Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Pro-Ject VT-E BT

The VT-E BT from Pro-Ject Audio Systems turns the record in an upright position and works either free-standing on furniture or fixed to a wall with the supplied mounting kit. Pro-Ject describes it as its first vertical turntable with a phono stage and a Bluetooth transmitter. It is made in separate versions for left-handed and right-handed users and comes in gloss black, red or white.

Key specs that matter

Speeds are 33 and 45 rpm with manual change. Wow and flutter is quoted at 0.29 percent at 33 rpm and 0.27 percent at 45 rpm, and speed variance at 0.8 and 0.7 percent. Pro-Ject quotes 65 dB signal-to-noise. The 300 mm MDF platter with its felt mat weighs 0.8 kg. The tonearm is an 8.6 inch aluminium design with an effective length of 218.5 mm, an effective mass of 8.0 g and a 22.0 mm overhang, and its counterweight suits cartridges from 3 to 5.5 g. Three outputs are provided - RCA phono, RCA line and Bluetooth. Standing on its base the unit measures 430 x 345 x 245 mm, while on the wall it takes 430 x 310 x 130 mm. Net weight is 2.8 kg.

Engineering and use context

The platter is driven by a silicone belt from a low-vibration synchronous motor, and the motor is fed from a DC power supply. A stainless steel bearing carries the platter, and a record clamp holds the disc in place while it turns upright. Because the record spins vertically, the depth of the unit shrinks sharply once it is on the wall, which is the main point of the design. The Ortofon OM5e moving magnet cartridge arrives fitted and aligned, with tracking force set to 18 mN and anti-skating also preset, leaving no adjustment to make out of the box. The arm accepts a tracking force range of 0 to 25 mN, and the replacement part for the cartridge is the Ortofon Stylus 5E. The internal moving magnet phono preamplifier has an on/off switch, meaning the same RCA sockets deliver either line level or a raw phono signal for an outboard stage. A gold-plated RCA interconnect comes pre-mounted. Power consumption is 4.5 W.

Pairing

Through its line output the VT-E BT connects to powered speakers, an active system or any integrated amplifier without a separate phono stage. The Bluetooth transmitter sends the signal to wireless speakers, headphones or a Bluetooth receiver, so no cable to the rest of the system is needed.

Alternatives

The Pro-Ject XA B is a horizontal belt-drive turntable from the same maker, with a clear acrylic chassis and a 10 inch aluminium tonearm.