Updating and Improving a Proven Classic
Pro-Ject's original classic turntable design has been reimagined and lifted to new price/performance heights! In 1991 Pro-Ject started a revolution in hi-fi with the introduction of the Pro-Ject 1 turntable, a new high-end, low budget turntable at a time when CD was king. Against all odds, Pro-Ject was creating interest in analog audio at a time when others in the industry were turning their backs on vinyl.
The success of the Pro-Ject 1 was due to three critical philosophies. It had a simple yet technically correct design, used high-quality premium materials, and was fully handcrafted in the EU by expert engineers. There were no fancy, unnecessary features. It used a strictly manual turntable design, and all of these decisions resulted in unbelievable sound at a fantastic price.
Simply Better in So Many Ways
Resulting from the same philosophy but bringing a host of valuable upgrades, the brand new Pro-Ject X1 is based on the same concept as the P1. But it has been improved in every aspect thanks to modern materials and new production methods.
The chassis of the X1 is better. It is heavier, denser, less resonating, and made of new MDF material. The new platter is better, too – made of non-resonant acrylic. The new motor suspension offers better decoupling of the motor vibrations from the tonearm and chassis. Better motor speed control is the result of the Pro-Ject X1's Electronic Speed Change. A sophisticated DC/AC generator board generates clean and stable power to drive the motor.
Better Tonearm and Included Olympia Cartridge
Speaking of the tonearm, the X1's new tonearm uses a super-stiff, perfectly damped Carbon/Alu sandwich construction. The one-piece design without a separate headshell reduces vibration. The new anti-resonant counterweight with TPE damper also reduces cartridge-tonearm resonance. The aluminum tonearm base offers azimuth and VTA adjustment.
The X1 has a better cartridge, too. Included is a factory-installed Sumiko Olympia Moving Magnet Cartridge. The Olympia brings another level of acoustic refinement to the mix with an upgraded stylus and cantilever assembly, allowing for more dynamic punch and improved frequency response during playback. Due to its improved tracking capabilities, the Olympia is an excellent return on investment and can even be upgraded to the top-of-the-series Moonstone further on down the line by adding a Moonstone stylus.
Better Cable, Too
All Pro-Ject turntables come with a high-quality phono RCA cable. Pro-Ject's Connect-It E is a semi-balanced, low-capacitance cable, with superior shielding. Compared to other digital and analog music sources, the signal coming from a turntable cartridge is very fragile in nature, and cheap RCA cables often do not provide the ideal conditions for getting a phono signal to an amplifier. The Connect-It E is purpose-designed for this exact application.
Putting It All Together
The design of the X1 is carefully tuned to offer the most critical features for the best price, and everything is put together with Pro-Ject's decades-long experience in making the best-performing turntables without blowing the budget.
The massive, CNC-machined MDF chassis is precision made. MDF is two to three times more expensive than standard particle boards (not to mention a plastic chassis), but it sounds and feels way better. The X1's luxurious eight layers of painting and the hand-polished finish are three to four times more expensive than simple wraps.
Sophisticated Motor Design
Inside the X1's chassis is a sophisticated DC/AC generator board. Combined with the convenient speed control board, it delivers clean and stable power to the quiet-running motor. This adds additional cost, but performs many times better than a simple, direct powered AC motor.
For even further improved performance, the motor is decoupled from the main plinth using a new motor suspension system.
More About the Platter and Tonearm
the X1 motor drives a new, heavy, non-resonant, acrylic platter via a sub-platter drive system and a premium grade main bearing for liquid smooth rotation. This is the perfect platform on which to place your precious vinyl records, guaranteeing absolute reliability in its performance and sonic character.
The X1 is also improves upon its predecessors with a super-stiff, perfectly tempered carbon / aluminum sandwich construction tonearm. This new 8.6" tonearm design is incredibly light and stiff, with improved resistance to external interference. Finished as a one-piece, with no resonance-inducing headshell, the X1 includes azimuth and VTA adjustment, offering the flexibility that so many people are asking for, especially in this and even lower price ranges. Included is a TPE-damped counterweight, further reducing cartridge-tonearm resonances.
Better Feet, Too.
The X1 also has better feet than its predecessors. It uses high-quality, height adjustable, isolating aluminum / TPE sandwich feet. These are a very exclusive but necessary feature for properly leveling the turntable and effectively isolating it from the surface it is placed on.
Three Luxurious Finishes
The X1 is available in three finishes: a satin walnut wood veneer, or a luxurious black or white eight-layer high gloss paint.
Product made in Czech Republic.
