The home of the turntable THE VINYL ENGINé For more turntable manuals and setup information please visit www.vinylengine.comSONY: STEREO TURNTABLE SYSTEM S-X55 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Betore operating the unit, pleace read this manual thoroughly. This manual should be retained for future reference. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Features Precautions Location and function of controls Tuentable assembly Cartridge instalation Tonearm adjustment TTonearm balance adjustment Tracking force adjustment Antiskating compensation Alter the tonearm adjustment Connections 8 Record playing. 8 Preparation Auto play Manual play To lift up the stylus during play To stop during play To repeat play Tonearm drop point adjustment 10 Maintenance. .. . 10 Specifications 1 Trouble checks. back cover 1960 by Sony CorporationFEATURES ‘Auto record size selection Record size is automatically set by a photo sensor system. {I no record Is on the turntable, the tonearm will not descend but will automatically return to the arm rest ‘Tonearm operation controlled by microprocessor ‘The start/stop button and the up/down button can be operated whatever the position of the tonearm, The tonearm operation, con trolled by the microprocessor, is governed by the last button press ed, Lowmass tonearm The lowmass tonearm and cartridge allow the stylus to track with greater accuracy. Crystal lock and magnedise servo system ‘The turntable maintains an accurate and drifttree speed by refer ing (o a frequency generated by a very stable crystal oscillator, and with the 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 BSL motor Direct arive system with Sony's unique BSL (brushless and otiess) motor which has a high signal-to-noise ratio to virtually liminate wow and flutter. Its high torque assures quick start to 338 rpm after only @ hall revolution. Electromagnetic brake system Electromagnetic brake system stops the turntable quickly and ‘smoothly. ‘Mating system ‘The muting system activates when the tonearm Is lifted and de- activates after the tonearm lowers onto a record. There is no need totum down the amplifier volume every time a stylusis placed on a ‘record or when a cartridge is changed. ““Feather-touch” butions located on the front panel Al operating butions are placed on the front pane! so that records ccan be played even with the dust cover closed. ‘Tonearm return mechanism trigged by optical sensor {An optical sensor detects the record return point. No mechanical pressure is applied to the stylus so the tonearm can use avery light tracking force. PRECAUTIONS ‘On satety ‘© Before operating the unit, be sure that the operating voltage of your unit is identical with that of your local power supply. ‘@ Should any liquid or solid object fall into the cabinet, unplug the ‘unit ana have it checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further. ‘@ Unplug the unit trom tne wall outlet If itis not to be used for an extended period af time. To disconnect the cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the cord itset. (On installation Place the turntable on a level surface. ‘@ Avoid placing the unit near electrical appliances (such as a telev- sion, hait dryer, oF fluorescent famp] which may cause hum or ‘@ Avoid any vibration such as trom speakers, slamming of doors, atc. ‘eKeep the unit away from direct sunlight, temperature, or excessive dust and moisture. ‘@ Allow 10 cm (4inches) clearance behind the unit so thal the cover can be opened. ae \ \ \ \ \\ \ ‘oxtremes of - a0 men 6% ny 4 © The turntable has resilient feet that isolate the mechanism from external shock and vibration. When the unit is placed on an tneven surtace or ifthe projection below the bottom of the cabinet touches the surface the unit is resting on, turn each foot until the Unit is level and the the projection does not toucn. Resiliént foot OWNER’S RECORD The model and serial numbers are located at the roar. Record these numbers in the spaces provided below. Refer to them when- ever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product ‘Model No. PS:X55 Serial No. WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not ex- pose the unit to rain or moisture. To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified person- nel only.