PRO-JECT TRUE BALANCED CONNECTION ANALOGUE PRODUCT RANGE

Pro-Ject Audio launches a new series of products for analogue systems, the Pro-Ject True Balanced Connection range.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems has announced the launch of three new made-in-Europe products that are all encompassed by their philosophy of True Balanced Connection.

The new Pro-Ject True Balanced Connection Range X8 Turntable in white

PRO-JECT TRUE BALANCED CONNECTION

The Pro-Ject X8 turntable and matching Phono Box S3 B and Phono Box DS3 B phono stages are all balanced devices that support Pro-Ject’s concept. All Pro-Ject turntables are balanced signal sources by their nature, but the ability to exploit this technology has traditionally only been available to more high-end or bespoke analogue systems. Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connection concept intends to extend these benefits to a broader variety of vinyl enthusiasts. The interconnect cable between a record player and a phono stage is prone to pick up noise on the way. That noise and interference can stem from a lot of unavoidable sources, such as household appliances, wi-fi and bluetooth devices, other power cables and audio amplifiers. Unshielded (i.e. RCA) interconnects can amplify the picked-up noise and make it audible through your speakers, interfering with the musical signal. Balanced (typically XLR) cable connections double the wires carrying the musical signal – with one side inverted. In this case, noise still gets picked up by both wires, but with one side reversed. When the signals are re-joined at the phono stage, the picked-up noise is cancelled out by the opposing signals.

Pro-Ject True Balanced Connection Range X8 Turntable

PRO-JECT AUDIO X8 TURNTABLE

The X8 is a mass-loaded turntable that draws inspiration from other high-end turntables in the Pro-Ject range. The thick, heavy MDF chassis is shaped and finished to provide both a stylish aesthetic and a sturdy platform from which the key performance parts of the turntable can do their work. The main platter is precision-cut from a single piece of aluminium and lined with a ring of TPE rubber damping to produce a heavy non-resonant base that contributes to speed stability with very little fluctuation. The platter is mounted on an inverted ceramic-tipped main bearing, bolstered with magnetic support, for fluid rotation without resistance. The platter is driven by a perimeter drive belt, connected to a low-noise AC motor. The motor is controlled by an AC generator with adjustable speed control for convenient switching between 33 and 45 RPM as well as a clean, low-noise power signal.

Pro-Ject True Balanced Connection Range X8 Turntable tonearm

The X8 is pre-installed with Pro-Ject’s popular 9CC Evolution carbon fibre tonearm. The 9CC EVO features a one-piece, tapered carbon fibre tonearm tube, mounted in a heavy-weight bearing block with high-quality ABEC 7 ball bearings. The tonearm is also VTA and azimuth adjustable for perfect cartridge mounting. In the UK, the X8 is also supplied with the award-winning Ortofon Quintet Blue moving coil cartridge, as standard.

Pro-Ject True Balanced Connection Range X8 Turntable with Ortofon cartridge

As the X8 is supplied with a Moving Coil cartridge, it is also part of Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connections concept, by upgrading to a 5pin > XLR cable, and connecting to one of the company’s balanced phono stages such as the Phono Box DS3 B you can benefit from a true balanced set up.

Pro-Ject True Balanced Connection Range X8 Turntable belt

The X8 comes with height-adjustable TPE-damped feet, a removable dust cover, a felt mat and a semi-balanced Connect-IT E 5P > RCA phono cable for easy set-up out of the box. It’s available in high gloss black, high-gloss white or real-wood walnut veneer finishes.

Technical Information:

Speed: 33 / 45 rpm (electronic speed change)

Included phono cable: Connect it E 5P -> RCA, 1.23m

Aluminium feet: Height adjustable & TPE damped

Platter: massive 5,1 kg lathed aluminium

Platter bearing: inverted ceramic ball, magnetic support

Speed drift: 33: ±0,11%; 45: ± 0,09%

Wow & flutter: 33: ±0,11%; 45: ± 0,10%

Rumble: 73dB

Tonearm: 9“one-piece carbon-fibre tonearm

Effective arm length / mass: 9“(230 mm) / 8,5 g

Overhang: 18 mm

Incl. accessories: Dust cover, 7“single adapter, felt mat

Power supply: 15V / 0,8A DC

Power consumption: 5W / 0,3 W standby mode

Dimensions lid closed: 465 x 150 x 350 mm (W x H x D)

Dimensions lid opened: 465 x 415 x 420 mm (W x H x D)

Weight: 15kg

Underneath of the X8 platter

PRO-JECT AUDIO PHONO BOX DS3 B PHONO STAGE

The Phono Box DS3 B is a dual-mono, fully discrete moving magnet and moving coil phono stage with balanced inputs and outputs. The Pro-Ject design team took the decision to employ discrete circuitry in the Phono Box DS3 B. The phono stage can be connected to two turntables at the same time, and each input will save its previous settings in memory so the Impedance, Capacitance (for MM cartridges) and Gain will all be set as you switch between turntables. For MC cartridges, the continuously adjustable load-impedance dial on the front panel allows you to set the impedance to suit your cartridge and your ears.

