Pro-Ject turntables


I was interested in Pro-Ject turntables...are they as good as the reviews say? And which model is the one to get? It could be the less expensive one, no problem. Thanks!
dave_72
Well, thank you very much Kiko65, I appreciate your words here. All of those units sound good to me. I'm willing to bet it's just a matter of strengths and weaknesses, and considering what I'm looking for sound wise. Happy listening to you too...
My first venture into higher-end vinyl bliss was with a Project Wood Classic and a Grado Reference Statement($1200), thru a Plinius M-16P, circa 2003. A great sounding combo that I wish I kept. Gives my Vpi Scout a good run for the money.
I owned a Project 2.9 Wood a few years ago. I believe the retail was around $899. I looked beautiful (European pear wood) and sounded great too. I wish I still owned it.
Well I purchased a Pro-ject Debut Carbon after scouring the net for threads like this. I bought a demo online, waited for the delivery, powered it up andÂ…it doesn't spin. The power switch doesn't seem defective as I get a hum when I lightly touch the motor spindle, but it won't turn, major bummer! I was more than a little surprised that a major online dealer of Pro-ject would ship an obvious customer return unit without basic testing to see if the damn thing works!

Anyway, a BNIB unit is on the way. I've read about the Rega and Pro-ject entry level models having some occasional hum issues, but the Pro-ject seems to have a simple enough fix that's making its way around the net. But on top of that, my defective model's power supply seemed to be an issue. It's a wall wart that supposedly takes 120 VAC and steps it down to 15 VAC. This one measured 18.2 VAC when receiving 117.3 from my wall.

Would that over voltage be a possible source of hum issues?
Hmm...doesn't sound too swift. However, I'm looking at the higher end models, so maybe less problems? The other turntables that I fancy at the moment are the Luxman PD-171 and the Clearaudio Ovation.
I purchased the Project Extension 12 a few months ago.

Very pleased so far.

It came with a Sumiko Celebration 2 cartridge and a dust cover.

I feel it was a good value.
Yes, from what I've read the higher end offerings are more bullet proof. But it looks like you won't have any such issues in your price range, is there anything from Thorens that interests you, they also have quite a pedigree.
Thorens never crossed my mind, so thanks for that. I would say, just by looking at their site, probably, but not 100 sure.

Thanks for the report, PKelly1504.
Now that this thread's been going on for 3-1/2 months, what's your current budget, Dave_72?
No more than $6k, really. By the way, I forgot about the VPI Classic 3. That's another 1 I'm currently looking at.
For that kind of money you may want to check out the Pro-ject RPM10.1 Evolution if you are still interested in a Pro-ject turntable. However, I would strongly recommend one of the followings over the Pro-ject:

Townshend Rock 7, Well Tempered Amadeus GTA MKII, Sota Nova, VPI Classic 3, Acoustic Signature Wow XL, Clearaudio Performance, or.......... Rega's top of the line, the RP10, for $5,495.00.

Again, big fan of Rega :)
Another thought for you in the Pro-ject line is ordering an Xtension 12 without the arm and using an Ortofon RS-309D tonearm.

I have a couple of friends using that setup with Ortofon SPU cartridges. They are both very happy with the combination
Vernneal, I assume you got the manual for the olderPro-ject RPM 5.1? When setting up your turntable what did you use for the cartridge downforce? Thanks!
1.7 grams
I got the newer model
Pro-Ject RPM SE 5.1 with Sumiko Blue Point #2
it sounds sweet

I did NOT get the felt or cork mat with the unit
Mc240,
I own a Wood 2.9 and I'm looking to upgrade.
Let me know if your interested and I'm sure we could work something out.
Dread