Pro-Ject Audio Systems has revealed its latest addition to the AUTOMAT range. The new A1.2 replaces the outgoing A1 as the entry point into the company’s fully automatic turntable series, delivering a series of smart refinements designed to improve performance and ease of use.

At first glance, the A1.2 maintains the clean aesthetic of its predecessor, but it’s under the bonnet where things get interesting. Pro-ject says a new die-cast aluminium platter replaces the A1’s stamped version, helping to reduce resonance and improve rotational stability. The manufacturing process has also been upgraded with CNC machining to ensure tighter tolerances and more consistent production.

Pro-Ject’s lightweight 8.3-inch aluminium tonearm carries over but now sports a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer headshell. This change is said to increase structural rigidity while keeping overall mass low—crucial for the fully mechanical automation system to function precisely. As before, the tonearm comes pre-fitted and pre-adjusted with the Pick it MM E cartridge, meaning it’s ready to play right out of the box.

Pro-Ject has stuck to its guns with a fully mechanical, non-electronic automation system. That means no motors or sensors interfere with the tonearm—once the record is spinning, the automation disengages entirely, ensuring optimal playback without introducing unwanted vibration or noise.

As with the A1, manufacturing is split between Germany and the Czech Republic, drawing on the strengths of long-standing automatic turntable specialists and Pro-Ject’s in-house assembly expertise. Pro-Ject says the result is a deck that performs above its price class and is built to last.

According to Pro-Ject, setup is gloriously straightforward. Tracking force and anti-skating are pre-calibrated at the factory, and the cartridge is aligned and mounted before it even leaves the box. All the end user needs to do is place the turntable on a level surface, install the dust cover, plug in the power supply, and decide whether to engage the built-in phono preamp. From there, it’s simply a matter of cueing up a record, selecting the speed, and pressing Start. The tonearm will automatically drop into place—and lift off and return once the record ends—all without the listener lifting more than a finger.

A new white finish joins the classic black version, offering buyers more choice when matching their system’s aesthetic. The A1.2 is slated for UK and EU release this April, with a suggested retail price of £469 / €499. Pricing and availablity for other regoins is yet to be confirmed. 

For more information visit Pro-Ject