Lewis CaliburnPro-Ject has announced the latest addition to the ‘X’ lineup, the XA B, which aims to deliver the highest quality audio with a premium aesthetic, right out of the box.
In addition to offering a ‘True Balanced Connection’ via the 5-pin DIN output, the turntable features a plinth constructed of transparent acrylic, a material that has existed in Pro-Ject’s repertoire for decades.
In turntable design and manufacture, thoughtful selection of materials is critical. Each material has its own resonant frequency that must blend well with the other materials involved.
In the XA B development process, measurement and critical listening revealed that acrylic alone can potentially over-damp sonics. This is why the manufacturer added the livelier-sounding 10” one-piece aluminium tonearm, die-cast aluminium platter, Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge and purpose-selected isolation feet.
Together with the acrylic plinth, these materials render music in a lively, dynamic and detail-rich manner. With the simple addition of the proper cable and any of Pro-Ject’s Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B, Tube Box DS3 B or Phono Box RS2 balanced phono preamps, listeners can take the plunge into the world of balanced phono.
The following are balanced cable types that would do the trick: 5-pin DIN > Mini XLR or 5-pin DIN > XLR (depending on the phono preamp).
The XA B will begin shipping in the U.S. market late Autumn 2024, retailing for $1,499 USD.