Description
RPM 5 Carbon implements the principles of its big brother, RPM 9 Carbon. The low-resonance, carbon-wrapped MDF chassis carries an inverted platter bearing with ceramic ball for ultra-low rumble. The acoustically inert platter is made from satinized acrylic. The outboard 15V AC motor is smoothly driven using an ultra-precise AC generator with DC power supply for further speed stability. The premium 9cc Evolution armtube & headshell are made from a single piece of carbon fiber and is suitable for an array of MM and MC cartridges. A TPE-damped counterweight further reduces unwanted resonance in the tonearm section. All told, RPM 5 Carbon represents a multi-faceted approach to getting your records to sound their very best… and at a stunning price when considering its implementations.
Sumiko Stylus Replacement & A Unique Tour of the MM Design
Sumiko Phono Cartridges pair well with Pro-Ject tonearms. Their sonic synergy delivers non-fatiguing music that can be enjoyed for hours with no sacrifice to low-level detail & resolution- the things that make our music reproduction spring to life! Upgrading your stylus is an easy, low-risk path to immediate, audible improvement in your analog experience that only improve with break-in. Cartridge/stylus break-in occurs progressively as you listen. Our listeners notice the greatest degree of improvement in the 20-50 hour range. CLICK HERE to view the video tutorial for replacing and/or upgrading your Sumiko stylus! Also enjoy our gorgeous rendering of a Sumiko moving magnet cartridge in action HERE.
True Balanced – Get Blown Away
Setting us apart from the competition, all Pro-Ject turntables are configured for balanced operation.* Switching to balanced is no subtle upgrade and promises to redefine ‘reference’ sound quality in your turntable system. What’s needed to get there are a) a moving coil cartridge, b) a turntable with balanced phono outputs, c) a phono preamp with balanced phono inputs and d) a balanced cable carrying the phono signal from turntable to phono preamp. Typically a much more costly endeavor, Pro-Ject has changed that landscape by offering products that make the technology attainable to any serious listener.
RPM 5 Carbon comes equipped with a balanced RCA/ground phono output and can be run balanced with an RCA > mini XLR phono cable and a balanced phono stage with a mini XLR input (Phono Box S3 B & DS3 B). The turntable ships with an RCA/ground > RCA/ground phono cable for maximum compatibility out of the box (unbalanced dual single-ended RCA/ground is by far the most common connection type in phono). Balanced add-ons are sold separately. Browse options for balanced phono preamps & cables in the reel below!
*Excluding turntables with built-in phono preamps.
Additional information
| Weight | 8 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 32.3 × 43 × 15 cm |
| Color |
Features
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- Precision belt drive using free-standing synchronous motor
- Ultra-precision DC-driven AC generator motor power
- Inverted platter bearing with ceramic ball
- Acoustically inert acrylic platter
- 9” cc EVO tonearm made from carbon
- Counterweight with TPE damping
- Adjustable aluminium tip-toe feet
- Three high-gloss colours (black, red, white)
- Handmade in Europe
Specs
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- Nominal speeds: 33/45 r.p.m.
- Speed variance 33: 0,12%, 45: 0,10%
- Wow and flutter 33: 0,17%, 45: 0,08%
- Signal to noise: 73dB
- Effective tonearm mass: 8g
- Effective tonearm length: 9 ” (230mm)
- Overhang: 18mm
- Power consumption: 5 W max / <0,3W standby
- Outboard power supply: 15V DC / 800 mA AC, 90-264V AC, 47 – 63Hz
Reviews
“The RPM 5 Carbon turntable from Pro-Ject is possibly the first and last turntable you’ll ever need. The aesthetics are gorgeous but also functional: the heavy, detached motor and minimalist yet still substantial plinth mean fewer potential vibrations. Pace and timing are spot on, while the surprisingly quiet backgrounds and the sheer depth of soundstaging elevate playback to that next level. Music flows in an incredibly precise and pleasant way, never lagging or falling behind. The RPM 5 will accommodate solid upgrades down the signal path for years to come. It’s an easy and obvious step above the rest and highly recommended.” – The Absolute Sound (TAS) Best Turntables Under $2000
