PS-X555ES

Linear tracking tonearm

A linear tracking tonearm is designed to duplicate the movement of the head which cuts the record master.

Compared with a pivoted tonearm, a linear tracking arm has a very small tracking error (which means greatly reduced harmonic distortion) and almost no pressure on the inside wall of the groove (which means improved tracking ability and channel separation).

Biotracer electronic tonearm

The horizontal and vertical movement of the tonearm is monitored by the Biotracer’s own sensors, and this information is transmitted to the tonearm by the tonearm’s own linear motors to suppress resonance at low frequencies and to obtain the maximum signal-to-noise ratio. With the microcomputer incorporated, the tonearm movement, up/down or forward/backward, is accurate and smooth.

Front panel operation with the dust cover closed

The ARM TRANSPORT buttons allow you to move the tonearm easily over the desired point of the record with the dust cover closed. Start/stop of the record play and tonearm up/down can also be controlled using the buttons on the front panel.

Electronic stylus force adjustment

As the stylus force is adjusted by the control on the front panel and digitally read out, it can be easily adjusted even during record play.

Automatic record size selection

The record size is automatically set by a photo sensor system. If no record is on the turntable, the tonearm will not descend but will automatically return to the arm rest.

Muting system

A muting system activates when the tonearm is lifted and is deactivated after the tonearm lowers onto a record so there is no need to turn the amplifier volume down every time a stylus is placed on a record.

Quartz lock and magnedisc servo system

The turntable maintains an accurate and drift-free speed by referring to a frequency generated by a very stable quartz oscillator, and with aid of a speed monitoring system which utilizes a magnetic pick-up head and a pulse signal derived from a magnetic coating at the edge of the platter.

Linear torque BSL motor

Direct drive system with Sony’s unique BSL (brushless and slotless) motor which has an extremely low noise level and whose smoothness virtually eliminates wow and flutter. Its high torque assures a quick Start to 33 1/3 rpm after only a half revolution.

Synchronized operation with the Sony cassette decks

When the tonearm lowers onto the lead-in groove of a record, the cassette deck stand-by mode is released and the record mode assumed. When play finishes, the cassette deck is automatically set first in the record muting mode, then in the pause mode. This synchronized operation is possible with Sony cassette decks equipped with a four-pin remote control jack which is connected with the Sony RM-65 synchro remote control unit.