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Sony PS-X5: Dead or just unconscious?

Buhtwheat

Buhtwheat

New Member
I have a Sony PS-X5 turntable that I am trying to resuscitate. It has the usual tone arm problem that seems to afflict these turntables, so it hasn't been used for several years. I have read here on AudioKarma how to fix this, and I'm going to attempt to, IF I can fix the other problem: The motor doesn't run. It will turn if you rotate the platter by hand, but there is a lot of resistance. Is this fixable, or should I sell the thing for parts? Any help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.
 
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Have you downloaded/printed a copy of the PS-X5 service manual from Vinyl Engine? I owned a PS-X5 and was very pleased with it, another AK member owns it now and is just as pleased. Might be as simple as a fuse, I'm sure it's fixable.
 
vinylengine.com does not have a service manual for the Sony PS-X5 but they do have service manuals for the PS-X4, PS-X6 AND PS-X7 which are similar. The circuit boards are physically different between all these models but the schematics seem to be the same and, oddly enough, most of the circuit symbol designators appear to be the same and they are silk screened on the circuit boards.
I just repaired a PS-X5. Most of its problems were due to old dried up grease which froze parts which were supposed to easily slide or rotate. Just like on an old Garrard or Dual turntable.
Rick
 
So you think a good cleaning and re-lube will bring it back to life? Would binding in the mechanism be enough to keep the motor from operating properly? BTW, it DOES have power, the speed strobe lights up.

I have downloaded the PS-X4 manual from Vinyl Engine, but I haven't studied it in great detail yet.
 
Resistance to hand turning indicates mechanical problems. Likely is the auto start/stop cycle. If you cannot finish the cycle by hand turning then the trip pawl is stuck in the engaged position. Post the pics from the PS-X4 manual and we can help ID the part.

Cheers,

David
 
Check the levers/rods to the controls, on my PS-X5 one of the levers was disconnected from a pin and after putting it back on the pin it was functioning fine, agree it's probably a mechanical problem. While in there give it a good cleaning and apply grease if needed.
 
I have the PS-X7 and did own the PS-X5. They are all automatic/semi-automatic tables. Have you tried to operate the table in the manual mode? Perhaps its tonearm linkage is having some issues. That stuff is driven off of the platter cam to lift and move the tonearm.

Like others have chimed in, it may be a mechanical problem. If you are not electrically or mechanically inclined, I stay out of there, and find some tech guy to have a look. If you are tech savy, then take a look at all the linkages and see if they can (manually) spin thru a complete cycle.

Wayner
 
Sony used grease on their equipment that gets gummed up. Clean all the bearing surfaces with alcohol and re-lube with light weight lithium grease. Dupont makes some with Teflon in it, comes in an aerosol can.
 
Buhtwheat said:
I have a Sony PS-X5 turntable that I am trying to resuscitate. It has the usual tone arm problem that seems to afflict these turntables, so it hasn't been used for several years. I have read here on AudioKarma how to fix this, and I'm going to attempt to, IF I can fix the other problem: The motor doesn't run. It will turn if you rotate the platter by hand, but there is a lot of resistance. Is this fixable, or should I sell the thing for parts? Any help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

What is the problem with the tonearms?
 
Thank you all for the replies. I have had a chance to study the PS-X4 service manual, and I was wondering if the necessary cleaning and lubricating can be accomplished by just removing the top and bottom access covers, without removing the whole mechanism from the base? BTW, I haven't touched anything yet.

majick47: The "start/stop" button appears to be disconnected on my turntable. Is this the one that you had trouble with on yours?

dr*audio: The grease I am familiar with comes in tubes and tubs, and is intended for automotive use. Where might I find something like you're describing?

dodog: The tonearm endlessly cycles between the record and the arm rest. At least, that's what mine does, or did. It's probably been 10-12 years since it was last turned on, so my memory may be suspect.
 
Thank you all for the replies. I have had a chance to study the PS-X4 service manual, and I was wondering if the necessary cleaning and lubricating can be accomplished by just removing the top and bottom access covers, without removing the whole mechanism from the base? BTW, I haven't touched anything yet.

majick47: The "start/stop" button appears to be disconnected on my turntable. Is this the one that you had trouble with on yours? I should have mentioned this in my first post.

dr*audio: The grease I am familiar with comes in tubes and tubs, and is intended for automotive use. Where might I find something like you're describing?

dodog: The tonearm endlessly cycles between the record and the arm rest. At least, that's what mine does, or did. It's probably been 10-12 years since it was last turned on, so my memory may be suspect.

I'm sorry about the double post, someone's server burped just as I was posting the first time, so I didn't know if it got on here or not. And i can't delete either one. Yet another senior moment...
 
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Buhtwheat said:
Thank you all for the replies. I have had a chance to study the PS-X4 service manual, and I was wondering if the necessary cleaning and lubricating can be accomplished by just removing the top and bottom access covers, without removing the whole mechanism from the base? BTW, I haven't touched anything yet.

majick47: The "start/stop" button appears to be disconnected on my turntable. Is this the one that you had trouble with on yours? I should have mentioned this in my first post.

dr*audio: The grease I am familiar with comes in tubes and tubs, and is intended for automotive use. Where might I find something like you're describing?

dodog: The tonearm endlessly cycles between the record and the arm rest. At least, that's what mine does, or did. It's probably been 10-12 years since it was last turned on, so my memory may be suspect.

I'm sorry about the double post, someone's server burped just as I was posting the first time, so I didn't know if it got on here or not. And i can't delete either one. Yet another senior moment...
Click to expand...

If you want to buy the grease on line:
http://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Teflon-Lithium-Grease-Aerosol/dp/B000GKTZIW
I bought it at either Lowes or Home Depot but I can't find it on their websites now.
 
It's been a few years and it's very possible it was the start/stop button that was disconnected, the lever was not attached to a pin.
 
I finally had a chance to look inside my turntable this weekend, and after carefully eyeballing all the pivots, levers and springs involved, I think I'm going to let a pro work on it. I WOULD like to use it again, after all.

Thank you all again for all the informative replies.
 
I had one do this and my "solution" was do pull out all of the auto mechanisms and make it a fully manual table. I'm sure that many would be horrified at this "fix", but I've always preferred manual tables anyway, and the engineering was very straight ahead in this method.
 
markshan said:
I had one do this and my "solution" was do pull out all of the auto mechanisms and make it a fully manual table. I'm sure that many would be horrified at this "fix", but I've always preferred manual tables anyway, and the engineering was very straight ahead in this method.
Click to expand...
How to do this, can you explain to me? Thanks
 
Adrsuhen67 said:
How to do this, can you explain to me? Thanks
Click to expand...


I have a Sony that did the same as yours and at the time was too intimidated to try and take it apart. The grease used by Sony back then would indeed harden up and make auto mech impossible to move. You might want to try using a spray lube/oil that will thin out the grease to see if it improves it at all. I've tried Hornady One Shot to clean up and free some mechanisms, because I had some on hand.

But back to Sony, I ended up having a local shop remove the auto mech for about $45 and now I have a very nice manual Sony as mentioned above. They tend to have a ton of parts for the auto features with metal arms/frames and bracing with plastic gears. Good luck. If you don't have a lot into it, maybe try cleaning grease off or removing auto mech yourself?
 
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Thanks @markshan and @desertrat748 I just bought used with tonearm issued and worked fine after cleaned and put fresh grease. Last night after install new cartridge happened again and found out the little clear plastic to hold size selector is broken.
I will try to glue that plastic tonight and see will hold good or not, if not probably I’ll go to try remove all the auto mechanism and make manual.
This is my first turntable by the way
 
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