Sony PS-X555ES User manual

3000867
SONY BDA
SONY.
STEREO TURNTABLE SYSTEM
PS-X555ES
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Page 2
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly.
This manual should be retained for future reference.
MODE D’EMPLOI page 16
Avant la mise en service de l’appareil, lire attentivement ce mode
d’emploi.
Conserver ce manuel pour toute référence ulterieure.
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG seite 30
Vor Inbetriebnahme lesen Sie bitte diese Bedienungsanleitung
aufmerksam durch.
Bewahren Sie diese Anleitung zum spateren Nachschlagen gut auf.
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES Pagina 44
Antes de utilizar el aparato, lea este manual detenidamente, y con-
sérvelo para futuras referencias.
© 1983 by Sony Corporation

English
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing
to qualified personnel only.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Cartridge installation
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Tonearm balance adjustment
Stylus force adjustment
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Preparation
Auto play
, To begin record play at a particular point— Manual play
To move to a different part of a record while the record
is playing
To lift up the stylus during play
To stop during play
To repeat play
How the auto-record-size selection Works ...............ccccee cece sence 10
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Synchronized play of the turntable and a cassette deck ............ 11
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FEATURES
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 distor-
tion) 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 easi-
ly 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 con-
trolled 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 deac-
tivated after the tonearm lowers onto a record so there is no need
to turn the amplifier volume down every time a stylus is placed ona
record.
Quartz lock and magnedisc servo system
The turntable maintains an accurate and drift-free speed by refer-
ring 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.

OPERATING VOLTAGE
Before connecting the unit to the power source, check that the
operating voltage of your unit is the same as the local power line
voltage.
The continental European model (Type 1) operates on 220 V ac.
The model for other countries (Type 2) operates on either 110 - 120
or 220 - 240 V ac. The voltage selector is located on the bottom. If
the selector must be reset, disconnect the ac power cord and slide
the selector to the appropriate voltage.
110-120 V 220 - 240 V
(Od
PRECAUTIONS
On safety
@ Before operating the unit, be sure that the operating voltage of
your unit is identical with that of your local power supply.
e@Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet, unplug the
unit and have it checked by qualified personnel before operating it
any further.
@ Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if it is not to be used for an
extended period of time. To disconnect the cord, pull it out by the
plug. Never pull the cord itself.
@ The unit is not disconnected from the ac power source (mains) as
long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the unit itself has
been turned off.
On installation
@ Place the turntable on a level surface.
@ Avoid placing the unit near electrical appliances (such as a televi-
sion, hair dryer, or fluorescent lamp) which may cause hum or
noise.
@ Place the turntable where it will not be subject to any vibration,
such as from speakers, slamming of doors, etc. .
@Keep the unit away from direct sunlight, extremes of
temperature, and excessive dust and moisture.
@ The turntable has resilient feet that isolate the mechanism from
external shock and vibration. If the unit has not been placed on a
level surface, turn the feet to level the unit.
Level check
Place the stylus over the record, pressing the < button, then
lower the stylus onto the record with the w/¥ button. When
you raise the stylus by pressing the w/¥ button again, check
the stylus tip movement as follows.
elf the stylus tip does not rise straight up but veers to the
right, adjust the right feet high.
elf the stylus tip does not rise straight up but veers to the
left, adjust the left feet high.
{ NM y
On operation |
@Do not move the tonearm with hands, since this may damage the
electronic linear tracking tonearm.
On dust cover removal
Open the dust cover fully and slide it upward with both hands.
On repacking
Do not throw away the carton and packing materials. It is an ideal
container in which to transport the unit. When shipping the unit to
another location, repack it as illustrated on the carton box.
Before repacking, secure the tonearm to the arm rest and fix the
transit screws in the original positions.

LOCATION
AND
FUNCTION
OF
CONTROLS
The
photo
below
shows
the
assembled
turntable.
Auto-record-size
selection
holes
and
lamp
@rubber mat
Center spindle
@ PoweR switch
Q@sreep selector and indicators
@ styLus FORCE adjustment knob
and indicator
@
Auto-record-size
selection
holes
and
lamp
Record
size
is
automatically
selected
by
a
beam
transmitted
from
a
lamp
through
the
holes
on
the
rubber
mat
and
the
platter
to
the
photo
detectors
underneath
the
platter.
When
no
record
is
on
the
platter,
the
tonearm
will
not
lower
onto
the
turntable.
