Pro-Ject Announces E1 Series Of Lower Cost Turntables
All Image Credit: Pro-Ject
The growth of vinyl continues to accelerate and it would appear that the public can’t get enough of it as vinyl sales outstrip CD’s. Even pressing plants are having difficulty keeping up with demand causing vinyl releases to be delayed.
European Pro-Ject Audio Systems (in the USA: Sumiko and Pro-Ject USA), have just announced a tempting new range of turntables. Designed and manufactured in Europe, the E1 Series appear to be specifically aimed at the vinyl newcomer and may well tempt vinyl on-lookers who haven’t taken the vinyl “leap” yet, with a very cost effective quality product having a terrific range of options. This new E1 Series of belt driven turntables are aimed at those on a limited vinyl budget and it doesn’t matter wether you are a beginner, returnee or experienced vinyl fan, the E1 won’t disappoint. This E1 series is Plug & Play and comes ready to go having been setup by the experienced technicians at the factory, including pre-adjusted tracking force and anti-skating. Just connect it to your favorite amplifier, either phono or line input, or stream your vinyl wirelessly to your Bluetooth speakers, headphones or amplifier.
The E1 comes in three flavors to fit all needs:
- E1 – Base model with hard-wired phono level output
- E1 Phono – Base model with built-in phono pre-amplifier that can be bypassed if required
- E1 BT – The E1 Phono plus a switchable Bluetooth 5.0 transmitter for wireless playback
Featuring a CNC-machined solid MDF plinth that is carefully manufactured to be void free, these E1 turntables feature a true sub-platter design with a strengthened, low-mass, low-resonance ABS Polymer main platter resting on a high-density resin sub-platter. The all important turntable spindle is made from polished stainless steel rotating in a low-friction brass-bearing assembly that is mounted directly into the plinth.
All three versions use the same moving magnet (MM) Ortofon OM 5e cartridge that is fully aligned and mounted into a matched, lightweight and low-friction 8.6″ aluminum tonearm.
Completing the E1 collection a precision DC motor, with electronic speed control, supports speed selections of both 33 and 45 RPM.
All three models are available in high gloss black, satin white or satin walnut finishes and come with a hinged and detachable acrylic dust cover.
General Features & Specifications:
E1, E1 Phono, E1 BT
- Low-mass tonearm & headshell design
- Low-resonance ABS polymer main platter
- Damped DC motor
- Electronic speed change
- Preset VTF and anti-skate compensation
- Factory-aligned Ortofon OM 5e cartridge
- Belt-driven sub-platter under main platter
- Felt platter mat
- Dust cover & 45rpm adapter included
- Speed: 33/45rpm (electronic speed change)
- Wow & flutter at 33rpm: +/-0.25%; 45rpm: +/-0.23%
- Speed drift at 33rpm: +/-0.7%; 45rpm: +/-0.6%
- Signal to noise: 65dB
- Effective tonearm length/mass: 8.6” (218.5mm)/7g
- Overhang: 22.0mm
- External 15V DC/0.8A power supply
- Power consumption: 4.5W
- Dimensions: 420 x 112 x 330mm (WxHxD)
- Weight: 3.5kg net
E1
- Purpose-designed phono cable (captive)
E1 Phono, E1 BT
- Switchable MM phono preamp
- Purpose-designed phono cable
- Gold-plated female RCA connectors
- Phono preamp input impedance: 47kohms/100pF
- Phono preamp RIAA-equalization accuracy: 20Hz-20kHz: +/-0.5dB
E1 BT
- Bluetooth transmitter for wireless playback: BT 5.0 Class II, 2.5mW (4dBm) per 2.4GHz–2.48GHz
Availability:
All three models will be available for purchase through authorized Pro-Ject Audio Systems retailers from May 2022.
MSRP:
- E1: $349.00, £269.00
- E1 Phono SB: $399.00, £299.00
- E1 BT: $499.00, £369.00
For more information see the Pro-Ject USA web-site.
For more information on turnables, tonearms and cartridges see these posts:
