Pro-Ject Debut PRO S = Analog Bliss!

[@edwardgianni7887]

After thirty years away from vinyl, I got back in. While I didn't get the Debut Pro-S, I did get a Pro-Ject X1 at a fabulous open box price from Audio Advisor. As far as cost of used records, I found that the price of my favorite kind of music (Classical) is by far the most cost effective by far. In three months, I've accuumlated about 130 records. Including mostly used classical, a little bit of jazz (Chuck Mangione, Jimmy Smith), a new Paul Simon Graceland album and one new Acoustic Sounds double album, my average cost is about $3.50 per record. There are a small handful of clunkers, but most of them sound absolutely stunning after a few cleanings on a Record Doctor VI. Anyway, my fears of hearing bacon frying while listening to records has vanished. Many of the records are absolutely silent. The rest of my audio chain is the Schiit Mani 2 connected to the KEF LS50 Wireless ii speakers. I know you are not fond of powered speakers, but these are ideal in my little man cave.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Excellent!

[@keplermission]

If you have warped vinyl records look no further than the USED market Buyer's SONY PSX-75, in its day an upmarket turntable, often referred to as the 'BIO-TRACER' with its tonearm and stylus designed to cope. You know some styluses will fall off if they have to bounce up and down all the time. Koetsu Moving Coil are you know, not for old crummy records. Remember you need the SONY cartridge sold for that TT but Shure were good at warped records, the stylus was high compliance but it was a 5mV. Back in the day if you had an amplifier like an Onkyo, it had a 5mV cartridge input for a Shure. But Audio Technica, are 2.5mV and you know - really cheap and it's all very complex. It's not easy to get everything right and all technically matched for voltage, capacitance and impedance. We need help from service techs.

[@Andersljungberg]

watch out for pranksters there are unfortunately vinyl records that are made from MP3 files. but that is perhaps the worst example. google the brand that is on the disc, that might be my tip

[@keplermission]

@@Andersljungberg Well the British had a record Label named Island and it had two market versions, one from Spain and another at twice the price from Germany and ... there was a huge difference in quality, you know the 'volume' how loud the recording was, how defined and clear they were was like night and day but the poor welcomed the low priced Spanish discs because our equipment you know, was not state of the art as people used to say. How often do we hear people today say 'state of the art?' Wow, it's gone out of use.

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@keplermission in bought several records in spain ,seville or madrid or even in the notrth of the country from Island records and also went several times to germany and the netherlands but never notice a more high quality in german pressing but weaker vinyl in comparison(the weight)notsaying that they are not diferent but always with aceptable quality which is very high, i did notice a huge diference from records recorded in Italy from the rest of european countries or east country´s in early 90´s sounded poorer

[@christophermarvin85]

I found out what is causing the hum on Pro-Ject carbon turntable. The ground lug is not making contact through the black anodized coating! I put on a new ground lug. The tone arm ground was not making contact either. I soldered on a new wire. From the new lug to the tone arm ground. Finally the hum is fixed.

[@billa5289]

Nice review! This TT seems very strategicly priced. For just a few hundred dollars more, you can get a way better TT. MOFI studio deck, Rega P6, clearaudio/ Marantz and the list goes on. If you are spending $1200, you are better off going to $1500. That extra $300 buys you way more TT IMHO.

[@TristanSchneck]

So Steve, now we have the Pro-Ject Pro S, the Uturn you referenced in the video, the Technics SL-100C, and likely something by Rega all in the same $1k price range. What's your pick for the around $1k but sub $1.5k price range?

[@gotham61]

Pro-ject sells an optional heavier counterweight for use with heavy cartridges

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks

[@hanschristeler2392]

Used to be into vinyl, got out, and recently tried to get back into it. I just cant.. Maybe im too old to hear the benefits of analogue, but streaming thru Roon just (almost) always sounds better to me than vinyl. Love the channel.

[@keithwalker8090]

Hans, I'm an old guy too and I've never stopped playing vinyl, but Roon makes streaming so enjoyable and if you got the right digital gear for your ears, it sounds awesome. And you don't have to worry about falling asleep and destroying your needle.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks for watching!

[@keplermission]

@@keithwalker8090 No the needle was for 78 rpm records. We talk about a stylus. A gramophone needle really was a pin that we screwed in. If you're that old - well you know have a nice day, you're almost 100.