(On auto record size selection ‘A.beam from a lamp is transmitted through the holes on the rubber mat and the platter to the photo detector which activates the record size selection. The 17 cm (7 inch) record size Is selected when the inner holes are covered and the lamp beam goes through the outer holes. The 30 cm (12 inch) record size is selected when booth inner and outer holes are covered so that the photo detector ‘senses no beam. When the beam is transmitted through all the holes to the photo detector, no record is on the platier and the tonearm does not lower to the platter. Recors Projection on the back Hole for auto record size selection Hole for auto record size selection Hole for projection On repacking Do not throw away the carton and its packing material {an ideal container in which to transport the unit. When shipping the unit for repair work or to another location, fix the transit screws In the original positions, secure the tonearm to the arm rest and repack it as illustrated on the carton box. Nt makes (On dust cover removal Open the dust cover fully and slide it upward while holding it with both hands. ‘Auto record size selection does not operate with the 25 em (10 inch) records. In this case, bring the tonearm onto a record and press the upidown button. With transparent or badly warped records, the auto record size selection does not operate. In this case, play a record in the following way ‘For 30m (12 in) records, ring the tonearm onto a record and press the up/down button, fF cover the holes for auto record size selaction by turning the eubber mat hal! a circle ‘and prass the STARTISTOP button. ‘¢For 17¢m (7 In) records, lace the supplied sheet underneath a record to cover the holes {and play a record pressing the STARTISTOP button or up/down button Rubber mat Pace ihe rubber mat so that the holes for auto record size selection fn the rubber mat and on the platter are correctly matched ‘Do not use the rubber mat other than the one supplied,LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF CONTROLS 45pm Adaptor @ Forea:m orop-pont Adjustment How | rm Rest cueing Piatorm (D startistoP Button and indicator (F) tonearm Operation indicator ® voiDown Button and indicator {ARM ¥. 1. | (B REPEAT Bution and indicator epee 150 nctenior Ln (DP) 32:9 indicator ({) sPeep selector 45.1pm Indicator @) Power switen45.rpm Adaptor ‘To play 17 em (7 inch) records, put the adaptor over the center spin- dle. @ Rubber mat Place the rubber mat go that the holes for auto record size selec- tion on the rubber mat and on the platter can be matched correctly. © center Spindle @Holes for Auto Record Size Selection and Lamp Record size is automatically selected by a beam transmitted froma Jamp through notes on the rubber mat and the platter to the photo detector underneath the platter. When no recard is on the platter, the tonearm will not lower onto the turntable. © counterweight Apply the requited tracking force by adjusting the counterweight, (See page 7) @Tracking-force Ring The tracking-force scale is engraved on this ring in 0.1 gram in. crements. (See page 7) © Anti-skating Compensator Set fo the same value as tracking-force. (See page 7) @ Tonearm Drop-point Adjustment Hole [Adjust the screw in this hole when the tonearm drop-point is incor- rect during auto play. (See page 10) © Arm Rest Unlock the arm rest latch during operation. When the tonearm is rot in use, always secure the tonearm to the arm rest. @ cueing Platform @ Cartridge Shell @STARTISTOP Button and Indicator Press this button for automatic record play. The indicator il luminates and the tonearm automatically descends onto the record. When play is finished, the tonearm returns to the arm rest ‘and the turntable automatically stops rotating. Press this button, also, to stop during play. The indicator goes out, the tonearm returns to the arm rest and the turntable automatically stops rotating, @ Tonearm Operation Indicator ‘The indicator flickers indicating that the tonearm is moving for ‘auto operation. The indicator goes out when the tonearm rests on 4 record or retums to the arm rest. @ UpDown Button and Indicator [ARM Yi] This button lifts and lowers the tonearm. When the tonearm is lowered, the turntable starts rotating. The indicator illuminates when the tonearm is in the up position. (@ REPEAT Button and Indicator Press this button to repeat play. The indicator illuminates and repeat play continues until this bution is pressed to stop it. If the START/STOP button Is pressed during repeat play, the tonearm returns to the arm rest and the turntable slops rotating. @ Crystal Lock Indicator [LOCKED] ‘The indicator illuminates when the turntable rotation Is locked with the norminal speed by the crystal lock control system. The in- dicator goes out when the turntable rotation is out of the nominal speed. © 331pm Indicator ‘The indicator illuminates when the turntable rotates at 33% rpm. @ SPEED Selector Selects the