Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB turntable with Quintet Blue cartridge

This new 6 PERSPEX Acryl SB turntable has all the features of its ancestor… The only difference is the motor.

Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB : Motor and speed change

The motor of the 6 Perspex SB vinyl turntable has been fitted with a DC board and a speed generator that the manufacturer has named 'Speed Box' or SB!

In fact, the motor is similar to the one on Pro-Ject's RPM9 Carbon turntable. Only the aluminium plate departs for height reasons.

It is powered by a circuit that generates an alternating current (50 Hz) via a DC power supply.

Two oscillators eliminate mains voltage and frequency variations and offer 2 speeds. Rotation variations are dramatically reduced.

It has a precision-machined aluminium pulley.

A small push button on the side electronically selects playback speed (33 and 45 RPM).

The entire motor unit sits separate from the plinth with thick TPE lining. It prevents vibrations from being transferred to the platter, hence to the Hi-Fi cartridge.

Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB : Tonearm and cartridge

It naturally features the excellent and now famous Pro-Ject 9CC Evolution tonearm. It has a 9 inch carbon tube (230 mm). It has Din connectors and Pro-Ject supplies a great phono cable as standard: the Connect It Din 5P CC.

The tonearm is compatible with most MM and MC cartridges. The Ortofon Quintet Blue MC cartridge comes on this tonearm.

It is associated with 4 counterweights that allow for the assembly of all cartridges weighing between 5 and 14 g. 'Ancient' cartridges with very low compliance levels must be avoided. 

Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB : Drive and platter

The platter is driven by a silicone belt that slips directly around the edge of the platter.

This 2 kg platter is made up of a sandwich of composite materials covered by a 4 mm-thick layer of compressed vinyl. A meticulously machined stainless steel inverted spindle is attached to it and is housed in a housing with a stop and a ceramic ball-bearing.

The hub is made out of a Corian plate, which is an exclusive as far as I'm aware. And another impressive feature is that, instead of resting on springs like its ancestors, it rests on very powerful repulsive magnets that make it levitate! This clever and amazing solution is completely silent and generates not friction.

The transparent acrylic base was selected for its great rigidity and acoustic neutrality.

Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB  : Listening and test review

We tried Pro-Ject's 6 Perspex SB in a number of set-ups. We were impressed!

The dynamics are amazing over the entire frequency response.

The quality of the bass gives it amazing rhythm on the bass, double-bass and electronic range.

The mids are precise and soft. It has the openness and airiness of some vintage suspended turntables with their own colouration.

It has the typical British-American articulation and melodic side! We also liked the vibrancy and presence of the sound. It sounds less harsh than the RPM models, though its range is an advantage.

It is also precise and detailed, irrespective of the music played. 

This latest variant of Pro-Ject's 6 Perspex is a superb triumph! Its build quality, technology, versatility, musicality and design make it a top pick for this price range. It is one of Pro-Ject's top selling models, and with the new variant, we are confident that it will stay that way!

We highly recommended it!