Pro-Ject The Classic Evo turntable

The new Pro-Ject The Classic Evo turntable is based on the best-buy of the Austrian manufacturer, the Pro-Ject The Classic. It received the EISA award from the specialized press. This certainly motivated the manufacturer to improve this reference product.

At first sight, and mostly for a non-expert, the differences are no evident!

PRO-JECT THE CLASSIC EVO: CHASSIS

The main improvement of this The Classic Evo, which is the less noticeable, is located at the level of the sub-platter. This one is now carved into a massive piece of aluminum.

It gives more mass, rigidity and makes it less sensitive to vibrations; the goal is isolate the platter and the tonearm from resonances of the motor or the plinth.

This plinth is made of high-density MDF plate covered by an aluminium foil. It is decoupled from the main base by 6 sorbothane balls.

PRO-JECT THE CLASSIC EVO: PLATTER

The platter is also manufactured with precision, from a special aluminium alloy.

It is damped at its periphery by an elastomer seal (TPE). Indeed, the platters of the old turntables have always had a defect.

Heavy moulded platters are an advantage in terms of inertia, but the majority of them resounded like bells! So, this resulted in a large amount of coloration.

PRO-JECT THE CLASSIC EVO: TONEARM

The tonearm is built following the new 9CC Evo. It is the result of 25 years of experience in this field.

Its tube is composed of a carbon and aluminium sandwich. Carbon was selected for its rigidity and aluminium for better damping and mass.

Bearings are similar to the 10” and 12” tonearm of the CC Evo range from Pro-Ject. It allows vertical and horizontal movements, without friction. This ensures precise tracking on all the playback of the vinyl record.

The new counterweight includes a TPE damping that reduces by 50% the amplitude of the resonance frequency of the cartridge in the tonearm.

As on all Pro-Ject tonearm (except on the Debut range), the Classic Evo turntable also offers an azimuth and VTA adjustment to make it compatible with the maximum number of MM cartridges and MC cartridges.

Note that the increase of the effective mass of the tonearm goes in this sense and allows you to associate it with more pertinence to moving coils cartridges of lower compliance.

PRO-JECT THE CLASSIC EVO: PHONO CARTRIDGE

As standard, Pro-Ject introduces this The Classic Evo with an excellent Ortofon Quintet Red MC cartridge. This low output and impedance cartridge will require an adapted MC phono preamplifier.

This choice assumed by Pro-Ject aims to exploit the full potential of this turntable. MC cartridges are expensive, but they remain the best option in terms of musicality and performance.

Moving coils cartridges are rarely proposed on a turntable of this range, giving an unrivalled quality/price ratio.

PRO-JECT THE CLASSIC EVO: SPEED CHANGES

Another new feature, Pro-Ject equipped this The Classic Evo with an electronic speed change. This allows you to go from 33 to 45 rpm (and vice versa) by pushing a button.

Switching to 78 rpm will require a change of the belt position, in addition to a change of stylus.

PRO-JECT THE CLASSIC EVO: PHONO CABLE

The phono cable is not captive. So, it can be replaced by a more performing one in the future.

However, note that the original cable is not bad at all, it is a “real” phono cable called “Connect It E” by Pro-Ject.

PRO-JECT THE CLASSIC EVO: TEST AND LISTENING

The listening is as good as the means used by the Austrian manufacturer! With this The Classic Evo from Pro-Ject, we find the balance and nuance qualities of the old version, but with more dynamics and weight in notes.

The bass is also more physical and offers better articulation.

Transparency and nuance are also superior to the former “The Classic”. The MC cartridge should be no stranger to this.

It is the same for dynamics which is excellent and which makes very easy the rhythmic tracking and the play of the musicians.

The listening is not totally related to its vintage look. It is true that we find the material and the amplitude of some suspended turntables of the 70s, but the comparison does not stop there! Transparency, neutrality and definition are unrivalled.

The versatility of this Pro-Ject The Classic Evo turntable allows you to listen to all kinds of music: Rock, Electronic, Jazz or even Classic music!

A great success!