Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Pro-Ject Primary E Phono

Pro-Ject Audio Systems sells the Primary E Phono, a belt-driven record player with manual speed change, as an audiophile plug and play deck made in Europe. Its main difference from the plain Primary E is a built-in phono preamplifier with a switchable output, which lets it feed an ordinary line input such as AUX, CD, tuner or tape on an amplifier that lacks a phono stage.

Key specs that matter

Outputs are RCA, selectable between phono and line level. It plays at 33 and 45 rpm, the belt being silicone for good damping and the motor a synchronous type. Moving the belt on the pulley by hand selects the speed. The 300 mm platter carries a felt mat. Pro-Ject quotes wow and flutter of 0.29% at 33 rpm and 0.27% at 45 rpm, with speed variance of 0.8% and 0.7%. The 8.6 inch aluminium arm has a 218.5 mm effective length, 22.0 mm overhang and 8.0 g effective mass, while the supplied counterweight covers cartridges weighing 3 to 7 g. Tracking force spans 0 to 25 mN, preset to 18 mN at the factory. Size is 420 x 112 x 330 mm (WxHxD), net weight 4.0 kg, and maximum power draw 4.5 W.

Engineering and use context

An Ortofon OM moving magnet cartridge is fitted before shipping, with tracking force and anti-skating already adjusted, so no alignment work is needed at home. Pro-Ject says the lightweight, low friction aluminium arm was designed around this particular Ortofon model. The arm turns on a sapphire bearing, and the platter spindle is stainless steel in a bronze bushing. The plinth is a machined composite fibre chassis resting on vibration absorbing feet, and connections are gold-plated. Pro-Ject calls the whole package a Plug and Play design that saves setup cost for the factory and effort for the buyer. The maker also notes that leaving out needless features kept the price low even though each unit is handmade in Europe. Supplied items are a gold-plated RCA phono cable, a felt mat, a dust cover with adjustable hinges, a 7 inch single adapter, the power supply, an Allen wrench and a downforce gauge.

Pairing

With the switch set to line, any amplifier, active speaker pair or receiver with a free analogue line input will accept the signal directly. Because the internal circuit can be bypassed, owners who later buy a dedicated external phono preamp can set the switch to phono and bypass the internal stage, keeping the same deck and cartridge.

Alternatives

The Pro-Ject Primary E is the same turntable without the internal phono stage, so it needs a phono input or an outboard preamp.