PRO-JECT TURNTABLE CELEBRATES THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

The handmade limited-edition Pro-Ject The Dark Side Of The Moon turntable, complete with LED-backlit rainbow, honours Pink Floyd’s 1973 release and lands in UK stores this month.

First seen at High End Munich 2023 as a concept, the turntable has now made its way into the shops.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems’ ‘The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable’ joins Pro-Ject’s exclusive Artist Series collection and sees the turntable manufacturer celebrate 50 years since the release of Pink Floyd’s extraordinary eighth studio album.

PINK FLOYD THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Released in 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon became one of the world’s best-selling albums, and its cover is one of the music world’s most iconic images. The graphic sleeve, designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis and illustrated by George Hardie, famously depicts a beam of white light split into its constituent colours, delivering an image for the ages. Now, owners of Pro-Ject’s new, limited-edition turntable can recreate that moment of refraction at the flick of a switch.

LED BACKLIT RAINBOW

The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable ingeniously features an LED-backlit rainbow – with a dimming function, to deliver those iconic visuals as your vinyl turns. Even the beam of white light makes an appearance, represented by the deck’s extended on/off lever. The result is an unmistakable homage to the vinyl sleeve that became almost as famous as its musical contents.

PRO-JECT THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON TURNTABLE

The Dark Side of the Moon artwork-inspired design theme continues throughout the turntable, always expressed through only high-end componentry. The three-cornered platter mirrors the album cover’s triangular dispersive prism and a solid aluminium sub-platter sits in bronze bushing and supports the 10 mm heavy glass structure.

READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX

As well as unique visuals, The Dark Side of the Moon turntable brings new technical workings, including the 8.6-inch acrylic and black aluminium low resonance tonearm, which Pro-Ject equips with spring anti-skating. The deck also employs a Pick it PRO Special Edition cartridge specifically tuned to the Dark Side of the Moon Turntable, meaning users can experience the best performance levels within a few moments of unboxing their new purchase. The precision belt-drive turntable enables two speeds, 33 and 45 rpm, with an electronic speed control, and Pro-Ject supplies a seven-inch single adapter for owners of, say, Money or Us And Them on 45.

PRO-JECT THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON TURNTABLE  SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: 495 x 135 x 405 mm (WxHxD)

Drive principle: belt drive with electronic speed control

Effective arm length/mass: 218.5 mm / 6.0 grams

Included accessories: 15V DC / 0.8A power supply, seven-inch single adapter

Overhang: 18.5 mm

Platter bearing: stainless steel axle in brass bushing

Platter: 10 mm glass (felt mat included)

Power consumption: 4W / 0W standby

Signal to noise: 68dB

Speed drift: 33: +/-0,40%; 45: +/-0,30%

Speed: 33, 45 (electronic speed change)

Tonearm: 8.6 inches (22 cm) straight acrylic

Weight: 6 kg net

Wow & flutter: 33: +/-0,16%; 45: +/-0,14%

PRO-JECT THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON TURNTABLE PRICE

The price of Pro-Ject Audio Systems The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable is £1,599.00 (SRP).

Stock will be with the UK’s Pro-Ject dealers this month. Henley Audio distributes Pro-Ject in the UK and Ireland.

HiFi PiG Says: We loved the Pro-Ject DSOTM turntable at Munich, great to see it finally making its way into the shops.