One of the Best Affordable Turntables Just Got Way More Appealing

This January, Sony introduced its first new turntables in nearly seven years. There were two models, the PS-LX3BT and the PS-LX5BT, both positioned as successors to the popular PS-LX310BT, which had been around since 2019 (and has now been discontinued).

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Both of these new turntables are nearly identical, in both their minimalist design and their playback capabilities. At the time of their release, Sony claimed that these units were designed to “suit both first-time vinyl listeners and audiophiles.”

Sony

Of the two, the PS-LX3BT is probably the most appealing to those who are vinyl curious and buying their first turntable. It looks and functions similarly, and is a $100 more affordable.

Since January, Sony has been selling the PS-LX3BT for $400. However, as part of the current Prime Day promises, Sony is discounting it by $150. It’s the best Prime Day deal on an entry-level turntable we’ve seen so far.

Sony

Sony’s most affordable turntable

The Sony PS-LX3BT is a fully automatic, belt-drive turntable. This makes it great for first-time turntable owners, as it makes it super easy to use.

Once you place the record, you simply hit the play button, and the turntable does the rest: The tonearm automatically lifts and places the stylus on the record. Then at the end of the record, the tonearm automatically returns to its resting position.

Sony

Sony has made the PS-LX3BT pretty user-friendly in other ways, too. It has its own built-in phono preamplifier (compatible with MM cartridges), so you can connect it directly to a powered speaker system.

It also has useful modern features. Most notably, it’s a Bluetooth turntable, so it can stream vinyl records to the wireless headphones or Bluetooth speakers you already own. (It supports Bluetooth aptX and aptX Adaptive.)

Sony

It’s $150 off

It also has a USB output, allowing you to connect it to your laptop or desktop and digitize your records. This way, you can listen to your vinyl records even when you’re away from your turntable.

The turntable also has electronic speed controls and can play 33⅓- and 45-RPM records.

(For those wondering what the difference is between the PS-LX3BT and its higher-end sibling, the $500 PS-LX5BT, it comes down to a few more premium components. Sony claims the latter has a higher-end cartridge and a gold-plated audio jack.)

Sony

As previously mentioned, Sony is greatly discounting its most entry-level turntable for Prime Day. Normally $400, the Sony PS-LX3BT is currently selling for $250. It’s the most affordable it’s ever been.

The higher-end model, the PS-LX5BT, is also being discounted. Normally $500, it’s on sale for $400.

Sony

Sony PS-LX3BT

• $250 at Sony
  $400 (38% off)
• $250 at Amazon
  $400 (38% off)

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