Turntables — Pro-Ject Metallica Turntable

The Metallica Turntable belongs to the Pro-Ject Audio Systems Artist Collection and was built as a limited edition after the Metallica team approached the company for a band-themed deck. It continues the brand's run of collaborations with musicians. The heavy MDF plinth follows the band's logo contour, and a mirror-finished metal top plate covers its surface. Like other Pro-Ject turntables it is handmade in Europe, and the deck ships ready to play with a pre-adjusted Pick it S2 C moving magnet cartridge.

Key specs that matter

Speeds are 33 and 45 rpm, plus 78 rpm with the supplied round belt for shellac records, switched electronically by a toggle switch, and the maker states that this electronic control holds playback speeds stable and accurate. Pro-Ject lists a wow and flutter figure of 0.16 % at 33 rpm and 0.14 % at 45 rpm, speed drift of 0.40 % and 0.30 %, and 68 dB signal-to-noise. The S-shaped aluminium tonearm is 8.6 inches long, with a 218.5 mm effective length, 7.5 g of effective mass and 18.5 mm of overhang. It consumes 4 W in use and 0 W in standby, running from a 15 V DC, 0.8 A external supply. The deck measures 430 x 120 x 430 mm (WxHxD) and weighs 4.5 kg net.

Engineering and use context

The belt drive has electronic speed control and a metal pulley. A heavy glass platter sits on an aluminium sub-platter, which Pro-Ject normally sells as an upgrade part, while the bearing uses a precision axle of stainless steel turning in bronze. According to the maker, the diamond-cut sub-platter and pulley are machined to tighter tolerances, the extra mass damps noise and resonance, and the combination improves short-term speed stability. The tonearm bearing and base are machined entirely from aluminium with no plastic parts, and a detachable SME headshell allows cartridges to be exchanged quickly. Both tracking force and anti-skating remain fully adjustable. Height-adjustable heavy-duty metal feet level the turntable on any surface, which Pro-Ject considers essential for correct tracking. The maker also notes that the glass platter lets owners see the drive parts beneath it.

Pairing

The deck has no internal phono stage, so its output must reach an MM phono stage, either inside an amplifier or as a standalone box. A semi-symmetrical phono cable with metal connectors and gold-plated RCA sockets comes with it, along with a 7 inch single adapter and a felt mat.

Alternatives

Pro-Ject's George Harrison Recordplayer is another artist-edition turntable, a deck capped at 2,500 units.