The Pro-Ject E1 is a budget-friendly plug-and-play turntable with premium features that promise great sound and attractive visual appeal.

The E1 is available in three different variants, ensuring you only get the required features for your system. The standard E1 is designed to be connected directly to an external phono stage, while the E1 Phono has one built-in. Finally, for those looking for the convenience of wireless transmission, the E1 BT has Bluetooth streaming built-in.

The E1 is based around a plinth directly inspired by other Pro-Ject designs. It is a CNC machined composite fibre platform containing no hollow spaces and claims excellent anti-resonance properties. Mounted inside the plinth is a sub-platter driven by a precision belt system via a damped DC motor.

The Austrian hi-fi manufacturer says the sub-platter drives the new ABS Polymer main platter, strengthened with purpose-designed ridges to create an ideal, anti-resonant platform for your vinyl. Automatic speed change is conveniently handled by the three-position power switch on the side of the plinth. Pro-Ject claims to have measured the E1 with a Wow & Flutter of ±0.25% at 33.3RPM and ±0.23% at 45RPM. Meanwhile, Speed Drift is listed as ±0.7% for 33.3RPM and ±0.6% for 45RPM.

The tonearm on the E1 is a new 8.6-inch model (Effective Arm Length: 218.5mm) featuring a one-piece aluminium tube, a two-point bearing assembly and a newly designed fixed headshell. We're told that the result is “a true hi-fi quality tonearm with low moving mass and good electrical isolation; perfect for accurate musical playback” (RIAA Equalisation Accuracy: 20Hz – 20kHz / ±0.5dB).

The tonearm is then finished with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge that features an elliptical diamond stylus. Moreover, the tonearm is factory set for downforce and anti-skate settings, so the E1 is effortlessly simple to get up and running.

Still made in Europe, the E1 also comes ready to go with cables, pre-installed anti-resonance feet, a removable dust cover and all the accessories you need.

The standard E1 (£269 SRP) is finished with turntable-ready phono cables fixed to the turntable underneath the tonearm. It has a standard phono-level output for connecting to a phono stage.

The E1 Phono (£299) features a built-in switchable Moving Magnet phono stage, so you can connect directly to a line-level input or still use an external phono stage.

The E1 BT (£369) features a switchable Moving Magnet phono stage with Bluetooth version 5.0 wireless transmission so you can output at Line level, Phono or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

All E1 versions are available in three high-quality finish options; Gloss Black, Matte Walnut or White.

Visit Pro-Ject for more information