Pro-Ject Automat A2 Turntable – First Look

All Image Credit: Pro-Ject

This latest turntable design from Pro-Ject, the Automat A2, is handmade in Germany, fully automatic and comes with many new features, to include; a floating sub-chassis, an eight-layer hand-painted black MDF plinth, new arm design and a diecast and damped aluminum platter that is belt driven by a new 33/45/78 RPM electronic regulated DC motor.

This new design allows the user to select the lateral location where the tonearm automatically drops to the record groove. Once the vinyl starts to play all automatic tonearm functions are disengaged. With the arm automatically returning once it reaches the lead-out groove.

The new, heavy, MDF plinth significantly reduces unwanted resonance and isolates the turntable from external vibrations. It uses a floating sub-chassis design that supports the tonearm, platter bearing and motor, isolating the most critical components of the turntable from external noise, resonance & interference. Manual controls include; speed selection, start/stop, record diameter and stylus raise/lower, with the platter being belt driven by a new 33/45/78 RPM electronic regulated DC motor.

The new tonearm features an ultra-low-mass 8.3″ aluminum, large dimeter, arm tube that can accommodate a large range of cartridges. It comes mounted in a new, ultra-low friction, 4-point, cardanic aluminum tonearm gimbal bearing that uses steel-tip ball bearings. There is a massless tracking force adjustment and also a new damped counterweight to help eliminate resonances.

The arm employs a carbon fiber reinforced anti-magnetic headshell into which a factory fitted and fully aligned cartridge is mounted. An Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge is included in the EU and UK with a Sumiko Ranier MM cartridge included for the USA.

Finally, the A2 comes with a premium semi-symmetrical Connect it E phono cable, rear gold plated RCA phono cable connectors, a felt mat and a dust cover.

Features At A Glance:

• Floating sub-chassis principle
• 8 layer hand painted MDF main chassis
• Diecast aluminum cover for the automatic mechanism
• 8.3” black aluminum ultra-light-mass tonearm
• 33/45/78 RPM electronic regulated DC motor
• Massless tracking force adjustment
• Ultra-low friction 4-point cardanic aluminum tonearm bearing
• Damped counterweight to eliminate resonances
• Pre-adjusted MM cartridge – either an Ortofon 2M Red (UK/EU) or a Sumiko Ranier (US)
• Silicon damped aluminum feet
• Precise mechanics with automated start and stop
• Damped aluminum platter for decreased wow & flutter
• Carbon fibre reinforced anti-magnetic headshell
• Premium semi-symmetrical Connect it E phono cable
• Gold plated RCA cable connectors
• Dust cover included

Specifications:

• Speed: 33, 45,78 (electronic speed change)
• Drive principle: belt drive, fully automatic
• Platter: damped aluminum
• Wow & flutter: 33: +/-0.14%; 45: +/-0.12%
• Speed drift: 33: +/-0.27%; 45: +/-0.22%
• Signal to noise: 74dB
• Tonearm: ultra-light-mass 8.3” aluminum tonearm
• Effective arm length: 8.3″ / 211mm
• Overhang: 0.77″ / 19.5mm
• Included accessories: 15V DC / 0,8A power supply, dust cover, 7‘‘ single adapter, feltmat, phono cable
• Power consumption: 1.5W
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 17″ x 5.9″ x 14.37″ / 430 x 150 x 365 mm
• Weight: 16.1lbs / 7.3 Kg

Shipping:

• UK/EU – Now
• USA-Oct/Nov 2023

MSRP:

• US: $1,499.00
• UK: £1,099.00
• EU: €1,199.00

For more information visit the US Pro-Ject web site.

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