Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A2

The Automat A2 is an automatic record player with belt drive made by Pro-Ject Audio Systems, handmade in Germany and built on a floating sub-chassis. After the start button is pressed, the arm travels to the start of the record by itself, and after the last track it goes back to its rest, lowers gently and the motor switches off. The automatic functions work entirely mechanically, with no extra electronics, and are disengaged during playback.

Key specs that matter

Speeds of 33, 45 and 78 rpm can be changed by pressing one button, without moving the belt. The 78 rpm setting covers shellac records, and for 45 rpm the drop point can be chosen for either 7-inch singles or 12-inch discs. Wow and flutter is 0.14% at 33 and 0.12% at 45, speed drift is 0.27% at 33 and 0.22% at 45, and signal-to-noise is 74 dB. The ultra-light-mass 8.3-inch aluminium arm offers 211 mm of effective length, an effective mass of 7 g and an overhang of 19.5 mm. Power consumption is 1.5 W from a 15 V DC, 0.8 A supply. The deck measures 430 x 150 x 365 mm and weighs 7.3 kg net, or 10 kg packed.

Engineering and use context

Tonearm, platter bearing and motor sit on the separate sub-chassis, which isolates them from the hollow spaces an automatic mechanism requires. A new aluminium diecast top covers the sub-chassis and mechanism, replacing plastic parts of the original German automatic design for the first time in its 50-year history. The heavy MDF main chassis is made in Austria and hand painted in eight layers of matt black. The arm tube has a larger diameter than before, and the bearing is an aluminium 4-point cardanic design with steel tip ball bearings from Pro-Ject's own production. Tracking force is dialled in directly at the bearing after levelling the damped counterweight, which keeps the centre of gravity directly above the bearing centre, and spring anti-skating adjusts on the arm base. The headshell is carbon fibre reinforced and anti-magnetic, and the aluminium platter carries an internal damping ring and is precision balanced.

Pairing

Pro-Ject names the heavier cartridge as the intended match for the ultra-light arm, which it considers necessary for small, precise automatic mechanics. An Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge comes fitted, while the US version ships with a Sumiko Rainier. Either needs an MM phono stage. A semi-balanced, low-capacitance Connect it E phono cable, dust cover, felt mat and 7-inch single adapter are included.

Alternatives

For a manual belt-drive deck from Pro-Ject, the AC/DC Turntable uses a 10 mm glass platter and an 8.6-inch acrylic tonearm.