The Revolution in Turntables Continues
Pro-Ject's new X2 turntable improves upon the excellent X1 with a 9" tonearm, a more massive chassis and acrylic platter, an upgraded motor isolation system and phono cartridge, and much more.
In 1991 Pro-Ject started a revolution in hi-fi when it introduced the Pro-Ject 1, a high-end, low budget turntable at the time when CD was king. Against all odds, Pro-Ject was creating interest in analog audio at a time when many other manufacturers were turning their backs on vinyl. The success of the Pro-Ject was due to three critical philosophies. It had a simple yet technically correct design, used only high-quality materials, and was handcrafted in the EU by expert engineers.
This turntable design possessed all the high-end aspects that took vinyl listening to ultimate heights. But, as is the way in hi-fi, many people still wanted more. They were willing to invest more, too, because of how much they fell in love with their newfound passion. It is hard to improve on such a well performing turntable, and the core engineering of the Pro-Ject 1 and its recent successor, the X1, already was and still is as close to perfect as possible in its price range.
The Highly Evolved X2
Instead of reinventing the wheel with the brand new X2 turntable, Pro-Ject improved on the technologies that had previously been established. The raw materials used in production are of a much higher quality than before, but also more difficult to source. Additionally, the selected components are bigger, heavier, more massive, and more robust for improved performance and even better build quality.
Not many companies are willing to go this extra mile, because it is a hard step to take and needs to very carefully balance cost vs. reward. Making the wrong decisions can quickly lead to diminishing returns. Pro-Ject wanted to lift the X2 to even higher standards than those which is had set with its smaller brother, the X1. The X2 is made for those who take great joy in the fine details, the build-quality, high-grade materials and, of course, enhanced audio performance.
More Mass in The Chassis and Platter
Structurally, the X2 is supported by its large, heavy, dense, and rigid MDF structure, which reduces resonances to almost imperceptible levels. By adding this extra mass, the X2 is even quieter than its predecessors, allowing the vinyl reproduction to become more detailed and precise. The MDF chassis is CNC milled and is a full two-inches thick.
MDF is two to three times more expensive than standard particle board, not to mention a plastic chassis, but MDF sounds and feels way better. Finishing is expert, too. The X2 boasts a luxurious eight layers of painting and, combined with the hand-polished finish, achieves an end result that is three to four times more expensive than simple wraps.
Sophisticated New 9-inch Tonearm
The new X2 tonearm is longer – 9 inches in length – the tube has a wider diameter, and the carbon / aluminum sandwich construction results in better internal damping. This also means that the entire tonearm bearing is upgraded to compensate for the extra mass. The new tonearm is incredibly lightweight and yet rigid. Tracking is more precise, stable, and accurate. The increased mass makes the tonearm an excellent fit for low compliance MC cartridges, too.
The design avoids vibrations caused by a detachable head shell. Finished as a one-piece arm, with no resonance-inducing head shell, the X2 can also be set for azimuth and VTA adjustment, offering the flexibility that so many people are asking for, especially in this and even lower price ranges. The TPE-damped counterweight reduces arm-cartridge resonances by as much as fifty percent. Additionally, the X2 has an aluminum tonearm base rather than a cheap plastic flange for better and better and more rigid fixing to the chassis.
Precision-Tuned and Isolated Motor
Inside its chassis, the X2 houses sophisticated DC/AC generator circuitry. It delivers clean and stable power to the silent motor system. The electronic speed control allows push-button 33/45 rpm speed change and provides precisely regulated, ultimate speed stability.
A good motor is already very quiet. To improve the performance even more, the motor is decoupled from the main plinth using a new motor suspension system. This allows the motor to run with precision, free from outside influences. Remaining vibrations are damped and eliminated, so they are not transmitted to the chassis, platter, and cartridge. The X2 motor chassis is carefully balanced and suspended on a precision tuned TPE belt. In this way, the motor chassis is effectively decoupled from the main plinth for optimal performance. It is free-floating, completely level, and able to operate at the highest performance standards.
Non-resonant Acrylic Platter
For even further improved performance, the X2 motor drives a new, heavy, non-resonant 4.4 lb. 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.
Includes Sumiko Moonstone Phono Cartridge
A turntable like the X2 deserves a phono cartridge that is fully its equal. It comes with a factory-installed Moonstone, an affordable high-performance moving magnet cartridge that utilizes the powerful mechanically-generated electromotive forces of the moving magnet to help give your playback extra punch and convincing realism.
Exceptionally well-balanced and dimensionally dense, the breathtaking dynamics of the Moonstone outperform many comparably priced moving coil cartridges without requiring the huge investment in preamplification. In every respect the Moonstone improves upon the performance of the Ranier MM phono cartridge that comes with the Pro-Ject X1, so this is indeed a nice upgrade.
Better Cable and Better Feet
Included with the X2 is Pro-Ject's Connect-It E – 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 conveying a phono signal to an amplifier. The Connect-It E is purpose-designed for this exact application.
The X2 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.
Four Luxurious Finishes
The X2 is available in four finishes: a premium walnut wood veneer, a luxurious black eight-layer high gloss paint, or black or white eight-layer hand-polished satin paint.
Affordable High-End Performance You Can Trust
The X2 has all the high-end features of modern turntable designs to maximize your listening experience. It is a statement and a counterpoint against other upcoming turntable designs, which go the way of offering more features but less performance.
The X2 is carefully designed to offer the highest quality audiophile features A the best possible price. Due to Pro-Ject's decades-long experience in analog technologies, you can be assured of its quality, because it is hand-assembled by a European-based factory you can trust.
Every effort has been made throughout to avoid cutting corners on cost or sonic ability, while still keeping the price affordable. The end result is a highly engaging, musical turntable. The X2 proves that, since 1991, Pro-Ject's core philosophies remain unchanged, dedicated to making you happy with every vinyl record you take for a spin.
