi-Fi or Hi-Re ladder. Also, when you have a not adjustable height tonearm, it makes a swoop for another one a bit of a nightmare. I have seen with horror aficionados that obviously know more than me cutting their own platter mats to accommodate their favourite cartridge. Though other Audio Technica, Ortofon and Nagaoka have similar height; so it is possible to do it without going through this as weight and anti skating adjustment are included. The tonearm has small lines on the head shell that help you to aling the screws so obviously Sony wanted you to have the choice, but observing the perfect alignment of the cartridge's screws, I am opting to buy a 3rd party eliptic needle as I believe the AT91 cartridge could be improved avoiding the hassle.Going back to the product as it is, the product's manual claims a wow and flutter of 0.1%, this is better than the less of 0.2% claimed when this product was launched in 2016. If there was an update it seems nobody noticed it. I believe this figure will matter to some people but I am not expert to comment more on it.Finally Sony obviously spent the money on Sound quality but created a too understated product, the mate finish is good to avoid fingermarks but without being a Lenco it could have been shinier. The high resolution logo I believe is distracting rather than catchy.But as it comes out of the box is an all rounded winner that is impossible not to recommend.
originally posted on sony.co.uk
Upon opening my Sony PS-HX500, my first impression was that this is a notably solid, sleek and premium feeling turntable.It fills a curious gap in a resurgent vinyl market: as either a top-end entry-level turntable or as the first steps into higher-end audiophile territory. If you’re looking for either then the PS-HX500 is likely to deliver exactly what you want. With no auto-play you have to manually cue records, but if you can slip a record out of its cover you can cue it up, so don’t be shy. Indeed, therein lies its more premium edge: you get to twiddle with a counterweight and fiddle with anti-skating, welcome elements which enhance playback, can improve the life of your records, and are not found on more basic record players. As such, the PS-HX500 is a little ... MoreUpon opening my Sony PS-HX500, my first impression was that this is a notably solid, sleek and premium feeling turntable.It fills a curious gap in a resurgent vinyl market: as either a top-end entry-level turntable or as the first steps into higher-end audiophile territory. If you’re looking for either then the PS-HX500 is likely to deliver exactly what you want. With no auto-play you have to manually cue records, but if you can slip a record out of its cover you can cue it up, so don’t be shy. Indeed, therein lies its more premium edge: you get to twiddle with a counterweight and fiddle with anti-skating, welcome elements which enhance playback, can improve the life of your records, and are not found on more basic record players. As such, the PS-HX500 is a little more tricky to initially set-up than less expensive preset models, but you’ll be up and running quickly enough. The balance between ease of use and being able to fine-tune your equipment is struck well. The instructions are clear and the operational dial, tone-arm, cueing lever, platter and dust cover are intuitive and well-made.I have my PS-HX500 set-up with the supplied internal preamp running to mid-range Hi-Fi speakers via the line-out and have no complaints. Of course the sound you get will depend on your set-up, system and speakers, but for me playback is clear and has body and presence. If you are a committed audiophile used to set-ups that roll well into serious expense then this is unlikely to tick all of your boxes, but it may well get an appreciative nod as a turntable that pulls its weight and delivers well for its class. The average listener (such as myself), I suspect, would not notice the difference between this and a much more expensive turntable (especially without additional premium peripherals). I have, however, noticed an improvement in sound and playback experience compared with more budget lines. The fitted moving-magnet cartridge serves well and the supplied rubber slip-mat, 45 adapter and cables are high quality.Visually this turntable is splendid modesty: a well proportioned geometric treat. If you are not open to minimalism then you are unlikely to be considering this turntable, and there are many other more exuberant and high-tech styled turntables out there. The plinth is solid MDF with a matt-black effect coating. There are speckles of gloss, as noticeable in some other photos, but the effect is actually (of course) rather subtle - personally, I was not disappointed at all. It is also worth noting that the PS-HX500 is rather heavy (at least compared to cheaper plastic models), hovering around 3.5-4kg, which adds to its gravitas.I can’t comment on the digital recording process - for me it is a redundant extra on a turntable I bought for competent analogue playback and modern subtle aesthetics. But I suppose it's nice to know it's there if I need it. I don’t have enough knowledge to comment on the potential for upgrading this unit either, save the cartridge or running to an external pre-amp, which should be easy. Some PS-HX500 components are less or more expensive than others, and some may wish to spend a little more on future upgrades, but as a whole this turntable is tight and I’m happy to stick with it as is. In terms of cost, this turntable has to be considered in comparison to similarly classed turntables. There are likely more affordable models, however the PS-HX500 comes with a beautifully understated design on top of a strong audio performance and a very solid build. Anyone will have to make a decision between these qualities and the price.If you want a reliable, good-quality turntable with more than adequate sonics, and are drawn to the PS-HX500 for it’s sublime visual simplicity, I would suggest you get on-board. It is a delight to use and a delight to own and I have yet to find anything else that delivers quite the same package.
