PRO-JECT AUDIO SYSTEMS, a sound debut between lights and shadows
- Elisa Nori
- Dec 1, 2023
- 17 min read
An evolution of the gramophone, the turntable has always maintained a charm and class that many admirers cannot do without; the ritual of taking out a record, cleaning it and placing it on the platform, organizing the records as design and collectible objects, using social media to share videos and photos of the process, helped create a sense of togetherness, participation and community.
Finally, social media also shows its profitable and positive role, thus strengthening the ritual of listening to vinyl and reaching a more diverse customer base.
Many small labels and record shops use the various platforms to promote their products, which fans have the opportunity to discover and appreciate; the irrepressible attraction for vinyl becomes a real social experience.
Some would define this passion as a niche and for lovers of vintage products, but in truth the current vinyl record market has recorded a constant increase in sales over the last ten years, with a peak of 41 million albums sold in 2022 in the United States alone United.
In recent years the trend has also been noticed in Europe where it is estimated that the vinyl record market will reach up to 91 million dollars in 2024, with Germany, England and Italy in the lead.
We could therefore confirm that...Sometimes they come back.
To validate this reality, there are those who invest professionalism and devotion in the production of products created with mastery, giving a piece of art and a enchanting melody that only a turntable can transmit.
Founded in 1991 by Heinz Lichtenegger, the prestigious Pro-Ject Audio Systems is an international company in the high-end hi-fi sector and leader in the world turntable market.
Based 35 kilometers north of Vienna, in the splendid Weinviertel region, it boasts a highly respectable name, in fact Pro-Ject products are exported to almost 80 countries around the world and have won numerous international awards, including several EISA Awards and the Red Dot Design Award; furthermore, the products have also been used in countless TV shows and films.
Although vinyl, with the advent of CD and compact disc players, was considered to have come to an end, given that large-scale production practically ceased in the early nineties, the founder Lichtenegger still decided to remain faithful to his mission: to offer a decidedly different but economically adequate quality and analogue experience, with an enviable price/performance ratio.
A considerable number of music lovers and vinyl enthusiasts have no longer done without their craftsmanship, expertise and valuable materials.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems, with rigorous quality control and cutting-edge technologies, designs the products in Austria and produces them in Europe: while in the Czech Republic they produce all the turntables from scratch, by hand and in-house, in Slovakia they take care small, high-end audio components.
Pro-Ject's very first turntable, the original "Project" was a "hot rodded" Tesla design.
To this day, Pro-Ject turntables are produced in the old Tesla Turntable manufacturing facility, a seven-story monolith of a factory in Litovel: Tesla's Cold War-era factory in the Czech Republic was known for producing a range of high quality electronic components.
Their Artist Collection which includes special and limited editions, highlights collaborations with music industry partners, such as Universal Music Group (The Beatles), Third Man Records (Jack White), The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Parov Stelar, the famous Hard Rock Café, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra or Ortofon for their anniversaries.
Added to the Limited Special Edition and recently released list is an unreleased turntable, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's sound masterpiece: The Dark Side of the Moon.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems offers an enviable range of turntables, which includes:
Automat Line
E Line
Elemental Line
Primary Line
Juke Box Line
T Line
Debut Line
RPM Line
The Classic
X Line
Signature Line
Special Edition
Artist Collection
HiFi Stereo Sets
Sorted by characteristics to help you make your search easier, you can find them with electronic speed change, with phono preamplifier, with MC cartridge, without cartridge available, with BT input and output, with USB output, fully automatic.
The ones that I am preparing to delve into and illustrate below are two models of the Debut Line and specifically Debut PRO S and Debut PRO White Edition.
One feature that makes a turntable desirable is its ease of use.
Debut PRO S presents itself in a minimalist appearance with a completely satin black finish, without switches and LED control lights or unnecessary labeling. The essential is before your eyes and of a magnetic elegance.
Height-adjustable cushioned aluminum feet are available to ensure perfect level positioning on any surface.
The solid and well-built chassis guarantees stability and reduction of unwanted vibrations and this dark and mysterious image of the Debut PRO S is worthy of the Dark Knight.
The sinuous curves of the aluminum S-shaped arm replace the straight carbon arm supplied with the standard version; we find a Pick IT S2 head pre-assembled but it is also suitable for heavier MC heads.
