Grumpy Old Git
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Posts: 925
I'm Bob.
Sony Biotracer PS-X600 - any good, or a nightmare?
I may have an opportunity to purchase a PS-X600 Biotracer. I'm quite into vintage Japanese TTs (though hopeless technically), and this appeals to me in principle.
But one question is would a properly working one be any good?
Another question is how reliable could I expect the arm control mechanism (and DD) to be?
Does anyone here have one, or have experience of one?
I did find this page - but it paints a very rosy picture . . .
Thanks!
And since we all like pictures . . .
Trade: Wakefield Turntables
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 9,354
I'm Andrew.
im certain that one of the hifi mags recently did a retro session based around this turntable or certainly one like it, I think it was hifi choice.
SS
CD Teac VRDS25X(Audiotuned) DECK 1210 Mat Crystal Audio Mods MN Base/Bearing/Platter+Ebony armboard Feet Isonoe PSU Paul Hynes SR7EHD-27XL/DCSXL Ag DC lead/3 Stage Regs/Recap PCB+No Pitch/Strobe/Light ARM SME V(Kondo Ag Rewire&Tags) MC Cadenza Black FGS CABLES Arm Yannis SPD-4 IC Yannis 222 Litz+Ag bullets Power WAR PRE ATC SCA2 SPEAKERS ATC 50ASL STANDS Atacama PHONO Sugden Masterclass PA4 SUT Ortofon ST80SE POWER PSAudio P10
VALVE
PRE Croft Epoch(Modded) AMP Sondex S100 (Modded) SPEAKERS Tannoy 15"MG+RFC Warwick cabs+ Ref XO + Batpure supertweeters DECK Garrard 301 Mat Teunto Bearings 401(Bastin) Plinth Bamboo Arms 3009/3012 PSU Eagle+Tachometer MC Ag Meister II/FGS + Ortofon SPU MONO CABLES Arm Yannis 420.5 Litz+ SpeakerPC Tripple C+WBT-0681 Ag IC Oyaide FTVS-510 AgWBT 0110Ag Phonostages Paradise(4 Box Mega-Modded) / Croft Musicmaker
Trade: Z:Axis Audio
Location: Mid Sussex
Posts: 143
I'm Paul.
It is indeed a very advanced design, and does produce a very clean sound. I do not own one but have heard several, and have been impressed each time.
Z:Axis Audio
British made Cabling and High End Audio Support Systems and the New 'Symetrica' balanced Power Supply.
UK Distributor for Concert Fidelity Inc Japan & Aidas Audio Phono Cartridges
UK supplier for: Z:Axis Audio; Concert Fidelity
Personal System:
Mains - Symetrica by Z:Axis Audio - A game changer!
CD Transport - Ayon CD-T2
DAC - Ayon Stratos Refrence
TT - Sony TTS 8000 /SAEC WE 506/30 / Aidas MC Cartridges
Phonostage - RCM Audio Theriaa & Sensor2
Pre - Concert Fidelity 080LSX2 & CLS050 Hybrid valve/SS ultra short signal path technology.
Power - Concert Fidelity ZL-200 Mono's.
Loudspeakers - Franco Serblin Ktema.
Support System - Z:Axis Audio Grand Mirage 98.8
Cabling - All our own; Z:Axis B52 Reference, Infinity Reference Digital, Livewire Loudspeaker & Xer0 Power Cabling.
Demonstration sessions welcome by appointment.
Spotify + Facebook Moderator / Chilled-Out Wino and only here for the shilling
Location: Sunny Suffolk, UK
Posts: 16,079
I'm WrappingALilacCurtainAroundMyBobby.
I think Adam Smith (Beobloke) is your man - from memory, he has experience of these, though I could be wrong...
Alex
Main System: Digital: HP Laptop/M2Tech Hiface/Logitech Media Server/FLAC; Marantz SA7001 KI Signature SACD Player and other digital stuff into Gatorised Beresford Caiman DAC Vinyl: Garrard 401/SME 3009 SII Improved/Sumiko HS/Nagaoka MP-30
Amplifier: Rega Brio R. Speakers: Spendor SP1. Cables: Various, mainly Mark Grant. Please see "about me" for the rest of my cr@p! Gallery
A.o.S. on Facebook - A.o.S. on Spotify - A.o.S. on Twitter
There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing Aristotle
Grumpy Old Git
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Posts: 925
I'm Bob.
Thanks for the info, Guys . . .
I'll drop Adam a PM, Alex. . . .
Banned
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,863
I'm Paul.
Like any totaly electronicaly controled source and Japanese finding spares if anything goes wrong could be a nightmare. If you aquire a mint fully working example no reason why it won't work perfectly for years. Like anything you need to hear one to tell if it suits.
Trade: Magazine Journalist
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 3,666
I'm Adam.
Just to say I've replied to Bobs PM to say that Biotracers are great generally. I've not owned a PS-X600 myself but a good friend rates them highly and they're not technically terrifying, despite their reputation, so I'd go for it.
A decent price for a good 'un would be £160-£200 IMHO.
Engineers: fixing problems you didn't know you had in ways you don't understand.
Trade: Magazine Journalist
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 3,666
I'm Adam.
Just to say I've replied to Bobs PM to say that Biotracers are great generally. I've not owned a PS-X600 myself but a good friend rates them highly and they're not technically terrifying, despite their reputation, so I'd go for it.
A decent price for a good 'un would be £160-£200 IMHO.
Engineers: fixing problems you didn't know you had in ways you don't understand.
Grumpy Old Git
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Posts: 925
I'm Bob.
Thanks again Adam - am seriously interested now.
(Am a sucker for gadgets)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote