Post by pican on Aug 3, 2005 8:36:04 GMT 7
I came across these two reviews of the Pro-Ject 1 Xpression Turntable which I would like to share with you. The review also touched on the benefits of using the Pro-Ject Speed Box and the Pro-Ject Phono Boxes.
I reproduce here portions of the review done by enjoythemusic.com and sixmoons.com. You can read the full text by clicking the provided links.
First, from enjoythemusic.com:
"I (the reviewer) asked Kurt (the Canadian distributor) if he would like to conduct a little experiment with me. Could we try to use the 1 Xpression with my Koetsu Black Goldline cartridge, a $1500 US low output moving coil. Kurt jumped at this opportunity and spent an evening setting up the experiment, and taking measurements, while I sat back and just listened to the same records again.
First, the measurements. We found that the tracking ability of the Koetsu measured identically in my Ittok and on the 1 Xpression, tracking cleanly at +14 dB lateral and at the limit of the test record +12dB vertical. The AT-95E did even better on the 1 Xpression, cleanly reaching +18dB lateral and again +12dB vertical. Ideally, the tonearm/cartridge resonance should be in the 10 to 12 cycles range. The Koetsu measured 9 lateral and 10 vertical in both arms, while the AT-95 on the 1 Xpression measured 10 lateral and 10 vertical. So a clean bill of health for all the combinations.
To audition the 1 Xpression with the Koetsu, I switched from the Era Gold phono stage, which does not support low output moving coil cartridges, to the Pro-Ject Tube Box. So this is strictly speaking not a fair comparison. The Era Gold is a much more refined phono preamplifier, with greater extension at both frequency extremes. However my purpose here was not to compare the two cartridges against each other, but to see if this inexpensive deck can provide a good platform for an exotic low output moving coil cartridge like the Koetsu. We did have to switch to the heavier counterweight, but apart from that it was all plain sailing. The most noticeable difference is the much greater low end extension the Koetsu provides, with more air on top and greater body to instruments and voices alike. Records that were thin before, such as the Dvorak, are passable now, while the best recordings, like the Rossini and the Thelma Houston are bigger, bolder and more dynamic still. Comparing the sound of the Linn LP12/Ittok/Koetsu/Tube Box and the 1 Xpression/AT-95E/Era Gold, then this 1 Xpression/Koetsu/Tube box combination comes midway between the two.
So my intuition that the 1 Xpression could sound a lot better with an upgraded cartridge was confirmed both by measurements and by ear. I am not advising you to spend that much money on a cartridge for such an inexpensive turntable, but if it can handle the Koetsu this well, then I'm sure it will handle any medium mass cartridge you would care to use.
Kurt sent me a brief note following our tests which expresses his satisfaction with the experiment.
"It is a surprise to me that the Koetsu/1 Xpression combo measured identical to the Koetsu/Linn combo. This is truly a remarkable achievement for the tonearm on the 1 Xpression and I didn't expect this. Based on the hundreds of measurements I've conducted over the years with the same test records, I can honestly say that I've never come across an entry-level turntable that measured so well with a high-end cartridge as in this case. Usually the tonearms on these turntables are not at all up to the task and measure (and subsequently sound) very poor, rendering them completely incompatible with cartridges of this level. I am very pleased now that I know that this is not the case with the 1 Xpression and that I can confidently recommend using top notch cartridges with this turntable."
So after all this, where do I stand on the 1 Xpression (and will the warranty cover it if I do)? The problem I have in writing this review is that I keep forgetting just how inexpensive this unit is. If you want to get into analog without breaking the bank, I'd say go for it – the value for money is spectacular. Be sure to pick up the Speed Box while you're at it, and spring for a better cartridge when you can. You'll gain a solid entry into the wonderful world of vinyl at a price I would never have thought was possible. And if your budget is bigger, you owe it to yourself to audition some of the other models in the Pro-Ject range. "
Link to the full review:
www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0804/projectspeedbox.htm
Next, from sixmoons.com:
"Having reviewed a goodly number of affordable products during the past year, I have been impressed and not a little surprised by the level of performance and musicality manufacturers have managed to offer for the budget conscious 'phile. However, nothing has stirred me as much as this indecently priced analogue rig from Pro-Ject. I'm going to cut to the chase here and simply state that I have never experienced this degree of musicality and emotional involvement for so little cost. It is a system so engaging, it defies you to pick it apart critically. Frankly, I found it
extraordinarily difficult to put my reviewer's cap on at all.
For less than CDN$1500, here is an analogue playback system that will blow anything digital out of the water at over twice the price. If you are one of those unfortunate souls who has never grooved to black plastic, locked away your vinyl in the attic or (perish the thought) tossed out all your LPs when "Perfect Sound Forever" hit the scene, it will bring tears to your eyes - I kid you not."
Link to the full review:
www.6moons.com/audioreviews/project/project.html
www.6moons.com/audioreviews/project/project_2.html
The full specs of the 1Xpression can be read here: www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.352/it.A/id.2522/.f
The following bundles are available for the Pro-Ject 1 Xpression. Please take note that these offer can be withdrawn at any time, subject to the
availability of the units:
SET 1: Pro-Ject 1 Xpression with Grado Green MM Cartridge = P26,000 net, COD.
You save P4,800 from the SRP if purchased at the same time.
SET 3: Pro-Ject 1 Xpression with Grado Blue MM Cartridge = P27,000 net, COD.
You save P5,100 from the SRP if purchased at the same time.
SET 5: Pro-Ject 1 Xpression with Grado Red MM Cartridge = P29,500 net, COD.
You save P5,200 from the SRP if purchased at the same time.
