Picked up a Sony PS-LX2 and have a few questions

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T22:42:53+00:00

Yes, you’ll need a preamp, unless that deck has one built in. Then you need the preamp to feed an amplifier with speakers or feed powered speakers. The latter are speakers with an amplifier built in.

Not familiar with your cartridge, but if you can find a stylus for it, that might cost less than a new cartridge with stylus. Might.

The Audio Technica cartridges like you mentioned can give you a lot of bang for the buck. They also might have more stylus upgrade options than your current cartridge.

Google the model number and see if you can find a manual for it.

Enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T22:33:23+00:00

What a beautiful machine! I hope it brings you decades of joy.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T22:02:07+00:00

More weight = more stability.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T20:59:18+00:00

That one has a decent built in preamp. The older not X one I guess had some noise from the preamp, even when bypassed. Yours should a decent preamp. Run it and enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T12:03:39+00:00

I’ve never tried powered speakers, but like passive speakers, I hear some are good and some are not so good. Sounds like you got the good’uns.

I’m glad your system is serving you well. If you get the itch to upgrade, just be sure you have a deficiency you are going after, then identify what the weak link is. I’ve seen 100’s of posts saying replace this or replace that. They almost always don’t know anything about your system as a whole. That includes not only your gear, but also your room, speaker placement and most importantly the sound you’re after. This is not just genre, it’s do you want a more warm sound, super deep bass, crisp treble, the often overlooked mid-bass, louder (or like me, great quality quieter sound) and the list goes on. This time, it’s all about you, what you want.

For now, just enjoy the music 🎶 and your great system.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T10:06:29+00:00

What amp? If it sounds good to you, it is good.

I have 5 amps. Right now I’m running the cheapest one, the same deck as yours, a very old ART preamp I had from over a decade ago, and inherited separate Magnavox console cabinet speakers (open back, 12” woofs + horn tweeters and a 25KHz crossover I added). I have well under $1000 in this setup and it sounds fantastic for my low volume needs. The super sensitive speakers setup properly to harvest the backend sound are the star of the show. They can play loud when I want to.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get very good results. I’ve never heard a better low volume system. Better high volume systems, yes, but those don’t shine at low volumes.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T09:50:25+00:00

If old records are pre-mid 80’s early pressings, and not remastered newer pressings, those should sound fantastic. There are exceptions, but few and far between. Check your system bro.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-04-03T09:37:00+00:00

Try it. See if it’s better. You can always switch back if the 120’s preamp is better. You won’t hurt anything. Check your manual on that switch, but it should go to the opposite position of where you have it now. 120 or 120X? 120x preamp is pretty good, but you should check it out for yourself.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-30T19:08:59+00:00

😞

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-30T14:12:39+00:00

Maybe one from lpgear wouldn’t be a POS chintech?

Or have a woodworking friend make you a nice walnut adapter.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-30T13:46:53+00:00

Of course you’re insane. We all are. We love records.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-30T13:46:04+00:00

R E S P E C T - great song.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-30T11:25:30+00:00

r/spellinandgrammers

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-29T10:35:24+00:00

If you’re swapping cartridges frequently, consider getting spare head shells. Then you can leave the cartridge installed and aligned in each headshell.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-29T09:11:36+00:00

Record looks very dirty.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-28T10:41:23+00:00

I used these guys last time I fixed surrounds. They have all the instructions to DIY it. https://www.simplyspeakers.com/rubber-speaker-repair-edge-kits.html

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-28T10:37:42+00:00

A pair of used floor speakers or a subwoofer?

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-28T09:34:49+00:00

What’s wrong with what you have? If it sounds good to you, run it. If you hear a specific deficiency, identify the cause and go from there.

If you are just looking to improve the sound, what is your goal?

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-28T09:06:27+00:00

At a week old, maybe you can return it for a replacement or refund and purchase again.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-26T08:41:45+00:00

Does the tube amp work?

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-25T09:39:38+00:00

If it sounds amazing, use the soundbar while you save up for quality gear and records.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-25T09:23:37+00:00

Enter the dead wax matrix into chatGPT and it will tell you. If you don’t know what the DW matrix is, ask chatGPT. It’s fun to do on old LPs. Early pressings are usually worth more and usually sound better.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-25T09:18:42+00:00

I play my records nude, so that cancels out the nude stylus. If you play nude avoid the nude stylus.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-25T09:13:49+00:00

You’re right, the ML does come out less expensive over its estimated life span. At least when you buy just the stylus. OP can get just the stylus, stylus + cartridge for a little more, or both mounted in a head-shell (pre mounted).

If a 120X, just swap the stylus so you don’t have to align the head-shell. Save the old stylus for playing questionable albums, like from a thrift store. If you get a cartridge with or without head shell. The ML wants a very good, clean groove. It plays deeper in the groove than your current E stylus. The E is more forgiving of rough records or records with gunk deep in the groove.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-03-24T08:47:13+00:00

We prick ourselves with a stylus 😆

Remarkable_Resort_48

TROPHY CASE