record speed. When the POWER switch is turned on, the speed is always 33% rpm unless the selector is pressed to ‘select 45 rpre 45pm Indicator ‘The indicator illuminates when the turntable rotates at 45 rpm. @POWER Switch Press to turn on the turntable. To turn the turntable off, press it again.TURNTABLE ASSEMBLY o not connect the power cord or the connecting cords until the ‘essembly is complete. Remove all packing material and clean the cabinot. ‘Save the packing box and materials for possible future use. @ Remove the red-painted transit screws using a screw driver, coin ‘or something similar, Save these screws, since they will be {quired when repacking © Carefully place the platter on the motor board by matching the cconter hole and the center spindle. Be careful that no foreign ob- jects lodge under tne platter. ‘© Do not touch the magnetic coating or the magnetic pick-up head. © Piace the rubber mat on the platter. by matching the projections fon the back of the rubber mat fo the holes on the platter, and also the holes for record size selection on the rubber mat to those on the platter. Projection on the back Hole for Magnetic coating inside the rim) CARTRIDGE INSTALLATION A cartridge weighing from 2.5 to 6.8 g can be mounted with the sup- plled cartridge shell. Heavier cartrlages from 6 to 10 g can be mounted using ihe extra weight (supplied) @ install the cartridge into the cartridge shell with the supplied ‘mounting screws temporarily. @ Place the cartridge shell exacily over the diagram below and ad- just the position of the cartridge so that the stylus tip is just over the cross point of the lines. Then fasten the screws tightly. 37.5 mm (1 in) — © Connect the toad wires of the shell to the corresponding pins on the cartridge. Wires Cartridge pins White, White, L (Left channel signal) Blue + Blue, LE or G (Left channel groung) Red Red, F (Right channel signal) Green + Green, RE or G (Right channel ground) @ Plug the shell into the tonearm, matching the guide pin on the ‘shelll with the upper slot of the tonearm. Turn the locking collar in the direction of the arrow until the shell is titmly locked. Guide pin cartridge air shell ‘@ when using a cartridge weighing between 6 and 10 g, insert the Supplied extra weight fully to the endTONEARM ADJUSTMENT TONEARM BALANCE ADJUSTMENT Wis ertically important for good sound reproduction that the stylus traces the record groove accurately and with the proper tracking force. To do this, the tonearm must first be balanced so that the proper tracking force can be applied, Balanced tonearm = =p To balance the tonoarm, proceed as follows: @set the anti-skating compensator to "0 @ connect the power cord to an ac outlet and press the POWER switch (ON), ©Press the upidown button, This will cause the tumntable to rotate and the cueing platform to lower. After the cueing platform has lowered, press the POWER switch again to turn the unit off ang stop the turntable by hand. d ‘Gueing platform down Gueing platform up @Remove the stylus guard and release the tonearm from the arm rest. © Move the counterweight forward or backward until the tonearm Is balanced, Roloase your fingers and check the balance. Fopeat this stop until the arm balances, e_—E Correct balance ”“—~s0f as" c Move the weight backward, © Install the stylus guard and secure the tonearm to its rest. @ Turn the tracking-force ring until the "0" indication is aligned ‘the cantor line on the tonearm. Move the weight forward TRACKING-FORCE ADJUSTMENT Turn the counterweight as illustrated so that the recommended tacking-force figure for your cartridge Is aligned with the center line on the tonearm. The maximum tracking force available is, 25 grams. Teacking-foree ring will turn gt the same time. Tracking force ring Genter ine ANTLSKATING COMPENSATION Turn the anti-skating compensator so that the guide mark is align ‘od with the selected tracking force value. AFTER THE TONEARM ADJUSTMENT When the tonearm adjustments are completed, turn on the power to raise the cueing platform. The turntable is now ready for record Playing. Press the POWER switch again to turn off the unit, Tracking force ‘Tracking force isthe vertical force applied to the stylus tip so that it accurately traces the record groove. The tracking force is applied after the tonearm is first balanced, Since the proper tracking force differs from cartidge to cartridge, be sure to apply the tracking force recommended for your cartridge, If the tracking force is too light, the stylus will skip grooves and when it is too heavy, the stylus tip and the record will wear ex: cessively. However, if you play a record at