Sony PS-B 80 specifications

Brand : Sony

General

Connections

Tech nical data

Special features

turntables with electronically controlled tonearm were available before and after the PS-B80, but none, perhaps apart from the Sony PS-X 800, were so elaborate and consistent in their implementation. For example, for the first time a truly automatic (electronic) working anti-skating system was used. To calculate the necessary compensation force, not only the preset contact force (also electronically controlled) is used, but sensors also provide values about the position and angular velocity of the tonearm! Also revolutionary is the electronic damping of the tonearm in the vertical and horizontal direction to suppress low-frequency vibrations. This also "incidentally" led to a remarkable insensitivity to shocks and / or shocks. Where there is a lot of light, there is also a lot of shadow. For example, many people feared an increased susceptibility to malfunctions in view of the enormous complexity, and in fact, after more than 30 years, some of the devices have problems with the Biotracerarm. But as long as the central control chip is still "alive", a repair is possible. There are no original spare parts anymore, but you can use the same components from ongoing production. Further information can be found in the Hifi forum. Whether the PS-B80 was intended only as a technology demonstrator must remain open, in any case, he soon got a more reliable, but also simpler and therefore cheaper brother to the side, the Sony PS-X 75. Nowadays, the B80 rarely appears on the market, especially in working condition. The price level in commercial online trading is higher than the new price (converted), in online auction trading it is significantly lower, although prices are also constantly rising here and the purchase is associated with the usual risks.

By the way, Sony explained the name "Biotracer" as follows: "A microcomputer is built into the PS-B80, which acts as the "brain" of the tonearm and allows such a variety of operations that the capabilities of the tonearm seem to resemble those of a human arm. For this reason, Sony has given this tonearm the name "Biotracer"!"

[The images of a device with a later black-painted frame] show

Audio 1/1980 Test Sony record player: "The thinking tonearm"

Hi-Fi stereo 9/1979 "tonearm with memory and feeling" Produced at the Sony turntable PS-B80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lntbqfg7_ko

brand: Sony
model: PS-B80
year of construction: 1978 - 1982
in: Japan
color: silver, rose wood
power consumption: 29 W
dimensions: 500 x 175 x gold plated 430 mm (B x H x T)
approx weight: 15.0 kg net
original price (without sample system): 3'200 DM

outputs: RCA []

drive: directly
control system: magnetic disks-Servo-control system with quartz-reference
Motor: Linear-BNL (brushless and slotless)
speed: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm
high-runtime: 1/4 of a Turn at 33 1/3 rpm
flutter: ± 0.04%, rating according to DIN
rumple-to-noise ratio: 78 dB DIN B
plate: 320 mm Ø Aluminium
mode of operation: fully automatic, manually operated
Pitch:
arm: Biotracer

4-Bit CPU (the one-chip microcomputer) MB8841
fully electronic Biotracer tonearm
feedback system for the suppression of low-frequency resonances
Automatic adjustment of the tonearm balance
Automatic anti-skating compensation
Electronic control and display of the contact force on the front panel
fully-automatic, using Sensors controlled operation
Electronic, from the front panel to operate tonearm lift
Quick repetition, Repetition of certain parts (Memory), the tolerance range of the programmed landing point ± operates 0.5 mm
Automatic setting to all record formats with security automatic tonearm
Linear BNL-Motor (reaches the nominal speed after a quarter of a turn (33 Rpm))
Repeat function, as a Counter (up to 15 repetitions are possible)
pickups-mute when you Lift the tone Arm
separate control of the platter and the Tonearm Cueing possible
Automatic needle cleaning
short-stroke keys for operation when the hood is closed
balance weight to adjust the arm to heavier pickup (z.Bsp.: Sony XL-55 PRO)
Cast housing made of low-resonance SBMC (Sony Bulk Mold Compound)
Height-adjustable gel-filled shock absorber feet
Adjusting template for adjusting the overhang on the back of the turntable support