Pro-Ject’s E1.2 Turntable Takes it Back to The Start

The Pro-Ject E1.2 is said to be imbued by the same spirit that made the Pro-Ject 1 such a popular maverick: a simple, well-made turntable that prioritises analogue sound.

Released at a time when CDs had just about sealed the fate of the vinyl record, the Pro-Ject 1 was a gutsy move. However, thanks to its mechanical precision and sound quality, it not only arguably helped spark the vinyl revival years later but paved the way for Pro-Ject's Debut line. 

Eschewing the 'Top Trumps' list of features tactic of many mass-produced entry-level decks, the E1.2 strips away the non-essentials. So, no Bluetooth, USB, built-in phono stage, or automatic cut-off or return. Instead, the company says it's built around the core tech you also find in its higher-end turntables, such as a solid plinth, precision tonearm, and a premium platter design. Pro-Ject says it is "designed to deliver superb sound and maximise performance from every pound [dollar/euro] spent."

Handmade in Europe, the E1.2 upgrades the E1 in several areas. The main platter is now a 730g aluminium die-cast design with a built-in TPE damping ring to minimise ringing and suppress vibration. The new design is said to result in more stable rotation and improved wow and flutter performance (33 RPM: +/-0.23%, 45 RPM: +/-0.21%). The belt-driven sub-platter, as used in the Debut line, is a glass-fibre-reinforced ABS design that rotates with improved speed accuracy and lower resonance.

At the business end, the aluminium tonearm (effective tonearm length/mass: 8.6-inch / 7g) features a heavy-mass gimbal bearing promising "ultra-smooth movement". It's fitted with a carbon-reinforced headshell for added rigidity. It features a Pick it MM E cartridge – a new low-mass design with a miniature neodymium magnet and a conical diamond stylus. The cartridge is factory pre-aligned and easy to use.

The plinth is CNC-machined from rigid composite fibre, with no hollow spaces and is finished in high-gloss black, satin white, or walnut.

Other details reinforce the E1.2's build quality and sustainability credentials. There's a single-button speed control for automatic switching between 33 and 45 rpm, damping feet, high-quality OFC phono cables with gold-plated connectors, and a dust cover – all come as standard.

A two-year warranty is standard, while spare parts are guaranteed to be available for 25 years, underlining Pro-Ject's commitment to sustainability and long-term serviceability.

The Pro-Ject E1.2 launches in July, priced at £249 | €329.

For more information visit Pro-Ject