The height of the arm is calibrated by loosening the two fixing screws and allows you to adapt the arm to any mat or other cartridges to obtain the best sound quality. The standard head attachment also allows you to finely adjust the tonearm's VTA and Azimuth; setup and experimentation are decisive and of fundamental importance to extract every last fragment of performance from the heads.
The 300mm aluminum platter uses a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) ring that dampens resonances and minimizes wow and flutter.
Electronic speed control is integrated, 33.3 and 45 rpm selectable via a switch and with the round belt for 78 rpm supplied you can also listen to your shellac records; three words arrive as fast as lightning: versatility, beauty and precision. The aesthetics of this captivating model allows it to be easily placed in any context because "IT LOOKS GOOD WITH EVERYTHING".
Below are the technical specifications of the Debut PRO S:
Speed: 33, 45/(78) (electronic speed change)
Drive principle: belt drive with electronic speed control
Platter: 300mm, die cast aluminium platter with TPE damping and felt mat
Platter bearing: high precision stainless steel axle in bronze bushing
Wow & flutter: 33: +/-0,16%; 45: +/-0,14%
Speed drift: 33: +/-0,40%; 45: +/-0,50%
Signal to noise: 68dB
Tonearm: 10“ S-shape aluminium; SME connector
Effective arm length/mass: 254 mm / 8 g
Overhang: 16 mm
Included accessories: 15V DC / 0,8A power supply, dust cover, 78 RPM round belt,
Power consumption: 4W / 0W standby
Dimensions: 462 x 145 x 345mm (W x H x D)
Weight: 7 kg net
And let's move on to a Warrior of Light with the Debut PRO White Edition equipped with the 2M White cartridge instead of the 2M Red model, specially developed in collaboration with Ortofon.
A minimalist satin white finish as fresh as a blanket of snow characterizes this impeccable model created for demanding audiophiles; the eight-layer hand-painted MDF frame thus replaces the dark livery of the original model, produced to celebrate the 30th anniversary. The nickel finish on the aluminum components guarantees a resistant and durable surface and the process allows for the creation of sustainable products and components of the highest quality; This avoids plastics and similar materials that wear out and age over time. The Debut PRO White features fully adjustable Azimuth and VTA; the result of numerous modifications and improvements, the iconic arm is still composed of a particularly rigid carbon shell, combined with an aluminum core, for greater damping.
There are many fundamental elements for excellent reproduction, one of which is the weight of the platter which guarantees optimal stability to maximize the precision of reproduction; made of die-cast aluminum with antimagnetic treatment, it also has a thermoplastic elastomer ring, to minimize flickering and resonance.
The playback speeds are meticulously controlled electronically, resulting in their accuracy and stability; you can also easily switch from one speed to another with the toggle switch.
Just as the diamond needle is inserted between the grooves of the records, capturing the sound, so the Debut PRO White Edition reveals itself to be a real diamond that enchants those who look at it, forcing you to savor the sound and attractiveness.
Below are the technical specifications of the Debut PRO White Edition:
Speed: 33, 45/(78) (electronic speed change)
Drive principle: belt drive with electronic speed control
Platter: 300mm, die cast aluminium platter with TPE damping and felt mat
Platter bearing: high precision stainless steel axle in bronze bushing
Wow & flutter: 33: +/-0,16%; 45: +/-0,14%
Speed drift: 33: +/-0,40%; 45: +/-0,50%
Signal to noise: 68dB
Tonearm: 8,6” one-piece aluminium tonearm
Effective arm length: 218,5 mm
Overhang: 18,5mm
Included accessories: 15V DC / 0,8A power supply, dust cover, 78 RPM round belt,
Power consumption: 4W / 0W standby
Dimensions: 415 x 113 x 320mm (WxHxD)
Weight: 6 kg net
The following interview was carried out thanks to the availability, professionalism and courtesy of Jakob Dirnberger of the department Art Direction & Marketing.
I thank him and the Pro-Ject Audio Systems team, for the integrity and company philosophy that reconfirm their impeccable work.
Biography: Jakob Dirnberger is 27 years old and was born in Vienna.
After school he decides to study photography and subsequently continue his studies in Digital Marketing.
His interest in product design dates back to high school, when he first heard of the German designer Dieter Rams.
He started working for Pro-Ject in 2016.
Initially he mainly focused on product photography and social media, but later his role of responsibility expanded significantly.
He currently handles topics ranging from brand guidelines, marketing strategies to product design. He occasionally posts behind-the-scenes photos on his personal Instagram account @jakobdrnbrgr.