[@rofgabor]

I have not heard any digital that was anywhere near as much fun as good analog setups

[@keplermission]

@@rofgabor No digital uses a different controller stage, the all important DAC for digital is a big investment and uh ... you know, the poor prefer bargain analog stuff from auctions but, turntables like the Technics SL-1200 are very good with the right equipment. The 1200 you know uses a Grado Disco cartridge made in Brooklyn. The 1200 is low end, not Koetsu Moving-Coil territory.

[@PDCRed]

Love the album recommendations! Thanks Steve 👍

[@alantan6786]

I'm considering buying a turntable but I'm not sure what improvement would make the biggest impact to my system. 1) upgrade my amp, 2) buy a better dac/streamer, 3) get a turntable. I have about 2k to spend. I'm running a dolby atmos system around Kef r11 meta speakers, Sony AZ7000es receiver and Emotiva BasXA3 amp. I'm really looking for the biggest impact on the overall sound quality for music listening.

[@scottwolf8633]

I don't get the fascination for albums from a sound quality standpoint anymore. Still dig on the cover art though. Have twice played LPs, archived via a Dual 1229/AT Shibata 14S to a Teac 2300SD, then via a Revox B-790/Ortofon VMS 20e MK II to a Revox B 77. Went from 7.5ips to 15 ips with the transition. Had the first pairing in HS, the second during my first undergrad. Post University enlisted into the Naval Flight Program and moved OFTEN. Sold off the quarter ton of grandmaster 456 and the tape decks. Still have the LPs and the B 790. Was going to transcribe onto the Tascam DA3000, but apparently BOTH Tascam and Sony have withdrawn their consumer DSD hardware. Looking at the Tascam 96KHz/24 Bit solid state units to transcribe, as the Ortofon has < 250 hours on it and the B 790 still works after 45 years. So, I own LPs and understand the emotional involvement AND compromises made for this medium. The music on them, can't be beat and a lot of it not on more modern mediums. I've noticed the lack of dust covers for these spinning vortices of Coulombic attraction, on many modern, EXPENSIVE, TTs and wonder does everyone else have totally dust free environments? I realize that there may be more microphonic feedback, but a quality TT should be designed to minimize, given the advancements in Materials Science, although I never listened through speakers, but Stax earspeakers, when transcribing. Plus, NEW LPs are almost exclusively mastered from digital sources. I sure as hell don't get that at all. Surface noise, inner groove distortion, at the mercy of the stamper's quality, restricted dynamic range, etc, and DIGITAL? So unless one obtains older, all analog, pressings, what's the point? I'll add that my DAC is an Audio Note Kit, with R2R topology and for the I/V conversion employs the least compromised Resistor/Transformer/Resistor, no OP Amp, conversion and freed from the LP's limitations does it for me. My amplification, all Valve, OTL's from kits. CHEAP compared to commercial and articulation, Bass, timbre accuracy, delicacy, that I haven't found in solid state, including Class A, capable of.

[@kylemacarthur3177]

Steve, you are so right... You can amass a decent record collection for just dollars at thrift stores and rummage sales. I have also had good luck telling relatives if they're throwing away their old albums, let me take a glace first. Don't believe me? In the last six months I have found Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck records in immaculate shape for $1 each at my local thrift store. Today, I pulled out a Gerry Mulligan album, as well as Brubeck's "Gone With The Wind" and I don't think they'd ever been played. Both were stereo and were still in the plastic inner sleeve (no paper here!) I am listening right now, wondering and chuckling how much some pay to hear such good sounds... You can't find cheap records if you don't actively look for cheap records!

[@paulwooldridge2380]

Steve! This is it! A showdown between the Pro-Ject Debut Pro S, Technics SL100c and Fluance RT85 then we’ll know for sure. Do it!!!

