Pro-Ject XA B Turntable
XA B
A clear view
For 33 years we have been developing turntables which focus on sound and not on features, and we are never afraid of experiments to achieve an even better sound.
We have crafted a beautiful acrylic entry-level record player for the X-Series. This player shares features of its more expensive brethren while maintaining an extremely light look. The technical parts seem to be floating atop an almost invisible slab of acrylic. Top that off with True Balanced Connection capabilities and you got yourself a truly ethereal player!
A clear view
For 33 years we have been developing turntables, which focus on sound and not on features, and we are never afraid of experiments to achieve an even better sound.
Acryl was always part of the Pro-Ject history. The first ever acrylic turntable was the Pro-Ject 6.9 Perspective which was a huge success. Also, the 6PerspeX is part of our product range since over 15 years already and still one of our best performers. The limited edition Perspective Final Edition was a great success as well and sold out in a very short time.
These turntables were examples where we combined the advantages of the special look and acoustical damping of acryl.
A perfect combination
The use of acryl is not as easy as you would think. The high internal damping ability is a good characteristic, but to get a sonical perfect result, all parts of a turntable need to work together. From measurements and listening tests we know, that acryl can overdamp the turntable which results in a very dry sound character. The combination with the aluminium tonearm and platter and the matched Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge, paired with the special feet, make the XA B lively and it convinces with a dynamic and detailed sound signature.
The development of an acrylic turntable is more complex, but we accepted the challenge once again. The result is a wonderful sounding & looking, but still affordable turntable.
What's True Balanced?
The "B" in XA B stands for balanced. Balanced audio connections are standard among professional musicians, recording studios, and live concerts. It is essential to have a stable & interference-free connection as these signals, The significant advantage of a balanced connection is its ability to remove picked up noise and interferences.
The XA B comes with our balanced MM cartridge - the Pick it Pro Balanced - and a balanced 5P DIN phono output.
Cartridges are balanced signal transducers by nature! Due to the internal wiring of typical MM cartridges, until now, you needed to upgrade your turntable with an MC cartridge. But not with the new Pick it Pro Balanced! Our special Pick it PRO Balanced has been modified to access the entirety of that balanced signal.
Together with our separately available True Balanced Connection cables and true balanced phono stages - for example the Phono Box S3 B or DS3 B - you'll be able to access high-end features that were previously only available on the most expensive of turntable setups.
Premium Tonearm
The XA B turntable features a premium 10“ aluminium tonearm with a massive bearing construction. The ultra-low friction 4 pinpoint tonearm bearing guarantees a precise, stable and accurate tracking. We use the one-piece aluminium tonearm tube instead of a carbon one, as aluminium complements the sound characteristics of acryl.
The full aluminium tonearm base offer you real audiophile features. It allows you to adjust both the azimuth and the vertical tracking angle (VTA).
Setting and experimenting with the VTA & Azimuth is crucial in extracting every last bit of performance out of your cartridge.
A Clear Line In Sight
Adaptive anti-skating
Technically correct
As the skating force varies between the inner and outer grooves of the vinyl record, our anti-skating mechanism adjusts accordingly.
Counterweight
TPE damped
The TPE insert decouples the counterweight from the tonearm and reduces resonances.
4 pin point bearing
Cardan ultra-low friction
The precise cardanic tonearm bearing with 4 stainless steel tips offers very low friction and best stability.
A Clear View to High-End
Pick it PRO Balanced
Ready for True Balanced Connection
Pre-adjusted Pick it Pro Balanced cartridge
Aluminium Platter
Anti-Magnetic
The heavy 1,7kg die-cast aluminum platter gets reworked and precision balanced in an extra step to obtain a perfect platter.
Record Puck E
Damping and stability
Record pucks use weight to secure a playing vinyl record against the turntable platter. Sound performance will improve in timing and depth of sound.
33/45 RPM
Sophisticated DC/AC power generator
The playback speeds are electronically controlled with precision, which guarantees the most accurate and stable music reproduction. Change between speeds easily with the toggle switch.
Acrylic Chassis
A clear view
The development of an acrylic turntable is more complex, but we accepted the challenge once again. The result is a wonderful sounding & looking, but still affordable turntable.
Height Adjustable Feet
Damped & height adjustable
The new XA B stands on three height adjustable damped feet to guarantee the perfect stand. By using 3 feet we are able to increase the stability on uneven surfaces, because a perfectly level turntable is essential for real high-end sound.
True Balanced
Unleash the full power
The XA B is ready for our new True Balanced Connection. Single-ended RCA connections, quite literally, only use half of your cartridge's output. With one of our new True Balanced phono cables wired to a Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B, Phono Box RS or RS2 you'll be able to hear your MC cartridge in its entirety!
Handmade in EU
Since 1991
Made in Europe by a turntable factory with decades of experience. Clearly, expert craftsmanship dwells deep within the XA B.
REVIEW & AWARDS
“This is a striking turntable – and a very capable one.”
Europe, 08.2024
• Fielding multiple Pro-Ject technologies and built in Europe, the XA B is an excellent choice for vinyl lovers now and for the future.
“This record player has audiophile air and the ability to portray emotions.”
Germany, 08.2024
• It’s astonishing how crisply, seamlessly and concisely it staged muffled percussion and made it physically tangible. Such substance is just as unusual in this class as the ease with which the reproduction detached itself from the loudspeakers.
“Nice design, Great reproduction”
Czechia, 06.2024
• The XA B turntable is a handsome and finely crafted instrument.
SPECIFICATIONS
Speed | 3, 45 (electronic speed change) |
Drive principle | belt drive |
Included phono cable | Connect it E 5P -> RCA, 1.23m |
Feet | Height adjustable & TPE damped |
Platter | 1,7kg die-cast aluminium & TPE damped |
Main bearing | Stainless steel/brass |
Wow & flutter | 33: 0.13% 45: 0.12% |
Speed drift | 33: 0.30% 45: 0.20% |
Tonearm | 10" aluminium |
Effective arm length / mass | 9“ (245 mm) / 10 g |
Overhang | 18mm |
Included accessories | 15V DC / 0,8A power supply, dust cover, 7“ single adapter, felt mat, phono cable, record puck |
Power consumption | 4,5W / <0,3 W standby mode |
Dimensions lid closed | 460 x 130 x 340 mm (W x H x D) |
Weight | 6,3 kg net / 8 kg gross weight |