In a world dominated by streaming, records have regained great importance by becoming a serial work of art; gather more and more followers and enthusiasts ready to invest their money in the many editions that record labels put on sale. We have limited and numbered editions, black and colored discs, flexi-discs and box sets, splatter and picture discs, wax-sealed versions and postcards that can be played on the turntable. I imagine that all this is gratifying for Pro-Ject, having invested so much passion right from the start to create products capable of guaranteeing the best musical performance and covering every need.
Do you believe that success lies precisely behind the very imperfection of vinyl records and the fact that they "age" with use? Is it wear and tear that gives us a deeper musical soul and a connection with time that we ourselves perceive?
J.D: I think the success of vinyl records as a commercial musical medium has more than one reason: records are something tangible, people appreciate the physical involvement with the records and the interaction with the player alike.
Unlike a digital file, records live with you. Yes, they age with us and you have to take care of them, remove dust from time to time, handle the cover carefully, etc. In our world people seek digital detox; Collecting records and listening to analog music is just super relaxing. Obviously it's not as convenient as streaming music from the cloud, but it's about experiencing music with all your senses and that is totally possible with this musical medium.
For more than 20 years, the Debut has been one of the best-selling products in hi-fi history with nearly 1 million units sold.
The new generation saw the entry of the Debut Carbon Evo, followed by the Debut PRO for your 30th anniversary, also awarded EISA Best Value Turntable 2021-2022.
Now the protagonists are the Debut PRO S and the Debut PRO White Edition.
A decidedly impressive debut. More news on the horizon?
J.D: I'm happy you like our latest releases.
With Debut PRO S and Debut PRO White Edition we have created products that are completely in one color only. We are painting even the smallest details, to achieve a perfect look. There's also an interesting back story... in both models we use recycled components from the production of the Debut PRO (the standard model).
We are repainting them and installing them in those devices.
In this way, we create a production chain with less waste. Of course the next products are top secret.
The Debut is our best-selling turntable; customers love it.
That's why we take every change very seriously and examine every detail.
And there will always be details, that can be improved. ;)
To mark the 175th anniversary of the Vienna Philharmonic, in collaboration, you have created a turntable that is nothing short of spectacular and one of the most expensive in the history of your company available in just 175 pieces.
The wooden frame and lacquer finish corresponded to a violin, while the gold metal frame was based on woodwind instruments and the armrest was inspired by the reed of a clarinet.
The button to start and change the rotation speed also came from a flute;
the peculiarity is that it was built with materials common in musical instruments.
The performances of the Vienna Philharmonic, considered one of the best orchestras in the world, have gone down in musical history.
Tell me more about your collaboration and this bond that still unites you.
J.D: While working on the turntable of the Vienna Philharmonic, we involved members of the orchestra to be able to integrate these ideas. Martin Kubik is one of the experts who was asked to join the design team. He is the orchestra's first violinist and one of the nicest people I've met through Pro-Ject; some time after the turntable came out, we did a homestory with him. He told us about how he listens to music and how as a child he felt inspired to play the violin. He was listening to a recording by Yehudi Menuhin, a violinist he had been fascinated by; he still has the same vinyl record that profoundly influenced his career.
As a musician he has a very creative and sensitive streak, which also contributed to the creation of the turntable. You can watch the story we filmed with him on our Youtube channel. It's in German, but we have subtitles! :)
Not just turntables, Pro-Ject Audio Systems offers a truly vast choice: subwoofers, headphones, bookshelf speakers, floorstanding speakers, Hi-Fi electronics, cables, accessories and LPs. The international Pro-Ject reseller network includes approximately 5000 stores in 80 countries; Which products from your wide range are among the favorites of many buyers? Is there any significant feedback or experiences from your company's customers and the partners you work with that you remember with particular pride and affection?
J.D: Pro-Ject is best known for its turntables - that's what made us great too. I remember one story in particular, when a customer came to our headquarters with some of his grandparents' records; when he heard the song that grandfather played for him as a child, he had tears in his eyes. We have received letters from customers who have approached our brand in different ways. In a way a brand is a home, a place you can identify with, a place you can turn to in times of need and that you can trust. The huge following we enjoy as a brand reflects the fact that we can be that for many people around the world.