[@keplermission]

@@YuengsNwings No ... the Fluance you know is from Taiwan, even though it's aimed at Canadians and you know these ... people from your neck of the woods bought Sunfire and Carver stuff that was very average, even if it was loud. Taiwan was Sony's lowest prestige manufacturer and just try finding a USED 1970s SONY amplifier from Taiwan, they all seem to have landed in the trash can, where they'd likely made a very good sound, clear as a bell. Taiwan's Sony were very nicely styled, and low priced gems but the parts didn't fit well together, the knobs didn't point at the right marks on the fascia. Modern Technics turntables are made in Malaysia. The truth is that Japanese made stuff is quality, the old secondhand, Japanese Technics are recommended but the later SL-1200 Mk II was made by Sanyo rather than Panasonic. Sanyo-Denki specialized in coil windings and motors and, could be that Sanyo Technics were better but they were lower market, they were cheaper and maybe not as good as Matsushita. Who knows?

[@josephconsolo1965]

The Shelby Lynne lp was recorded directly to tape. She stated that was why she wanted to work with Ramone and Al Schmitt. You should hear the 45 rpm version released by Analog Productions. It is stunning !!

[@johnkeenan9495]

She's an artist I've always meant to check out,her vocals blow my mind

[@keplermission]

Well, the Pro-Ject Debut PRO S turntable US$1199 seems very fair and uh ... there's a similar turntable for under $60 used, and one right now in PA, it's the Sanyo TP220 turntable. Now uh ... compare them and chances are you'll buy the TP220. Don't be put off by its spherical stylus that Bang & Olufsen used in the early 1970s. Don't even be put off by anything, just compare the TP220 with whatever you have, or don't have, it is unbeatable, it will outperform most Japanese Hi-end turntables, just try it.

[@johnkeenan9495]

I had no idea sanyo were still in production, well worth a check out, In regards to project, nice turntables but I think as well as myself we'd gladly pay the extra on top for the more better cartridges even thorens and elac they have models with entry level cartridges why not just put the extra £90+ price bracket on for better cartridges, just now I have a JVC QL-A2 turntable and using a goldring elektra cartridge and my stand by goldring E3 cartridge

[@keplermission]

@@johnkeenan9495 So far as I know the Sanyo TP220 only fits its own crummy cartridge - but the JVC QL-A2 may bring others an equally low priced bargain. S-arms fell out of favor and we have to compare results by listening, the pricey cartridges need special arms but at a price, a TP220 might beat your JVC turntable or high-end, Yamaha and such. Just listen to the results. Goldring Elektra has a very high output, 7mV. The TP220 is 2.5mV, you know it matters just what you have in your amplifier's RIAA eq stage. Shure used to be 5mV and these figures affect results.

[@johnkeenan9495]

I never asked you for a recommendation upon my taste and I find this quite passive aggressive in your manner who are you to question my preference if you can't say or bring anything positive into the conversation then don't sit behind a monitor and be toxic

[@jikenj]

Hey Steve great video I just picked up the debut pro this summer and a very happy with it and I have to disagree with the looks I think it's stunning with the nickel and the matte black finish this is my fourth turntable and probably my last thanks 👍

[@Robertocamero785]

Records in the UK are expensive. When I go on discogs you can see the prices are so much cheaper in the US. Unfortunately the overseas postage kills it. Anyway, enjoyed the video steve. Great channel👍

[@mihaischitcu1917]

Such an antiskating setup directly translates friction between the counterweight wire and the supporting bracket to friction in the lateral tonearm bearing. Yet nobody seems to realize that or at least wonder why some "more refined" implementations include a pulley to reduce said friction. Such bliss....

[@Labor_Jones]

I know it's way too late and circumstances are not always available, but I wish you could have compared the TTables with the Technic 1200 MK7 or other various same near cost other Technic tables with this Pro-ject. :) .... I'm glad I caught this review, Thanks!! - m. :)

[@rickc661]

I'm 72 grew up with LP's ... now use CD's. ( also a few SACD's ) 3 /4 + of the time. Actually I strongly prefer Video concert DVD be it Dead 'Oregon or A. Netrebko, La Traviatta.... Still I bought for no good reason a new thorens full auto TD 103 a while back.

[@EddieJazzFan]

I just can't get past those fishing line anti-skate systems. Are they effective or not?

[@rosswarren436]

Effective? Yes. Temperamental? Yes. Not my favorite either.

[@keplermission]

The 1975 year Sony PS-5550 is a 2-speed, belt-driven turntable system fitted with a PUA-310 static-balance type tonearm and 'fishing line' anti-skate system. You know, the Sanyo TP220 was engineered to outperform these. These old Sony looked good but were low-end and exotic in looks to attract new buyers to the hobby.