originally posted on sony.co.uk
I bought the HX500 a month ago, mainly so I could enjoy the resurgence in vinyl and also enjoy my vinyl collection from the 80's. I wanted a good quality product to go with my Technics SU-V500 amp (20 years old but still a top amp) without breaking the bank, so after some research I felt the HX500 ticked all the boxes and I'm happy to say I'm not disappointed.The deck is simple to set up and the the instruction manual is easy to follow.When first playing a LP I noticed the speed wasn't in sync, it was slightly faster than should be. The manual troubleshooting section didnt cover this but I found customer feedback information on the internet explaining there are adjustment screws on the underside of the deck. Its a bit tricky to do but I managed to make ... MoreI bought the HX500 a month ago, mainly so I could enjoy the resurgence in vinyl and also enjoy my vinyl collection from the 80's. I wanted a good quality product to go with my Technics SU-V500 amp (20 years old but still a top amp) without breaking the bank, so after some research I felt the HX500 ticked all the boxes and I'm happy to say I'm not disappointed.The deck is simple to set up and the the instruction manual is easy to follow.When first playing a LP I noticed the speed wasn't in sync, it was slightly faster than should be. The manual troubleshooting section didnt cover this but I found customer feedback information on the internet explaining there are adjustment screws on the underside of the deck. Its a bit tricky to do but I managed to make adjustments to the correct speed. I'm puzzled why Sony dont include this in the instruction manual, the adjustment screws are not in an obvious place and so easy to go unoticed.I've since noticed the odd record appears to 'slow down'. I'm not sure if this is a problem with the deck or a power supply issue, but I'll keep my eye on it and contact Sony if it persists.Apart from being a great looking deck, which should still look good in 10-20 years, the best feature is the excellent sound quality. Its crystal clear and plays the true quality of vinyl through my Bose soundlink mini speaker.The only negative is the the tonearm isnt automatic so at the end of play you need to manually lift the arm back to the rest.I havent yet used the recording feature so cant give any feedback on this.Overall I'm very happy with the product and I think its good value for money.
Sony PS-HX500 Hi-Res USB Turntable Direct Stream Digital DSD Tested Japan 100V
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Sony Ps-hx500 Digital Usb Stereo Turntable Record Player
Delivery $253.74
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Sony Ps-hx500 Stereo Record Player Hi-res Usb Dsd/pcm Recording Belt
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My first surprise being my first record player ever is how good Vinyl can sound, in this regard this is as good as any at the price. The sound background is quiet with little hiss, the music fun, clear, spacious and the integrated phono amp useful. You do not need to invest in anything else. I was deciding between the Rega P1 and this, the set up is very similar between both including identical cartridges, with no doubt that the Rega would be a better all analog sound. Nevertheless, I went for the Sony knowing that its DAC has to be good and so it is. Ripped albums sound excellent, no identical but conserving all the dynamics that has taken vinyl back to the mainstream.There is a big but, it is borderline unacceptable that Sony is using an AT91/3600L phono, which ... MoreMy first surprise being my first record player ever is how good Vinyl can sound, in this regard this is as good as any at the price. The sound background is quiet with little hiss, the music fun, clear, spacious and the integrated phono amp useful. You do not need to invest in anything else. I was deciding between the Rega P1 and this, the set up is very similar between both including identical cartridges, with no doubt that the Rega would be a better all analog sound. Nevertheless, I went for the Sony knowing that its DAC has to be good and so it is. Ripped albums sound excellent, no identical but conserving all the dynamics that has taken vinyl back to the mainstream.There is a big but, it is borderline unacceptable that Sony is using an AT91/3600L phono, which it is been their norm since who knows in the twentieth century. The cartridge is fun and venerable, but low (17 mm), too cheap and basic for a product that is meant to be the first step on the Hi-Fi or Hi-Re ladder. Also, when you have a not adjustable height tonearm, it makes a swoop for another one a bit of a nightmare. I have seen with horror aficionados that obviously know more than me cutting their own platter mats to accommodate their favourite cartridge. Though other Audio Technica, Ortofon and Nagaoka have similar height; so it is possible to do it without going through this as weight and anti skating adjustment are included. The tonearm has small lines on the head shell that help you to aling the screws so obviously Sony wanted you to have the choice, but observing the perfect alignment of the cartridge's screws, I am opting to buy a 3rd party eliptic needle as I believe the AT91 cartridge could be improved avoiding the hassle.Going back to the product as it is, the product's manual claims a wow and flutter of 0.1%, this is better than the less of 0.2% claimed when this product was launched in 2016. If there was an update it seems nobody noticed it. I believe this figure will matter to some people but I am not expert to comment more on it.Finally Sony obviously spent the money on Sound quality but created a too understated product, the mate finish is good to avoid fingermarks but without being a Lenco it could have been shinier. The high resolution logo I believe is distracting rather than catchy.But as it comes out of the box is an all rounded winner that is impossible not to recommend.