Metallica, The Beatles, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Rolling Stones, Parov Stelar, Hard Rock, Hans Theessink, DelaDap are just some of the productions in your Artist Collection; to add to the recently released Special Edition, an unreleased turntable, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's sound masterpiece: The Dark Side of the Moon, one of the most successful and long-lasting albums in the history of rock.
The ingenious touch of the LED backlit rainbow, complete with dimming function, reproduces the famous prism effect of the album cover.
Let's take the latter and that of Metallica, which are more recently released: both turntables maintain fidelity to the image of these two iconic groups.
The scenic impact is of fundamental importance, when we talk about bands that have trod the scene and know it really well; I have to say that both turntables have an equally decisive presence. How were they received by the public and fans?
J.D: When our customers hear about a new turntable from the Artist Collection, people's reactions are usually ecstatic. Once launched, Special Editions are usually sold out within a few weeks.
The unique designs really impress band fans.
Sometimes a collectible model of an artist arouses the interest of fans who love music but for whom vinyl was not an interest before.
The Ortofon company has evolved from its roots in the creation of film soundtracks, to the development of precision components.
Today Ortofon is a leader in the production and supply of phono cartridges for vinyl records, a true micromechanical powerhouse, which develops and produces components for hearing aids.
Two Danish engineers Petersen and Poulsen marked the beginning of Ortofon's history precisely in 1918, when they began their experiments to synchronize sound with images on film; the system was also adopted by the largest American film productions. The recording industry was also supplied with equipment by Danish inventors. Ortofon began producing cutting heads for record companies in 1945 and were adopted by companies around the world. From being a developing laboratory for sound films, Ortofon subsequently became a major force in promoting the gramophone industry. From that moment the company grew to be what we know today.
You are long-standing partners and the Ortofon Century turntable, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ortofon, was a clear example of this; many heads of your turntables bear their signature. What was the glue that brought you together and then joined you in excellence?
J.D: As you mentioned, Ortofon was a pioneer in the vinyl industry – and continues to be a driving force. Being a European manufacturer like us, it was easy for us to choose to collaborate.
I really like how the design of your turntables can adapt to any setting; Artist Collection aside, which aims to characterize and represent an artistic idea, a character and the style that distinguishes it with a more accentuated aesthetic peculiarity, the remaining lines offered by you are all minimal, clean with a play of satin, shiny, wood and transparencies. Black and white, which in my opinion have always remained refined and elegant, however also leave room for decidedly lovely shades. The Colorful Audio System All-in-one, also part of the Debut line, offers six high-performance colors: satin golden yellow, satin steel blue, satin fir green, satin white, satin black and walnut. In addition to choosing materials in line with your modus operandi, without huge logos in sight, what do you think is important when choosing the design of a product?
J.D: We keep our turntables as clean as possible. The full logo is only present on the dustcover. Beyond that, we have a very straightforward design language; Even for high-end models, our overall design language remains minimalist. Good design is functional design. We don't want our customers to be distracted by fancy buttons, lights or LED displays. The user and his experience are always at the center when we start working on new projects. Since the turntable is the “crown” of a hi-fi system, it is usually the component that attracts the most attention; at the same time it must blend into the design of a room or be a flashy and colorful statement. Either way we have the widest range of players in the world to suit anyone's tastes.
The idea for Pro-Ject came from a Tesla factory in the Czech Republic, which was closing at the time because it was thought that turntables would never sell again. After so many years, what role does this factory still have that inspired founder Heinz Lichtenegger to breathe life back into it?
J.D: The exact same factory is still our main manufacturing plant for our turntables. Heinz Lichtenegger stumbled upon the Czech factory by chance – but there he saw an opportunity. Mr. Lichtenegger had the vision and belief that vinyl and record players were here to stay. Due to the way the factory's activity is structured, we are able to create small series of special turntables. This flexible model gives us an advantage over the competition.
Your products have also been used in countless TV shows and films – I'm really curious to learn more about this. What is your relationship with cinema?
Could there be the possibility of some special edition inspired by iconic characters or composers from the big screen in the future?
J.D: We often receive requests from film productions who would like to have a turntable in their films or TV shows.
We don't pay for placement. Sometimes they play a key role and are really integrated into the plot; of course we are particularly pleased about this. We work with set designers to select which turntable model is the best choice for the set.
Two fascinating examples of films that feature one of our products as a central plot element: "The Mechanic", starring Jason Statham.
He plays a hitman and owns a nice house in Louisiana.
