X8 Evolution

Mass-Loaded High-End Turntable with True Balanced Connection

The X8 - Xtension 9 and 10 within reach

The X8 is our most affordable mass-loaded turntable yet. Positioned neatly between the X2 and Xtension 9, the X8 adopts and breaks down its bigger siblings' features to make mass-loaded high-end design principles as accessible as never before.

Massive 5.1kg platter

The X8 offers a heavy, TPE damped mass-loaded platter precision lathed from a single aluminium block and finely balanced. On the Xtension 9 and 10 you cannot really play around with using different mats due to the glued on vinyl top. The X8 comes with a standard felt mat, also allowing you to experiment with different material mats in the future and tailor the sound to your taste.

Ceramic tipped, magnetically supported inverted bearing

A neodymium magnet decreases the load on the ceramic tipped bearing. Considering the massively heavy platter, this leads to a smoothly rotating base for your vinyl records and perfect speed stability.

The X8 inherited the massive MDF chassis and the top-of-the-line Pro-Ject 9cc EVO carbon tonearm from its larger siblings. The height-adjustable X8 features machined aluminium feet. The TPE damping technology in the feet effectively decouples the X8 from the surface it is placed on. The feet are a great choice for a more budget orientated turntable as they are faster and easier to set up than magnetic feet on the X9/10, and also require less maintenance.

True Balanced Connection

We’re launching a whole line of new “True Balanced Connection” components that feature a balanced connection for your phono setup. The X8 is our first turntable to feature this new phono technology.

Turntables look back on a long history. Over time, many things have changed, not only from technical possibilities, but also from the environment. Wireless networks are omni present and countless electronic devices make your home „smarter“. This means there are now a lot of additional electromagnetic fields, which could interfere with your turntable‘s signal. This was simply not the case 30 years ago. To ensure the best connection to your phono preamplifier we designed our „True Balanced Connection“.

What's True Balanced?

Balanced audio connections are usually known from the professional sector like recording studios or live concerts. It is very important to have a stable & interference free connection, as these signals will be highly amplified. The same applies to the connection from your turntable to the phono preamplifier. The big advantage of a balanced connection is its ability to remove picked up noise and interferences. And best of all, cartridges by nature are already balanced signal transducers! With True Balanced your are simply using everything, literally everything, that your cartridge is picking up from the record groove. You are not throwing away half of the usable signal, like is done in typical single-ended RCA phono connections.

The X8 comes with a 5pin output jack and with our standard semi-balanced Connect it Phono E 5P -> RCA cable. By upgrading it to our fully balanced 5P to XLR version (available separately) and using a balanced phono stage, like our Phono Box DS3 B or any of our RS/RS2 phono stages, you are fully set-up for the True Balanced experience. This leads to increased dynamics, less noise and improved signal to noise ratios. You can imagine it, like hearing parts of your music that literally were not there before.

Unleash the full potential! Upgrade your phono cable to a Connect it Phono CC 5P/XLR for a True Balanced Connection to our Phono Box RS2 or our new Phono Box DS3 B.

A New Access to High-End

REVIEW & AWARDS

Pro-Ject's Evolution X8 Turntable Throws A Monkeywrench Into the Marketplace - Read More

"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. What this does to the company’s approximately $1000 more costly Xtension 9 business remains to be seen. I don’t think Lichtenegger is thinking about the internal competition as much as he’s enjoying the monkey wrench the made-in-Europe X8 throws into what has been a relatively stable and orderly turntable marketplace. “Economies of scale” rule!." - Michael Fremer

Test mass drive Pro-Ject X8: the master tape within reach - Read More

" The Pro-Ject X8 draws its power from its simple but powerful and precise drive, which convincingly manages to deny that the music comes from a rotating plastic record. When listening, you get the feeling - and I rarely write this - that you are getting very close to the majestic sound of a master tape. Since the arm and optional pickup do not spoil this illusion, it can't be that bad either. Above all, it fits perfectly in terms of sound. I have seen much more expensive arms on mighty drive units that lacked bass, looseness, dynamics and swing, because the harmony that can be heard here for 2,000 euros was simply not present there for 20,000 euros. The X8 is definitely not an entry-level player - not least because of the price, but also because of the somewhat trickier adjustment work that is necessary for it to show its full potential. But we don't listen to records to get music particularly cheaply. And certainly not out of convenience…." - Bernhard Rietschel

Pro-Ject X8 in the test: Vinyl turntable for the highest demands - Read More

"Even as a pure drive without an arm, the Pro-Ject X8 would be worth its price of 1,999 euros. At least from an audiophile perspective, if you want a player that completely disappears behind the music and leaves plenty of room for dynamics. As a complete package with a system for 2,300 euros, it is certainly not an entry-level offer, but in terms of sound alone, it easily competes in much higher classes. To fully exploit the potential of the X8, you need not only the necessary cash but also some technical skill. You either have that yourself or you can get a professional to do it. The effort is definitely worth it: If you use it purely as a plug-and-play device, there is a risk that the Pro-Ject record player will perform well below its potential." - Bernhard Rietschel

Pro-Ject X8 Turntable and DS3 B Phono Box Review - Read More

"It is hard not to be impressed by Pro-Ject's new X8 turntable package and DS3 B phono stage combination. Especially when you exploit its balanced input/output options, it delivers truly high-end vinyl performance at a surprisingly reasonable price. It's also a nice turntable to use. Everything functions smoothly, and it is large and spacious without being too big – and how nice to have a turntable with a lid once again! I even like its styling and selling price. A thoroughbred in every respect, it's well worth an audition. " - James Michael Hughes

TEST: Pro-Ject X8 Evolution Superpack - Driving good record player - Read More

"The Pro-Ject X8 Evolution Superpack is a really good buy in its class. It doesn't sound as refined as the reference Rega Planar 8, but it delivers a warmer and fuller soundstage. It fits nicely into a system that needs a warmer sound, and its ability to give the rhythm of the music the weight and dynamics it deserves also makes it an engaging player to listen to. Discerning ears with a large classical music record collection should perhaps turn their attention to the X8 Special Edition. Which comes with an even better pickup and will be able to extract more sound nuances from the vinyl.  " - Lasse Svendsen

Pro-Ject X8 review: A very high-end turntable, reasonably priced - Read More

"Ultimately, though, anyone who’s buying the Pro-Ject X8 should also be investing in a phono stage that takes advantage of its ability to use balanced XLR connectors. The balanced connection combined with a moving coil cartridge removes just enough distortion and adds just enough detail to the playback that it’s worth that extra investment to maximize the X8’s capabilities. The Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B phono stage proved an excellent way to enjoyed that balanced listening experience. Pro-Ject has delivered a pair of products that allow listeners to experience the benefits of high-end audiophile technology at a price that’s far less than you’d expect. If you’re ready to upgrade your system, the X8 turntable is an excellent step as you start to move into audiophile territory. " - James Barber

Test: Pro-Ject X8 SE turntable & Phono Box DS3 B phono preamplifier - Read More

"We are sorry to have to end this A/B test with an open result. We noticed changes between symmetrical and asymmetrical, but we are unsure whether this was due to our knowledge of which system was connected or whether we actually heard it. If we can state our feeling at this point, then we would say: In the symmetrical version, the vinyl sound sounds a little wider and clearer.

It really does seem to be a way to get a few percent more out of vinyl listening - you have to give Pro-Ject credit for that! We recommend that you trust your own ears, visit your local Pro-Ject dealer and let them demonstrate the "True Balanced" technology for you. You won't regret it!" - Thomas Kirsche

SPECIFICATIONS