[@davidskura5373]

Yes.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

I hate those. Just not sexy or elegant.

[@rosswarren436]

@@ColocasiaCorm well, they are "elegant" in the sense they are simple and rely on gravity and a weight. But still they look "cheap" no matter how well they work. And they are something for a child or clueless friend to mess with and screw up. Then, my understanding is that the anti-skate force needs to vary a bit depending on the tracking force you set for the stylus. So are these things some type of "average" compensation and not optimal if you change the cartridge to a different one that tracks at a different force? Or do they come with different weights you can use? I just like Technics idea of a wheel you turn and set and forget. Clean, simple, easy, and less prone to being messed with.

[@klaymoon1]

Nice review! What’s name of that sleek looking phono preamp with the blue light?

[@mrfroopy]

What about the Dual 618Q? The black vinyl version is about the same price and it is more user friendly and has an Ortofon Blue, and doesn't have the pain in the butt belt change for 78 rpm

[@klaymoon1]

Great review. I wish you will also review Audio Technica LP-2022 which is about the same price as Pro-ject Pro S.

[@Andersljungberg]

Depends on which album you want if you want Gary Moore - Ballads & Blues 1982 - 1994. . Then you'll be lucky if you find one for under $100. But you can get the same album on a CD for under $10

[@Fabester71]

I wasn't familiar with Gary Moore until I saw him open for Rush in 84, he is a helleva guitarist. I like Proggy stuff when he played in coliseum.

[@felixfranzen7318]

I always assumed Pro-Ject tables were pretty iffy. The official spec for wow and flutter is not very impressive at 0.16% for both. But it turns out Pro-Ject is very conservative when it comes to specs. Because according to Miller Audio who measured it the Pro S only has 0.06% wow and flutter (same as the vastly more expensive Spiral Groove turntable). And it's entirely possible you can improve that with the Pro-Ject vi Speedbox.

[@ayewhite333]

Link?

[@carolineleonard8214]

To get excellent sound from vinyl costs a lot of money. To get excellent sound from a CD is far cheaper. Of course relative to the level of system your budgeting for. I still buy BOTH, and stream...... my latest vinyl is a Gay Bikers On Acid LP which sounds great fun on my Rega TT. Happy that this high quality is now trickling down through the price points.

[@johnholmes912]

CD disc s may be cheap but the cost of a good transport and decent DAC can be eye-wateringly expensive

[@Fabester71]

It's harder to roll a joint on a CD cover than a record jacket...😂

[@marknachmias423]

I’ve never been out. I’ve been playing LPs for more than 50 years.

[@Fabester71]

I wasn't sure between the Pro and the Pro S, thank you for helping me make my choice the Pro S wins.

[@richardbram3954]

I'm hung up on choosing this model or the standard debut pro. The main thing about the Pro S is I'm turned off by lower value cartridge vs the Pick It on the regular Debut . Am I being a fool or am I being sensible in erring towards the DP Vs DPS?

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

Thanks for the review Steve very thoughtful

[@f0sterPlays]

FYI, I wanted to order a Pro S but the EU Pro-ject distributor refused to sell it to me. Because there's a major recall campaign with the PRO S. The carbon tonearm's black finish creates resonance and hum effects. Which is not the case on the PRO version where carbon is non-painted. I bought an X1 instead with excuses and a 100€ discount from the distributor. Be aware of this if you're considering the PRO S...

[@f0sterPlays]

@@milanulrich it has, with a black paint coating. Internally it's aluminum and the outer shell is carbon.

[@milanulrich]

@@f0sterPlays you can't admit that you were wrong? Do the homework and check Project website. Clearly it is aluminium only.

[@mike_burke]

Hi, do you have further information on this, please? or a link to an article maybe? I am quite worried to hear this…. I purchased my Pro S just 4 weeks ago from a dealer here in the EU, but I have not heard anything at all about this. Same dealer is still selling them. Thanks

[@f0sterPlays]

@@mike_burke hi Mike, the best would be to call Project directly and ask them. This is a known issue so they won't lie about it. Once again, the paint coating is creating floor noise and resonance. What I don't know is : is that for all Turntables out of the assembly line? Is that only when you equip a MC low-output cartridge? This you may want to ask them too

[@mike_burke]

@@f0sterPlays Thanks for the reply. This is actually my second Pro S. I had to return the first one on day one as there was a major (shockingly bad) defect with the sub platter. On the replacement I am not 100% happy with the fit of the dust cover, but I could live with that. I am concerned now to production line quality issues with this model, but I don’t really wish to speculate. My luck has never been great. I fitted a fairly decent shiabata MM cartridge, and after 5 or 6 hours use it is of course still breaking in, but I did not notice any resonance or hum issues so far. I will contact them and see what the response is, thanks.