a temperature below 10°C (60°F), or if the record to be played is badly warped, increase te tracking force by 20 to 30%. ‘Anti-skating compensator While the record is being played, friction between the record groove and the stylus produces a force that tends to drive the tonearm toward the center of the record. ‘The anti-skating compensator cancels this force. The antl-skating force should be adjusted to the same value as that of the tracking force. Incorrect antiskating compensator adjustment results in sound distortion and uneven wear on both the stylus and the record.CONNECTIONS ‘© Tum off the amplifier before making connections. ‘© Be sure to insert the cable connectors firmly into the jacks. Loose connections may cause hum and noise. @ Leave a tile slack in the connecting cord to allow for inadvertent ‘shock or vibration. PHONO ‘AC OUTLET @0 60 6@ ear view of ampliior to a ground terminal to phone inputs write... to Red. tok to an ac outlet Power cord] Phono cord RECORD PLAYING PREPARATION ‘@ Place a record on the platter. For 17 em (inch) records, pul the ‘supplied 45¢pm adaptor over the center spindle. ‘@ Uniock the arm rest latch during operation. Atter playing. secure the tonearm to the arm rest AUTO PLAY @Press the POWER switch (ON). @select the correct record speed. The record speed will always bbe 339/s rpm unless the SPEED selector is pressed to select 45 rpm. ‘@Press the STARTISTOP button. Play will begin. ‘When the tonearm reaches the end of the record, it will ‘automatically ceturn to the arm rest and the turntable will stop. Notes @ Tur off the POWER switch after ihe tonearm returns to the arm test and the tonearm operation indicator goes off. If he POWER switch is turned off while the tonearm is still moving in the return ‘operation, the tonearm will stop in that position. If this happens, press the POWER switch again. The tonearm operation indicator will flicker and the tonearm will return to the arm rest. if the turntable rotates out of the nominal speed for a while by stopping It by hand or applying the record cleaner, sately mechanism may activate to retumn the tonearm to the arm rest.MANUAL PLAY: for playing records at any point TO LIFT UP THE STYLUS DURING PLAY ‘To listen to another part of the record being played, orto life up the stylus from a record for @ moment and start playing trom the same point, press the upidown button, The tonearm willbe lifted up. To ower the tonearm onto the record, press the button again, ‘@ Preas the POWER switch (ON). Select the correct record speed. ‘The record speed will always bbe 334 rpm unless the SPEED selector is pressed to select 45 rpm, Bring the tonearm to the position you desire over the record. @Press the upidown button. The tonearm will lower onto the record and play will begin. ‘eWnen the tonearm reaches the end of the record, it will ‘automatically return to the arm rest and the turntable will stop, Note If you lower the tonearm too near the record label, auto return may hot activate a the end of the groove. This is because the tonearm teaches the end of the record before the auto return detector can activate, Press the STARTISTOP button to return the tonearm to the arm rest. To STOP DURING PLAY Press the START/STOP button. The tonearm will return to the arm rest and the turntable will stop rotating, ‘TO REPEAT PLAY Press the REPEAT button either before or after starting play. The tonearm continues repeat play unless the button is pressed again to turn off the repeat function, To stop during repeat play, press the STARTISTOP button, ‘# f you press the REPEAT button while the tonearm is returning to the arm rest, the tonearm repeats to play the record once again.TONEARM DROP-POINT ADJUSTMENT {At the factory, the tonerm has been adjusted to have the correct Grop-point in auto play. If this needs to be readjusted, proceed as foliows. @e sure that the turntable Is tumed off and the tonearm Is secured to the arm rest. @ Femove the rubber cap of the tonearm drop-point adjustment hole located at the right side of the arm base. © insen tne supplied drop-point adjusiment key into the hole. ‘To change the diop-point inward... Turn the screw slightly to the A direction, ‘To change the drop-point outward the B direction, ‘@.Be sure not to turn the screw to the B direction too much so as ot to bump the stylus tip on the turntable edge. © Start auto play and check that the stylus lowers on the correct ‘srop-point. ‘@ Once it is properly adjusted with a 30 em (12 in) record, ine drop. point will be correct for a 17 ¢m (7 in.) record as well Turn the serew slightly 10 Bo ‘Rubber cap. @ You can keep the adjustment