Stefano Pasini


Best of the Best, and not only in Japan: Sony PS-X9...
 
 

Sony PS-X9

A rare, almost fabled emblem: Sony Professional
 
Sony PS-X9

The PS-X9 is unique also in being the only ultra-pro TT I know that has a full auto return feature
 
Sony PS-X9

Pictures can't really make one understand how massive the PS-X9 is, maybe because it's all perfectly proportioned and looks like a 'normal' DD TT. That is, until when you realize that it weighs 35 kgs and its platter has a diameter of 38 cms
 
Sony XL55_Pro and Sony XL55_ProII

Three formidable Sony cartridges, custom-made for the PS-X9 and its extraordinary tonearm, the PUA-9: two XL55Pro and one XL55 Pro II. The influence of the EMT 'Tondosen' is evident in the integration of the shell with the cartridge and the 'cubic' form of the unit
One is damaged, missing its cantilever: I sent it today (16/09/2020) to the specialists at Cartridgelab in Rome, hoping that they will perform some kind of miracle on this complex but excellent Tondose
  

Now it's the time to study the PS-X9 huge, 45-pages long owners and service manual...At least this in in English, whilst the 'J' version edition I own is served by a Japanese-only manual...
 

13 September 2020
 
Sony PS-X9

I love the PUA-9 tonearm. It pays a respectful homage to the EMT 929 pro tonearm in its shape and overall geometry, but it's even more refined. The serial number on the massive, die-cast bearing cover is a nice touch
 
Sony PS-X9

Counterweight detail, showing that Sony has a more conventional way to apply the tracking force to its Tondose than EMT
 
Sony PS-X9

First trials: a pristine, nearly NOS XL55Pro in its natural ambience, fitted on the PUA-9 of my PS-X9
 
Sony PS-X9

Strobe check. Slightly 'fast', a setting that is absolutely right as it has been tested without the dragging factor of the stylus in a record's groove
 

17 September 2020
 

The trolley for the PS-X9 now has its thick crystal base
 

The PUA-9 is a very sophisticated tonearm and many parameters can be modified 'on the fly'
 

The XL55Pro and a legendary Mercury record....
 

The many settings of the inbuilt phono pream
 

25 September 2020
 

I arranged to assemble a stylus illuminator, a feature that is common on EMTs and other broadcast machines but is absent on the PS-X9
 

I combined the heavy base of a golf trophy, a flexible lamp bought on Amazon.it for a few Euros, a USB 5V power supply, a few screws and voilą...!
 
Sony PS-X9

The illuminator improves the pleasure of use of the PS-X9 and allows to place the expensive stylus of a Sony XL55Pro Tondose on the grooves much more safely....
Looking at this picture it is necessary to keep in mind that the record on its platter is a standard 33 1/3 stereo 12" vinyl; thus one understands the real size of this impressive machine, that is smaller than an EMT 950, but still significantly larger and heavier than its direct counterpart, the EMT 948
 

15 October 2020
 

Size comparison, ch.1: PS-X9 vs td 124/II...
 

8 November 2020: Sony XL55 Pro II
 

A NOS XL55 Pro II is exactly what my PS-X9 needs, if only to make some comparison with the original XL55 Pro...
 

A 10" record looks very small on the PS-X9's 38 cm platter...
 


hifiengine.com is the best site for Sony manuals
 

 

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