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Pro-Ject Debut Classic Turntable with Coupon $317.40 (Was $529) @ JB Hi-Fi

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92842839027

This week's instant deal from JB Hifi. Can sign up here: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/General/Instant-Deals/

Not a bad deal for an entry level turn table.

Rega is the alternative.

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closed Comments

  • 92842839027

  • -2

    how does this compare to the mbeat version which i got two year ago for $49?

    • +1

      not even comparable

  • Can someone please explain what this is for? I mean what it does compared to the cheaper turntables? Is this for DJ work?

    • +1

      Given it's belt-driven I would think not.

    • +2

      It's an entry level audiophile table. For three hundred ish it's reasonable value, but keep in mind a separate phono preamp is required. Generally it will sound better than the cheaper tables, and the cart it uses will exert less force on your vinyl, which will make them last longer. Plus you get some wank factor.

      • If my amp has phono in I assume I don't nneed a preamp ?

        • If your Amp has MM input or switch it will be fine for this Cartridge. Some Preamps have MM or MC and some have Both.

    • +1

      It's a very good entry level turntable, the kind of price to need to start at if you are actually listening to your vinyl.
      Some will tell you to swap the cartridge straight away but that's probably entering the audiophile arena.
      You will need an amp with a phono in or you will have to buy a pre-amp.
      The slip mat is prone to static build up, most pro-ject turntables at this price have the same issue.
      There's no 45 / 33 rpm switch. You need to lift the platter up and manually move the drive belt from one part of the motor to another.
      And if you do buy one, follow the instructions for balancing the tone arm, it's not plug and play.

      • No 45/33 I would think would be a deal breaker.

        I guess it's for people who tell themselves vinyl is magically better than digital. Okay not for me then.

        Thanks for the info.

        • For an extra $200 you can add a 'speedbox' to give 33/45 change at the push of a button. http://www.projectaudio.com.au/products/speed-box-s

          But, moving the belt is very easy and the vast majority of records are at 33 so it'd be a waste of money for most users.

        • @watts: yeah, switching the belt on my RPM takes literally seconds. Such a weird 'deal breaker!!@#@'.

        • +1

          It's not magically better, it's actually better ;)

        • @jjcf:

          It's a bit more of a pain when you need to remove the platter like with this debut classic, but still a piece of cake.

        • @attfiecz2:

          Whatever. Tell me I have tin ears and lets move on.

  • +1

    I have been waiting for months for a deal on the Carbon DC. This might be as close as it will get…

    • +1

      It's hard to tell how this compares because it's an exclusive model to JB's . Does anyone know where it sits feature wise in the range ?

      • u bet to it, really interested but could not find any info on this player, review wise

      • +1

        Below the Carbon, above the Essential.

      • +2

        As jjcf mentions, I believe it is very similar to the old Debut III. Tonearm, Motor and Cartridge etc are different in the Carbon.

        From what I have read online, everyone says pay the extra $50 (when both at RRP) and get the Carbon but this deal is $200 cheaper than the cheapest Carbon DC I can find ($519) which makes it worth considering IMO.

  • +1

    This is a reasonably priced entry level turn table good for anyone wanting to get into records for the first time. Pro-ject is a reasonably reputable company from Austria and are stocked at most good hi fi stores. This model is belt driven yes, you would find a direct drive motor TT more suitable for djing.

    This model is probably comparable to the Rega RP1 (which I think is no longer in production) possibly Rega Planar 1. Both very well regarded models.

    If interested in getting into vinyl there are worse ways you could start. Whilst I think the original $529 is inflated, you could probably find this model for approx. $450 without any trouble, this is a very good entry point for the price - especially when compared with other products at similar price point. To put it one way, if you were looking at the JB flea market branded rubbish they sell for $249 this is a no brainer - definitely spend the extra to get this model. these are similar to crosley rubbish that will ruin your records and more than likely your listening experience.

    The included Ortofon OM10 stylus is a reasonable piece of kit but check before you buy if these and other parts are easily replaceable/upgradable.

    Keep in mind this TT is not a usb turn table and unless you have an older amp with phono input this will require a pre amp for listening.

    • how does this compare to audio technica lp1240?
      I know this one is direct drive and more for DJing but I'm interested to know in terms of sound quality

      • +1

        1240 is direct drive, with a very average cart and you are paying for features you wont use (like pitch shift and USB out via pretty ordinary phono stage).

      • +1

        JJ is right andy, the audiotechnica is based on the largely popular technics 1200 model which I think has been around since the seventies. More suited for DJ applications based on a good quality high torque direct drive motor and pitch control. I wouldn't really say these are comparable to be honest as they are different products with different purposes.. in terms of sound quality I haven't auditioned the technica 1240 or this project classic model sorry mate. I did audition a pro-ject debut carbon which I think is similar in terms of specs to this model cut couldn't say for sure.

        If you are interested in getting one of these models id suggest to go and audition them both in store. If you can audition with a source that you are familiar with that's only going to be a bonus. I don't imagine JB will have an issue with letting you try before you buy. If they have an issue I would suggest to go to a dedicated hi fi store - don't be put off by the $15K turntable or the $40K speakers, they will have options to cater for all budgets and are more than happy to help you audition whatever you want to help you find what you're looking for.

      • I haven't heard either but I reckon you'd be hard pressed to hear the difference, assuming you had the same cartridge on each and aren't playing through super high end gear.

        Even if not DJing the AT1240 has a lot of features over the Pro-ject TT that may outweigh any small difference in sound quality (if any). Speed select buttons, removable headshell, easy arm height adjustment, pre-amp, USB, cue lamp, 78rpm!