Thank you for perusing the reviews. If you wish information on Pro-Ject
1 Xpression, please feel free to send me a message.
Pic Anonuevo (09178505939)
I reproduce here portions of the review done by enjoythemusic.com and sixmoons.com. You can read the full text by clicking the provided links.
First, from enjoythemusic.com:
"I (the reviewer) asked Kurt (the Canadian distributor) if he would like to conduct a little experiment with me. Could we try to use the 1 Xpression with my Koetsu Black Goldline cartridge, a $1500 US low output moving coil. Kurt jumped at this opportunity and spent an evening setting up the experiment, and taking measurements, while I sat back and just listened to the same records again.
First, the measurements. We found that the tracking ability of the Koetsu measured identically in my Ittok and on the 1 Xpression, tracking cleanly at +14 dB lateral and at the limit of the test record +12dB vertical. The AT-95E did even better on the 1 Xpression, cleanly reaching +18dB lateral and again +12dB vertical. Ideally, the tonearm/cartridge resonance should be in the 10 to 12 cycles range. The Koetsu measured 9 lateral and 10 vertical in both arms, while the AT-95 on the 1 Xpression measured 10 lateral and 10 vertical. So a clean bill of health for all the combinations.
To audition the 1 Xpression with the Koetsu, I switched from the Era Gold phono stage, which does not support low output moving coil cartridges, to the Pro-Ject Tube Box. So this is strictly speaking not a fair comparison. The Era Gold is a much more refined phono preamplifier, with greater extension at both frequency extremes. However my purpose here was not to compare the two cartridges against each other, but to see if this inexpensive deck can provide a good platform for an exotic low output moving coil cartridge like the Koetsu. We did have to switch to the heavier counterweight, but apart from that it was all plain sailing. The most noticeable difference is the much greater low end extension the Koetsu provides, with more air on top and greater body to instruments and voices alike. Records that were thin before, such as the Dvorak, are passable now, while the best recordings, like the Rossini and the Thelma Houston are bigger, bolder and more dynamic still. Comparing the sound of the Linn LP12/Ittok/Koetsu/Tube Box and the 1 Xpression/AT-95E/Era Gold, then this 1 Xpression/Koetsu/Tube box combination comes midway between the two.
So my intuition that the 1 Xpression could sound a lot better with an upgraded cartridge was confirmed both by measurements and by ear. I am not advising you to spend that much money on a cartridge for such an inexpensive turntable, but if it can handle the Koetsu this well, then I'm sure it will handle any medium mass cartridge you would care to use.
Kurt sent me a brief note following our tests which expresses his satisfaction with the experiment.
"It is a surprise to me that the Koetsu/1 Xpression combo measured identical to the Koetsu/Linn combo. This is truly a remarkable achievement for the tonearm on the 1 Xpression and I didn't expect this. Based on the hundreds of measurements I've conducted over the years with the same test records, I can honestly say that I've never come across an entry-level turntable that measured so well with a high-end cartridge as in this case. Usually the tonearms on these turntables are not at all up to the task and measure (and subsequently sound) very poor, rendering them completely incompatible with cartridges of this level. I am very pleased now that I know that this is not the case with the 1 Xpression and that I can confidently recommend using top notch cartridges with this turntable."
So after all this, where do I stand on the 1 Xpression (and will the warranty cover it if I do)? The problem I have in writing this review is that I keep forgetting just how inexpensive this unit is. If you want to get into analog without breaking the bank, I'd say go for it – the value for money is spectacular. Be sure to pick up the Speed Box while you're at it, and spring for a better cartridge when you can. You'll gain a solid entry into the wonderful world of vinyl at a price I would never have thought was possible. And if your budget is bigger, you owe it to yourself to audition some of the other models in the Pro-Ject range. "
Link to the full review:
www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0804/projectspeedbox.htm
Next, from sixmoons.com:
"Having reviewed a goodly number of affordable products during the past year, I have been impressed and not a little surprised by the level of performance and musicality manufacturers have managed to offer for the budget conscious 'phile. However, nothing has stirred me as much as this indecently priced analogue rig from Pro-Ject. I'm going to cut to the chase here and simply state that I have never experienced this degree of musicality and emotional involvement for so little cost. It is a system so engaging, it defies you to pick it apart critically. Frankly, I found it
extraordinarily difficult to put my reviewer's cap on at all.
For less than CDN$1500, here is an analogue playback system that will blow anything digital out of the water at over twice the price. If you are one of those unfortunate souls who has never grooved to black plastic, locked away your vinyl in the attic or (perish the thought) tossed out all your LPs when "Perfect Sound Forever" hit the scene, it will bring tears to your eyes - I kid you not."
Link to the full review:
www.6moons.com/audioreviews/project/project.html
www.6moons.com/audioreviews/project/project_2.html
The full specs of the 1Xpression can be read here: www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.352/it.A/id.2522/.f
The following bundles are available for the Pro-Ject 1 Xpression. Please take note that these offer can be withdrawn at any time, subject to the
availability of the units:
SET 1: Pro-Ject 1 Xpression with Grado Green MM Cartridge = P26,000 net, COD.
You save P4,800 from the SRP if purchased at the same time.
SET 3: Pro-Ject 1 Xpression with Grado Blue MM Cartridge = P27,000 net, COD.
You save P5,100 from the SRP if purchased at the same time.
SET 5: Pro-Ject 1 Xpression with Grado Red MM Cartridge = P29,500 net, COD.
You save P5,200 from the SRP if purchased at the same time.
Thank you for perusing the reviews. If you wish information on Pro-Ject
1 Xpression, please feel free to send me a message.
Pic Anonuevo (09178505939)