News

Hi-fi specialist Pro-Ject has introduced two Primary turntables aimed, it says, at customers that want to experience true audio quality on a budget. With a range of award-winning decks in its continuously expanding lineup, the new Primary turntables’ design takes inspiration from its accomplished Elemental and Essential II models.

Like the Essential player, the Primary is a traditional layout with an MDF plinth, platter and felt mat. The plinth is available
in matte black, white or red finishes, and a detachable dust cover is included. A belt-drive design, it offers 33 and 45rpm manual speed selection and claims to use a low-vibration synchronous motor controlled by a built-in regulator for improved speed stability. The 8.6in aluminium tonearm with sapphire bearings is borrowed from the Elemental and comes pre-installed with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge for simple plug and play operation from the moment the Primary is out of the box. 

Available in two options, the standard Primary (£169) is terminated with RCA cables for connection to a moving-magnet phono stage, while the Primary Phono USB boasts a built-in phono stage and optional USB output for recording vinyl to a
PC or Mac, and costs £229. Read our full review in the January 2017 issue on sale 1 December. The new turntables will be distributed in the UK by Henley Designs Ltd and you can find out more about them here.