@ Rubber mat
Place
the
rubber
mat
so
that
the
holes
for
auto-record-size
selec-
tion
on
the
rubber
mat
and
on
the
platter
are
matched
correctly.
© POWER switch
Press
to
turn
on
the
turntable.
To
turn
the
turntable
off,
press
it
again.
@ SPEED selector and indicators
Selects
the
record
speed.
When
the
POWER
switch
is
turned
on,
the
speed
is
always
33/3
rpm
and
the
indicator
on
the
right
il-
luminates.
When
the
selector
is
pressed,
45
rpm
is
selected
and
the
indicator
on
the
left
illuminates.
@
STYLUS
FORCE
adjustment
knob
and
indicator
Turn
this
knob
to
set
the
appropriate
stylus
force
for
the
cartridge
you
use.
The
stylus
force
can
be
changed
during
record
play
if
so
desired.
The
stylus
force
is
indicated
in
0.1
gram
steps.
© REPEAT button and indicator
Press
this
button
to
repeat
play.
The
indicator
illuminates
and
repeat
play
continues
until
this
button
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
stops
rotating.
Counterweight
Synchro remote control
jack
Arm
cover
Tonearm drop-point
adjustment screw
Th) STYLUS ZERO BALANCE
switch and indicator
Cartridge shell
Cartridge
YH BSTART/STOP button and
indicator
ARM TRANSPORT buttons
ym ARM LIFTER button
G REPEAT button and indicator
@ ARM LIFTER button
This button lifts and lowers the tonearm.
When
the
tonearm
is
on
the
arm
rest,
it
cannot
be
lifted
up
with
this
button.
© ARM TRANSPORT buttons
To
move
the
tonearm
inwards,
press
the
<]
button.
To
move
it
out-
wards,
press
the
[>
button.
The
tonearm
is
raised
automatically
and
continues
to
move
while
the
button
is
depressed.
The
tonearm
will
stop
when
the
button
is
released.
For
fine
adjustment
of
the
tonearm
drop-point
over
a
record,
press
and
immediately
release
the
appropriate
button.
This
button
is
useful
for
beginning
a
record
partway
through,
or
for
skipping
to
another
select
ion.
© STARTI/STOP button and indicator
Press
this
button
to
start
the
record
playing,
and
the
indicator
il-
luminates.
To
stop
during
play,
press
it
again.
@
STYLUS
ZERO
BALANCE
switch
and
indicator
Press
this
switch
before
adjusting
the
tonearm
balance.
@ Synchro remote control jack (rear)
Synchronized
recording
from
disc
to
tape
is
possible
on
specified
Sony
cassette
decks
by
using
the
optional
RM+45
synchro
remote
control
unit.

TURNTABLE ASSEMBLY
Remove all packing material and wipe off the cabinet.
Save the packing box and materials for possible future use.
Follow the numbered sequence.
Remove the transit screws.
Save these screws, since they will be required when
fi repacking.
Place the platter
on the motor board.
Match the projection-™ |
with the hole.
Do not touch the magnetic C3 On T7LT790} 2 io 1}
pick-up
head.
a
ee
4 Plug the cartridge shell into the tonearm.
ae pin KK
Cartridge shell /
collar counterclockwise until the shell is firmly locked.
sie 3 Place the rubber mat on the platter.
ss Align the holes in the rubber mat
with the holes in the platter.
~~~ DO not touch the magnetic
coating inside the rim.
mes
to an ac outlet
Secure the tonearm to the arm rest.
Align the guide pin with the upper slot and turn the locking
CARTRIDGE INSTALLATION
For
Type
1
model:
Any
cartridge
weighing
from
2.8
to
7.8
grams
red
(R)
can be mounted on the supplied cartridge shell. Heavier cartridges
from 7.3 to 12.3 grams can be mounted when the supplied extra
weight is used.
For Type 2 model: The supplied cartridge has been installed on
the cartridge shell at the factory. The following procedure is not
necessary unless you replace the cartridge.
1 Connect the lead wires of the shell to the corresponding pins on
the new cartridge.
blue (LE, G)
green (R Blue
: Cl
green
Wires
Cartridge
pins
white
(L)
White.
..........
White,
L
(Left
channel
signal)
Cartridge
pins
white
=
Wires
BIUG 4. 5.2 ota & hued be Biue, LE or G (Left channel ground)
ROG rice. oe ae Sek Red, R (Right channel signal)
Green.
1...
.....-.
Green,
RE
or
G
(Right
channel
ground)
5

2 Install the cartridge into the shell with the mounting screws as il-
lustrated.
Place the cartridge
shell exactly over the
diagram and adjust
| the position of the
Cartridge.
Tighten the screws down.
(Be sure that the cartridge
is not inclined to the right
or left.)
3 Plug the shell into the tonearm and turn the locking collar
counterclockwise until the shell is firmly locked.
Align the guide pin on the shell
with the slot on the top of
the arm.
TONEARM ADJUSTMENT
The turntable must be on a level surface while the tonearm is being
adjusted.
Be careful not to damage the stylus tip while making adjustments.
Before starting to make this adjustment, be sure to turn on the
power, since the tonearm is electronically controlled.
TONEARM BALANCE ADJUSTMENT
It is critically 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.
To balance the tonearm, proceed as follows:
1 Remove the arm cover and insert the counterweight.
[Be
“NE
SS
a
2 If it is necessary, attach the supplied extra weight to the end by
turning it clockwise.
Extra weight
3 Press the STYLUS ZERO BALANCE switch. The built-in indicator
will light up.
4 Unlock the arm test latch and remove the stylus guard.
Arm rest latch
STYLUS ZERO BALANCE
7
Stylus guard
5 Adjust the position of the counterweight by tuning it. Release the
tonearm gently and check the balance. Repeat this step until the
arm is balanced.
to move the weight
forward
to move the weight
backward
So I
Correct balance
5,
of
J ee I.
_ Fe
Move the weight forward. / Move the weight backward.
6 After the tonearm is balanced, replace the stylus guard and arm
cover, and secure the tonearm to the arm rest.
7 Press the STYLUS ZERO BALANCE switch again. The built-in in-
dicator will go off.

Notes on the STYLUS ZERO BALANCE switch
@The STYLUS ZERO BALANCE switch operates only when the
tonearm is between the arm rest and the tonearm’s drop-point for a
30 cm record. Beyond this area, the STYLUS ZERO BALANCE in-
dicator does not light up even if the switch is pressed.
@ When the zero balance is not correctly set, the tonearm does not
move even if any control button is pressed. In this case, the
STYLUS ZERO BALANCE indicator will flash to show an incorrect
setting.
STYLUS FORCE ADJUSTMENT *
Turn the STYLUS FORCE adjustment knob so that the indicator
displays the appropriate stylus force for the cartridge. Adjustment
range is from 0.5 to 2.5 g.
STYLUS FORCE
fr
|
* Stylus force
Stylus force is the vertical force applied to the stylus tip so that it can ac-
curately trace a record groove.
The stylus force is applied after the tonearm is balanced. .
Since the proper stylus force differs depending on which cartridge is install-
ed, be sure to apply the stylus force recommended for your cartridge. If the
stylus force is too light, the stylus will skip grooves. When it is too heavy, the
stylus tip and the record will wear excessively. Note that if you play a record
at a temperature below 10°C (50°F), or if the record to be played is badly
warped, the stylus force should be increased by 20%.
CONNECTIONS
@ Turn off the amplifier before making connections.
@ Be sure to insert the cable connectors firmly into the jacks.
Loose connections may cause hum and noise.
Turntable
@ Connect the red plug of the connecting cord to the right-channel
jack [R] of the amplifier and the white plug to the left-channel jack
[L]. Otherwise, the right and left channels will be reversed.
@ Leave a little slack in the connecting cord to allow for inadvertent
shock or vibration.
ae to an ac outlet
Synchro remote control jack
See page 11.
to a ground terminal
Amplifier
to phono inputs
White ...toL
Red...toR
Speaker system
= to a wall outlet

RECORD PLAYING
PREPARATION
@When the POWER switch is turned on, the record speed will
always be 331/3 rom unless the SPEED selector is pressed to select
45 rpm.
1 Depress to turn
on the power.
“4 to PHONO.
e|d== 6@0@= 0 w
Amplifier "msn,
nt? a Place a record on the rubber mat.
For 30 cm (12 in.) records
@When using the XL-333E cartridge (supplied with Type 2 model),
be sure to set the CARTRIDGE selector of the amplifier to MC
(moving-coil type).
2 Set the input selector
i a wane CO Turn down the volume.
For 17 cm (7 in.) records
~45-rpm adaptor
(supplied)
6 Select the correct record speed.
5S Depress to turn
on the power.
