Pro-Ject

Pro-Ject has released a flurry of new and improved models including the XA B acrylic turntable at $1499, an updated version of the Debut Carbon Evo called the Debut Evo 2 at $799, an updated version of the Debut Pro called the Debut Pro B at $1099, and three new T1 models called T1 Evo coming in at $449, $499 (with built-in phono preamplifier), and $599 (with bluetooth capability).

The XA B is a stunning acrylic plinth turntable with a new 10-inch aluminum tonearm and a Pick It Pro B balanced moving magnet phono cartridge pre-installed. Since both the XA B and the cartridge are true balanced devices, all one needs to achieve the superior performance of balanced signal output is a phono preamplifier with balanced inputs. A roundup of its features is as follows:

• Premium 10? one-piece aluminum tonearm
• Pre-installed Pick it Pro Balanced moving magnet cartridge
• Adjustable VTA & azimuth
• Adaptive anti-skating mechanism
• Cardanic ultra-low-friction 4-pinpoint tonearm bearing
• Precision 1.7kg aluminum platter with TPE damping
• Acoustically inert, transparent acrylic chassis
• Electronic speed regulation and speed change
• Precision main bearing assembly with very tight 0.001mm tolerance
• Stainless steel axle in soft brass bushing
• TPE-damped counterweight to minimize resonances
• Special TPE-damped height-adjustable metal feet
• Record Puck E included

The Debut Evo 2 is an update to the world class Debut Carbon Evo. It now features a more solid plinth, a better tonearm bearing assembly, a new machined aluminum platter, and improved motor isolation. To get into more detail on some of the upgrades:

The tonearm pivot assembly might look familiar. It now uses the same bearing block as the Debut PRO B. The additional mass draws unwanted resonance away from the arm tube and cartridge. It also provides a more stable anchor for the tonearm's pivot. The anti-skating scale is now attached to the bearing block, making it quite a bit easier to work with. They've reduce resonance to an even greater degree with a TPE-damped counterweight. These improvements, along with the carbon fiber arm tube and ABEC 7 ball/race bearing provide effortless tracking with no friction, allowing all of the micro-detail to come through.

The improved platter is another implementation that comes courtesy of the Debut PRO B and XA B turntables. This has quickly become one of their favorite record platters. At 3.75 lbs in weight, the platter is CNC-machined from aluminum. Additional machining is applied in the final precision-balancing process to ascertain the platter is completely steady and even as it rotates. To eliminate any potential for unwanted resonance created by the metal material, they've machined a ridge into the underside of the platter and filled it with TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). This mutes any potential ringing effect. Adding the cutout and TPE to the periphery of the platter also enhances the flywheel effect, increasing rotational stability. Last but certainly not least, the use of aluminum instead of steel for the platter improves compatibility with any and all moving coil phono cartridges. Since MC cartridges use much stronger magnets than moving magnet cartridges, some MCs had potential for magnetic interaction with the steel platter supplied with the Debut Carbon EVO. That issue is now moot.

The Debut Pro B is an updated version of the previous Debut Pro that adds a balanced output and the balanced Pick It Pro B moving magnet cartridge. Other aspects of this model remain the same. Just plug it into any preamplifier or phono preamplifier with balanced inputs to achieve the superior dynamics and lower noise of a true balanced connection.

The new T1 series called T1 Evo has three models, the T1 Evo , the T1 Evo Phono with a built-in phono preamplifier, and the T1 Evo BT with the ability to connect to your audio system with bluetooth. These now feature a pre-mounted Ortofon OM10 cartridge, an improved plinth, an improved sub-platter and a super cool glass platter.