Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

My lab report for the original Debut Carbon deck [HFN May '12], noted 'the enlarged 12in metal platter might benefit from some damping'. Pro-Ject has now added TPE damping to the (heavier) 1.7kg steel platter, so while the lightweight injection-moulded sub-platter and stainless steel/bronze bearing are unchanged, the increase in loading only results in a 1dB hike in through-bearing noise (from –68.8dB to –67.7dB here). More importantly, the improved platter damping has reduced through-groove rumble from –66.8dB to –69.1dB in the EVO [all DIN-B wtd, 20Hz-20kHz, re. 1kHz/5cm/sec]. The mechanical stability of the AC motor is also improved now the suspension resonance identified in the X2 [HFN Nov '19] has been addressed by Pro-Ject. Absolute speed accuracy is bang-on target and W&F reduced to a very fine 0.05% peak-wtd figure [black spectrum, Graph 1]. A component at ±41Hz visible in the rumble spectra is also manifest in the W&F spectrum but this is insignificant compared to the palpable deterioration in W&F and rumble caused by the use of Pro-Ject's glued, round-section belt option [shaded red spectrum, Graph 1]. Always use the flat-section belt for 33/45rpm!

Pro-Ject's 8.6in arm with its lightweight, rigid carbon fibre tube and headshell is a familiar choice – its low 7g effective mass ideally suited to the compliant 2M Red pick-up. The (sapphire) bearing friction is low at ~15mg in both planes while the short, stiff armtube shows its principal resonance at 260Hz with higher-Q harmonic/twisting modes at 590Hz and 880Hz [see Graph 2]. This arm is a little 'livelier' than the alloy/carbon tubes fitted to Pro-Ject's 'The Classic' [HFN Aug '16] and X2 decks. PM