Linear Tracking Turntables

Interesting to see a reference to the Sony PS-X800 after all these years. I bought one new many many years ago and still have it stored in my basement. I haven't used it in a long time. Something went wrong with the arm control mechanism. A minor problem, I'm sure. When the arm is activated it scans across the record cued up until it reaches the inner groove position and then turns itself off, returning to the arm rest. You can still play a record. You just have to interrupt it during that initial movement, move the arm back to the beginning of the record and cue it to the leadin groove. Then it will play the record just fine.

It was the table that replaced my Rabco Linear tracking table after an unfortunate accident damaged the arm.

Somewhat OT... I recently acquired another early-1980s Japanese linear-tracking flagship - the Diatone LT-1 - and spent part of the Christmas-to-New-Year's period listening to it. Very nice and stable sound. I had a Denon 103R and an older Lukaschek PP-1 running but no isolation, and a slightly dodgy-looking original platter mat so things can improve I am sure. The whole thing was paired with an EAR 859 driving Altec Model 19s. I was in toe-tapping heaven.

The arm adjustments were anything but intuitive when compared with the Yamaha PX-series tables, and my Yamaha PX-1 has the ability to control motor pitch more easily, but given that the table/arm setup ran me <$800, I was very pleasantly surprised - very tough to beat that these days for the same money...

The Phase Linear table was outstanding. Great arm, a completely different animal then the one that Pioneer used. The linear tracking does make the turntable easy to set up and of course eliminates the anti skate debate, but that doesn't mean it is a better sounding table.
Now that the Yamaha is dead, you should find a good turnable that you can easily change arms with. Personally I use a Dual 1229 with a Grace 747. I love, but changing the arm is a drag. Thorens TD-124 is spectactular in this regard. Great (possibly the best) platform and those arm boards are a snap to remove and change tonearms with. You will have greater flexiblity with a pivot arm table. My two cents.

Willster, I am looking for a backup for my PSx555es. Would like to sell the psx800?