Pro-Ject has this week announced the launch of their first true balanced turntable. The belt-driven Pro-Ject X2 B has a mini XLR output to their new Phono Box S3 B to achieve true balanced output. Balanced outputs offer less noise and interference as the cold signal is treated separately from the hot signal and there is a separate ground route.
The Pro-Ject X2 B comes in a walnut wood veneer finish, a black 8-layer high gloss finish and an 8-layered black or white satin polished finish. It will retail at MSRP of £1,399 (incl. VAT) and the Ortofon Quintet Red Moving Coil cartridge is MSRP of £269 (incl. VAT). The matching and balanced Pro-Ject S3 B is a very reasonable £349. They are all available in the UK through Henley Audio.
The Pro-Ject X2 B is a ‘True Balanced Connection’ and it features new RCA Phono and 5-pin mini XLR connections. The Pro-Ject X2 B also features a 9-inch carbon/aluminium tonearm which has high rigidity, and the one-piece design avoids unwanted vibrations, Pro-Ject claims.
The Pro-Ject X2 B has dimensions of 460 x 150 x 340 mm (WxHxD) lid closed and it is a weighty 10 kg. The weight contributes to a reduction in unwanted resonance in the chassis.
