The Pro-Ject Essential turntable is exactly that. A turntable that gives you the basics to play records, with no superfluous frills.
Compare the Essential with other turntables around this price and there's simply no comparison. Where rivals use thin, metal platters, plastic plinths and decidedly ordinary bearings, the Essential uses a solid MDF plinth, thick MDF platter and a well engineered bearing. Moving to the tonearm and, again, the Project Essential is leagues ahead of its rivals. A one-piece aluminium arm tube with under-slung counter weight and adjustable bias makes a mockery of the usual, non-adjustable tonearms standard on many turntables of this price. The icing on the cake is a good quality Ortofon OM3 cartridge that on its own is worth around £35.
So the Essential is built like a proper turntable, but does it sound like one? The answer is a resounding yes! Given its price, the Essential sounds superb and is the perfect first turntable or the ideal way back into playing a treasured vinyl collection. Next to its rivals, the Essential sounds crisp, clean and clear with a surprisingly powerful and deep bass response. If you thought that vinyl sounded thin, scratchy and inferior to CD then this might be the budget turntable to change your mind.
Finished in a tough, matte black paint, the Essential won't win any beauty prizes but it is certainly practical and durable. The standard lid adds further to the no-nonsense approach.
At Richer Sounds we really love this turntable and once you take a listen to it, we think you will too!
Picture approximate.
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"The Essential is yet another excellent budget Pro-ject. There's little to complain about here. Details levels are good, and rarely does the turntable sound flustered, even when it's asked to replay something demanding. Considering the price point there's little of substance to criticise here. The Essential is decently made, easy to set-up and sounds great. You can't ask for much more than that, especially at this price level." - What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision magazine |
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| Pitch Control | Is pitch control included? Adjusts the pitch of the music - usually by around +/- 9% | |
| Onboard Phono Stage | Does it feature an onboard phono stage? Allows the turntable to be plugged into an amp without a phono input | |
| Auto/Manual | The type of drive system. Auto turntables stop the record, lift the arm and return it to rest | Manual |
| Speeds | 33/45 | |
| USB Output | Does it have a USB output? This allows the turntable to be plugged directly into a computer - allowing for easy copying from vinyl to the computer's hard drive. | |
| Dimensions | Size of unit (W x D x H) in mm | NA |
| Weight | Weight of unit,unboxed, in Kg | NA |
| Direct Drive | Does it feature a Direct Drive system? | |
| Belt Drive | Does it feature a Belt Drive system? | |
| Eco Friendly | Does this product conform to energy efficient standards? These standards include the American "Energy Star", the European "Energy Flower" or "EcoLabel" and the UK EST (Energy Saving Trust) certification. |

5 YEAR SUPERCARE COSTS JUST £9.99 ON ALL ITEMS UNDER £100, OR 10% OF PURCHASE PRICE ON ANYTHING OVER £100.
This page is intended to demonstrate the incredible value of our 5 Year Supercare. Under recent legislation, we are obliged to point out that you obviously do not need to purchase an extended warranty at the same time you purchase your electrical goods and are entitled to shop around. We have been encouraging our customers to do just that for years because, not only are our prices significantly cheaper than our competitors, but just look at what else we include:
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Should you encounter a problem, just ask and you'll be provided with a unit to ensure you're not without music whilst your equipment is being fixed.
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If, for any reason, we are unable to repair your unit, we'll replace it. Naturally, models do change so, while we can't guarantee that it will be the same model, we do guarantee that it will have equivalent specifications.
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Have your unit serviced as often as you wish, free of charge, during the 5 year period. (Normally excluded from extended guarantees).
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If you're not happy with our 5 Year Supercare package just ask for a full refund - no questions asked. After 45 days, providing no claim has been made, you can also terminate the agreement and receive a pro-rata refund.

* Simply return your unused Supercare policy within one month of the expiration date, and we'll refund the price of your warranty.
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Prices valid in store (all including VAT) until close of business on the date below.
(some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online)
Thursday 09-02-2012
Copyright © Richer Sounds PLC. 2012














