A True Reference Turntable
Pro-Ject Audio Systems have gained notoriety for producing simple, superlative-sounding turntables with no frills nor unnecessary cosmetics, only quality materials and intelligent, sound-centered designs. Through the years, Pro-Ject enthusiasts wanted to see more of what the factory could produce in the high-end arena. We have the resources, skill & technology to do just that, so we began with luxury products like the Signature 10 & 12.
 
One of our legacy highlights was to create an audiophile turntable with insights from the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for their 175th anniversary. We used wood & metals from their old musical instruments to manufacture 175 pieces of the anniversary turntable (now a highly sought-after collector’s piece). So beautiful & high-performing, we were eager to revive the concept. The Classic Reference combines technical finesse and luxury trimmings like no other turntable. Given the accolades generated the VPO 175 & The Classic EVO, we are eager to introduce you to this improved iteration of the design.
 
EVO 9 AS HG S-Shaped Tonearm
The Classic Reference features the EVO 9 AS HG tonearm. The tonearm uses inverted cardanic Swiss ABEC 7 quality bearings with 4 stainless steel tips. The bearings are housed in a massive aluminum gimbal for maximum stability. It’s also C-shaped to prevent bell-mode resonance. For the EVO AS tonearms, we use an aluminum S-shaped tube internal damping paired with a removable headshell. We use flexible high-purity copper tonearm wire – a great conductor for the phono signal. Each lead is fitted with a gold-plated connector clip.
 
Platter & Sub-Platter
The heavy aluminum main platter construction utilizes advanced Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) for optimizing resonance behavior. Casted platters, while heavy, can have a ‘ringing’ effect. This platter is precision machined & balanced then TPE-damped on the underside, eliminating ringing & damping resonance. The platter rotates on a precision machined & balanced aluminum sub-platter, heightening rotational stability and adding mass to the drive system.
 
Balanced XLR Output
The Classic Reference offers standard-sized XLRs for balanced transmission as well as traditional RCA jacks. Balanced audio connections are most prevalent in the professional audio sector such as recording studios & live events. Here it is highly important to have a stable & interference-free connection – particularly with microphones which send low-level signals similar to that of phono cartridges! The phono signal stands to benefit in the same way. Simply put, balanced transmission delivers more signal, less noise.
 
Get Started with a Quality RCA Phono Cable
Decent cables ensure the transmission of micro-detail to the dedicated receiving device. Using poor cables can limit the potential of your whole system! The included Connect it Phono E RCA is a high-quality phono-optimized cable. We focused on quality copper & shielding to allow all the musical information through.
 
Sophisticated DC/AC Generator
Our turntables use switch-mode power supplies for good reason. They take the unrefined AC power from your wall and convert it to DC. That DC power is then fed to DC/AC generator within the turntable, which in turn powers the AC motor. The advantage is that a completely new sine wave is created by the generator, fully decoupling your turntable from the dirty AC power coming from your outlet. This amounts to steady power being fed to the motor thereby enhancing speed stability.
 
Finish
Brass & Acacia, Silver & Gloss Black
 
 
High-end 9″ S-shaped tonearm (EVO 9 AS HG)
Removable headshell for simple cartridge swapping
Balanced XLR & single-ended RCA outputs
Low-friction zircon pin-point cardan bearings
Electronic speed control (33/45/78rpm)
Fully adjustable azimuth & VTA
TPE-decouple aluminum top over MDF plinth
Precision-balanced TPE-damped aluminum platter
TPE-damped counterweight
Clamp it record clamp included
Leather it turntable mat included
Height adjustable decoupling feet
Handmade in Europe