Brown PS 500

Data[edit]

Semi-automatic precision turntable with 4 speeds, fine speed adjustment and magnetic pickup system

General[edit]

Manufacturer: Braun GmbH
model: PS 500
years of construction: 1968 -1976
Manufactured in: Germany, Kronberg
Color 1:
  • Surface aluminium coloured
  • Housing structure lacquer (ruffle lacquer) anthracite
colour 2:
  • surface black
  • housing structure lacquer (ruffle lacquer) black
Remote control: no
Power consumption:
dimensions: (WxHxD) 43 cm x 17 cm x 32 cm
Weight: 12,6 kg
Price approx.: 750 DM (383.- €) according to 1976 brochure 795 DM with Shure System M75 E Type 2 (1972) 950 DM with JVC CD-4 pickup 4 MLQ-20X (1973)
Produced number of units: 44000

Connections[edit]

Inputs:
  • net

220 V~ / (50 Hz)

Outputs:
  • Magnetic pickup
5 pin DIN socket (180°)

Technical data[edit]

  • Drive: Belt
  • Motor: synchronous motor
  • Speed: 16 2/3; 33 1/3; 45; 78 rpm
  • Speed fine adjustment range: ± 2.5
  • Synchronous noise level: < 0,1 %
  • Rumpelfremdspannungsabstand: >45 dB
  • Rumble noise ratio: > 65 dB
  • Turntable:
  • Operating mode:
  • Pitch:
  • Tonearm: Brown
  • tangential tracking error angle: ± 2°.
  • Pickup:
    • Shure M75MB (as per original owner's manual)
    • Shure M95G
    • Shure M75-6 for shellac records or records with speed 78 rpm. Diamond with type designation Shure N75-3 (Type 3 - colour marking: green)

Special equipment[edit]

Source: Instruction manual Braun PS 500

  • Synchronous motor with stepped shaft
  • friction wheel
  • conical intermediate roller
  • belt drive via drive plate
  • turntable made of cast zinc with 29,6 cm diameter, weight 3 kg
  • Tonearm made of aluminium tube with adjustable tracking force on scale (0,5p ...3p)
  • Hydraulic damped tonearm support
  • Tonearm bearing in precision ball bearings
  • complete balancing by additional weights
  • anti-skating device
  • Automatic limit stop (optionally disengageable)
  • Sprung and hydraulically damped intermediate chassis
  • built-in stroboscope for speed control

File:BRAUN PS500 Stroboscope.JPG

Figure: Stroboscope for speed control. Via mirror system and stroboscope flash the, printed on the underside of the platter grid markings are displayed.

Notes[edit]

More turntables of the same series:

Other models matching the BRAUN PS 500:


Pictures[edit]

800 px

Figure 1: BRAUN PS500 in black / black (c) Author.

800 px

Figure 2: BRAUN PS500 in silver / anthracite (c) author

Reports[edit]

Sources[edit]

Tips for buying used[edit]

1. transport lock 
Removing the transport lock:
For transport protection there are 3 red marked screws under the turntable. These are to be removed and are to be inserted for storage into the 3 holes of the foam rubber insert to the right of the drive plate.
Attaching the transport lock:
For the transport lock the 3 red marked screws under the turntable have to be into the free holes around the drive plate.
300px
Illustration: Braun PS500 securing the subchassis. Red: Screw holes for attaching the transport lock of the subchassis. Green: area of storage of the securing screws
2. 220 V unit on 230/240 V mains:
Device can only be operated with 220 V (50 Hz). In Europe, currently a mains voltage of 230/240 V (50 Hz). This can lead to problems during operation and to a reduction of the service life. Due to the increased mains voltage of 5% (230 V) or 9% (240 V), an increased heating of the increased heating of the drive motor.
Since the speed of the turntable is frequency-dependent (50 Hz), there are no problems here.
3. prices according to collectors catalog 2006 (see above)
Condition A: 150.- € Condition B: 100.- € State C: 50.- €
Ebay (2008) 30.- to 160.- € (condition difficult to define) Is offered very often and is in my opinion for a collector a very worthwhile and optically beautiful device.
A repair is almost always more expensive than a complete unit: * drive belt 10.- € to 20.- € (+postage). * Repairing the plexiglass hood. (glue, abrasive...): ca. 30 € and a lot of time * needle: about 20.- € to 25. - € * scanning system: ca. 50.- € * headshell: 20.- € * Oils, greases for bearings and dampers ... I.e.: A device without headshell and scanning system, which is often offered on Ebay by dealers, is then very quickly around 100, - € more expensive than expected.
4. sound quality'
Private opinion on sound quality

Reader opinions and testimonials[edit]

Tips, testimonials and discussion about the BRAUN PS500 can be found in the discussion section for this article.

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Links[edit]
















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