
( Brand: Sony ), ( Model: PS-X555 ES ), ( Part Type: Drive Turntable )
Experience the timeless charm of vinyl records like never before with the Sony PS-X555ES Direct-Drive Biotracer Turntable system, featuring the high-performance PS-X555ES stylus. This exceptional turntable is meticulously engineered to deliver unparalleled audio quality, preserving the rich, intricate details of your favorite vinyl records.
At the heart of the PS-X555ES lies Sony's renowned direct-drive motor system. Known for its precision, consistency, and high torque, this motor ensures stable rotation, minimizing speed fluctuations for optimal playback. The direct-drive system also allows for quick start-up and pitch adjustment, making it ideal for DJs and audiophiles alike.
The turntable is equipped with Sony's advanced Biotracer technology, which utilizes a vibration-absorbing rubber mat and a specially designed stylus to significantly reduce tracking errors and improve sound clarity. The PS-X555ES stylus, an essential component of the Biotracer system, features a unique narrow-angle design that reduces distortion and enhances the bass response, providing a more balanced and detailed sound.
The PS-X555ES Direct-Drive Biotracer Turntable also boasts a high-quality aluminum platter that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Its heavy construction helps to dampen resonance, further enhancing the turntable's performance. The S-shaped tonearm, with its adjustable VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle), allows for optimal stylus-to-record alignment, ensuring precise tracking and reduced distortion.
In terms of connectivity, the PS-X555ES turntable offers both phono and line-level outputs, making it compatible with a wide range of audio systems, from high-end stereo systems to modern home entertainment systems. It also comes with a built-in phono equalizer, ensuring accurate frequency response and improved sound quality even when connected to systems without a phono input.
In summary, the Sony PS-X555ES Direct-Drive Biotracer Turntable with PS-X555ES stylus is a testament to Sony's commitment to audio excellence. With its direct-drive motor, advanced Biotracer technology, high-quality construction, and versatile connectivity options, this turntable offers a superior vinyl playback experience that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles.
The Sony PS-X555ES Direct Drive Turntable with Biotracer Stylus (PS-X555ES) is a high-end audio solution for vinyl enthusiasts. Here are its key pros and cons:
Pros:1. Direct Drive Motor: The direct drive motor ensures a consistent and accurate speed while playing records, reducing wow and flutter. This results in improved sound quality and clarity.
2. Static Balanced Straight Tonearm: This design helps to reduce resonance and ensure better tracking and stability of the stylus on the record.
3. Biotracer Quartz Lock Engine: This unique feature uses a quartz lock engine to improve tracking accuracy, reducing distortion and enhancing sound quality.
4. High-quality Build: The turntable features a heavy steel platter and a die-cast aluminum chassis, contributing to its robustness and stability.
5. Multiple Connectivity Options: The PS-X555ES offers both phono and line output, allowing users to connect it to various audio systems.
Cons:1. High Price: The PS-X555ES is a premium product and is quite expensive compared to other turntables in the market.
2. Lack of Built-in Preamp: Although it offers a line output, it does not have a built-in preamp, so an external one will be required for some systems.
3. Not Ideal for Beginners: The advanced features and high price may make this turntable less suitable for beginners or casual listeners.
In conclusion, the Sony PS-X555ES Direct Drive Turntable with Biotracer Stylus is an excellent choice for audiophiles looking for a high-quality performance and accurate sound reproduction. However, its high price and lack of built-in preamp may make it less appealing for beginners or those on a budget. If you're a serious vinyl lover and have the means to invest in a high-end turntable, the PS-X555ES could be an excellent addition to your audio setup. If you're a beginner or looking for a more affordable option, you may want to consider other turntables with similar features at a lower price point.
Other coils within the arm were used to detect vibrations caused by unwanted resonances. The electronics have been re-calibrated by pots on circuit boards in accordance with Sony service manual. I have used Sukarno era Jesus and a condo io-m to great effect. As noted, the playback sound with original stylus was less than optimal.
Following on the heels of ps-b80 was ps-x75 gallery at top page and ps-x700. Spacer washers can be added to the head shell alter VAT, but of course only if arm is sloping downwards from rear. These decks are complicated, but they serviceable by a very competent electronics engineer, and the impossible to find microchips rarely fail.
