Pro-Ject turntables

I run Clearaudio, Technics, Rega and Project tables. Each one tells you something different about your records. I have a new Pro-ject Essential2 for my small system and I am very impressed. I upgraded the cartridge tip to an OM20 and it sound very good for $500 plus tax.

Thanks Dayglow for your input. That sounds good. And thanks Kiko65 for the advice. I will take all of this into consideration. Right now, I'm content with the Technics, but there has to be better, true? Another brand I've been eyeing is Clearaudio, but that is more expensive. Worth it?

Dave72-I demoed a 9.1 several years ago when I was getting ready to jump back into vinyl and it sounded better(not as thin) then the entry level Rega's(P3/5)at the time. Can't remember what cartridge was used but it was relaxed yet focused.

Ok, thanks for all the recommendations. My current 'table is the Technics 1210M5G and I might want to upgrade in the future. That RM 9.2 looks good, so I'll see if I can get an audition around here...I just wanted to make sure the quality was up to snuff.

I wonder what kind of table Notec owns?

Back to the post:

Dave,
I've owned more than 15 tables in my 25+ years as a vinyl aficionado. In 25 years I have learned two things:

1. You don't have to spend lots of money to get it right.
2. Like a new car, you will end up trading, selling, or modifying your table/cart a few times before you get "the sound you're looking for" right.

I remember I owned a Pro-ject RPM 6.1 SB for about 2 years with great results. Bought it second hand for about $600.00. Great table for the money!

4.25 kg platter, brass record puck, inverted main bearing with ceramic thust-pad, integrated speed box, gold plated RCA phono sockets, 9"C carbon fibre tone-arm, even 78 speed switchable. It performed extremely well paired with a DV 10X5 and DV P-75 and gave me 2 years of happiness until the trade bug hit me.....again.

Now I'm a big fan of Rega new tables, specifically the RP3 which I find to be the "best bang for the buck" at $895.00 and with an upgradeable path.

Rega's philosophy of light and rigid makes a lot of sense. Always decent tables but now with the new double brace technology, 24V motor, and RB303 tone-arm it's (IMHO) in another league of its own.

I currently own a heavily modified RB3 that now its closer to RP8 standards and I can tell you that I have never been so happy with ANY other set-up, including the late and rather expensive Linn Sondek/Ekos/Akiva/Lingo/Linto.

There are MANY tables out there. Ultimately it boils down to taste and synergy.

Happy listening!

The 9.2 was blown up in a Jason Statham movie so I give it points for that.

But the Xtension 10 has Pro-Ject's outboard, upgraded power supply built in. So what if that's powered by a wallwart?

The RM 9.2 appears to offer the best price/performance ratio. The 10.1 and Xtension models offer a plinth which might create added vibrations/colorations even with the added mass. I was considering a Xtension 10 but using a wallwart as a power supply was a deal breaker(for me) for a $3k table.

I believe Pro-Ject falls under the Sumiko umbrella.
Vienna Acoustics, the Pear cartridge, Sonus Faber, all good stuff.
I use a Pro-Ject Wood with a Lyra Helikon and a Pro-Ject tube phono preamp right now and this combo is hard to beat for the money I have invested.
Notec could not be more wrong. Pro-Ject has manufactured some great analog gear in the past and from what I see lately looks like they still do.

Message to Sumiko: Please send Shubert a 10.1, and also send one to me, and we will say nice things about it so you'll sell more of them...a "win win" I say...

As usual I agree with the Wolf, my rich buddy just bought a 10.1, haven't heard it yet but that is a baaad looking TT !

Per Notec...
"Anything sold as "Analog Gear" on sites like Music Direct and their ilk are a good indicator of mass produced low quality TT that should be avoided."....

Wow, even the Avid tables that Music Direct sells are to be avoided? Because they handle these too along with VPI and all the other brands you site. Its amusing that you do not think the 26K Acutus SP is not Hi-Fi? I am curious at what price speakers and amps must start at to be considered real Hi-Fi in your world.

To the OP...The Pro-ject tables sound very good for the money and they put together some very attractive table/cartridge packages. The Carbon with an Ortofon 2M Red is an outstanding entry level table. Since you don't site budget and ask which one to get, I normally don't recommend what I have, but if 1K is doable, I suggest you check out the Pro-ject RM5.1 SE. Its comes with a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 high output MC cartridge that is a $400 cartridge if purchased separately. The 9CC tonearm this table comes with is a $700 stand alone item. In fact, Oracle uses this tonearm on their 5K Paris model and I understand that Linn uses this same arm of some of their tables too. While all good, I really believe the RM5.1 SE is the best value in the Pro-ject lineup. Hope some of this helps.

I would like to find one of those 10.1s if only because it looks so dangerous, but my Linn Basik/Akito rig keeps chugging along...Sumiko Pearl, replaced/upgraded tonearm cable (rat bites in the original...seriously). I recently cleaned the dustcover with Windex...is that considered an upgrade? I use the table with the dustcover off, so the smudges only have an impact on the table when it's not running. I think this phenomena is technically known as "visual smudging."

Just purchased the Debut Carbon. It is a great sounding TT in it's price category. I agree with others to upgrade the cartridge and also get the acrylic platter.

Sorry Notec, but you are dead wrong. One can put together a very satisfying system with ANY of the tables you so casually dismiss. Have you ever even heard them? I notice that you say you can do "much Better" but then don't list any alternatives.

I was interested in Pro-Ject turntables...are they as good as the reviews say? And which model is the one to get? IT COULD BE THE LESS EXPENSIVE ONE, no problem.

Notec; so what then is your advice if all the under-$1000 TTs are crap? And at what level does a turntable newbie start at?

I had a used Xpression mk i it was good for $300.00 but there are much better out there like VPI

Pro-ject; Rega; Marantz; Music Hall and VPI (i.e. Traveler etc) are below Hi-Fi entry level TT's that are a pure waste of money.

Anything sold as "Analog Gear" on sites like Music Direct and their ilk are a good indicator of mass produced low quality TT that should be avoided.

You can do much better...

I agree with the other responses with one caveat ... stay away from the USB option. They have a built-in phono pre-amp which is unreliable beyond the warranty period and cannot easily be by-passed.

Funny; this is the 3rd thread regarding Pro-Ject turntables in a week. I totally agree with Wescoman, the Debut Carbon is the model to buy since it performs as well as TTs at a much higher price.

It comes with a good tonearm and an Ortofon Red cart. And to take it to a higher level, follow Wescoman's advice and upgrade the cartridge.

Yes, Pro-Ject turntables sound quite good. My suggestion would be to consider the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Depending on where you buy, you can get demo models for $299. As you go up the Pro-Ject line, you'll find that much of what changes is cosmetic. Spend the savings you generate on the table and fit it with a nice cartridge. Personally, I purchased a demo Pro-Ject Debut Carbon and fitted it with an Ortofon 2M Black MM cartridge. Sweet. Good luck.

I think the Pro-ject turntables sound very good. I have heard the Extension 12 at length and thought it was a great price performer. A friend purchased one and used an Ortoform arm in a Shindo/Devore system with excellent results.