PRO-JECT AUDIO PHONO BOX DS3 B PHONO STAGE

As the Phono Box DS3 B is equipped with both balanced inputs and outputs, it is also part of Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connections concept. The Phono Box DS3 B has a fully-passive and discrete RIAA equalisation stage. Depending on the outputs you are using, this stage is then either directly fed to a fully discrete output stage (when using RCA outputs) or is connected to a fully discrete balancing stage for onward balanced connections. The Phono Box DS3 B is finished in a steel chassis, covered by silver or black aluminium panels, the minimalist aesthetic can be further enhanced by the addition of retro-inspired, magnetically installed wooden side panels (available separately).

Rear view of the DS3 B

Technical Information:

Input impedance: Stepless 10 – 1000 ohms or fix 47kOhms

Input capacitance: 50, 150, 300, 400pF

Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out): 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 dB

SNR MM (40dB): 104dBV, 111dBV – ‘A’ weighted

SNR MC (60dB): 85dBV, 91dBV – ‘A’ weighted

THD at 1 kHz: <0,001% MM, < 0,004% MC

THD (20Hz-20kHz): <0,005% MM, < 0,01% MC

RIAA-equalization curve accuracy: < 0,25dB / 20Hz – 20kHz

Subsonic filter: 20Hz with 18dB/octave

Input: 1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair XLR / 1x pair RCA phono

Line-level output: 1x pair RCA, 1x pair XLR

Wiring XLR sockets: 1 ground, 2 “hot” and 3 “cold”

Trigger In/Out: 12V on/off detector

Outboard power supply: 18V/500mA DC

Power consumption: 18V/max.290mA DC, <0.5 W standby

Dimensions: 206 x 72 x 194 (205 with sockets) mm

Weight: 1480g without power supply

Internal view of the phonostage

PRO-JECT AUDIO PHONO BOX S3 B PHONO STAGE

The Phono Box S3 B is a compact moving magnet and moving coil phono stage with dualmono layout, discrete circuitry and balanced inputs and outputs. The Pro-Ject design team took the decision to employ fully symmetrical and discrete circuitry in the gain stage of the Phono Box S3 B. The Phono Box S3 B is extensively customisable to suit the moving magnet or moving coil cartridge it is connected to. With five Impedance (Ω), four Capacitance (pF) and four Gain options on offer,Pro-Ject says “there are very few cartridges this box of tricks cannot accommodate”.

Front and back of the Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B

Technical Information:

Input impedance: 10, 50, 100, 1k, 47k ohms

Input capacitance: 50, 150, 300, 400 pF

Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out): 40, 45, 60, 65 dB

SNR MM (40dB): 103dBV, 110dBV – ‘A’ weighted

SNR MC (60dB): 85dBV, 90dBV – ‘A’ weighted

THD at 1 kHz: <0,001% MM, < 0,005% MC

THD (20Hz-20kHz): <0,008% MM, < 0,01% MC

RIAA-equalization curve accuracy: <0,3dB / 20Hz – 20kHz

Subsonic filter: at 20Hz with 18dB/octave

Input: 1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair RCA phono sockets

Line-level output: 1x pair RCA, 1x pair XLR

Power supply DC: 18V/500mA

Power consumption: 18V/170mA DC, <0.5 W in standby

Dimensions: 206 x 55 x 153 (164 with sockets) mm

Weight: 930g without power supply

PRO-JECT TRUE BALANCED CONNECTION RANGE PRICE

Pro-Ject Audio X8 turntable £2,099

Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box S3 B £349.

Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box DS3 B £529

Available in the UK now through Henley Audio’s network of dealers.

Walnut Pro-Ject True Balanced Connection Range X8 Turntable

HiFi Pig Says: A well priced new balanced range from Pro-Ject that will appeal to a wide range of analogue audiophiles.

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