Pro-ject Debut Pro S B Turntable

The Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B turntable is a completely atypical model in the Austrian manufacturer's Debut range, because a close look reveals that it borrows very little from the Debut Carbon Evo.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B: plinth and feet

The plinth is cut from rigid MDF. It is finished with a satin black epoxy paint.

The plinth is larger than those in the Debut range. It rests on 3 new sturdy metal feet damped with elastomer. They effectively limit vibrations from the surface reaching the turntable. Using only three feet also improves the turntable's stability on any surface. They are height-adjustable.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B: motor and drive

The Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B is fitted with a new AC motor featuring a new suspension, which limits vibrations and noise within the audible range.

The motor block uses a damping technique borrowed from the manufacturer's higher-end models. It receives TPE (Thermo Plastic Elastomer) damping combined with a high-mass steel sandwich.

This motor is fitted with a new bearing and a stainless steel spindle. It is powered by an external DC supply. A circuit reconditions an alternating current with a stable frequency of 50 Hz. It also features electronic speed change, accessed by pressing a button located under the front left corner of the chassis to preserve, according to the manufacturer, the "clean" look of the turntable.

Speed is controlled electronically with maximum precision, resulting in the most reliable and stable speed possible. A round-section belt is also supplied to play 78 rpm Shellac records. You will however need to change the cartridge stylus and replace it with an Ortofon OM78 stylus.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B: platter

This new platter is made of die-cast aluminium. It is reworked and precisely balanced in an additional step to obtain a platter that turns evenly. It is anti-magnetic, which allows it to be paired with MC cartridges.

It features a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) ring on its inner edge, damping all resonances and minimising skipping effects.

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

Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B: tonearm and cartridge

The tonearm on this Debut PRO S is entirely new. It carries over the pivots of the Debut PRO and its ultra-precise CNC machining, but is paired with a 10" aluminium tube with an "S" profile. It is fitted with an SME collar and can therefore accept a universal headshell.

This superb tonearm offers azimuth and VTA adjustment. Playing height can be adjusted continuously by loosening the two grub screws at the base of the arm. These adjustments let you match the arm to many phono cartridges. Anti-skating is applied via a small lateral counterweight, simple and effective.

The turntable is supplied without a headshell because the arm comes paired with a cartridge using the "Concorde" technology developed by Ortofon, the Pro-Ject Pick It S2 C.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B: phono cable and accessories

The Debut PRO S B is supplied with a Connect It E phono cable. This is a semi-balanced, low-capacitance model with shielding superior to competitors in this range.

Compared with other analogue or digital sources, the output signal from a turntable cartridge is particularly sensitive. Note that the arm output cables are not captive, so it is easy to upgrade the standard ones to higher-performing models such as the manufacturer's "Connect It" cables.

This Debut PRO S B also comes as standard with a transparent protective cover and a Record Puck E Black record weight designed specifically for this turntable.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B: sound

The Pro-Ject PRO S B turntable delivers remarkable reproduction.
The quality of the arm and the precision of the machining and drive give it excellent transparency and remarkable dynamics. The bass reaches low and with a great deal of authority. Articulation and nuance are convincing.

The balance is also excellent, which makes it fairly versatile, even if with the original cartridge it will be more at ease with modern music.

Its dynamic, physical reproduction makes it particularly suited to jazz, blues or rock and their offshoots.

At this price, the Pro-Ject Debut PRO S B turntable is clearly still without a rival. Its S-shaped arm, which allows the addition of a standardised headshell, is the longest in this price category.

This turntable is certainly the most upgradeable below the 1,000 euro mark in terms of cartridge (low-output MC).

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

Why is this Debut PRO S B so different from the rest of the Debut range?

On close inspection, it carries over very few elements from the Debut Carbon Evo: it benefits from a new AC motor with TPE suspension, an anti-magnetic MC-compatible platter, and above all a brand-new 10-inch S-shaped arm unseen in this price range. Find it in our turntables, phono preamps and cartridges section.

 Which cartridge is fitted to this turntable as standard?

It comes with the Pro-Ject Pick It S2 C cartridge, based on the "Concorde" technology developed by Ortofon, mounted directly on the arm without a separate headshell, since the arm uses an SME collar that can also take a universal headshell.

Can this turntable be upgraded to a higher-end MC cartridge?

Yes, one of its great strengths: its S-shaped arm, which accepts a standard headshell, is the longest in its price class, with continuous azimuth and VTA adjustment, making it the most upgradeable turntable below 1000 euros. Read why invest in an MC cartridge.

Do you need a phono preamplifier?

Yes. This version needs a phono input on your amplifier or a separate phono preamplifier. The Connect It E phono cable is not captive, so it can be upgraded to a higher-performance model.