Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo manual vinyl turntable

This vinyl turntable crowns the 20 years of research, innovation and passion of Pro-Ject, the Austrian manufacturer. The Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo turntable clearly shows its very high end ambitions in its design and look.

Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo: plinth

The large MDF plinth has a varnished natural wood veneer, or a stunning glossy piano black. It is weighted and damped by metal granules. The designer had the superb idea of incorporating an ultra-precise speed control in the plinth.

The plinth of this Pro-Ject turntable is supported by four aluminium feet with repelling magnets that keep it in magnetic levitation!

Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo: platter

The platter, this time for reasons of weight, is not acrylic but a stainless steel alloy. It is damped on the inner side by a TPE layer, and on its upper side by a mat of compressed records.

At its base, there is a circular magnet in phase opposition with the turntable, thus relieving the spindle and its bearing through magnetic repulsion.

Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo: tonearm

The tonearm housing is also damped and isolated from vibration. It can receive almost all the tonearms on the market.

Pro-Ject offers several versions of this X-Tension 12 Evo, that is without tonearm, or with a proprietary tonearm, the 12cc Evolution, or with an Ortofon RS-309D or RS-309S tonearm. 

Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo: setting up

We must first tell you that given the range within which it lies, this Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 is sublimely easy to install and use.

Naturally, a minimum of care is needed to set it up: a stable, perfectly horizontal base, and preferably a heavy and inert plinth. The cartridge and the phono preamp must not be neglected too much either. 

Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo: listening and review

As soon as the stylus graces the groove, you are caught up and astonished by the fluidity of the musical message reproduced. The textures are rich and very 'classical'. The treble rises high with no sharpness without muffling details.

For 'Take Five' by Dave Brubeck, the drum solo is reproduced with great rhythm and consistency. No surface noise masks the creaking of the base drum pedal.

For 'My girl' by Patricia Barber, you find a sensuous and clear voice, perfectly supported by the double base, with highly credible and stupendous guitar solo attacks. You pinch yourself as you play vinyl record after vinyl record with unparalleled joy and disarming ease, so great is this machine's faculty of giving priority to listening pleasure…

We must sat that Pro-Ject has surprised us in a range where we were not expecting! The Pro-Ject X-Tension 12 Evo turntable is an attractive and good alternative to VPI, Clearaudio…