PRO-JECT A1 TURNTABLE IS THE FIRST OF THE FULLY AUTOMATIC PRO-JECT AUTOMAT SERIES

Pro-Ject Audio Systems is adding the new Automat series to its turntable range in 2022.

The Automat range is the first fully automatic turntable series from Pro-Ject and the first model is the Pro-Ject A1 turntable.

PRO-JECT TURNTABLES

Since 1991 Pro-Ject has been offering their audio products at a reasonable price. Their turntables have always been produced in Europe, and with the A1 Pro-Ject have expanded into a new, German production facility that has been producing automatic turntables for decades… the production facility of the original Dual turntables in the 20th century, with whom Pro-Ject signed a contract in 2021.

Pro-Ject A1 Turntable without dust cover

PRO-JECT A1 TURNTABLE FEATURES

Fully automatic turntable system

Electronically controlled playback speeds (33 and 45 RPM)

8.3” aluminium tonearm with carbon fibre reinforced anti-magnetic headshell

Pre-adjusted Ortofon OM 10 cartridge with elliptical stylus profile

Precise mechanics for automatic start/stop system

Built-in switchable Moving Magnet (MM) phono stage

Damped metal platter for decreased wow and flutter

Resonance-damped wooden chassis

Specially designed turntable feet with silicon damping

Premium semi-symmetrical Connect-IT E phono cable included

Gold plated RCA output connectors

Dust cover included

Pro-Ject A1 Turntable start and stop

PRO-JECT AUTOMAT

The A1 is the first model in Pro-Ject’s Automat turntable series, the A1 is designed to be both elegant and minimalist in its aesthetics. Anti-resonant materials and technologies are used throughout its construction. From its sturdy wooden base sat upon four silicon-damped feet, through to its damped metal platter and reinforced headshell.

Pro-Ject A1 Turntable cartridge

The fully automatic belt-drive system was originally developed and produced by Alfred Fehrenbacher GmbH in St. Georgen in the Black Forest, Germany, the iconic production facility of the original Dual turntables in the 20th century. It is designed to deliver a quiet, efficient, and reliable fully automatic experience at both 33 and 45 RPM. The system is also entirely mechanical, avoiding the need for any extra built-in electronics, and is entirely disengaged when the record is playing. All you have to do is set the playback speed and then push START.

PRO-JECT A1 TURNTABLE MM PHONO STAGE

There is further convenience thanks to its built-in moving magnet (MM) phono stage, meaning it is ready to connect into almost any audio system with a spare LINE or AUX input available. However, by making the phono stage switchable, this feature can also be bypassed for systems that already have or wish to upgrade to an external phono pre-amp.

Pro-Ject A1 Turntable tonearm

TONEARM AND CARTRIDGE

The A1 features a sturdy, low-mass aluminium tonearm finished with a carbon fibre reinforced headshell, perfectly suited to Ortofon’s popular OM cartridge range. The supplied OM 10 cartridge with its elliptical diamond stylus profile is pre-aligned and pre-set for tracking-force, allowing for “plug and play” playback of the turntable out of the box. But the OM range can also be easily improved with stylus upgrades that can further enhance the sound from your system.

Pro-Ject A1 Turntable cable

The Pro-Ject A1 turntable comes supplied with a detachable dust cover and Pro-Ject’s popular Connect-IT E turntable-ready RCA phono cables in the box.

Pro-Ject A1 Turntable Automat pulley

SPECIFICATIONS

Speeds: 33 / 45

Drive Principle: Belt drive / Fully automatic

Platter: 300mm, aluminium platter with damping ring

Wow & Flutter: 33 = 0.27% / 45 = 0.25%

Speed Drift: 33: +/-0.75%; 45: +/-0.65%

Signal to Noise: 65dB

Tonearm: 8.3” aluminium tonearm with carbon fibre reinforced headshell

Effective Arm Length: 211mm

Overhang: 19.5mm

Included accessories: 15V DC / 0.8A power supply

Dust Cover

7” Single Adapter

Connect-IT E Phono Cable (pre-fixed)

Felt Mat

Power consumption: 1.5W

Dimensions (w x h x d): 430 x 130 x 365mm

Weight: 5.6kg net

PRO-JECT A1 TURNTABLE PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Pro-Ject, A1 SRP £369. Available in the UK from February 2022 in Black finish through distributor Henley Audio.

HiFi Pig Says: Audiophiles and turntable fans will spot the Dual connection straight away, it seems a very clever move on the part of Pro-Ject for this new full automatic range.

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