[@analogguy5548]

“You get a new cartridge, you get a new sound” - If the goal is true and accurate music reproduction - Every component in the reproduction chain should sound the same - That is NO SOUND except the source music! 🤠

[@KB-rp4hk]

STEVE: Just a thought; but have you considered recording your hardware and comparing the wave patterns? It would really interesting to get a visual, and scientific data to compare your findings. I am an big fan of ortofon. I recently purchased the Black 2m, for my shellac treasures. Also: I plan on “taking notes” on my listening from now on. Such a wonderful idea. Keep up the great work! Your awesome.

[@KB-rp4hk]

Although: digitizing might be against your gender identity 😂😂😂 I bet a guy like you doesn’t have much of a need for a DAC 😂😂😂

[@SergioReze]

Hi Steve , thanks for your videos I am a big fan! One question: Debut Pro S or Technics SL1500c ? They are around the same price and I am about to invest in a turntable. Thanks a lot and greetings from Brasil!

[@mndoci]

I've had an Audio Technica LP120 for years. The Debut sounds like a good upgrade. Has anyone made that specific or similar change? I heard another pro-ject recently and it sounded gorgeous but the environment was not ideal to make that decision.

[@xyanide1986]

Been eyeing this TT also coming from a 120x so let me know

[@mndoci]

@@xyanide1986 I got the Debut Pro S. Very glad I made the change.

[@stimpy1226]

This is a well thought out system of the day. Really well thought out.

[@beach4me2007]

Steve, Just getting in to the hobby and I learn a lot from you. Thanks!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

That’s great, thanks for watching!

[@FOH3663]

Dan from Marietta ... nice room. Does the compression driver operate dipole/open back?

[@larrywe3320]

Loved this System of the Day... No Comment on this TT vs Price 😛

[@QoraxAudio]

Interesting turntable. You should put a Concorde Elite on it... This seemingly DJ cartridge is surprisingly much of a HiFi cartridge!

[@TriAmpHiFi]

Well, add this one to the shopping list. Thanks Audiophiliac.

[@jmccullough975]

What table should I get this or the technics 1500C

[@thomassheldon8158]

T Sheldon I'm looking at the Harbeth 30.2 speakers and you had promised us a full review! As a hobby, I'm a busy classical musician (oboe, English Horn) and perform 5-6 times per year. I find the speakers lively and engaging, conveying remarkably correct timbre to acoustic instruments. Thoughts?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I’m a big fan of Harbeth speakers, especially for acoustic music.

[@40387500]

I am now living in Japan, when I moved I could not bring my record player (Audio-Techinca AT-LP120XBT). Now I need to buy a new one, I would like to still use a Japanese brand...but I would love to hear your advice...do you have any recommendation? What would be the best Japanese choice and non Japanse choice under 1000 dollars?

[@mkii9110]

in japan technics is much cheaper compare with everywhere else.

[@callsigngreenlantern]

Just pulled the trigger on the PRO S. 🤞If this turntable sucks, its your fault Mr. Guttenberg... ✌😂🍻

[@surf01er66]

Thanks, was looking at The Pro, more to think about ....aloha

[@rickg8015]

How does it compare to the Technics Sl-100C? Especially with the same Grado cart.. I know from memory that can be difficult..

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I can’t mentally compare them sound wise, as for build quality and feel I give the nod to the Project

[@chrisrussell5498]

Steve, what is the likelihood of the master to the vinyl being digital?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

For the last 20 or so years very likely a digital master, unless stated otherwise

[@hbg70]

I play lp’s on 45 when I’m in a hurry

[@jjinglenuts]

Try on 78..

