Sony PSLX250H Turntable

This turntable will NOT play old 78 rpm records, but it does just fine with 45's (the small "hold in the middle" kind or l2") or 33 1/3 rpm lp's. Operation is simple: all you need to do is place the record on the platter, put down the built-in dust cover, and push "start." If you wish to interrupt play, you push "stop." If you want to raise the tonearm above the record temporarily, you push "up/down." What could be simpler?

Since it includes its own built-in preamp, this unit is easy to use in conjunction with a home computer. Why would someone do this? Not only can you utilize your computer's audio reproduction capabilities to listen to records as you work (or play), but hooking up a turntable to your sound card is the first step in setting up a system to convert your old vinyl records to digital files so you can burn them to cd. That's mainly how I use my PS-LX250H, and in this capacity is has performed flawlessly and magnificently.

It's unfair to rate this item based upon unrealistic comparisons to far more feature-laden and expensive turntables. What's truly astonishing here is just what a fine machine Sony has made available for such a bargain price.


Great Price and Sound; The One To Get For Most People!   December 9, 2002
M. Allen Greenbaum (California)
254 out of 258 found this review helpful

This turntable works easily, sounds great, and is offered at a great price. You can spend more and get a better cartridge and more features, but for someone who wants a very good basic turntable in addition to a CD player and other decoding devices, this one is fantastic.

I recommend vinyl as an adjunct to CDs for several reasons, among them:

1. You may already have a collection you haven't listened to for years. (You'll remember how holding the album, looking at the cover, and reading the liner notes were once part of the entire aesthetic experience.)

2. Vinyl does sound warmer than traditional CDs. (Joni Mitchell's "Blue" is unbelievably raw and "present" on vinyl.)

3. It's easy to build a new collection, especially classical records, by hunting down inexpensive LPs at library and garage sales.

Unlike some record players sold now, the turnplayer does not play 78's. However, many of those that do play this format have self-contained speakers only. This model has a preamp which connects to PHONO, AUX, or VIDEO jacks. The needle weight is not given in the information booklet; generally speaking, the more expensive, lighter needles better preserve sound quality. Although not a "high-end" model for the strict audiophile, here are the SPECS:

Drive: Belt
Motor: DC
Platter: 295 mm. diameter (aluminum, die-cast)
Speeds: 33 1/2 and 45 r/min
Wow and Flutter: Less than 0.25% (WRMS)
Signal to Noise: More than 50dB (DIN-B)

Tone arm: Dynamic balanced straight shaped with soft damping control
Effective arm length: 195 mm

Power consumption: 2 Q
Weight: 2.7 kg
Dimensions: Approx. 420 x 100 x 342 (w/h/d)

Supplied Accessories: 45 r/min adaptor, platter with drive belt, rubber mat, dust cover.

The needle raises, lowers, and moves to the edge of the album automatically; the dust cover is moved by hand. Very highly recommended!


excellent unit for the price   March 11, 2002
85 out of 86 found this review helpful

My 30-40 year old lp's play excellently on this turntable. Some with visible scratches play without noise or skips. I have gotten excessive noise and some skipping only on 3 or 4 records out of about 60 I have played so far. Those few had scratches that looked like a knive had been dragged across the surface.
This turntable is a good buy even at a higher price I paid at another store because every [local store] within 130 miles was sold out and I didn't want to order by mail.
One salesman tried to sell me a pre-amp to go along with this turntable. It doesn't need it. It has a built-in preamp which was pre-set for connecting to AUX or VIDEO jacks, with a switch to reset if connecting to PHONO jacks.
If I were comparing to units selling for much higher prices, I'm sure it would not rate 5 stars, but I'm rating it for price and my usage, playing through a mid-grade bookshelf mini system which cost only a little more than the turntable.


A well perfoming, dependable turntable   July 10, 2002
David Wilson (Massachusetts)
38 out of 39 found this review helpful

Turntables are hard to come by nowadays, let alone one an average person can afford. That is what makes this Sony so special. Not only is it priced right but it gives great performance. I've had it for two months now and have used it constantly. It sound great and there have been no problems at all. Hats of to Sony and the PS-LX250H!


Great turntable for the money   December 22, 2001
Gary Schindler (Pittsburgh, PA United States)
31 out of 32 found this review helpful

I bought 2 of these turntables because I like the quiet tone-arm and rumble free platter. 25 years ago I bought a direct drive turntable that cost twice as much and it didn't perform as well brand new as these Sony turntables. You don't have to touch the light weight tone-arm at all. this turntable is a diamond in the rough!