Sony PS-X7 Auto Issues

[goldswimmerb]

Hey guys, wondering if anyone with experience on this table can weigh in.

I have a PS-X7 here that is almost working perfectly, when it cooporates it works great. Basically, when I press play/stop sometimes the unit will not want to bring the arm over. The table will start spinning and everything will work but the arm won't come over, when I press the stop button again (and the play/stop LED turns off) it will bring the arm over drop it then lift it and bring it back. Usually following that it works normally for the most part.

Not sure what could be causing it, but I have a video of it doing it too, I would think if something was broken it would just not work. So I'm wondering if anyone has any idea.

Video below:
https://imgur.com/a/YgR00mE

 

[Blue Shadow]

My first guess the glue-grease used on the rotating arm positioning units.

I had to dig pretty deep into one to make it consistent in the start function.

But this is a great semi-auto table. The arm stays up whenever it is cycling except for when it goes into play...so the arm is up when the table is cycled to off. This means that one can select Manual, Position the arm over the record, press playstart and in the time it takes for the arm to drop, clean the record and enjoy. Should shut off normally.

Get the manual and dive in.

 

[goldswimmerb]

My first guess the glue-grease used on the rotating arm positioning units.

I had to dig pretty deep into one to make it consistent in the start function.

But this is a great semi-auto table. The arm stays up whenever it is cycling except for when it goes into play...so the arm is up when the table is cycled to off. This means that one can select Manual, Position the arm over the record, press playstart and in the time it takes for the arm to drop, clean the record and enjoy. Should shut off normally.

Get the manual and dive in.

That was what I was going to guess, just thought it was weird that it was intermittent in the way it was.

 

[mcgjohn]

+1 for @Blue Shadow comments.

1. first clean out all the old grease, it will be like wax. Relube the parts with a white lithium based light weight grease.

need to remember the arm mechanism was not designed to move through arm through a thick waxy substance.

2. that may solve it, if not look for cracked solder joints on the pcb board, or possibly a failing cap.

 

[Aud10file]

I worked on one of these PS-X7 which had a similar problem, among other issues. The main cause was old died grease which had to be cleaned. Then, the turntable had to be readjusted as per the service manual.
Note: This model can be challenging and time-consuming to work on. Patience is key.

 

[Aud10file]

@goldswimmerb , here’s a demo video of the PS-X7 after repairs.

 

[JJCalvillo]

I worked on one of these PS-X7 which had a similar problem, among other issues. The main cause was old died grease which had to be cleaned. Then, the turntable had to be readjusted as per the service manual.
Note: This model can be challenging and time-consuming to work on. Patience is key.

Can you recall what the other issues were? I have a X7 that requires a 2nd push on the start to get arm to move over the record in auto, or for the arm to drop in manual. I'll start cleaning, but was wondering what else I might look out for.

 

[Aud10file]

Here’s what I wrote in my notes for this repair:

TT was missing several retaining rings. I replaced the missing c-clips with correctly sized replacements.
There was a worn or missing metal rod which resets a cam for the auto-return. I cut a very small piece of brass rod and epoxied it in place as a replacement.
Replaced worn stylus.
Lastly, performed internal adjustments as per service manual. Shutter was way off.

I usually take a lot of pictures during repairs, but must have deleted them from my phone to free up space.

Here’s some pics from the service manual that I hope will suffice.

Locations of missing c-clips are circled.



IIRC, the missing “rod” was one of these.

 

[Blue Shadow]

I think the slow moving part in the one I repaired the intermittent auto start was the kick lever. The lowest pivot in the first diagram needed to be cleaned and lubricated.

 

[JJCalvillo]

Yes, it’s like it takes a second selenoid kick to get that lever to do its thing.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Did you reinforce the threaded section of the feet on this table? This and other recommended work are spelled out in threads. I wrote about a few of the things mentioned by dshoaf.

 

[JJCalvillo]

Not yet.

 

[JJCalvillo]

@Aud10file I did the cleaning and found earwax on the pivots of the sub-gears. Cleaned, regreased and shazam!

Everything is good, but I have to make the voltage adjustment so the arm isn’t returning too early.