[@johnkeenan9495]

I have a love hate relationship with project but also thorens kinda get my back up Steve, finding a lot of the project turntables and others being fitted with those horrendous ortofon om cartridges if they're going to fit ortofon fit the red or blue cartridges

[@mkemp01]

Great review thanks.

[@Trojan0304]

My Pioneer 518 still rocking

[@chrish.4067]

Steve always talks about a different topic. I love how vinyl sounds, though now I listen mostly to Qobuz through a Bluesound Node. Yup, vinyl sounds better to many so it's worth a try. A worthy idea. Steve's music selections are worthy also....to all the handful of naysayers out there.

[@michaeljohnson8058]

Basically, vinyl just takes a bit off the high frequencies, so it sounds nicer/warmer, etc. The main benefit for humans is that it’s something physical in an age of tech simulation. It compels the listener to slow down, peruse the liner notes, take in the cover art and dutifully flip the record. It seems we need this more than ever, now. 🤟😉🦔

[@chrish.4067]

@@michaeljohnson8058 well said. Get away from digital back to analog. I can easily hear the analogness of vinyl. Maybe it's just that I listened to only vinyl for many years before CDs came into being. It's all good.

[@miguelbarrio]

Shelby Lynne's "Just A Little Lovin" was released in 2008. If I recall correctly, Schmidt was migrating from analog to digital at the time, so unclear it was recorded to analog tape. However, Analogue Production's reissue sates it was done from the analog master tapes so probably the source is analog.

[@keplermission]

Wow ... Shelby Lynne's "Just A Little Lovin". Wow sharing taste in music at over age 40! Wow ... thanks for this Miguel. It's uh ... interesting, almost as if you'd enjoy Irving Berlin.

[@miguelbarrio]

@@keplermission I do enjoy Irving Berlin

[@leetronix]

Nottingham Analogue owner here, sorry but in all serious I can't ever see myself downgrading to anything with the name "pro" on it 🙄 like your channel very much 👍

[@MightyPriest]

I dont see on Apple podcast

[@mikejames-drummerreginacan1386]

Steve......are SHURE out of the cartridge business ?? PS: Thanks for your videos.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes, Shure dropped out a few years ago

[@munkienl1]

Yes Steve, it is too late to get (back) into vinyl. Records have become very expensive over here in Holland. I started collection around 2001, back then i could find good repertoire on vinyl on flea markets. Not anymore. Same thing with vintage TT.

[@emrealtan3522]

I had a chance to audition Project Debut pro, (with a basic Project phono) and Technics Sl 1500c. And liked Debut Pro more even Technics felt more dynamic and more reliable... And then, when I decided to buy Debut pro, I had another chance to compare Debut Pro with Roksan Attessa, (which never crossed in my mind) there was a discount and they came at same price. I ended up with Attessa. The sound was more transparent, more naturel. Very slight differences...

[@keplermission]

In the year 1986 the top turntable wasn't a Linn Sondek LP12, but a Roksan Xerxes 20 Turntable with a very sensitive, moving sprung sub-chassis. We were very careful how we touched it in the store. The Roksan Attesa is cheaper, a few hundred compared with a few thousand of the 20. Any crummy buyers shouldn't forget about auction site Realistic, their LAB-420 and 440, are you know the hired farm hand's favorite but the LAB-395 might have been a Sanyo TP1010 in sheep's clothing, Radio Shack got rid of its old S-arm and the black straight arm version is liked. If your boyfriend has an S-arm turntable you know, that's what in the US we call a 'Scrub' or 'Buster' owner. (He has no wife or girlfriend and is always boasting about what he'd buy if he wasn't broke).

[@emrealtan3522]

@@keplermission so I did the right thing by chance and by ear, without any background knowledge. And I'm new to turntables. It wasn't in my radar at all, and it still is in a different price league, which it deserves, I believe. The only thing I can't get used to about it is; it's arm. May be that's my inexperience...