Upon opening my Sony PS-HX500, my first impression was that this is a notably solid, sleek and premium feeling turntable.It fills a curious gap in a resurgent vinyl market: as either a top-end entry-level turntable or as the first steps into higher-end audiophile territory. If you’re looking for either then the PS-HX500 is likely to deliver exactly what you want. With no auto-play you have to manually cue records, but if you can slip a record out of its cover you can cue it up, so don’t be shy. Indeed, therein lies its more premium edge: you get to twiddle with a counterweight and fiddle with anti-skating, welcome elements which enhance playback, can improve the life of your records, and are not found on more basic record players. As such, the PS-HX500 is a little ... MoreUpon opening my Sony PS-HX500, my first impression was that this is a notably solid, sleek and premium feeling turntable.It fills a curious gap in a resurgent vinyl market: as either a top-end entry-level turntable or as the first steps into higher-end audiophile territory. If you’re looking for either then the PS-HX500 is likely to deliver exactly what you want. With no auto-play you have to manually cue records, but if you can slip a record out of its cover you can cue it up, so don’t be shy. Indeed, therein lies its more premium edge: you get to twiddle with a counterweight and fiddle with anti-skating, welcome elements which enhance playback, can improve the life of your records, and are not found on more basic record players. As such, the PS-HX500 is a little more tricky to initially set-up than less expensive preset models, but you’ll be up and running quickly enough. The balance between ease of use and being able to fine-tune your equipment is struck well. The instructions are clear and the operational dial, tone-arm, cueing lever, platter and dust cover are intuitive and well-made.I have my PS-HX500 set-up with the supplied internal preamp running to mid-range Hi-Fi speakers via the line-out and have no complaints. Of course the sound you get will depend on your set-up, system and speakers, but for me playback is clear and has body and presence. If you are a committed audiophile used to set-ups that roll well into serious expense then this is unlikely to tick all of your boxes, but it may well get an appreciative nod as a turntable that pulls its weight and delivers well for its class. The average listener (such as myself), I suspect, would not notice the difference between this and a much more expensive turntable (especially without additional premium peripherals). I have, however, noticed an improvement in sound and playback experience compared with more budget lines. The fitted moving-magnet cartridge serves well and the supplied rubber slip-mat, 45 adapter and cables are high quality.Visually this turntable is splendid modesty: a well proportioned geometric treat. If you are not open to minimalism then you are unlikely to be considering this turntable, and there are many other more exuberant and high-tech styled turntables out there. The plinth is solid MDF with a matt-black effect coating. There are speckles of gloss, as noticeable in some other photos, but the effect is actually (of course) rather subtle - personally, I was not disappointed at all. It is also worth noting that the PS-HX500 is rather heavy (at least compared to cheaper plastic models), hovering around 3.5-4kg, which adds to its gravitas.I can’t comment on the digital recording process - for me it is a redundant extra on a turntable I bought for competent analogue playback and modern subtle aesthetics. But I suppose it's nice to know it's there if I need it. I don’t have enough knowledge to comment on the potential for upgrading this unit either, save the cartridge or running to an external pre-amp, which should be easy. Some PS-HX500 components are less or more expensive than others, and some may wish to spend a little more on future upgrades, but as a whole this turntable is tight and I’m happy to stick with it as is. In terms of cost, this turntable has to be considered in comparison to similarly classed turntables. There are likely more affordable models, however the PS-HX500 comes with a beautifully understated design on top of a strong audio performance and a very solid build. Anyone will have to make a decision between these qualities and the price.If you want a reliable, good-quality turntable with more than adequate sonics, and are drawn to the PS-HX500 for it’s sublime visual simplicity, I would suggest you get on-board. It is a delight to use and a delight to own and I have yet to find anything else that delivers quite the same package.
