About The Pro-Ject XA B Turntable
Pro-Ject have crafted a beautiful acrylic entry-level record player for the X-Series. This player shares features of its more expensive brethren while maintaining an extremely light look. The technical parts seem to be floating atop an almost invisible slab of acrylic. Top that off with True Balanced Connection capabilities and you have got yourself a truly ethereal player!
For 33 years Pro-Ject have been developing turntables which focus on sound and not on features and they are never afraid of experiments to achieve an even better sound. Acrylic was always part of the Pro-Ject history. The first ever acrylic turntable was the Pro-Ject 6.9 Perspective which was a huge success. Also, the 6PerspeX has been part of the product range for over 15 years already and is still one of the best performers. The limited edition Perspective Final Edition was a great success as well and sold out in a very short time. These turntables were examples where Pro-Ject combined the advantages of the special look and acoustical damping of acrylic.
A Perfect Combination: The use of acrylic is not as easy as you would think. The high internal damping ability is a good characteristic, but to get a sonically perfect result, all parts of a turntable need to work together. From measurements and listening tests Pro-ject know, that acrylic can overdamp the turntable which results in a very dry sound character. The combination with the aluminium tonearm and platter and the matched Pick it Pro Balanced cartridge, paired with the special feet, make the XA B lively and it convinces with a dynamic and detailed sound signature.
What's True Balanced? The "B" in XA B stands for balanced. Balanced audio connections are standard among professional musicians, recording studios, and live concerts. It is essential to have a stable and interference-free connection. The significant advantage of a balanced connection is its ability to remove noise and interferences. The XA B comes with a balanced MM cartridge - the Pick it Pro Balanced - and a balanced 5P DIN phono output.
Cartridges are balanced signal transducers by nature! Due to the internal wiring of typical MM cartridges, until now, you needed to upgrade your turntable with an MC cartridge. But not with the new Pick it Pro Balanced! The special Pick it PRO Balanced has been modified to access the entirety of that balanced signal.
Together with the separately available True Balanced Connection cables and true balanced phono stages - for example the Phono Box S3 B or DS3 B - you'll be able to access high-end features that were previously only available on the most expensive of turntable setups.
Premium Tonearm: The XA B turntable features a premium 10" aluminium tonearm with a massive bearing construction. The ultra-low friction 4 pinpoint tonearm bearing guarantees precise, stable and accurate tracking. Pro-Ject use the one-piece aluminium tonearm tube instead of a carbon one, as aluminium complements the sound characteristics of acrylic.
The full aluminium tonearm base offers you real audiophile features. It allows you to adjust both the azimuth and the vertical tracking angle (VTA). Setting and experimenting with the VTA and azimuth is crucial in extracting every last bit of performance out of your cartridge.
Heavy Damped Aluminium Platter: The heavy 1.7 kg die-cast aluminium platter gets reworked and precision balanced in an extra step to obtain the perfectly balanced platter. The platter has a ring made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) on the inside that helps to dampen all resonances and thus minimize wow and flutter. The included Record Puck E provides an extra level of damping and stability.
Height Adjustable Damped Feet: The XA B stands on three height adjustable damped feet to guarantee the perfect stance. Using 3 feet increases the stability on uneven surfaces and a perfectly level turntable is essential for real high-end sound.
Our Take
The Pro-Ject XA B Turntable stands out as an exquisite example of innovation and craftsmanship in the X-Series line, seamlessly blending aesthetics with high-quality audio performance. This entry-level model boasts a stunning acrylic design that gives it a lightweight appearance, with its components seemingly suspended on a nearly invisible slab. The XA B incorporates the signature True Balanced Connection technology, offering users a stable, interference-free listening experience. The turntable's balanced MM cartridge, Pick it Pro Balanced, is a standout feature, providing high-end audio capabilities previously reserved for pricier setups. The XA B's premium 10" aluminium tonearm, with its ultra-low friction bearing and adjustable azimuth and VTA, ensures precise and accurate tracking. Paired with the heavy, damped 1.7 kg aluminium platter and height-adjustable feet, the XA B delivers a dynamic, detailed sound signature that truly embodies Pro-Ject's dedication to sound quality and innovation. This turntable continues Pro-Ject's legacy of using acrylic for its acoustical advantages, as seen in past models like the 6PerspeX, combining beauty with superb sound damping to create a truly ethereal listening experience.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Manual Belt Drive Turntable with the option of True Balanced Connection
- Option of True Balanced Connection with Pro-Ject Connect It Phono S Mini XLR Cable & Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Balanced Phono Preamplifier or Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B Balanced Phono Preamplifier
- Premium 10" Aluminium Tonearm
- Pre-adjusted Pick it Pro Balanced Cartridge
- Adjustable VTA & Azimuth
- Adaptive Anti-Skating Mechanism
- Cardan Ultra-Low Friction 4 Pinpoint Tonearm Bearing
- Precision 1.7kg Aluminium Platter with TPE damping
- 5-Pin DIN Balanced Output
- Connect it Phono 5P -> RCA Cable included
- Acoustically Inert Transparent Acrylic Chassis
- DC/AC Generator for clean and stable power
- Speed Control with Electronic Speed Switch
- Sub-Platter with low 0.001mm bearing tolerances
- Stainless Steel Platter-Bearing with soft brass bushing
- TPE Damped Counterweight
- Special TPE Damped Height Adjustable Metal Feet
- Record Puck E included
- Dust Cover included
- Speed: 33⅓ & 45 with Electronic Speed Change
- Drive Principle: Belt Drive
- Speed Variance: 33⅓: 0.30% 45: 0.20%
- Wow & Flutter: 33⅓: 0.13% 45: 0.12%
- Platter: 300mm, Die Cast Aluminium Platter + TPE damping
- Main Bearing: Stainless Steel/Brass
- Tonearm: 10" Aluminium
- Effective Arm Length: 254mm
- Effective Tonearm Mass: 10 g
- Included Accessories: 15V/0.8A DC Power Supply, Dust Cover, Connect It E Phono Cable, Felt Mat
- Power consumption: 4.5 watts max /< 0.3 watt standby
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 460 x 130 x 340mm
- Weight: 6.3 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.