Turntables — Pro-Ject Xtension 10 Evolution

The Xtension 10 Evolution is a mass-loaded record player with belt drive that Pro-Ject Audio Systems builds in Austria, supplied with the 10cc Evolution tonearm and no cartridge. It combines a heavy plinth with a floating suspension, and the American list price has been USD 4,999. Standard finishes are high-gloss black, mahogany and olive wood, and further veneers and colours can be ordered.

Key specs that matter

Supported speeds are 33, 45 and 78 rpm, with electronic switching from a built-in speed controller that has an LCD display. The 300 mm platter weighs 10.3 kg, is machined from aluminium and damped with TPE, and carries a vinyl surface layer for the record. Wow and flutter is rated at plus or minus 0.01 percent, maximum speed variance at plus or minus 0.09 percent and signal-to-noise at 73 dB. The carbon fibre arm has an effective length of 254 mm, an overhang of 16 mm and an effective mass of 8.5 g, with a permitted tracking force span of 10 to 30 mN. Outer dimensions are 480 x 235 x 400 mm including the closed lid, and the net weight is 26 kg.

Engineering and use context

Metal sand fills the MDF plinth, which adds mass and lowers resonance, and the sub-chassis is suspended magnetically. Three magnetic feet let the whole deck float above the surface it stands on, decoupling it from vibration. The platter turns on an inverted bearing that pairs a stainless steel shaft, a ceramic ball and an antimagnetic support. The motor is a DC-driven AC type fed by a precision generator, and an external 16 V, 1,000 mA supply powers it, with a maximum draw of 4 W and under 1 W in standby. Pro-Ject shapes the carbon fibre arm tube as a cone meant to stop standing wave reflections, and four Sorbothane-damped counterweights come in the box so cartridges from 4 g to 14 g can be balanced. The output is a balanced 5-pin DIN socket, and a Connect it E cable that converts the 5-pin plug to a stereo RCA pair is included, along with a dust cover and a record puck.

Pairing

Because the deck ships without a cartridge, the owner chooses one within the supported weight window and fits the matching counterweight. A phono stage with balanced XLR inputs can take advantage of the 5-pin DIN output if a matching DIN to XLR lead is used.

Alternatives

The Pro-Ject Xtension 12 Evolution is the larger sibling, fitted with a 12cc Evolution arm of 304.8 mm effective length and 10.5 g effective mass.