I bought the HX500 a month ago, mainly so I could enjoy the resurgence in vinyl and also enjoy my vinyl collection from the 80's. I wanted a good quality product to go with my Technics SU-V500 amp (20 years old but still a top amp) without breaking the bank, so after some research I felt the HX500 ticked all the boxes and I'm happy to say I'm not disappointed.The deck is simple to set up and the the instruction manual is easy to follow.When first playing a LP I noticed the speed wasn't in sync, it was slightly faster than should be. The manual troubleshooting section didnt cover this but I found customer feedback information on the internet explaining there are adjustment screws on the underside of the deck. Its a bit tricky to do but I managed to make ... MoreI bought the HX500 a month ago, mainly so I could enjoy the resurgence in vinyl and also enjoy my vinyl collection from the 80's. I wanted a good quality product to go with my Technics SU-V500 amp (20 years old but still a top amp) without breaking the bank, so after some research I felt the HX500 ticked all the boxes and I'm happy to say I'm not disappointed.The deck is simple to set up and the the instruction manual is easy to follow.When first playing a LP I noticed the speed wasn't in sync, it was slightly faster than should be. The manual troubleshooting section didnt cover this but I found customer feedback information on the internet explaining there are adjustment screws on the underside of the deck. Its a bit tricky to do but I managed to make adjustments to the correct speed. I'm puzzled why Sony dont include this in the instruction manual, the adjustment screws are not in an obvious place and so easy to go unoticed.I've since noticed the odd record appears to 'slow down'. I'm not sure if this is a problem with the deck or a power supply issue, but I'll keep my eye on it and contact Sony if it persists.Apart from being a great looking deck, which should still look good in 10-20 years, the best feature is the excellent sound quality. Its crystal clear and plays the true quality of vinyl through my Bose soundlink mini speaker.The only negative is the the tonearm isnt automatic so at the end of play you need to manually lift the arm back to the rest.I havent yet used the recording feature so cant give any feedback on this.Overall I'm very happy with the product and I think its good value for money.
This product is highly recommended, it was bought as a Vinyl ripper in order to supplement a Sonos system. The big surprise, its quality shifted the whole system. My system now has an analog side that I never expected to fall in love with. I am old enough to feel a little humiliated having to recognise that millennials are right, Vinyl rocks and this turntable is god enough to enlighten me about it. Later on, taking Vinyl seriously I tried to improve my turntable, it is possible but a wee nightmare.To start, I compared the turntable to a relative's cheap 90s Sony record player, to my disappointment the motor bearing was identical and the general design too, even the old deck's straight arm was like a cheap inspired copy of the new one, so to sum up; Sony has not ... MoreThis product is highly recommended, it was bought as a Vinyl ripper in order to supplement a Sonos system. The big surprise, its quality shifted the whole system. My system now has an analog side that I never expected to fall in love with. I am old enough to feel a little humiliated having to recognise that millennials are right, Vinyl rocks and this turntable is god enough to enlighten me about it. Later on, taking Vinyl seriously I tried to improve my turntable, it is possible but a wee nightmare.To start, I compared the turntable to a relative's cheap 90s Sony record player, to my disappointment the motor bearing was identical and the general design too, even the old deck's straight arm was like a cheap inspired copy of the new one, so to sum up; Sony has not innovate enough on the Analog side. This is a typical 80's Sony cheap turntable on steroids, with upgraded materials such as a better made tonearm and a thicker aluminium platter. This has practical effects, the first one is that the belt which is weirdly similar to the old ones for light plates turntables. The original belt stretched rather quickly, an iPhone app registered a pathetic 0.3 wow and flutter just some month after Heavy use. I also had problems with statics, in part ought to the thick rubber mat which is a dust catcher. However this is a rather Japanese turntable trait, so I would have the same opinion even if it was a Technics.In the end I manage to upgrade it, I bought an Achromat and an upgraded elliptical stylus without changing the cartridge, in a whim I added a Cambridge Duo preamplifier. Also, I bought a new generic belt.Out of the box the sound was nice and warm but a little bit boomy, after the modifications the results are more than good. The elliptical stylus was the biggest change, in conjunct with the Achromat plays a more sophisticated sound, still warm but with taut bass; the new belt took the wow and flutter to an impressive 0.11, I also changed the turntable's location farther from the speakers. In the end, I got an "I cannot believe how much" sound, so a happy owner here. I gotta say the Sony PS-HX500 can really push beyond its class, but as it comes from the factory is not the best around at the same price bracket. The main reason is that Sony uses the AT91/3600 cart, this is the best of the cheap cartridges around but this is a Hi-Re recorder, not coming ought of the box with at least an elliptical stylus is disappointing as it means its DAC is fed low resolution analog. Sony should have already changed the cartridge to something