Pro-Ject states that they are standing up to state what a good turntable really is. The press release points out that the Pro-Ject X1 is "not a revolution" as the Austrian company is sure that all research into turntable has already been completed. Instead, they say, the audio manufacturer is just doing "things correctly, with high-quality materials and expensive technology."

So, what have they done? Well, you probably are already expecting no fripperies such as Bluetooth, USB, integrated phono stages - and you'd be right.

There are no fancy, unnecessary features; as the X1 was strictly a manual turntable design from the beginning and is based on the same concept as the P1. However, the X1 has benefitted from modern materials and new production methods.

The results include a more substantial, denser, less resonating new MDF material for the chassis, better motor suspension that isolates it from sending vibrations to the tonearm and through the frame. On the subject of tonearms, the X1 sports a new, super stiff, perfectly damped one-piece number that features a carbon/aluminium sandwich construction. There is also a new anti-resonant counterweight with TPE damper to reduce cartridge-tonearm resonance. The tonearm sits in an aluminium base featuring azimuth and VTA adjustment.

 
Pro-Ject have fitted the X1 with a sophisticated DC/AC generator board that generates clean and stable power to drive the motor as well as electronic speed control.

All of this sits on height adjustable, aluminium/TP isolating feet.

Naturally, the Pro-Ject X1 comes with the company's own Connect it E semi-balanced, low-capacitance RCA cable.

Pro-Ject X1 details

The X1‘s MDF chassis receives eight layers of paint which is then hand-polished. Housed within is a sophisticated DC/AC generator board which, combined with the handy speed control board, delivers clean and stable power to the quiet-running motor. Further performance enhancement comes by way of decoupling the motor from the chassis using a new motor suspension system.

The X1's motor drives a new, heavy, non-resonant 1.5kg Acryl platter via a sub-platter drive system and a premium grade main bearing resulting in a liquid-smooth rotation.

The new 8.6-inch tonearm is incredibly light and stiff thanks to the carbon/aluminium construction. Finished as a one-piece, with no resonance-inducing headshell, the X1 can also be set for azimuth and VTA adjustment. The tonearm is then supplied with TPE-damped counterweight, further reducing cartridge-tonearm resonances.

The X1 can be supplied with a Pro-Ject Pick-IT S2 MM cartridge. The Pick-IT S2 is manufactured by the cartridge experts at Ortofon but voiced by the design team at Pro-Ject.
 
The X1 is available in the following three finishes - premium walnut wood veneer and a luxurious black or white eight-layer gloss paint.
 
The Pro-Ject X1 has a €699 MRSP (incl. VAT) or €799 with the Pick it S2MM cartridge.

For more information, go to Pro-Ject.