My First Turntable: Sony PS-LX150H

I found my first turntable while cleaning house today.

In 1996 I purchased this turntable from Best Buy, a Sony PS-LX150H for $100. Best Buy was the only place I could think to shop for a turntable as my hometown did not have a hi-fi store. The Sony turntable was the only one they offered for sale so I went for it.

I needed a turntable because I had stumbled into the world of punk rock and started buying 7 inch releases but had nothing to play them on. Also, in the 90’s, you could buy a full length LP by your favorite band for less than what the CD cost. I was in college at the time with very little money to my name so buying music inexpensively was key as was finding a turntable that wouldn’t break the bank to play them on.

This turntable is by no means a high end model but it holds a special place for me. I remember having to assemble before first playing, finding the belt and keeping pinched through the large side hole on the platter then placing the platter down to set the belt for proper spinning.

This Sony model is all plastic, outside of the platter, and very lightweight. I’ve used it for parts over the years so now it’s missing the mat and one hinge for the cover to open and close properly.

I’ve moved on to higher end turntables in adulthood but finding this today brought back great memories. This turntable survived multiple moves from home to college, then to three apartments,  post college and finally two homes purchased since.

What was the first turntable you owned?