        • 78rpm is good, not so many turntables bother these days and I do have quite a few older shellac 78's lurking someplace.

    • Thanks lovegun85, I have a heap of records to play but no player so might get one.

      I take it will work on my amp with the left and right analog inputs?

      http://www.pioneer-audiovisual.eu/sites/default/files/datash…

      • +1

        Hey Dan, looking at the inputs on your amp, as with most newer models, you will need a phono stage pre amp. My Home theatre amp is the same mate. I think JB will have a few pre amp options but look around. Essentially this is just to amplify the signal to a line level for processing by the amp. You can spend whatever you like on a phono pre amp but to be honest aside from spending more to get better quality components/build/gain stage etc. for this entry level TT you could probably get away with spending around $100 to get an entry level pre amp.

        I run a rega branded phono pre amp which I think I got for about $150. It has a usb out as well if I ever wanted to bother ripping records to PC, but for the main purpose of getting sound to the amp, its only ever kicked goals for me.

        Decent quality cables are a must. Don't go crazy, you don't need to spend a mint to achieve a good result. If you are handy I make my own cables using components I got online and some good quality cable oxygen free. Try and match the length you will need as well, don't get a significantly longer cable just to be safe.

        Shop around as well, might be convenient to get it all from JB with your discounted TT, but might work out cheaper to get pre amp and cable from an audio store.

  • -1

    I used to sell to the Audiophile crowd, and that's who this is aimed at.
    How much is wank factor is up to you, but I'll summarize it:

    Belt drive with silicone belt
    Belt driven is considered better for listening, because it takes the motor away form the platter.
    Silicone belt means the belt wont deteriorate over time.

    Suspended motor with damping system
    As above, the motor is away from the platter, and whats more is they've 'dampened' it. Usually this just means silicone grommets, but it all helps.

    High-mass alloy platter
    This is actually low tier, but better than most.
    Most platters are LOW mass alloy, meaning if you tap them, they 'ring'. High mass hopefully means a solid piece of alloy.
    Their next ranges are Solid Epoxy, then Solid Marble IIRC.

    Ortofon OM10E diamond replaceable stylus
    This is a nice stylus, really I can't "sell" this, its about personal preference, IMO these sound 'clean' as opposed to 'warm' but everyones ears are different.

    Interchangeable gold plated RCA cables included
    Yay? If you're going audiophile, at least get some Chord brand cables; they're not too exxy and they're proven 'audiophile' level. Never had a set come back.

    Minimal piano black finish
    yay?

    Supports 33 and 45 speeds (manual speed change)
    You'd better hope so….

    Tinted removable dust cover included
    Dust covers are great, and believe it or not, not many (high end) actually come with them.

    Felt mat included
    Felt is better than Jute, but IMO not as good as Neoprene.

    Considering this is about 1/3rd the cost of all their other tables, if you're an audiophile who loves the wank factor on vinyl, this is a 'cheap' way to get involved.

  • 92842839027
    If anyone needs it… but you won't because its not a unique code I just realised

  • Would one of the experts please suggest a matching preamp to go with the turntable, so could be hooked up to a Sonos Play5..

    • Connecting to a Sonos will hide any quality gains anyway; Basically just get the cheapest one you can find from a reputable brand.

      Grab a jaycar one.
      https://www.jaycar.com.au/auxilliary-turntable-preamp-switch…

      Then when you decide to get a quality audio output solution, THEN you end up spending more on a preamp.

      Besides normally you'd pair a preamp with an Amplifier.

      Look into MOON amplifiers.

    • +2

      https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-entertainment/all-tv--home…

      plenty of other $100-$200 options from reputable brands like NAD, REGA etc. Cheapest worth considering IMO is Behringer PP400 for ~$50.

      • Good suggestion wattsy. Deka, if you are inclined to get this from JB at the same time as a new TT you might be able to get a few bucks knocked down on price.

        Then again, if you're not in a hurry you can get one shipped from US for $94.93. (I just put it into my amazon US cart and that's the AUS price shipped to VIC).

        reckon if you could get it down to $100 or thereabouts at JB its a good deal.

  • One (primary?) reason to get this over something cheaper is that, with a basic but touch of quality tonearm and cartridge, it will use a light playing pressure of needle on vinyl which limits damage through wear to your records when played….note, any damage is irreversible. This machine will not magically make old worn and uncared for records sound like new.

    One critical omission, as far as I can see is the lack of a dampened tone arm dropping mechanism, in other words with this you lower the tone arm onto the record yourself not mechanically. This risks literally dropping the needle onto the record if inattentive. This is especially likely when trying to play selective tracks inside of the first track.

    Aside - without being a clever harry, for those that have used only digital music, playing from vinyl is a mechanical process and like any machine with moving parts, use means wear. This turntable aims to limit that wear and reproduce the original "as new" sound for longer and probably more faithfully than cheaper turntables.

    The playing of vinyl is a complex subject and how far you go into it depends on the needs and desires of the listener.

    • It has a lever for tone arm.

  • anyone know if you can pick these up in store?
    (so I can negotiate a price on the pre-amp)

  • Mine arrived yesterday . The instructions make sense when you combine them with a youtube how to .
    Build quality is $200 better than the old $100 Sony turntable we had .
    There was a lot of popping and crackling until I grounded the spade bit terminal onto the chassis of the amp .
    I get the impression the low quality mass produced records 99% of people have , sound fairly crap no matter how good your equipment is .

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