Pro-Ject has announced the E1.2, a fully manual turntable designed to deliver analogue sound. This new deck takes its design cues from Pro-Ject’s very first product, the Pro-Ject 1, launched in 1991 during a time of great change in the hi-fi world.
The Pro-Ject 1 was created to bring an audiophile-grade, simple-to-use turntable within reach of music lovers at an accessible price. At a time when CDs had seemingly sealed vinyl’s fate, it was a gutsy move. But its mechanical precision and sound quality helped spark the vinyl revival that followed many years later, paving the way for Pro-Ject’s Debut line. The E1.2 carries forward that same spirit.
The E1.2 strips away the non-essentials – no Bluetooth, USB, built-in phono stage, or automatic cut-off. Instead, it’s built around the core tech found in higher-end Pro-Ject decks.
These include a solid plinth, precision tonearm and a premium platter design – all designed to deliver impressive sound and maximise performance from every pound spent. For those who want those features, Pro-Ject offers a wide range of options. Here, the design focus is on core performance.
The E1.2 is ideal for beginners and is ready to partner with the growing number of integrated amps, streaming amps and active speakers that already include a phono stage (or one of Pro-Ject’s own separate Phono Box options).
Compared to the original E1, the E1.2 introduces a range of significant upgrades. The main platter is now a 730g aluminium die-cast design with a built-in TPE damping ring to minimise ringing and suppress vibration. The new design contributes to more stable rotation and better wow and flutter performance. The sub-platter, as used in the Debut line, is a glass-fibre-reinforced ABS design that rotates with improved speed accuracy and lower resonance.
The tonearm features a heavy-mass gimbal bearing for ultra-smooth movement. It’s fitted with a carbon-reinforced headshell for added rigidity and a Pick it MM E cartridge – a new low-mass design with a miniature neodymium magnet and conical diamond stylus. Factory pre-aligned and easy to use, it offers precise tracking, smooth tonal balance and reduced distortion.
The plinth is CNC-machined from rigid composite fibre, with no hollow spaces – a welcome contrast to many flimsy, poorly made rival decks, offering a resonance-free foundation.
The E1.2 is finished in high-gloss black, satin white, or walnut. A single-button speed control for automatic switching between 33 and 45 rpm, damping feet, high-quality OFC phono cables with gold-plated connectors, and a dust cover – all as standard.
Pro-Ject also supports long-term ownership with a vast ecosystem of accessories. From cables, clamps and cleaning kits to mat upgrades and cartridge swaps, customers can grow their system at their own pace, extending the life and enjoyment of their E1.2 over many years.
A two-year warranty is standard, while spare parts are guaranteed to be available for 25 years.
The Pro-Ject E1.2 launches in July, priced at £249.00 / €329.00 (incl. VAT) and is available via Henley Audio in the UK.