Platine vinyle Pro-Ject Debut PRO B

After the worldwide success of the Debut Carbon EVO turntable, Pro-Ject crowns this range with a new turntable: the Debut PRO B!

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B: design

The Pro-Ject Debut PRO B turntable offers a new design that contrasts with the Austrian manufacturer's previous productions. Its surprising design is highlighted by the various milled parts (CNC) in aluminum in nickel finish.

The manufacturing process makes it possible to produce very high-quality and durable components and to avoid the use of plastic, which often ages poorly over time.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B: Chainring

The new Debut PRO B platter is a completely new version from Pro-Ject.

This die-cast aluminum chainring is precisely balanced in an extra step to achieve a perfectly balanced chainring. The material used is anti-magnetic, which allows the Debut PRO B to be paired with a low-level MC cartridge.

This platter is equipped underneath with a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) ring that dampens all resonances and minimizes wow and flutter. It is also designed to be combined with the new Record Puck PRO presser puck, available as an option.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B: motor

The synchronous motor is combined with electronic control that ensures the most precise and stable speeds possible.

Gear change is via a toggle switch. Except for the 78t speed which requires a belt change (supplied) and a stylus change (optional).

PRO-JECT DEBUT PRO B: OUTPUT AND PHONO CABLE

The Pro-ject DEBUT PRO B is therefore equipped with traditional RCA shoes but also with a stereo Mini XLR. The latter is therefore a symmetrical output, hence the "B" for Balanced. To be able to reap the benefits of this output, you need a special cable and of course a balanced phono preamp and an MC cartridge.

Depending on your phono preamplifier,  you will need a "Connect It Phono Mini XLR / Mini XLR" or a "Connect It Phono Mini XLR / 2x XLR" cable.

We remain doubtful about this connection for several reasons. It can only be done with phono cables that only Pro-Ject offers, and it is only optimal with an MC.  And this turntable comes standard with an MM. And so this connector offers a very small musical contribution... Even if the Pick It Pro cartridge is announced by the manufacturer as being "symmetrical" 

It should be noted that this turntable only comes with a Connect It E RCA phono cable. This is a low-capacitance phono cable with a shield superior to  standard interconnect cables.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO: test and listen

The sound output is far from the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO II and closer to the Pro-Ject X1 B as expected. Indeed, the latter is very similar in design to the Debut PRO if we put aside the acrylic top.

The level of transparency is higher than that of the Debut Carbon EVO II. The details and nuance also seem more obvious. The soundstage and the precision of it are surprising for a turntable in this range.

The biggest difference is certainly the dynamics and the "physical" side that the Debut PRO B adds compared to its little sister the Debut Carbon EVO II. On this parameter, it also seems to do a little better than the X1. Nevertheless, we can prefer the more calm and "fleshy" side of the latter.

Clearly, this Pro-Ject Debut PRO B turntable is closer to a Pro-Ject X1 B in terms of technology but also in terms of reproduction than a Debut Carbon EVO II. But it is still less efficient than the superb Debut Pro S equipped with its 10-inch tonearm!

The DEBUT PRO B is an excellent turntable, superbly made and very musical.

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Pro-Ject Debut PRO B

What does the B mean, and what is the balanced output for?

The B stands for Balanced. The Debut PRO B has traditional RCA outputs and a balanced stereo mini-XLR output. To make use of it, you need a specific cable (Connect It Phono Mini XLR to Mini XLR or Mini XLR to 2x XLR), a balanced phono preamplifier and an MC cartridge. Since the turntable ships with an MM cartridge, this benefit stays limited in the original configuration.

Which phono cable is supplied?

It ships with a Connect It E phono cable on RCA, a low-capacitance cable with shielding superior to standard interconnects. Every turntable is assembled, aligned and tested in the workshop before shipping.

Is this turntable's balanced Mini XLR output really useful?

According to our tests, its value remains limited with the Pick It Pro MM cartridge supplied as standard: this balanced output is only optimal with an MC cartridge and requires specific cables proprietary to Pro-Ject, which restricts its real musical benefit in the base configuration. Note that this turntable comes only with a Connect It E RCA phono cable. The Pro-Ject Debut PRO B therefore has traditional RCA outputs but also a stereo Mini XLR. The latter is a balanced output, hence the "B" for Balanced.

Which platter does this turntable use and is it compatible with an MC cartridge?

The die-cast aluminium platter is anti-magnetic, which allows the Debut PRO B to be paired with a low-output MC cartridge if you wish to upgrade it; it also has a TPE ring that damps resonances and minimises wow and flutter. The supplied cable is a low-capacitance phono cable with better shielding than standard interconnect cables. The new Debut PRO B platter is an all-new design at Pro-Ject. This die-cast aluminium platter is precisely balanced in an additional step to achieve a perfectly balanced platter.