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Preview: Pro-Ject’s XA B Transparent Acrylic Expands Their Balanced Turntable Lineup

At $1,499, the Pro-Ject XA B turntable comes with a Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge for ‘True Balanced’ vinyl playback.

Pro-Ject XA B Acrylic Balanced Turntable Angle Lifestyle

Pro-Ject Audio’s latest X Series turntable, model XA B, aims to deliver the highest quality audio with a premium aesthetic, right out of the box. In addition to offering a ‘True Balanced Connection’ via the 5-pin DIN output, the turntable features a plinth constructed of transparent acrylic, a material that has existed in Pro-Ject’s repertoire for decades.

At $1,499, the XA B is sandwiched between Pro-Ject’s X1 B ($1,299) and X2 B ($1,799) which we reviewed back in February. All three models are fully balanced turntables but there are some key differences.

Pro-Ject Pick-it Pro Balanced Cartridge Lifestyle

What’s New

  • 5-pin DIN balanced output (no RCA output, but DIN > RCA/ground cable included)
  • Balanced MM cartridge (new cable & balanced phono pre required for balanced operation)
  • 10” aluminum armtube & wider plinth to accommodate that length
  • Different isolation feet
  • Different platter (die-cast TPE-damped aluminum like Debut PRO)
  • Includes Record Puck E
Pro-Ject XA B Turntable Feet Exploded

Design

In turntable design & manufacture, thoughtful selection of materials is critical. Each material has its own resonant frequency that must blend well with the other materials involved. In the XA B development process, measurement and critical listening revealed that acrylic alone can potentially over-damp sonics. This is why Pro-Ject made the decision to utilize a livelier-sounding 10-inch one-piece aluminum tonearm, die-cast aluminum platter, Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge and purpose-selected isolation feet.

Together with the acrylic plinth, Pro-Ject says these materials render music in a lively, dynamic and detail-rich manner. With the simple addition of the proper cable and any of Pro-Ject’s Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B, Tube Box DS3 B or Phono Box RS2 balanced phono preamps, listeners can take the plunge into the world of balanced vinyl playback.

The following are balanced cable types that would do the trick: 5-pin DIN > Mini XLR or 5-pin DIN > XLR (depending on the phono preamp). 

Pro-Ject XA B Turntable Top
Pro-Ject XA B Acrylic Balanced Turntable Rear Angle Lifestyle
Pro-Ject XA B

Comparison

X1 BXA BX2 B
MSRP$1,299
$1,099
$1,499$1,799
$1,599
PlinthMDFAcrylicMDF (50mm)
Speeds33/45rpm, 45/78rpm
(flat, round belts)
33/45rpm
(electronic speed change)
33/45rpm,
45/78rpm
(flat, round belts)
Speed variance±0.30% (33rpm),
±0.25% (45rpm)
0.30% (33rpm),
0.20% (45rpm)
±0.25% (33rpm),
±0.20% (45rpm)
Wow & flutter±0.15% (33rpm),
±0.13% (45rpm)
0.13% (33rpm),
0.12% (45rpm)
±0.12% (33rpm),
±0.10% (45rpm)
Platter1.5 kg (20mm) resonance-free acrylic record platter1.7 kg (30mm) die-cast aluminum platter2 kg, (30mm) resonance-free acrylic record platter
Tonearm8.6” one-piece carbon-wrapped aluminum10″ one-piece aluminum arm tube9” one-piece carbon-wrapped aluminum
Effective tonearm mass10 g10 g13.5 g
Dimensions (WxHxD lid closed)415 x 135 x 335 mm
(16.34 x 5.31 x 13.19 inches)
460 x 130 x 340 mm
(18.11 x 5.12 x 13.39 inches)
460 x 150 x 340 mm
(18.11 x 5.91 x 13.39 inches)
Weight7 kg (15.43 lbs)8 kg (17.64 lbs)10 kg (22.05 lbs)
Outputs5-pin mini XLR output,
RCA phono
5-pin DIN balanced output5-pin mini XLR output,
RCA phono
Isolation feetAdjustable TPE-damped isolation feetSpecial TPE-damped height-adjustable metal feetAdjustable TPE-damped isolation feet
CartridgeSumiko Rainier MMPick it Pro Balanced MM cartridgeSumiko Rainier MM
Included15V 0.8A DC power supply, dust cover, DIN > RCA cable, felt mat15V/0.8A DC universal power supply
Pro-Ject XA B Turntable Tonearm Side
Pro-Ject XA B

Initial Thoughts

The XA B is the least expensive acrylic turntable among over a dozen balanced Pro-Ject Turntables priced up to $13,999. With a street price just $100 less than the X2 B, consumers have an interesting choice. However, Pro-Ject says the XA B’s longer 10-inch tonearm reduces tracking errors while delivering different sonics than a MDF base.

Pro-Ject XA B Turntable Front

Price & Availability

The Pro-Ject XA B Turntable is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning October 15, 2024 for $1,499 at Crutchfield and other authorized retailers.

For more information: pro-jectusa.com

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. HW

    August 12, 2024 at 12:22 am

    Couldn’t a different name other than XA be chosen? AR had the XA turntable. Pro-Ject already has X1, XA should be X2 and X2 should be X3.

    • Ian White

      August 12, 2024 at 1:28 pm

      HW,

      I’m sure Pro-Ject has its reason for the name. Very few consumers outside of the audiophile kingdom (under the age of 50) will remember the venerable AR XA table. Sadly. Pro-Ject’s customer base is generally younger so the branding seems to be working.

      Best,

      Ian White

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