[@keplermission]

@@emrealtan3522 You know, the main thing is getting a cartridge and amplifier that makes the most of your TT. Everything hangs on your own input in matching up these various products to your complete satisfaction. 😄 The crummy old NAD 5120 has two famous low cost pickup arms, a flat plastic one based on the British BSR, as had been that TT's molded plastic platter and uh ... a lightweight tubular tonearm that NAD had offered, based on the Sanyo TP220 - that's still worth trying for US$60. But you know, if you get a NAD 5120, today, could be you'll be selling your other ... low cost ... Roksan because, modern British stuff ... you know ... just rips off some other product, courtesy of a HUGE price that compensates the designer for the extra work of tricking out some crummy old design, that no self-respecting snob (or his you know - wife in particular) would allow into their tidy home. The Linn Sondek LP12 was based on just such an American best seller, the Acoustic Research turntable upon which Linn slightly lowered the rumble dB value and, that lower 5dB sold like hot dogs at its truly shocking price. But if you get one, you know, chances are the cheaper Roksan will be toast.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

I really like the looks of this turn table Sleek desighn thanks Steve .

[@dougg1075]

God Dan! That’s a nice system!

[@36karpatoruski]

Anyone else buy used vinyl that looked to be in good condition, but upon playing was just too noisy to be satisfactory listening. So my experience is to avoid this unless you can preview before buying.

[@patbarr1351]

You cannot always tell if there is fine dust buried in the grooves without playing the disc. I would say that some sort of wet cleaning scheme is essential for anybody buying used records often.

[@36karpatoruski]

@@patbarr1351 Yes, I thoroughly wet cleaned the lp’s before playing. In many cases, it did not prevent noisy playback. Other times the playback was fine. My point is it is a gamble. For a buck or two, who cares. But sometimes it is a more significant expenditure.

[@richardg3372]

I get the sensory attraction of vinyl (visual and handling) but audio? No comparison! Fidelity is compromised at every stage of the vinyl process, manufacturing and replay. Sure, there are compromises within the digital process but they are relatively minimal. A decent (not even hi end) DAC, has lower distortion, wider dynamic range, no pops and crackles.... It's fine to like vinyl but it's not audipphiliate

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks for watching Richard, and it’s fine you don’t like vinyl. But to claim that it’s not worthy of audiophile love is so obviously wrong. Me and countless brothers and sisters love vinyl.

[@artie1215]

It's true that even CD has wider dynamic range and almost non-existent noise lfloor Sadly, music industry still fails to take advantage of digital technology. Dynamic range of digital masters are crushed to the point that everything lays on top of each other making details indistinct, music flat and hard to listen. I have a hard time finding decent digital masters post 1991-1998. However ridiculous this sounds in this digital age; vinyl provides better listening experience. However, those early CD releases surpass their vinyl counterparts and I have extensive collection, which serves to me as a reminder of music industry's lost opportunity.

[@Labor_Jones]

I disappeared online for a couple of months and with that new time I made a list of my RECORDS. Most of my collection took me about 3 1/2 years to collect and I have Nearly 3,000 CDS, close to 500 Vinyl Albums - and - close to 350 Cassettes and no player ;) ...... Collecting Records have cost me less than $1,000 for nearly 4,000 - There are still some Good Deals ! - m. P.S. I gave away between Vinyl & CDs about 3,000. Most of what I gave away resides on my Hard-Drive as Wave files.

[@mr.george7687]

I think the Technics SL 100C is a better buy. More substantial & outstanding quality.

[@jmccullough975]

I’m looking at the technics 1500c and this one which is better

[@jmccullough975]

@Joao Barbosa yeah i Think I like manual belt drives better and I can buy the pro S on a payment plan as well so I’m going with it

[@mr.george7687]

@@jmccullough975 Hard to say, While the Project looks better I would pick the Technics. I feel its build quality will last a long time. I like to swap out cartridges & the Technics is a breeze, Has detachable headshells, The tone arm adjustments are fast & easy. I can change headshells, balance, set VTA & antiskate in 60 seconds!

[@eltucamote3903]

Made in China 👎🏼

[@eltucamote3903]

Made in China😞

[@54tristin]

Why bother with a parasound phono preamp if you are using any version of an AT 95?

[@rosswarren436]

He has much better carts. He might use the low cost AT 95 to play questionable used records at least once to vet them before trusting them to his more expensive carts.

[@ChrisMag100]

Because a reference-level phono stage lets a reviewer better understand what they’re evaluating. Yes, it’s a mismatch in terms of budget but it’s still necessary to do an accurate review.

[@iettord3124]

Cheers! 🤓

[@TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

Weird records, huh? Don't tell me you pulled out The Blowflys Party...

