Sony is courting the "audiophile-curious" with its newest PSH-X500 USB turntable which offers vinyl ripping in hi-res format DSD.
USB turntables have been the bane of audiophiles since their invention. They are typically cheap, plasticky, and can be bettered by non-USB models.
However, Sony is using its "Hi Res" banner to sell its latest PSH-X500 USB turntable, and it does appear to be a step above most of its ilk. First off, it looks good! It's got a low-slung aluminum platter with a sleek rubber mat and an adorable snub-nosed tone-arm. Unlike competitors, the cabinet is made of MDF rather than plastic.
Why is it hi-res? Because you can rip your records in Sony's DSD format natively, which is actually a pretty cool thing. Most onboard solutions limit users to 16-bit/44.1kHz or CD quality. Of course, you'll need a compatible player like the Sony Walkman or other software to playback DSD files.