Sony PSLX350H Stereo Turntable System

My PSLX350H turntable exhibited the same type of erratic speed that previous reviewers have noted. It ran well for about five minutes, but after that period, it was simply impossible to set a constant speed using the "strobodots" no matter how hard or often I tried. It seems pretty obvious that there must be some consistent defect in the motor or the control hardware, at least in examples coming to market in the past couple of months. At the very least, Sony's quality control is extremely disappointing for this model. I've arranged to send my unit back for a refund. The experience makes me yearn for a turntable like my father's old Thorens TD-265, which is still running flawlessly after some 28 years...

I do believe that this turntable is of exceptional quality. The problem? Many complications to recieve a consistant audioplayback of an LP. When I had the inital adjustments correct, when playing an album, it continually needed adjustments. I found that to be aggravating, so I returned it due to frustration.

I found exactly the same situation that the previous reviewer. For two weeks this turntable performed flawlessly, But this passed week I noticed significant variations in speed. I contacted Sony and they notified me that I am eligible for a refurbished replacement, although they currently have none available. They indicated they would contact me with other options once I ship the unit back to them. I am hoping they will refund my money and I'll look elsewhere for a more reliable turntable. I though I got a lemon until I read the previous review.

The Sony LX350 sounds absolutely great, but it has wide variations in speed that result in significant changes in pitch, even within a single 3-minute song. I could actually hear it slowing down and speeding up.

Belt drive turntables are prone to drift, of course. My 25-year-old Dual 506-1 has a strobe that shows speed variations, but they've never been audible. The pitch on the Dual is adjusted by slight changes in belt diameter, and not electronically as on the Sony, yet it's a much more consistent turntable.

That said, when the Sony is holding its own, it really does sound super. I checked the alignment of the pre-mounted cartridge with an old Mobile Fidelity GEO disk and, to my surprise, it was just about spot-on. The cartridge doesn't track warped disks as well as the Ortofon OM-20 that's in the Dual ULM arm, but its sound quality cannot be faulted. Big, full, detailed, spacious, warm but not blurred, etc. All of the typical non-technical, subjective adjectives apply.

Overall, a frustrating, hot/cold experience. I'm going to spend 50% more money and buy the direct-drive Audio-Technica PL-120. Obviously, the Sony and the A-T are coming from the same design team and, presumably, production line. The similarities in detail are unmistakable. The cartridge on the A-T, however, tracks at a whopping 3 grams, so it's a D-J thing. I'll give it a try and replace if I have to.

The Sony PS LX350H is a good entry point into the "retro" world of good sounding vinyl if you're tired of somewhat "mechanical" and less than "open" sounding CD's and other digital formats. This turntable is TOTALLY manual! Cool if you don't mind "tweaking" the 'table every so often. The unit itself is pretty heavy-about 15 pounds-and very solid-what you want for full sounding analog. The pitch control works great once you get the motor adjusted-overlooked in the so called owner's manual. The 33 and 45 motor speed adjustments are on the bottom. The supplied cartridge sounds pretty good-again once you properly align it-another point omitted in the "manual." If you overlook the sparse info in the manual and take your time setting it up you'll be rewarded with a surprisingly good sounding system! If you can get this 'table on sale you won't be disappointed. Don't forget it's not and doesn't pretend to be the equivalent of a Thorens, Music Hall, Rega or other high end unit. The bottom line is this table is a GOOD SOUNDING GOOD DEAL!