like the ATVM95E. I did not changed the cartridges as it is difficult but if you venture into it you have the choice. Unlike other turntables the anti-skating is adjustable, so it is the counterweight and the fixed Head shell allows moving any cartridge forward or backward to help with alignment. Many cartridge alternatives are likely to be slightly taller than the 17mm of the original cartridge. In this case a mat swop will likely be a good idea, anything made of acrylic seems the way to go. In my humble opinion the plater is better than the cheaper siblings yet is one of the weakest part of the turntable.I have to praise its Phono preamp though, the Alva duo which is one of the class leaders certainly betters it, but it only provides a more extended bass and it was my less cost effective improvement. By the way, having an external phono doesn't disconnect the usb out, something I really like.I left the ripping capabilities for the end for a reason, they are beyond good and can only be praised. I do not bother in ripping albums with a CD version available but I have recorded some Vinyl at 24/48. If the Original is clean no matter how old, the results are impressive, no complaints here. Some of its recording can blow out of the water remastered versions of old songs. For the first time in ages I carry my own music on my iPhone and some of the recording are just more pleasant than Spotify or even Hi-Re streaming.If you need to record LPs I hardly believe you can better this without spending a fortune but you may wander around for a while trying to get the analog part at the level of the impressive recording capabilities.As a comment you can change speed moving a selector, this is to me essential and something that put me off from so call audiophile options, new to Vinyl people be aware this is rare a this price level and definitely a plus. On the downside not auto lift capabilities, though the tonearm is easy to position and it feels of good quality when dropping the needle.To conclude, a good out of the Box turntable with a lot of potential if you have some patience, you are unlikely to regret purchasing it.
First, the deck was quite easy to set up, but with one proviso. My amp has a photo input, and I spent nearly half an hour wondering why I was getting terrible sound. Then I noticed in the manual the output switch. Now I knew the deck had a switchable output, but I didn't expect it to be set to Line by default, I expected it to work out of the box with a phono input. Maybe this could be made clearer in the manual.Anyway, once I had the deck working, there was some hum that the earthing lead couldn't entirely cure. Eventually I gave in and (setting the switch first) plugged the deck into a Line input on my amp - hum gone, so quite possibly it was my amp had too sensitive a Phono input. Still, now I could audition the deck properly.I have a reasonable CD player, ... MoreFirst, the deck was quite easy to set up, but with one proviso. My amp has a photo input, and I spent nearly half an hour wondering why I was getting terrible sound. Then I noticed in the manual the output switch. Now I knew the deck had a switchable output, but I didn't expect it to be set to Line by default, I expected it to work out of the box with a phono input. Maybe this could be made clearer in the manual.Anyway, once I had the deck working, there was some hum that the earthing lead couldn't entirely cure. Eventually I gave in and (setting the switch first) plugged the deck into a Line input on my amp - hum gone, so quite possibly it was my amp had too sensitive a Phono input. Still, now I could audition the deck properly.I have a reasonable CD player, feeding through a highly respected external Digital to Audio Convertor (DAC), and I feel a little let down. I couldn't tell the difference in sound quality between the (supposedly) inferior CD and (supposedly) superior vinyl. The vinyl gave me clicks, some vinyl roar, short playing time and (only when I looked at the spec of the deck) a surprisingly poor Wow And Flutter of around 0.25% - I expected a figure of around 0.15%, so was a bit disappointed for the money. I don't know if this is clearly audible, but on long synth notes there is definately some variation in pitch, although watching the arm when playing there is some in-and-out movement, so it could be the record is not perfectly centred/pressed poorly. Anyway, on normal music this is not noticable.I've recorded a couple of LPs into my computer and am pretty satisfied with the results (I used 96KHz/24-bit as a compromise between quality and file size). This enabled me to edit out clicks and trim tracks, and although the recording level appears a bit low, on one of my singles the wick has been turned up and the track is recorded loud (Can/Silent Night 7"), so I can see why Sony made this recording level fixed - I've not gone into the red yet...!On the whole, despite my niggles, I am pleased with my new record deck, and am glad I bought it, even though I won't be using it for most day-to-day music listening (I have over 2000 CDs, and about 30-40 LPs/singles). It'll mainly be used for archiving LPs that aren't on CD, as well as listening to them. The way the hi-fi mags go on about superior sound from vinyl, well I just didn't hear it. I may even go so far as to say there not a lot in it, and certainly for day-to-day use the silence of CD (no clicks, no vinyl roar), the less of a hassle actually playing a disc, and the longer playing time without turning over/changing discs (80 mins on CD compared to a max of about 25-30 mins on LP), keep me firmly welded to the silver disc. Still, at least I have a record deck again, and it's available should the need arise one day...
