Feature-Packed Turntable with Electronic Speed Change, Sumiko Rainier Cartridge, and More
The X1 B turntable is a feature packed turntable from Pro-Ject that's designed with high performance in mind. It includes electronic speed change, an advanced tonearm, a high-mass 3.3 lb., 0.78"-thick resonance-free acrylic record platter, and much more.
This version of the X1 B comes with a Sumiko Rainier moving magnet phono cartridge, factory installed. So, you can start enjoying your turntable right away.
"Pro-Ject is Really, Really Onto Something Here"
"We all have different itches that need scratching with our systems and this one scratches mine in a way that would probably set my leg spasming," reports Ed Selley, avforums.com, April 13, 2023. "I love vinyl as a medium and have done for over twenty years but I’ve been engaged in a - not inconsequentially expensive - war with noise for most of that time. The X1B and S3B [phono preamp] arrive like a sort of cheat code; by using different rules they do things that are normally the preserve of the high end. Pro-Ject is really, really onto something here."
High-End Tonearm
The X1 B uses a two-layer, 8.6" carbon / aluminum tonearm for both maximum rigidity and optimal armtube damping. The ultra-low-friction four-pinpoint tonearm bearing guarantees precise, stable, and accurate tracking. The one-piece design resists vibration and eliminates the extra break in the signal caused by a detachable headshell.
Tonearm height can be continuously adjusted by loosening and retightening two screws, allowing for use of your preferred turntable mat and / or for any phono cartridge that strikes your fancy. Experimenting with VTA and azimuth settings is recommended when it comes to fine-tuning cartridge positioning to optimize the sound quality.
The tonearm is an excellent fit for modern high-performance cartridges like the included Sumiko Rainier. The TPE-damped counterweight reduces arm / cartridge resonance by as much as 50%, further illustrating how X1 B is designed for anyone who prioritizes the sound of their vinyl.
Upgradeable Sumiko Rainier Phono Cartridge
The included Sumiko Rainier is high-value moving magnet design in Sumiko's Oyster cartridge series and has great synergy with the majority of moving magnet phono stages on the market, including preamps built into amplifiers and receivers.
Rainier achieves even-handed, honest, rich and full sonics with no sacrifice in detail retrieval. This is done through resonance control, which delivers the sonic signature of Sumiko's latest Oyster cartridges that have taken the world by storm. Consistent with Pro-Ject's advocacy for a hands-on experience for the listener, Rainier leaves plenty of room for those what want to take it a step further. Olympia and the famous Moonstone stylus upgrades are easily installed in the place of Rainier's stylus, providing increasingly wide frequency responses via reductions in the moving mass of the cantilever assembly.
Quiet Motor and Stable Speed
The X1 B's motor is ultra-quiet. To further enhance its performance, Pro-Ject designed a suspension for additional isolation. This allows the motor to run stably and isolates it from outside influences. Vibration is damped and eliminated, rather than being transferred to the chassis, platter, or cartridge.
The motor chassis is carefully balanced and suspended on a precision-tuned TPE belt. In this way, the motor chassis itself is decoupled from the main plinth for optimal performance. It is free-floating and horizontally level. The playback speeds are electronically controlled by a sophisticated DC / AC generator that guarantees the most accurate and stable rotation. Change between speeds easily with the push of a button.
With the supplied flat belt you can switch between 33-1/3 rpm and 45 rpm. With the included round belt, you can toggle between 45 rpm and 78 rpm. Remember that 78 rpm discs require a 78-specific stylus that has a larger profile than conventional styli for 33-1/3 rpm and 45 rpm, such as Sumiko's RS 78 stylus (optional, sold separately).
Massive Chassis, Perfect Platform
Structurally, the X1 B is supported by a large and heavy MDF chassis that reduces unwanted resonance to a nearly imperceptible level. Due to its mass, X1 B enables vinyl reproduction to be more detailed and precise. The plinth stands on height-adjustable, TPE-damped aluminum feet for precise leveling and optimal isolation.
The X1 B's MDF plinth is coated with eight layers of paint and polished by hand to achieve a beautiful finish. The new X1 B is entirely handmade in Europe using only premium materials that meet the highest standards in quality.
Mini XLR and RCA Outputs
The X1 B offers both an RCA phono output and a 5-pin mini XLR output, giving you great flexibility when pairing it with a quality cable. Pro-Ject makes pairing easy by including Pro-Ject's high-quality Connect it E RCA / ground phono cable set, which is semi-balanced, low in capacitance and thoroughly shielded.