AUTO PLAY
When the tonearm reaches the end of the record, the turntable will
Stop and the tonearm will automatically return to the arm rest.
Note
Turn off the POWER switch after the tonearm returns to the arm
rest. If the POWER switch is turned off while playing or while the
tonearm is returning to the arm rest, the tonearm will be lifted up
and stop at that point, and will continue returning to the arm rest
when the POWER switch is turned on the next time. While the
tonearm is returning, the START/STOP button does not activate the
record playing.
8
Notes
e Transparent records and 25 cm (10 in.) records cannot be played
automatically.
To play a 25 cm record or a transparent record, follow the instructions on
page 10.
e Badly warped records may not be played, since they touch the tonearm.
y Remove the stylus guard.
Press the START/STOP button, and the
record playing will begin.

TO BEGIN RECORD PLAY AT A PARTICULAR POINT— Manual play
| 1 Move the tonearm over the desired point of the record,
pressing the <] button. For fine adjustments, press and
immediately release the <] button or the [> button.
2 Press the START/STOP button.
WVVIZ,
START/STOP
The turntable starts rotating, the
stylus lowers onto the record and
playback starts.
When the tonearm reaches the end of the record, the turntable will stop and the tonearm will automatically return to the arm rest.
TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT PART OF A RECORD
WHILE THE RECORD IS PLAYING
Keep the appropriate ARM TRANSPORT button pressed until the
- tonearm reaches the desired position. For fine movement, press
and immediately release the appropriate button. To lower the
tonearm onto the record, press the ARM LIFTER button.
TO LIFT UP THE STYLUS DURING PLAY
To lift the stylus from a record for a moment and then start playing
from the same point, press the ARM LIFTER button. To lower the
tonearm onto the record, press the button again.
TO STOP DURING PLAY
Press the START/STOP button. The turntable will stop rotating and
the tonearm will return to the arm rest.
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
START/STOP button.
Note
Transparent records and 25cm (10 in.) records cannot be played
repeatedly.

HOW THE AUTO-RECORD-SIZE SELECTION
WORKS
When the START/STOP button is pressed, the tonearm goes
automatically into the lead-in groove, whether the record is 30cm
or 17cm. A beam from the lamp is transmitted through the holes on
the rubber mat and the platter to the photo detectors which ac-
tivate the auto-record-size selection.
Rubber mat Inner holes for
YC
<=
30
cm
and
Outer
holes
se
17
cm
records
for 30 cm
records aw
| Na Platter
Photo
both inner and outer holes are covered
so no beam is transmitted to the photo
detectors.
the inner holes are covered so a beam
is transmitted through the outer holes
to the photo detector.
a beam is transmitted through both
the inner and outer holes to the photo
detectors. Even if the START/STOP
button is accidentally pressed, the
tonearm does not lower.
the tonearm lowers to the same point
that it would if a 17 cm record were on
the platter, since the inner holes are
covered. To play a 25cm record, move
the tonearm over the lead-in groove
with the ARM TRANSPORT buttons,
press the ARM LIFTER button to lower
the stylus and press the START/STOP
button.
In this case, auto-return will not ac-
tivate at the end of the record. Press
the START/STOP button to return the
tonearm to the arm rest.
When a transparent record is to be played,
a beam passes through both the inner
and outer holes to the detectors so the
tonearm does not lower onto the
record. To play a transparent record,
move the tonearm over the lead-in
groove with the ARM TRANSPORT but-
tons, press the ARM LIFTER button to
lower the stylus and press the
START/STOP button.
in this case, auto-return will not ac-
tivate at the end of the record. Press
the START/STOP button to return the
tonearm to the arm rest.
10
When a badly warped record is to be played,
A
a beam may pass through the holes to
the detector(s) and cause a malfunc-
tion of the auto-record-size selection.
TIPS ON RECORD HANDLING
e@ Before playing, clean the record with a record cleaner or soft
cloth. If a spray cleaner is used, make sure that it has dried com-
pletely before playing the record. Playing the record before the
cleaner has dried may damage the record.
It is a good idea to clean the record again before putting it away.
@ Handle a record by its edges and do not touch the grooves.
Fingerprints on the record surface may encourage an accumula-
tion of dust, resulting in impaired tone.
@ Use a commercially available anti-static spray to neutralize the
static electricity on a record. |
@ Avoid exposing a record to direct sunlight or sources of heat,
such as a hot-air duct.
eStore your records vertically. They should not be compressed.