Sony PS-X50 - is it worth buy?

[mastorparty]

Hi, all.

I have the opportunity to pick up a Sony PS-X50 off a guy. The description is as follows:

“High end SONY turntable from 1978. Weight, quality and high end sound. Includes a rare period Sony moving coil cartridge. Dust cover has some scuffs, otherwise in VG fully functional condition, just back from a full tune-up.”

Concerning the cartridge he wrote me:

“The cartridge is was new old stock when I bought it for $300 on eBay to replace the cartridge the turntable came with.”

He is asking $450, but he has said he’d take $400. I am Canadian, so that would be $300 usd.

I have a few TTs. A Technics SL-D3, a Technics SL-DL1, a Fluance RT81, and a Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK.

Based on his description is this turntable worth that price and does it fair better than any of the tables I already own?

I’m five years into collecting, so fairly new still. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks .

Marty

 

[absolon]

That cartridge is the low end of the line that included the XL-44 and XL-55 and having owned one, I can say it is a good cartridge in it's own right. It is voiced in typical Sony MC fashion, smooth and sweet and not fatiguing to listen to. You will need an MC capable phono stage or a step-up transformer.
The table itself is also a pretty good table, not top of the line, but very worthwhile and has a good arm. I'd rate it as at least as good as any of your current collection but not head and shoulders ahead of them.

 

[mastorparty]

Thank you. That helps a lot.

 

[mastorparty]

That cartridge is the low end of the line that included the XL-44 and XL-55 and having owned one, I can say it is a good cartridge in it's own right. It is voiced in typical Sony MC fashion, smooth and sweet and not fatiguing to listen to. You will need an MC capable phono stage or a step-up transformer.
The table itself is also a pretty good table, not top of the line, but very worthwhile and has a good arm. I'd rate it as at least as good as any of your current collection but not head and shoulders ahead of them.

Thank you, that helps a lot.

 

[Old Ears too]

I have a PS-X60 I bought new in the same time frame and I wouldn't let it go that cheaply.
I use a Micro Acoustics 2002 cartridge in mine.

Does the needle cuing work?

 

[Bone Yard]

I don't know that table but I tend to like Sony TT Builds from the 70's and will splurge if I see one.

 

[MisterDK]

I don't know that table but I tend to like Sony TT Builds from the 70's and will splurge if I see one.

I prefer wood to plastic as well….

‘71 Sony 2251. This particular table is a 2251 “LA”, sold Less Arm. You were able to choose your own arm for it. Seems the most commonly picked arm on these, was the SME 3009.



This was Sony’s top model and their first direct drive, BTW.

 

[gary7]

Though it is a nice, heavy built table I give it a good listen to before buying it. I had a PS-X60 that started having speed stability issues.

​

 

[mcgjohn]

Hi, all.

I have the opportunity to pick up a Sony PS-X50 off a guy. The description is as follows:

“High end SONY turntable from 1978. Weight, quality and high end sound. Includes a rare period Sony moving coil cartridge. Dust cover has some scuffs, otherwise in VG fully functional condition, just back from a full tune-up.”

Concerning the cartridge he wrote me:

“The cartridge is was new old stock when I bought it for $300 on eBay to replace the cartridge the turntable came with.”

He is asking $450, but he has said he’d take $400. I am Canadian, so that would be $300 usd.

I have a few TTs. A Technics SL-D3, a Technics SL-DL1, a Fluance RT81, and a Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK.

Based on his description is this turntable worth that price and does it fair better than any of the tables I already own?

I’m five years into collecting, so fairly new still. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks .

Marty

as long as everything works, that is not a bad price. The Sony cart will get you going. Important piece is the arm has adjustable VTA so later you can swap out the cart if desired.

 

[Bone Yard]

I have posts going back to the early days of the forum bemoaning my PS-2251, it was literally a trash find at an estate sale (and nearly mint). Unfortunately it didn't have the platter, when I asked the sellers they said a young boy was drumming on it and took it home. So if your around 20 and live in Saint Paul with an unknown platter PM me now!

I've been fixing up a PS-3300 from 1976, it was sold against the Pioneer PL-510 (which is my daily driver out in the shop), I might give the Sony a few more style points, it looks a little more substantial head to head and the Pioneer is very similar looking to other brands from the time. These tables were at the top of the mid-level range at $200 which is like a grand today, it's no wonder kids were snapping up $60 Technics back then.

 

[Sam Cogley]

Though it is a nice, heavy built table I give it a good listen to before buying it. I had a PS-X60 that started having speed stability issues.

​

That sort of thing is generally fixable, though a table with those issues would certainly be priced lower than one in top running condition.