Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution

Pro-Ject builds the Xtension 9 Evolution as a belt-driven player that belongs to the brand's Xtension family of high-mass decks. It is sold with a 9-inch one-piece carbon-fibre tonearm already mounted, and it relies on a heavy damped platter, a magnetically assisted inverted bearing and magnetic feet to keep external vibration and bearing noise away from the stylus. Pro-Ject offers configuration options at purchase, so the deck can be ordered in different finishes and with or without a factory-fitted cartridge.

Key specs that matter

Speed change between 33 and 45 rpm is electronic. Rated speed variance is plus or minus 0.09 percent and wow and flutter plus or minus 0.1 percent, with a 73 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The aluminium platter weighs 5.4 kg and spans 300 mm. The arm has an effective length of 230 mm, 18 mm overhang and 8.5 g effective mass, accepts cartridges weighing from 4 to 14 g and offers tracking force adjustment from 0 to 25 mN. With the lid closed, the deck occupies 465 x 185 x 350 mm, and Pro-Ject gives a weight of 16 kg. The external supply converts 220-240 V mains into 15 V DC at 1600 mA, and the player draws a maximum of 4 W, falling below 1 W in standby.

Engineering and use context

A TPE damping ring is fitted inside the aluminium platter, and a vinyl layer on top forms the surface the record rests on, so no separate mat is required. The platter turns on an inverted ceramic ball bearing supported by a magnet, which reduces bearing noise and resonance. The motor is powered through a precision DC-driven AC generator, a circuit Pro-Ject uses to improve speed stability. Three magnetic feet let the plinth float above the shelf, decoupling it from footfall and cabinet vibration. The package contains a record puck to clamp the disc against the platter, a dust cover, the power supply and a Connect it E phono cable with a 5-pin connector at the deck end and RCA plugs at the other.

Pairing

The effective mass places the arm in the low-to-medium class, which suits most moving-coil cartridges and many moving-magnet types of moderate compliance. The generous cartridge weight window leaves room for heavier bodies. Any phono preamplifier offering both moving-magnet and moving-coil gain handles either choice, and the 5-pin socket allows a balanced lead to be used with preamplifiers that take XLR.

Alternatives

For a lighter deck, the Pro-Ject X8 B uses a 5.1 kg platter, an MDF plinth and height-adjustable aluminium feet in a 15 kg package.