This Sony player will convert your vinyls to digital audio files, but is it worth the price?
I’ve been on this vintage tech trend before.
Image by Cybernews
- Sony’s PS-LX3BT turntable offers Bluetooth playback and includes conversion for turning vinyl records into digital audio files.
- It's easy to assemble and use, with good sound quality on both new and older records.
- The player supports 7-inch and 12-inch records.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Sony has released several upgraded vinyl players this year, including the PS-LX3BT model, but its price kept me from replacing my old Audio-Technica turntable.
Years ago, I received a souvenir from Italy, which was a vinyl record. This was enough for me to want a turntable, a device that was making a comeback at the time.
So I got one as a gift. Because of this, I didn’t think much about its features or sound quality.
Recently, as I unpacked a box containing a Sony PS-LX3BT turntable, released this year, I glanced at my Audio-Technica vinyl player, which has been collecting dust for a while.
Not knowing much about vinyl players, I thought about whether this particular Sony turntable would bring back the joy of changing tunes and not being able to skip a song or pause a beat whenever I feel like it.
Setting up the Sony PS-LX3BT turntable
To use the player, I first needed to assemble it. Since this wasn’t my first time setting up such a device, it wasn’t as confusing as it might have been.
Don’t worry if you got one and have no idea how to put it together – Sony also includes written instructions.
But all I had to do was add an aluminum platter to the player, hook up a rubber belt, and put a slip mat on top. I also needed to add the plastic dust cover, which isn’t strictly necessary but does protect the device.
As someone who doesn’t like extra cables, I wasn’t very happy to see that the device not only includes a power cord but also a pre-attached audio cable and a built-in phono equalizer for various setups.
I do realize it provides better sound quality, but since I use Bluetooth, the cables seem useless to me.
How to use the Sony PS-LX3BT turntable?
Playing vinyls on a Sony player is quite simple once you set everything up. In my case, it only required pairing the device with a speaker. I made sure my Marshall Action III speaker was on, pressed the “Bluetooth pairing” button on the turntable, and waited for it to pair.
After that, I was eager to try it out, so I put my favorite record in and pressed the “Start” button to move the tonearm and play the music.
Having some prior experience, I also made sure to remove the plastic cover over the needle before playing my tunes.
The device’s design is pretty minimalistic, with only the necessary buttons to start and to stop the record player.
What I’ve noticed is that it’s 10 centimeters larger than my Audio-Technica player, measuring around 43 centimeters. If you have a specific place in mind for your player, it might be smart to measure it beforehand.
The device supports 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl sizes. While I only have 12-inch vinyls, I decided to see how it plays new records and the older ones I found in my grandparents' basement and at flea markets.
Despite some saying that wired speakers provide better sound quality, I was happy with how the turntable paired with my Marshall speaker via Bluetooth.
What I also noticed is that when I used to play tunes on my Audio-Technica player, you could hear the record from both the player and the speaker, while the Sony turntable didn’t provide this “double” sound.
The player also has one useful feature I didn’t try myself: it allows you to convert vinyls into digital audio files via a USB output.
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Sony PS-LX3BT turntable: Is it worth it?
If you’re a beginner like me, the Sony PS-LX3BT turntable should be easy and simple to set up and use.
The device features a minimalist design and can play both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyls. It delivers great sound quality with both new and older records. It also works great when paired with a speaker through Bluetooth.
However, since I’m not a big fan of cables, I wasn’t happy to see additional cords that I couldn’t remove.
Another thing to consider is price, which for this specific player is around $400. But it’s possible to find the same Sony turntable for cheaper in retail stores.
At least in my case, the price was a breaking point. It’s made me dust off my old Audio-Technica turntable and play it until it no longer works.
Pros and cons of the Sony PS-LX3BT turntable