key In your key holder If you lke. may come in andy for a variety of jobs. 10 MAINTENANCE stylus Betore playing, clean the stylus using a soft brush. Brush the stylus from back to front. Never attomot 10 clean tne stylus with finger tip. If fuid-type stylus cleaner is used, make sure nol to moisten the stylus too much. = Cabinet Clean the cabinet and dust cover periodically with a soft dry cloth, If the stains are difficult to remove. use a cloth moistened with @ mild detergent solution. Do not use solvenis such as. alcohol. benzine or thinner. since they will damage the finish ‘Rubber mat When the rubber mat becomes dirty, wipe it gently with a soft cloth slightly dampened with water Lubrication No lubrication Is required for this turntable. The motor shaft is factory lubricated for the life of the turntable.SPECIFICATIONS Tumtable Platter 31 6m (1244 in.), aluminumalioy diecast Motor Linear BSL (brushless and slotless) motor Drive system Direct drive Control system Crystal lock control, magnedise servo control system Speed 384 rpm, 45 ¢pm. Starting characteristics Comes to nominal speed within a half revolution (934 rpm) Wow angfiutter 0.02% (WRMS)* 0.025% (WRMS) Signal-to-noise ratio 78 dB (DIN-8) Load characteristics 0% up to 100 g stylus force (at lead-in ‘groove of a record) Speed deviation Within +0.003% ‘Automatic system —Leadsin, return, reject, repeat, record size selection Tonearm Type Staticelly balanced Pivol-to-stylus length 216.5 mm (82 in) Overall arm length 300 mm (117 in) overhang 16.5 mm (in) Tracking enor +3" to-1" Stylus force adjustment range 0-259 Cartridge shell weight 5.9 Cartridge weight range (incluging supplied shel!) 75-1159 11-159 (with extra weight) General Power requirements 120 ac, 60 Hz Power consumption 12W Dimensions ‘Approx. 430% 195 x 375 mm (wihid) (17 530% 18% in) Including projecting parts and controls Weight Approx. 8kg (17 Ibs 10.02}, net AppFOX. 9.4 kg (20 Ibs 12.02, in shipping carton Supplied accessories 4pm adaptor (1) Extra weight (1) Cartridge shell (1) Cartridge mounting screws (1 set) Toneartn drop;point adjustment key (1) Design and specifications subject to change without notice. * Ths new measuring method concerns only the turntable assemb\y, In uding the platter. Irexcludes wow and fllter caused bythe tonea arirdge or the record. Measured by obtaining signal from magnet pick upnead 1"TROUBLE CHECKS ‘The following chart will help correct most problems which may oc- ccur with the unit. If the problem persists after you have made these checks, consult your Sony service facility. ‘TROUBLES CAUSES WHAT TO DO 7 For 300m (12 in) records, place the rubber mat by ‘(pe tensann does nol lose Peis teeore turning half a circle or play recorés manually. For fon the record but returns to ao 117 om (7 in) records, place the supplied sheet ea ‘Waiped record, underneath a record. Ctner record mat than the one ‘Te tonearm always lowers eee used. Use the supplied rubber mat. fon the point for 30.¢m recore, Incorrect placement of the Place the rubber mat by aligning the holes on the supplied rubber mat rubber mat to those on the platter. Improper tonearm balance or Make correctly tonearm adjustment referring to the tracking-force age 7, Impaired tone quality Dusty stylus Clean the stylus with a soft brush from back to front. ‘The stylus life is approx. 400 hours of use. Replace Worn stylus with a new stylus. Apply more tracking force. ‘Auto return does not operate ‘A record with shallow return at the end of play. ‘grooves is played by a cart- ridge with low tracking force No audio from one channel Loose connection of phono Insert the connectors firmly cord Steady low-pitched sound Loose attachment of the csr Fix the shell to the tonearm firmly. (oum) ‘ridge shell to the tonearm. Ground wire is not connected ———— Connect the ground wire to the amplifier. to the amplifier. Improper tracking-force Apply proper tracking-torce. (See page 7) Groove skipping, tonearm tends to skate out, tonearm Turntable not level does not advance. Place the turntable on a level surface. Detective record The turntable is placed on a Place it on a sturdy surface {ree from external base prone to external vibration. vibration, Lous rumble or low: frequency “how!” {acoustic foedback*) ‘The tumtable is placed near Keep it as far away from the speaker as possible. the speaker. * Acoustic feedback : The vibration of speakers is transmitted through the airor via solid objects (shelves, cabinets, or, etc.) to the tunable, ploked tp by the canroge stylus, amplified, and again reproduced through the ‘speakers. ‘Sony Corporation Printed in Japan 3.789-188-21 (2)