Home / Audio / Hi-Fi

Sony’s New Affordable Turntable Takes Aim at Aspiring Audiophiles

It’s a turntable that, according to the brand, is designed “to suit both first-time vinyl listeners and audiophiles” alike.

Black Sony turntable on a metal shelf with vinyl records and decorative objects.Sony
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Tucker Bowe

Published

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

At CES 2026 earlier this year, Sony made waves by introducing two turntables: the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT. They were the company’s first new turntables in years.

Both were fairly entry-level turntables, priced at $500 or less, that, according to the brand, were “designed to suit both first-time vinyl listeners and audiophiles.”

While the more entry-level of the two new turntables, the PS-LX3BT, has been available since its announcement, the higher-end model, the PS-LX5BT, was slated for a “Spring 2026” release.

True to its word, it’s now available.

Sony PS-LX5BT

Black Sony turntable with clear dust cover and yellow cartridge on tonearm.
Revealed at CES 2026, Sony’s newest Bluetooth turntable is finally available.
Sony

The PS-LX5BT is the higher-end of Sony’s two new turntables, but it actually shares a lot in common with its more entry-level sibling.

Both look nearly quite alike (aside from the gray and black finishes) and have built-in Bluetooth, with support for aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs, letting you stream your vinyl records to a wireless speaker or a pair of wireless headphones.

They also each have USB output, allowing you to digitize your vinyl collection when connected to a computer.

Person holding vinyl records next to a beige cabinet with a turntable and lamp near a window.
The Sony PS-LX5BT is a relatively affordable turntable that supports Bluetooth streaming.
Sony

Vinyl, made easy

Additionally, both the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT support 33⅓ and 45 RPM records. And they have wired connections, so they can be integrated into a more traditional hi-fi system, connected to an integrated amplifier and paired with a set of passive speakers.

Maybe most notably, both are fully automatic, belt-drive turntables. This means after placing the record, you press play and the turntable does the rest of the work for you: dropping the needle at the start and then returning the tonearm to its perch when the record ends.

Essentially, it makes listening to vinyl simple.

Black Sony turntable with platter, dust cover, power adapter, RCA cables, and two small black adapters on a white background.
The PS-LX5BT is a belt-drive turntable with a (switchable) built-in phono preamplifier.
Sony

But the PS-LX5BT is positioned as the higher-end of the two new turntables. According to Sony, it introduces “premium refinements that enhance precise audio performance.”

These refinements include a more rigid one-piece body and an elevated aluminum tonearm, both of which are designed to suppress unwanted vibration and preserve audio purity. 

But the biggest difference between the two is that the PS-LX5BT comes with a higher-grade moving magnetic cartridge that promises more accurate audio with a wider (or more immersive) soundstage.

These upgrades come with a $100 premium.

Black Sony bookshelf speakers and a turntable with a dust cover on a brown cabinet with vinyl records and an amplifier.
The Sony PS-LX5BT costs $100 more than Sony’s other new turntable, the PS-LX3BT.
Sony

Availability and pricing

The Sony PS-LX5BT is available now from Sony and other authorized dealers. The turntable costs $500.

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google
,