PS-X9
(november 1977 - 1984)

Sony's unsung masterpiece, arriving too late to defeat Denon and Technics on the pro market. Probably not "esoteric looking" enough either to satisfy the "audiophile & trendy" market and cut sales to Pioneer's Exclusive P3.

Available separately a few months after the PS-X9, the PUA-9 tonearm was specifically designed for the X9 although it clearly was a much upgraded version of the PUA-7. The X9 however had expanded onboard electronics and audio stages, a PLPS power supply, the Magnedisc/XTAL lock system and was delivered with a hand-picked version of the XL-55 MC cart : the XL-55Pro.

The oyster view to the right shows the 38cm aluminum platter and its 6 screws that fasten it to the sub-platter, the mechanical brake (top left) and the two 8-pole heads (top-right). The damping material is the same as on the PS-8750 (1975) and TTS-8000 (1976) ; the brownish magnetic imprint is, unlike on the 8000, safely placed inside the platter (...outside of the inside rim) to avoid damaging it too easily.

The big red screws are for shipping-safety. The manual insists on not powering the X9 without the platter on, otherwise the motor would run at uncontrolled speed and burn itself off - that gives a fair idea of the available torque. The 2 red dots on the left (next to the protection rim of the base) are cue indicators for quick startups (one for each speed) ; the front opening of the base allows the RM-90 wired remote to be hooked up.

Myth has it that there were only fifty PS-X9 ever made but that is myth and myth only - even if not as succesfull as Denon's DP-100M or Pioneer's Exclusive P3a, many X9s found their way into radio stations and in a few audiophiles' rigs. I know of someone who has critically listened to all of the usual suspect (L-07D, DP-100M, Tt 1000, PD-555, SP-10mkIII, EMTs et al) and finally sttled for his own deck on... a PS-X9.

The red badge says "Sony Professional", pointing at the other units of the "9" series: the sadly unproduceed EL-D9 ELcaset, the PUA-9 tonearm, the TA-N9 power amplifier and the planned APM-9. The latter was finally released as APM-8 and thus sort of ended this (never officially mentioned) professional "9" lineup.
The PS-X9 is one of the best LP record player ever made.