Pro-ject Debut Pro S turntable

The Pro-Ject Debut PRO S turntable is a completely atypical model of the Austrian manufacturer’s Debut line… the reason being it uses few elements from the Debut Carbon Evo.

PRO-JECT DEBUT PRO S: CHASSIS AND FEET

The chassis is made of rigid MDF. It has a matte black epoxy finish.

The chassis is larger than on the Debut Line’s other products. It rests on three new solid metal feet with TPE damping. They effectively limit vibration from the surface below. Using three feet only allows to further enhance stability no matter the surface. They are height adjustable.

PRO-JECT DEBUT PRO S: MOTOR AND DRIVE PRINCIPLE

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Pro S features a new AC motor provided with new suspension limiting vibration and noise in the sound spectrum.

The motor is given a damping technique coming from the higher-end models of the manufacturer. It also includes TPE damping (thermoplastic elastomer) associated with a heavy steel sandwich.

The motor is provided with a new bearing and a stainless-steel spindle. It’s powered by an external DC power supply. An electrical circuit reconditions an AC with a stable 50 Hz frequency. Besides, you can change the speed by pressing a toggle switch below the front-left angle of the chassis. According to Pro-Ject, the aim is to keep the turntable’s “refined” style.

The playback speeds are electronically controlled with maximum precision, which guarantees the most accurate and stable music reproduction. Furthermore, a round belt is also supplied enabling you to listen to 78 rpm Shellac records. However, changing the cartridge’s stylus for an Ortofon OM78 is required.

PRO-JECT DEBUT PRO S: PLATTER

This new platter is made of die-cast aluminium. It is reworked and precision balanced in an extra step to obtain an evenly spinning platter. It is anti-magnetic, allowing also MC cartridges to work properly.

It has a ring made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) on the inside that helps to dampen all resonances and minimizes wow and flutter.

It rests on a solid aluminium sub-platter machined to very low tolerances.

PRO-JECT DEBUT PRO S: TONEARM AND CARTRIDGE

The tonearm of the Debut PRO S is completely unique. It uses the pivots and the precise CNC machining found on the Debut PRO. However, it features a 10” S-shape aluminium tonearm. It also comes with an SME ring allowing you to use a universal headshell.

This beautiful tonearm enables Azimuth and VTA adjustment. The tonearm height can be continuously adjusted by loosening the two grub screws on the base of the tonearm. These settings give you the option of adapting the tonearm to many cartridges. Antiskating works via a small lateral counterweight. Simple and effective!

The turntable is delivered without a cartridge because the tonearm is associated with a cartridge using Ortofon’s Concorde technology, the Pro-Ject Pick It S2 C.

PRO-JECT DEBUT PRO S: PHONO CABLE AND ACCESSORIES

The Debut PRO S is delivered with a Connect It E phono cable. It’s a semi-symmetrical and low capacitance model equipped with superior shielding to the competition in this range.

Compared to other analogue or digital sources, the output signal of a turntable cartridge is particularly sensitive. It should be noted that tonearm cables are not captive so the standard ones can be replaced with more high-performance models such as the manufacturer’s Connect It cables.

The Debut PRO S also features a transparent dust cover as standard and a Record Puck E Black clamp specifically designed for this turntable.

PRO-JECT DEBUT PRO S: TESTING AND LISTENING

The Pro-Ject PRO S turntable offers a remarkable reproduction.
The quality of the tonearm and the drive system and machining precision provides it with excellent transparency and superb dynamics. Bass goes very deep with a lot of authority. Both articulation and nuance are convincing.

Balance is excellent as well. Consequently, the turntable is pretty versatile. However, it will be more comfortable with modern music when associated with the standard cartridge.

Indeed, the dynamic and full-bodied sound makes it perfect for Jazz, Blues or Rock and its subgenres.

At this price, the Pro-Ject Debut PRO S turntable is still completely free from competition! As a matter of fact, its S-shape tonearm, which enables the addition of a standard headshell, is the longest in this price range!

This is surely the turntable allowing the most cartridge improvements (low output MC) while remaining below 1,000 euros.

Our favourite!