Sony's USB turntable converts records natively to DSD
Sony is courting the "audiophile-curious" with its newest PSH-X500 USB turntable which offers vinyl ripping in hi-res format DSD.
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
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.
- Hi-Res digital output to native DSD 5.6M and the DSD Native AD converter
- Onboard phono equalizer and USB output
- "Hi-Res Audio Recorder" included for editing on Mac or PC
- Includes a 5mm-thick rubber mat