Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Pro-Ject T2

The T2 is a belt-drive deck from Pro-Ject Audio Systems that sits above the T1 in the T-line. Against the T1 it brings an enlarged plinth, electronic speed switching, spring-based anti-skating, a heavier and thicker glass platter in place of the 1.3 kg steel one, and an improved arm with longer length and a new damped counterweight. It ships with a Sumiko Rainier moving magnet cartridge already fitted and aligned at the factory, with tracking force set, and is offered in High Gloss Black, Satin White and Walnut. The same platform also underpins the T2 Super Phono, which integrates a phono stage.

Key specs that matter

Playback runs at 33 and 45 rpm, switched electronically. Pro-Ject quotes speed variance of 0.6% at 33 rpm and 0.5% at 45 rpm, wow and flutter of 0.19% and 0.17%, and signal to noise of 67 dB. The platter is 10 mm thick glass weighing 1.7 kg, covered with a felt mat, while the main bearing combines stainless steel and brass. The 9 inch aluminium arm offers an effective length of 230 mm, an effective mass of 9.5 g and an overhang of 22.0 mm. Power consumption is 4.5 W, with under 2 W in network standby. The deck measures 465 x 135 x 347 mm (WxHxD) and weighs 5.5 kg net.

Engineering and use context

The gains in plinth and platter mass over the T1 are meant to make the deck more resistant to vibration. The CNC-machined plinth has no hollow spaces within, and the T2 is built without plastic components. An electronically regulated precision motor drives a flat belt around an anti-resonant sub-platter, and the main bearing uses a hardened steel axle running in a brass bushing machined to a 0.001 mm tolerance. The one-piece arm has an integrated headshell to limit resonance, updated low-friction bearings, a nickel-plated counterweight and an anti-skating mechanism that the owner can adjust. Supplied power comes from a universal 15 V 800 mA DC adapter. The Rainier cartridge is made by hand in Japan. The package also holds an acrylic dustcover with adjustable hinges.

Pairing

Lacking an internal phono stage, the T2 relies on outside amplification, so the included super shielded, semi-symmetrical, low capacitance phono leads connect to an amplifier with MM phono input or to an external phono preamplifier. The Rainier is a moving magnet design and needs no step-up device.

Alternatives

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO is another belt-driven turntable from the brand, with an 8.6 inch one-piece carbon tonearm and a TPE-damped steel platter.