Features
| Warranty length | 2 Years |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pro-Ject |
Tech Specs
- Speed: 33, 45, 78 rpm (electronic speed change)
- Principle: Belt drive
- Speed variance: 33: 0.30% 45: 0.25%
- Wow & flutter: 33: 0.15% 45: 0.13%
- Platter: 20mm thick, 1.5 kg heavy acrylic
- Main bearing: stainless steel/brass
- Tonearm: 8,6” carbon/aluminium sandwich
- Effective arm length: 218,5 mm
- Overhang: 18 mm
- Effective tonearm mass: 10,0g
- Tracking force range: 0 - 30mN
- Included accessories: 15volts DC /0,8A power supply, Dust cover, Connect it E Phono cable, feltmat
- Power consumption: 5,0 watts max /< 0.3 watt standby
- Dimensions: 415 x 125 x 335 mm (WxHxD)
- Weight: 7 kg net / 9.5 kg gross weight
Product Description
The Pro-Ject X1 B turntable is an updated model of the excellent X1, adding the benefit of the mini XLR output to provide a balanced output as part of Pro-Ject’s “true balanced” range. This allows you to connect the X1 B to the Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B And DS3B.
X1 B is fitted with an Ortofon cartridge which has been voiced by Pro-Ject and the turntable is available in three finishes - a premium walnut wood veneer featuring real wood or a luxurious black or white eight-layer gloss paint.
Heavyweight structure
The X1 B turntable has a heavy weigh MDF structure. This solid housing contains the sophisticated electronics that is needed for speed control. There is automatic switching between 33 and 45RPM. There is also additional 78rpm support. 78 RPM styli are still available. The motor board delivers stable power to the quiet running motor. Additionally, the motor is decoupled from the plinth using a new motor suspension.
Heavy acrylic platter
The platter is made of a heavy acrylic and is driven via a sub-platter drive system. It is also resistant to resonances and runs on a premium grade main bearing, for a smooth friction free rotation. A heavy plater is important with direct drive motors so that any speed variations are damped out.
New lightweight tonearm design
The X1 B boast a new lightweight super-stiff tonearm. The tonearm is made of a carbon-aluminium sandwich that is light and stiff. It also resists external interference and the one piece design is included to reduce resonances. There are many adjustments available for the audiophile, these include azimuth and VTA adjustments. The counterweight is also damped with TPE.
Included extras
The X1 B comes with a range of cables as well as a Pro-Ject Pick-IT S2 MM cartridge. The cartridge is made by Ortofon but voiced by Pro-Ject, for that unique Pro-Ject sound. The RCA cable is a high-end, Connect-IT E. This cable is semi-balanced and has a low capacitance with superior shielding. There is also an acrylic dust cover as well as sandwich feet for improved isolation.
Experience in design
The X1 B is the result of many years of experience. Pro-ject have a meticulous manufacturing process and innovates to continually improve its products. That is evidenced by the specially selected cartridge as well as the audiophile tonearm and the purpose-designed feet. Not to mention the heavy platter and redesigned motor mount. For the price, this is a remarkably capable turntable.
Balanced connections - how they work
The X1 B now has a balanced output, so a few words on how this works are appropriate. To get the most advantage out of a balanced connection you should upgrade to an MC cartridge, as these have a lower output.
The output of a MM cartridge is only a few millivolts, with MC cartridges being even lower. As a result, a high-gain preamp is needed. This gives plenty of opportunity for noise and hum to be picked up from an unbalanced cable. Most homes have a lot of electrical interference present, everything from household appliances to Wi-Fi signals. All this noise can be picked up and fed into the preamp.
A way of mitigating this is to use balanced cables. These have two sets of wires that have one side inverted. When the signals are recombined at the phono preamp, any noise is cancelled out. This provides a loud and clear signal to the high-gain preamp stages.
