As often happens when a particular product category experiences an explosion in popularity, there’s been a raft of sub-par, cheap turntables cropping up in the marketplace over the past ten years or so. Where do these cheaper models typically cut corners? Quality materials are the first ingredient to go. MDF and aluminium are replaced by plastic, and vital aspects of good performance like a properly weighted tonearm disappear. A nice slab of MDF for the plinth is replaced by a big, echo-y hollow space.

Thankfully, there’s been some mainstay brands that have stuck by the vinyl faithful through the past 30 years, and our favourite here at Instant Classic is Pro-Ject Audio Systems. In the realm of quality turntables, they’re a beacon of excellence. Since 1991, the brand has been pushing the envelope in terms of style, materials, sound and industrial design, curating a broad portfolio of turntables to cater to a diversity of tastes and budgets. In this article, we shine a spotlight on some of their best cuts from the past few years, the Pro-Ject E1 BT, T1 Phono, Debut Carbon EVO, and X1 B turntables.

Pro-Ject E1 BT

The E1 BT is easily Pro-Ject’s most complete effort thus far at integrating Bluetooth functionality into a turntable. It’s got a Bluetooth transmitter onboard, which makes it a great solution for anyone wanting to dip their toe into component audio. If you’ve got a Bluetooth speaker and you’re analogue-curious, start here.

The E1 BT uses a HD Bluetooth module to convert your LPs into a digital signal, then sends that signal to the device of your choosing. That might be a standard Bluetooth speaker, some powered speakers, or even a pair of wireless headphones. Best of all though, you can bypass the Bluetooth functionality and use the E1 BT as a regular turntable - with or without use of the onboard phono stage - later down the line.

Don’t mistake the inclusion of modern tech like Bluetooth with lesser quality either, the E1 BT’s aluminium tonearm and low-vibration motor provide an impressive sound stage when introduced into a complete hifi system. It also offers plug-and-play simplicity, with some of the more finicky elements like anti-skating and the tonearm counterweight being factory set. A wonderful option for less experienced users who want a simple path to listening with a minimum of fuss.

Pro-Ject T1 with onboard phono

The T1 with onboard phono actually shares quite a bit in common with the E1 BT. Both are available in black, white and walnut, and are strikingly similar in appearance. But there’s some tweaks to the materials used that prioritise sonic performance over the E1 BT’s diversity of use cases.

As the name suggests, the T1 with onboard phono offers a phono stage which you can activate and disable at the flick of a switch. What’s that mean? Deactivate it and you can use the ‘phono’ input on your amp or an external phono stage like the Pro-Ject Phono Box S2. An external phono stage makes for a nice upgrade once you’ve started to build a sizable vinyl collection and you want to further enhance your sound.

Design-wise, you’re getting a glass platter and improved tonearm bearings compared to the E1, meaning clarity and the tautness of low end gain some sparkle and punch respectively. The glass platter is a nice aesthetic touch too, contributing some visual elegance. The T1 is a small step up in price from the E1 and offers a jump in the quality of materials, resulting in a more muscular, dynamic sound.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO is an ode to Pro-Ject's dedication to innovation and quality. It’s a direct descendant of their first model, the Pro-Ject 1. Onboard you’ll find a carbon fibre tonearm which significantly reduces resonances that interfere with a turntable cartridge’s ultra-delicate signal.

Two qualities you want fulfilled by any excellent tonearm material are rigidity and light weight, and carbon fibre ticks both. Additionally, the EVO features a heavy steel platter that’s damped with TPE, a sort of polymer rubber that also minimises vibrations, and an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge that offers lovely clarity and imbues your albums with a touch of analogue warmth. Remember, vibrations are the enemy of turntable so all of these materials focus on enhancing sonic performance.

Offering a selection of high-gloss, satin, and real-wood veneer finishes, the Debut Carbon EVO caters to design-conscious listeners who seek excellent performance. It’s undoubtedly the most complete iteration of the iconic Debut line. The Debut Carbon EVO is the point in Pro-Ject’s range where all other features of convenience and compatibility are eschewed in favour of absolute sonic performance.

Pro-Ject X1

This is an outstanding turntable that exemplifies Pro-Ject’s engineering prowess and desire for constant evolution. The X1 offers features often seen in other company’s turntables at or above the $3,000 mark.

This is a machine that takes anti-resonance very seriously, featuring a heavy acrylic platter, and a carbon/aluminium sandwich construction tonearm. What little resonance travels through carbon fibre is effectively cancelled out by the aluminium, in this case one material is quite literally wrapped around the other, cancelling out each other’s vibrations.

The X1 sports a recessed sub-platter design with motor suspension that was specially designed for X-line turntables. The motor is effectively decoupled from the rest of the unit, meaning none of the (already minimal) vibrations from the motor are able to travel anywhere.

We’re also treated to VTA and azimuth adjustment. This means that the positioning of the tonearm is extremely flexible, so if you’re considering a moving coil cartridge that’d benefit from some extra room to move in your turntable, this is the model we’d strongly recommend.

Choosing the right Pro-Ject turntable entails considering a combination of features, aesthetics, budget, and where your priorities lie as regards feature set. Whether you're seeking the convenience of the E1 BT, the integrated phono stage and glass platter of the T1 with onboard phono, the advanced engineering of the Debut Carbon EVO, or the audiophile-grade sophistication of the X1, there’s a Pro-Ject turntable tailored to your unique needs.

Let your turntable choice reflect your listening habits, aesthetic inclinations, and personal style as you journey further into the immersive world of vinyl playback.