Sony PS-X555es - direct drive biotracer turntable w new stylus. There was no user adjustable arm counterweight. This ps-b80 is my main deck and fitted with a condo io-m moving coil cartridge.
All biotracer turntables had quartz locked, direct drive motors. If there was no disc on the platter, arm would not lower but return to its resting point.
The biotracer arm movements were entirely controlled by coils motors. This had the effect of controlling low frequency resonance to a great degree, with consequent associated benefits throughout spectrum, including providing extraordinary stereo separation.
Shipping weight with packing materials is 20 lbs. I have used several high-end cartridges on a ps-x75, and without fail, they all out-perform in the biotracer arm when compared to conventional pivoted.
Its much easier, cheaper and more profitable to continue producing relatively crude variations of metal rods which rely on mechanical design for resonance reduction, no matter how effective an alternative approach was in the past. All the Sony biotracer model's could assess size of disc, utilizing photo cells beneath platter to detect light passing through slits on surface.
The first commercially produced model was ps-b80, an absolute technical tour de force, expensive and now rare. Despite their internal complexity, they were easy to set up and even easier use. 33 and 45 rpm wow flutter: 0.
Occasionally, we post items unrelated to music. The compact ps-x5 x555, x6 x8 followed, still more economical to produce, but reasonably effective nonetheless.
Technical details for this turntable can be viewed at the bottom of post and a complete service manual easily downloaded on internet. These photos show the underside of a ps-x75.
Was the biotracer system effective. Short answer is yes, in fact spectacularly so. Four of the fine wires are signal wires, but others routed to arm tube and connected small sensing coils at rear.
However, the particularly interesting common feature was tone arm - a feat of engineering, innovative and highly effective as pick-up cartridge carrier.
Cartridges invariably sound very fast, lively, stable and clean. The auto-balancing feature of ps-b80 was ditched in favour a conventional counter-balance arrangement, housed rear casing arm. Why on earth would you favour a crude, mechanical, rubber belt drive over an elegant, no-maintenance, quartz-locked direct-drive option. I suggest for the same reasons as before.
Basically this was an internally simplified version of the ps-b80 and consequently cheaper to produce. If you own one of these decks which require servicing and are in the UK, feel free to contact me I will put touch with an expert engineer.
The decks were fully automatic with a well damped lift lower system to handle even most delicate cartridges. Orders within the USA are shipped via USPS media mail.
The turntable is exceptionally clean with only two notable flaws: 1 typical wear scuffing on cover, and 2 original owner-etched numerical markings side base as shown in photos. Convector moving-coil cartridges have also proved a very good match.
So why aren't biotracer arms regarded now universally as analogue nirvana. Apart from prejudice against anything not in the mainstream, or simply knowing about them, its understandable if prospective purchasers are wary of electronics and mechanical intricacies involved. Thus, a new audio technical 209-dt6 stylus yellow was installed to give the unit significantly better playback performance. Little or no adjustment was needed after the initial installation.
The object of exercise was to reduce eliminate arm resonance electronically, as opposed mechanical damping methods employed by other manufacturers, and currently universally. As mentioned earlier, stereo separation is exemplary. With regard to the ps-x75 and ps-x7 there is no upper limit as quality of cartridge that can be fitted these decks.
Certain light slits were blocked by a 7 inch single, whilst all the 12 LP enabling deck to detect size of record be played. I have had my own decks serviced and checked, as after 30 years its possible that electronic alignment is likely to drift.
Early biotracer designs were expensive and marketed primarily for the audio connoisseur.
How different to the fickle, bouncy, suspended efforts which needed so much setting-up and revered in UK at time. Nevertheless, the smoothness and musicality so revered by enthusiasts of analogue is retained. It was almost plug in and play audio bliss, with truly consistent predictable results. Completely refurbished.
Biotracer was the name Sony gave to its range of record decks produced from orders within USA are shipped via USPS media mail. Make no mistake, these decks were not some pointless foray into the use of then innovative, micro-processor technology. The sound quality produced by this unit matches very best.
On the ps-b80, arm raising and lowering didn involve a mechanical system at all - it was implemented by coils elector-magnets. Outline of the main features and operation deck. Its quite uncanny.
Interestingly, isn't this the case with turntable drives too. Space for an excellent overview of Sony's biotracer technology and includes mention this specific PS-X555es. An overview of the excellent ps-b80 biotracer turntable.