More than a Debut as Pro-Ject Launches Signature 12.2 & Classic Reference

Positioned at opposite ends of Pro-Ject’s high-end spectrum, the Signature 12.2 represents the company’s most ambitious turntable to date. At the same time, The Classic Reference channels the spirit of a celebrated limited edition into continuous production. They underline the Austrian maker’s decades of precision engineering and growing authority in the reference arena.

The Signature 12.2 is being pitched as the most advanced turntable Pro-Ject has ever built – and on paper, it certainly looks the part. Each deck is assembled from over 100 CNC-machined parts made in-house, with every piece of aluminium painstakingly hand-polished over two days before assembly. The chassis is hand-painted MDF, finished in ten layers of piano black lacquer, and designed with rounded edges to reduce standing waves. It rests on new spring-loaded feet that can be adjusted from the top of the chassis, allowing owners to fine-tune levelling without dismantling their setup.

At the centre of the design sits a 10.5kg aluminium platter topped with recycled vinyl records – a sustainable twist on the platter mat concept. This “baked and balanced” sandwich, magnetically decoupled from the base, aims to deliver precision and resonance control. Drive comes via a flywheel belt system, while the new 12-inch aluminium tonearm swaps the uni-pivot of its predecessor for a three-point pivot bearing, giving greater stability and better handling of heavyweight MC cartridges.

Meanwhile, The Classic Reference draws on The Classic EVO's lineage and the limited-edition 175 Vienna Philharmonic model. While the latter has become a collector’s piece, the new Reference puts much of that design DNA into continuous production. It features the EVO 9 AS HG tonearm, ultra-low friction bearings in solid aluminium housing, and an SME connector for fast cartridge swaps. The platter is aluminium with TPE damping, supported by a sandwich chassis with TPE-suspended sub-chassis for isolation. Unusually for its class, it offers both traditional RCA outputs and balanced XLR sockets, the latter providing the noise-free connection more commonly seen in professional studios.

While supplied with a switch-mode PSU, Pro-Ject hides clever circuitry inside: a precision DC-driven AC generator that feeds a clean sine wave to the motor for stable speed. For enthusiasts wanting more, an upgrade path via the Power Box RS2 Phono £799 and Phono Box RS2 £1,399 is available. Finishes include Piano/Silver £4,349 | €4,990 or Acacia/Brass £5,199 | €5,990 handmade in Europe.

Though pitched at different tiers, both decks highlight Pro-Ject’s ongoing emphasis on balanced connectivity, resonance control, and longevity. The Signature 12.2 represents the pinnacle of high-mass design, while The Classic Reference extends the spirit of a limited-edition design to a wider audience. For Pro-Ject – often associated with entry-level and mid-market vinyl replay – these models underline the company’s ability to play at the top end too.

UK distributor Henley Audio will be showing both at UK Hi-Fi Show Live 2025 in Ascot (27–28 September), marking their official go-to-market debut. With both turntables now available the Signature 12.2 is priced at £10,599 | €12,000 and the Classic Reference at £4,349 | €4,990 in Piano/Silver or £5,199 | €5,990 for Acacia/Brass.

For more information visit Pro-Ject