Sony PS-3300 turntable

Sony unveils the PS-3300, a $200 direct-drive turntable that's semi-automatic. So the contest between our PS-3300 and their vaunted PL-510 is really no contest. Because in the crassest terms, we give you more ;an automatic arm return and a reject button. And that's a substantial difference, for no difference in price. What's more, we didn't shave anything to make it possible.

 

The PS-3300 has a finely crafted direct drive system with a brushless and slotless DC servo-controlled motor.

The PS-3300 innovates with a speed monitoring system that state troopers would love to get their hands on; an electronic process using an 8-pole megnetic pick-up head and a pulse coated platter rim. Plus there's independent fine speed adjustments, a tonearm that's so sensitive it's almost neurotic, and so on.

And to see the attention to detail that Sony stands for, note what the PS-3300 stands on. Bell-shaped rubber feet that are specially constructed to prevent both acoustic and mechanical feedback (When it comes to feedback, we put our feet down)

They absorb vibrations - whether from footsteps bouncing on the floor or sound waves bouncing off the wall. Otherwise, these vibrations would be transferred to the stylus, amplified, and be transffered back to the stylus - creating a vicious cycle.

If you're wondering how we managed to do this - how our semi-automatic shot down their high-flying manual - our response is a brief one.

Sony relied on its engineers.

 

Specifications

Turntable

Platter:  308 mm (12-1/8") Aluminum alloy diecast

Motor:  DC Servo-Controlled Brushless Motor

Drive System:  Direct-drive

Speeds:  33-⅓ and 45 rpm

Wow and Flutter:  0,04% WRMS

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:  65 dB (DIN-B)
tonearm

Type:  Statically balanced, universal

Pivot-to-Stylus Length:  216,5 mm (8-5/8")

Overhang:  16,5 mm (21/32")

Tracking Force Adjustment Range:  0 - 3 g

Shell Weight:  7,5 g

Cartridge Weight Range:  4 - 10 g

General

Power Requirements:  120 V 60 Hz (USA, Canada)

Power Consumption:  6W

Dimensions (W x H x D):  455 x 153 x 352 mm (18"x 6" x 13-7/8")

Weight:  8,0 kg (17 lb 11 oz)