I had been wanting a turntable for some time as I buy a lot of 12" vinyl from the 1980s and most of it was, and still is, unavailable on CD or as Digital Download. As I like all of my music stored digitally on my pc/phone, I needed a way to not only play it, but also record it. I had previously tried the cheap 'All In One' retro-style systems from a brand I'd never heard of, but the quality was awful (I sent it straight back!). I then toyed with buying a standard turntable to plug into my existing CD Recorder, but came across this item after searching for alternative ways of recording vinyl digitally.I have always like the quality of Sony products, so I though I'd give it a try...and I'm so glad I did. The sound quality is superb, and the software is so easy to ... MoreI had been wanting a turntable for some time as I buy a lot of 12" vinyl from the 1980s and most of it was, and still is, unavailable on CD or as Digital Download. As I like all of my music stored digitally on my pc/phone, I needed a way to not only play it, but also record it. I had previously tried the cheap 'All In One' retro-style systems from a brand I'd never heard of, but the quality was awful (I sent it straight back!). I then toyed with buying a standard turntable to plug into my existing CD Recorder, but came across this item after searching for alternative ways of recording vinyl digitally.I have always like the quality of Sony products, so I though I'd give it a try...and I'm so glad I did. The sound quality is superb, and the software is so easy to use. I can record a highquality, lossless digital file in the time it takes to play the record, which sounds identical to the record itself. In fact, the only downside is that I've now got a CD Recorder that I'm unlikely to use ever again!
This turntable was a purchase that I wished I would have made right from the start. First of all let me just say that I have always been a vinyl enthusiast. I have also purchased a great many turntables from Direct Drive to Belt Driven, From USB to just RCA Composite cable input. I also love the warm sound of an old analog record, it isn't the pops and the hissing that I enjoy it is the warmer sound stage presence that one can clearly hear from a vinyl record. I also enjoy being able to listen to my music collection on the go. With the use of a FiiO X3 Gen 2 I was able to do that, but still some of my files that I had were compressed maybe not to the degree that one would be turned off to it but a degree of the sound stage was still missing. That was clearly taken ... MoreThis turntable was a purchase that I wished I would have made right from the start. First of all let me just say that I have always been a vinyl enthusiast. I have also purchased a great many turntables from Direct Drive to Belt Driven, From USB to just RCA Composite cable input. I also love the warm sound of an old analog record, it isn't the pops and the hissing that I enjoy it is the warmer sound stage presence that one can clearly hear from a vinyl record. I also enjoy being able to listen to my music collection on the go. With the use of a FiiO X3 Gen 2 I was able to do that, but still some of my files that I had were compressed maybe not to the degree that one would be turned off to it but a degree of the sound stage was still missing. That was clearly taken care of by the Sony PSHX500 Turntable. This turntable is in my opinion the best audiophile turntable on the market for under $1000.00. It records at DSD 5.6 1:1 ratio. Some of my records do pop,click, and crackle but not all but the quality of sound is so amazing. I currently have 3 turntables that I use 1st one that is hooked to my hi-fi system is an Audio Technica ATLP120 USB and that used to be the turntable that I recorded my vinyl on. And I am in the process of buying a longer extension rca cables so that I can hook my Sony PSHX500 to my hi-fi and my computer at the same time thus eliminating the Audio Technica all together. The third turntable which I purchased not to long ago and it turned out to be a piece of junk was a Marantz TT42. It wasn't so much the sound quality that was bad in the Marantz it was that the turntable began malfunctioning first I lost the ability to change from 33 1/3 to 45 RPM speeds then the belt began to slip and because I purchased it on Ebay I was unable to use the warranty because it was not from a consumer based store. I did purchase the Sony on Ebay but so far I have had no complaints. The hook-up and installation of the unit and the software was so easy and then the recordings are so amazing, when I play back the recording on my hi-fi or in my auto I feel like I am sitting at home listenting to my actual turntable playing the music as it was designed and meant to be enjoyed. Thanks for reading this.