[@mikaelbeskow9221]

Obviously cd:s have much more potential for good sound than vinyl. Just look at the numbers, the measurements!

[@pnichols6500]

Funny, you would think so, but I have vinyl albums that sound better than the CD version. And vise versa of course, but if you get a nice pressing of a vinyl album (all to rare) and have a decent system, it's hard to beat.

[@artie1215]

Numbers are there but where is that excellent sound quality nowadays? Music industry abandoned it in mid 90s!

[@seand67]

Looks nice, but it’s belt driven. No thanks

[@ChrisMag100]

Why is belt drive a deal-breaker for you? Just curious. There are plenty of good sounding belt drive tables.

[@motorradmike]

@@ChrisMag100 Having owned many excellent belt drive tables, I acquired a modded Technics SL-1210M5G direct drive about a year ago. My personal experience with direct drive and to my ears, has given me blacker background silence, more solid bass response and dynamics, not to mention the unerring, nuts on, unwavering speed control the Technics direct has over my last, and much more expensive, belt drive table.

[@WTJ3405]

Still liking the Border Patrol DAC with tube engaged. Nice

[@BO-kh1iz]

Wow, 1.199 $!!!! You guys are getting ripped off. In Europe the Debut PRO S costs 849 € (916$) and the Pro-Ject Debut PRO with the straigt tonearm is 749€ (800$). Currently the phased out X1(is replaced by X1 B) is beeing sold off for around 699 € and the pased out X2 around 1.000€. I wonder which are better? In the pro-ject ranking the X-line is above the Debut line.

[@gdwlaw5549]

The tone arm is quite nice and it looks very good. This turntable has very poor quality filter caps in the circuit board. This creates a hum. This will get worse as they degrade quite quickly. The capacitors are very cheap Chinese rubbish and need to be changed. I changed mine and problem solved. Many ProJect owners are faced with this issue.

[@michaelb9664]

Which circuit board? The tonearm is wired direct to the RCA sockets.

[@gdwlaw5549]

@@michaelb9664 open it up and you have a circuit between the RCA’s. I replaced two caps. I discovered this on another KZbin channel. My turntable was out of warranty. Very easy to do.

[@gdwlaw5549]

@@michaelb9664 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3mrha1uhNGMorcsi=XE-vCoZiGXHk8irY

[@michaelb9664]

@@gdwlaw5549 are you not confusing this with the Debut S ‘Phono’ model? There should be no capacitors in line with the tonearm wiring and RCA jacks unless there is an in built phono stage on board. The Debut ‘Pro’ S as featured in this video has no in built pre amp.

[@gdwlaw5549]

@@michaelb9664 No idea. My turntable was repaired by a vintage shop in nimes. They told me it was a pile of xxxx. I’ve been unlucky with mine. Various parts breaking and it’s only 5 years old. Mine is the debut carbon. Looking forward to changing mine very soon.

[@mrk8212]

dude you look even more blazed than usual.. not that there is anything wrong with that

[@rubenforlagetrhodos1987]

that is a lot of money for a turntable with audible Wow & Flütter

[@hobhood7118]

Do the specs suggest this?

[@rubenforlagetrhodos1987]

@@hobhood7118 yes

[@hobhood7118]

@@rubenforlagetrhodos1987 What would you say was audible? Anything more than 0.1?

[@dallasroberts3206]

B.S.

[@arthurwatts1680]

Steve, you are pushing a gateway drug and you know it. Even the addicts with huge collections are bitching about the spike in prices - new and used - and its not a trend I see reversing anytime soon. This deck - and everything else short of megadollar exotica - is a fraction of what it would cost most of us to build up a decent collection. I sold my last milk crate full of records somewhere in the early 80s and - with the exception of one or two albums - I dont miss them. It may well not be too late to get into vinyl, but for folks like yourself I'd suggest that it's too late to get out of it.

[@hifiman4562]

Digital is so much easier.

[@rongreen1538]

Yet another, everything stuck to the same bit of MDF turntable . Motor, bearing, tonearm all buzzing away into the cartridge. Cheap to make, easy to sell but seriously flawed.

[@velchuck]

It’s NOT as good as the Fluance RT85.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Really, how do you know that? Did you compare the two turntables?

[@Fabester71]

New Vinyl is getting ridiculously expensive.

[@keithanthony9996]

Yawn!