Pro-Ject The Classic Reference Turntable

Pro-Ject Audio Systems has become renowned for producing superb-sounding, minimalist turntables tailored for audiophiles. Prioritising high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology over unnecessary embellishments, the brand carved out a niche for itself among discerning listeners.

As the demand for more luxurious finishes increased among Pro-Ject enthusiasts, the company began to introduce premium models such as those in the Signature Line. A notable milestone was the creation of a highly exclusive turntable to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Crafted using original wood and metal from actual instruments, only 175 units were made—these have since become highly sought-after collector's items. Inspired by this, Pro-Ject has revived the exquisite design, this time using similarly beautiful materials without the original instrument parts.

Precision Engineering in the Tonearm

The Classic Reference comes equipped with the high-end precision EVO 9 AS HG tonearm. This tonearm features an inverted cardanic bearing of Swiss ABEC 7 quality, supported by four stainless steel tips housed in a heavyweight aluminium structure for optimal stability. Its massive outer ring is deliberately left open to prevent resonance.

The S-shaped aluminium tonearm tube is engineered for exceptional internal damping and comes paired with a detachable SME headshell. High-purity copper inner wiring ensures optimal signal transmission, with each lead fitted with gold-plated connector clips for enhanced conductivity and durability.

Advanced Platter and Sub-Platter Design

The turntable features a precisely machined main platter made from a special aluminium alloy, damped with advanced thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) to minimise resonance. Traditional cast platters, while effective in ensuring speed constancy and reducing wow and flutter, often suffered from ringing effects that coloured the sound. By contrast, the platter in The Classic Reference eliminates these issues, delivering pure, uncoloured playback. Its main bearing construction borrows from the celebrated Vienna Philharmonic turntable design, ensuring a level of precision and performance worthy of professional standards.

True Balanced Audio Output and Premium Cabling

To ensure the highest fidelity, The Classic Reference includes both classic RCA and balanced XLR output sockets. Balanced connections, commonly used in professional audio settings, provide interference-free transmission by cancelling out noise—an essential feature when dealing with highly amplified, delicate signals like those from a phono cartridge. The included Connect it Phono E RCA cable uses high-quality copper conductors for lossless signal transfer. For even greater performance, users are encouraged to explore the True Balanced cable options available via Pro-Ject dealers or the company website.

Clean Power for Pure Sound

Pro-Ject turntables utilise a sophisticated internal DC-driven AC generator powered by a compact switching power supply. This generates a clean sine wave, ensuring exceptional motor performance and consistent speed stability. While the included power supply offers a solid foundation, users can further enhance their setup with the Power Box RS2 Phono. This upgrade powers both the turntable and phono preamp, delivering pristine, stable energy. The result is a significant improvement in soundstage depth, background silence, and resolution of fine detail—offering a transformative experience for any high-fidelity system.

Specifications