Good Points: A minimalistic style, low profile turntable that produces excellent quality sound through my (35 year old but still brilliant) Technics 20 watt) speakers.It has a manually operated tone arm but so what; you have to move to either put on or take off a disc so what's the big deal about moving the tone arm yourself ? The only slight addition to this comment that some punters may not like is that when the last track runs out the disc still spins, that is obviously 'til you go over, stop it and play another or pack up, whichever. The initial set up couldn't be simpler, allowing for the fact that you should follow the instructions supplied - minor fiddling needed with the tone arm balance and tracking part but a bit of patience and you're ... MoreGood Points: A minimalistic style, low profile turntable that produces excellent quality sound through my (35 year old but still brilliant) Technics 20 watt) speakers.It has a manually operated tone arm but so what; you have to move to either put on or take off a disc so what's the big deal about moving the tone arm yourself ? The only slight addition to this comment that some punters may not like is that when the last track runs out the disc still spins, that is obviously 'til you go over, stop it and play another or pack up, whichever. The initial set up couldn't be simpler, allowing for the fact that you should follow the instructions supplied - minor fiddling needed with the tone arm balance and tracking part but a bit of patience and you're there.Improvement Points: The transferring of tracks to digital - It doesn't rip quickly at all, it can only be done in real time i.e play a full track to record it, and if you want an album recorded you'd have to record each track separately, file it and do all the title, artist etc biz individually too. I made a mistake here - there was nothing to tell me otherwise - and if you record a whole album in one go you cannot then separate the individual tracks. It also records in WAV format, so if you want MP3, as I did, you'll have to go through that transfer routine too. I found the whole copying procedure too much bother to be honest, and as there's very little of my vinyl collection that I don't have in other formats I just left it after the initial panto that I outlined earlier. I can get by without the copying biz so there's no problem here at all for me, but for anyone wanting this facility - it's certainly here but very time consuming. No Bluetooth either, for those that might make that a priority. Sounds like a lot of gripes here, but it isn't at all in my book - I'm just laying out what I see that may deter others. I couldn't be more pleased with the turntable - especially as I got it at a really good price. It gets 5 Stars from What Hi-Fi? and for me it doesn't disappoint at all performance wise.
Brought back old memories.It is great to hear my old vinyl collection and this turntable does it justice. I do pride myself on quality. I cannot justify my overall spend on high end models, but this Sony Turntable delivers and compliments my recent rebuilt vintage speakers.The feel and build has a clever feel while operating the turntable, but become confused at the function of 'Hign Res'. The overall nostalgic sound of vinyl together with the handling the record is why I chose the Sony Turntable. So why would I rob myself by transferring the music to digital?I came across a record sleeve with a waring about tape recording.""Taping is killing the music business".That said, finding a quite moment from my family life, I have found a reason to lock myself ... MoreBrought back old memories.It is great to hear my old vinyl collection and this turntable does it justice. I do pride myself on quality. I cannot justify my overall spend on high end models, but this Sony Turntable delivers and compliments my recent rebuilt vintage speakers.The feel and build has a clever feel while operating the turntable, but become confused at the function of 'Hign Res'. The overall nostalgic sound of vinyl together with the handling the record is why I chose the Sony Turntable. So why would I rob myself by transferring the music to digital?I came across a record sleeve with a waring about tape recording.""Taping is killing the music business".That said, finding a quite moment from my family life, I have found a reason to lock myself away to recapture my love of the vinyl records.Along with Great Sound and a Great Experience, is exactly why I don't feel that old.Love vinyl records, love the Sony PS-HX500.
