Description
There are many considerations in assembling a balanced turntable system. The phono signal must start off balanced at the cartridge and must stay that way until reaching the balanced circuit in the phono stage. This means you’ve got to select a balanced turntable with an MC cartridge, a balanced phono preamp and a balanced cable that’ll allow for connection between the turntable output and the phono stage input. This is why we’ve assembled packages featuring our X1 B, X2 B and X8 Evolution turntables. You still get to select your favorite turntable & preamp finishes- we’ve just taken the guesswork out of the cable & cartridge part of the equation while offering you savings in a package price. Remember that even if the rest your system is unbalanced, balanced signal transmission to the phono stage has a huge impact on sound quality. The phono signal benefits most significantly of all signals being sent & received in your system.
The X8 Evolution True Balanced package includes the following…
∙ X8 Evolution turnable in your choice of finish (gloss black, gloss white, satin walnut), features the Mini XLR phono output
∙ Phono Box DS3 B phono preamp (black or silver), includes a balanced Mini XLR input to properly receive incoming signal
∙ Connect it Phono DS 5P > XLR balanced phono cable, transfers the balanced signal from turntable to phono preamp
∙ Sumiko Songbird Low Output moving coil phono cartridge, the origin of the balanced signal
Visit our True Balanced FAQs page to read more about how it works and why each of the 4 components above are essential for balanced operation!
Additional information
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Features
- High-mass 15kg belt drive turntable
- Pro-Ject 9cc Evolution carbon tonearm
- Heavy MDF chassis
- Precision balanced, damped 5.1kg aluminum platter
- Inverted ceramic ball bearing with magnetic support
- Electronic speed control (33/45rpm)
- Inverted cardanic tonearm bearings
- 4x stainless steel tips mounted in ABEC 7 quality ball bearings
- Height-adjustable metal feet with TPE damping
- Premium 5P semi-symmetrical RCA phono cable (DIN-RCA)
- True Balanced 5P XLR cable available separately (DIN-XLR)
- Dustcover included
- Finish options: satin walnut, gloss black, gloss white
- Handmade in Europe
Specs
- Speeds: 33/45rpm (electronic speed change)
- Included phono cable: Connect it E 5P-RCA, 1.23m
- Isolation feet: TPE damped aluminum, height adjustable
- Platter: 5.1kg lathed aluminum
- Platter bearing: inverted ceramic ball, magnetic support
- Speed drift 33: ±0.11%; 45: ± 0.09%
- Wow & flutter 33: ±0.11%; 45: ± 0.10%
- Rumble: 73dB
- Tonearm: 9″ one-piece carbon-fiber tonearm
- Effective arm length/mass: 9″(230mm)/8.5g
- Overhang: 18mm
- Included: dustcover, 45rpm adapter, felt mat
- Power supply: 15V/0.8A DC
- Power consumption: 5W (0.3W standby mode)
- Dimensions (lid closed): 465 x 150 x 350mm (W x H x D)
- Dimensions (lid open): 465 x 415 x 420mm (W x H x D)
- Weight: 15kg
Reviews
“There are turntables costing many thousands of dollars more that deliver this kind of listening experience, but the Pro-Ject X8 is relatively affordable way to begin to hear what high-end turntable aficionados are raving about.” – James Barber, TechHive
“I think Pro-Ject has really come up with a winner here.” – Michael Fremer, Tracking Angle Video Review
“…In other words, you can buy an affordable X8 and over time accessorize your ride to produce a turntable/cartridge/phono preamp combo that’s uncomfortably far up the performance chain.” – Michael Fremer, Tracking Angle
The Absolute Sound’s Most Significant Product Introduction “…offering a lot of turntable for its price point.” – Andre Jennings’ Best of Show, TAS
“The weight and consistency of the platter, the smooth, fluid motion of the tonearm moving and the overall feel of this turntable in general are things that can only be described to a certain point in video. While I have done my best to do so, sometimes you truly just need to see for yourself. This is one of those times.” – Chris Guinan, The Vinyl Attack!
“This is a beautiful-looking turntable- the Pro-Ject X8 with the Evolution tonearm.” – Michael Fremer, Tracking Angle Unboxing Video
“It could well be that this phono setup for under 3000 euros beats expensive luxury sets costing multiple times more.” – Lothar Brandt, AUDIO (Germany)
“In this price range, the performance is hard to beat… The big surprise is the balanced phono preamp – in combination with the solid mass drive… you get a lot of music for your money.” – Holger Barske, Hi-Fi Test (Germany)