Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Pro-Ject Elemental Phono USB

The Elemental Phono USB is a Pro-Ject Audio Systems record deck, belt driven and manually switched, which pairs a built-in phono preamplifier with an analogue-to-digital converter and a USB B socket, so records can be played through a hi-fi system and captured on a computer from one deck. The original version listed at EUR 249 including VAT in red-black, white-black and silver-black. It later returned as a limited Final Edition at EUR 699, part of a series in which Pro-Ject rebuilds turntables from its 32-year history with upgraded parts, and each buyer receives a certificate confirming the unit belongs to that series.

Key specs that matter

Speeds are 33 and 45 rpm, changed by hand on the pulley. Pro-Ject quotes speed variance of 0.80% at 33 rpm and 0.70% at 45 rpm, with wow and flutter of 0.29% and 0.27%. The 8.6 inch tonearm has a straight metal tube, an effective length of 218.5 mm, an overhang of 22.0 mm and 8.0 g effective mass, and its counterweight suits cartridges of 3 to 5.5 g. The A/D stage is a 16-bit Delta Sigma design recording at up to 48 kHz. Analogue RCA and USB-B are the two outputs. Power draw is 5.0 W from a 15 V DC external supply, and the deck measures 415 x 90 x 300 mm (WxHxD) and weighs 2.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

The original deck used a low-resonance particle board platter with a felt mat, a low-vibration DC motor and a stainless steel main bearing running in a bronze bushing with a Teflon bottom. Under the platter bearing sits a central gravity mass point made from artificial stone, which Pro-Ject fitted to absorb rumble and motor vibration. Both tracking force and anti-skating arrive preset - the first version shipped with an Ortofon OM5 at 18 mN within a 0 to 30 mN range. The Final Edition swaps in a 1.5 kg Acryl it E acrylic platter and a Pick it 25A cartridge with pure silver coil windings, and adds a semi-symmetrical phono cable, gold-plated RCA connectors, the height-adjustable Ground it E platform, a Cover it E dust cover and an aluminium record puck. It is handmade in Europe.

Pairing

Since RIAA equalisation happens inside the deck, the RCA socket can feed the line stage of an integrated amplifier, or powered speakers, while the USB B lead runs to a computer for recording. RCA and USB B cables come in the box.

Alternatives

Pro-Ject also makes the E1 Phono, another belt-drive turntable from its current catalogue with a built-in phono stage.