Described as the most audiophile Debut yet, Pro-Ject has revealed details of the new Debut PRO B Turntable.
Almost exactly three years after releasing the commemorative Debut PRO turntable, which was originally made to mark the company’s 30th anniversary, Pro-Ject Audio Systems are advancing on the design with a new, upgraded model. The Debut PRO B (SRP £799.00) takes the multi-award-winning design of its predecessor but adds new balanced technology to elevate the performance and compatibility to another level, says the maker.
With the Debut PRO B, users can more easily access Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connection concept technology, for reduced noise and interference, when the turntable is partnered with one of the company’s balanced phono stages and cables.
Debut Pro B in detail
Its maker says the Debut PRO B is a true audiophile-grade turntable, featuring class-leading technologies and stunning aesthetics. Thanks to the inclusion of a premium Pick it PRO Balanced moving magnet cartridge and a high-quality MiniXLR connector, the turntable is True Balanced-ready for users who want to upgrade their system performance even further.
The Debut PRO B takes the traditional Debut template, but improves on every aspect, with each component re-engineered for a more high-end performance. Starting with the tonearm, the Debut PRO B features Pro-Ject’s coveted Carbon-Aluminium one-piece tonearm technology. The 8.6in tube is very light and rigid, utilising the lightweight, sturdy characteristics of carbon fibre, and combining it with aluminium for its added damping properties and better electrical shielding, resulting in improved resistance to external interferences.
The Debut PRO B tonearm can also be adjusted for accurate azimuth and VTA (vertical tracking angle) settings, allowing more experienced audiophiles to fine-tune their Debut better than ever before. The arm is then finished with a CNC-milled aluminium bearing block with special bearings, high-purity copper internal tonearm wiring and a shielded junction box with gold-plated RCA and MiniXLR output connectors. The tonearm is supplied with the new Pick-IT PRO Balanced moving magnet cartridge preinstalled and aligned.
For the Pick it PRO Balanced, Pro-Ject worked closely with Ortofon – the world-renowned manufacturers of premium pick-up cartridges – to develop something new. Thanks to their manufacturing skills, Ortofon were able to produce a very special cartridge, designed to deliver a more lively and robust sound with a big dynamic range, like that of traditional SPU cartridge designs.
The Pick it Pro Balanced is also the first moving magnet cartridge from Pro-Ject that’s capable of supporting a True Balanced audio signal to compliant phono stages. The big advantage of a balanced connection is its ability to remove picked up noise and interferences. Pro-Ject’s ‘True Balanced’ cable range offers you the perfect cable companion to extend this balanced signal from your turntable to a balanced-compatible phono stage and amplifier.
Solid base
Structurally, the Debut PRO B is most recognised by its expertly finished main chassis, available in a luxurious satin black paint (satin white version coming soon). The traditional rectangular footprint has a timeless minimalism and is made of MDF for its excellent anti resonant properties, and this tendency to minimise vibrations continues throughout the design.
The in-house designed and manufactured AC drive motor is made to fine tolerances for minimal noise, but to further eliminate any potential interference the motor is decoupled from the main chassis by a mounting plate with TPE-damped fixing points. The mounting plate isolates the motor while still keeping it perfectly level with the sub-platter drive system for absolute speed stability. The turntable plinth also sits on three height-adjustable metal feet with TPE-damping in a unique nickel-plated finish for the Debut PRO B. The result is a platform free from unwanted vibrations, ideally suited to record playback.
The Debut PRO B is equipped to play 33 and 45 RPM records with a simple flick of the top-mounted rocker switch. When setting to 45 RPM playback and manually adjusting the drive belt to a larger pulley ring, the turntable can also play 78 RPM records. As well as bringing convenience to the overall design, the speed control system also ensures the motor rotation is electronically regulated for total accuracy and stability.
The motor drives a sub-platter system for a more elegant overall aesthetic. The sub-platter is mounted into a precision-engineered main bearing with bronze bushing. The sub-platter sits beneath the heavy aluminium platter, which has a ring of TPE damping, held in place by an additional stabilising ring of aluminium, effectively damping all resonances. The high mass of the platter also minimises wow and flutter for a cleaner sonic performance.
Intensive research, development and listening tests have been necessary to gain the exact sound that Pro-Ject were looking for in producing the Debut PRO B. By adding more high-end features than ever before to a Debut design, the result is a still-affordable turntable that delivers like nothing else at the price point, argues the creator.
Supplied with the Pick it Pro Balanced cartridge pre-installed, all the accessories needed, a dust cover and a Connect it E RCA phono cable in the box, the Debut PRO B is ready to play once it’s connected to a Hi-Fi system with a moving magnet phono stage.
Debut PRO B: £799.00 (SRP)
Available in the UK during August 2024
