Sony PS-X600 Biotracer

Sony's Biotracer system used electromagnetic servos to control tonearm damping, tracking force and anti-skate in real time, mounted on a quartz direct-drive chassis. Clever and effective, though the electronics demand careful servicing today.

Peak late-70s Sony ambition — a computer-servo tonearm decades before its time.

Who it suits

Best suited to: buyers comfortable assessing used condition and budgeting for servicing (drive mechanism, bearing, stylus). Less ideal for: a no-hassle purchase with a manufacturer warranty — buy a current model instead.

Good to know

• No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
• Fully automatic: the arm cues itself and returns at the end of the side.
• This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history — for this drive type, check servo lock, speed stability and motor noise (no belt to check on a direct-drive deck), plus the stylus regardless.

Specifications

Where to buy the Sony PS-X600 Biotracer

2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.

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