Inside that house there is a nice stereo system; the centerpiece of that system is the Pro-Ject RPM 9.2 Evolution turntable.
It features a carbon arm and an acrylic platter – definitely a stunning aesthetic. When he comes home he has his own listening ritual; he always listens to Schubert's Piano Trio number two in E-Flat Major. Spoiler alert!
In a later scene the entire house gets blown up by a bomb, triggered by the turntable’s tonearm movement.
Another example is a French production called “Do Not Distrub”.
Dentist Michel Leproux, played by Christian Clavier, is a lover of jazz.
He owns our top-of-the-line Signature 12 turntable; he buys a record “Me, Myself and I”, a rarity that he has been looking for for a long time. He wants to spend his free day enjoying his new record. However, he is constantly disturbed by his family, his lover and various uninvited guests, which almost drives him crazy.
Regarding your question about special editions inspired by cinema or iconic characters: some projects with big names were never developed beyond the conceptual stage. In addition to our collection of artists from the music scene, we have also created projects for fashion brands such as Fred Perry. Many special editions are in the pipeline.
Let's see what the future brings.
Opened at the end of August 2017, the Pro-Ject headquarters is the winner of the Energy Globe Austria 2019. The Energy Globe is the most renowned environmental award worldwide, as determined in a survey by the American agency Arthur D. Little .
It is awarded in the Life categories: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, in the Future-Oriented Youth category and in a special annual category.
Your innovative heating and cooling system has become the winner in the "fire" category; with the energy of the sun, air and water crystallization the building is heated or cooled.
I believe that a person's mentality, priorities and ethics are also measured by this and that they reflect the way in which you also approach work. How important has the concept of environmental protection become in the production phase of your products?
J.D: When Heinz Lichtenegger decided to open his headquarters here, he not only wanted to make a design statement but also have an environmental impact. He employed many cutting-edge energy solutions for the building's infrastructure. Plus, the fact that the production and technical teams can all be reached within a few hours' drive keeps energy bills low and quality high.
Production takes place in the heart of Europe.
Our facilities are located in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. The raw materials from the surrounding area are wood/MDF, metals, carbon fibre, glass but also packaging and advertising material (brochures etc.). We only use high-quality materials to ensure a long-lasting, superior-sounding product. Some of our customers still own our first turntable, the Pro-Ject 1, and are happy with it. From time to time you need to replace the belt, lubricate the bearing or change the cartridge, but the platter itself does not break. We maximize the life of our products by simplifying their main features and offering you a modular system to choose the features you really need. This is the key.
Analog music or digital music?
I have often experienced this concept, also from personal experience, when talking about photography. The darkroom and film are still in my heart and will remain so for a long time.
The analogue, whether linked to the visual arts or the musical world, in my opinion requires different care and expertise, which have often been lost with digital... let me explain: automation, ease of use are not certainly to be disdained because they are often linked to time; since our society has become increasingly competitive and more frenetic, having simplified processes for using things that are part of our daily sphere is no small feat.
But there is no doubt that analogue persists as true craftsmanship... increasingly rare and therefore to be respected.
It requires taking that time that others instead want to halve or completely remove... often without taking even a moment to reflect.
Furthermore, the ease of use also leads to forgetting about wanting to understand and understand the mechanism of things... because the more complex something is in its use, the more you are forced to use your head.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems' head is big and full of great ideas aimed at rewarding, reminding us that we are human.
As Dirnberger explained, records are physical...there is a contact with the music, just like paper for a reader...Like books, records also age, wear out and remind us that they have a limited time ...that we are alive and that it is right to relax and fully enjoy something that warms the heart and not only satisfies the brain.
Does it depend on the sound? Does it depend on the ritual of listening to the album? Does it depend on their incredible charm which carries an entire story within the grooves of which they are composed? The irregularity and imperfect beauty that made them iconic?
Whatever the reason, vinyl has re-emerged in a big way and with it all the systems that allow it to be listened to.
Vinyls have traditionally been made since 1948 from PVC which is recyclable but in the process also releases a toxic substance such as chloride, which is why a new generation of eco-friendly vinyls is emerging to reduce environmental impact.
The green light is therefore given to recycled PVC or bioplastics from renewable sources, furthermore low impact production processes have been adapted across the board: use of vegetable-based inks, optimization of printing processes and the use of renewable energy.
The packaging is designed with recycled or recyclable materials, and eco-friendly labels and printing.
Business practices have also changed: sustainable shipping, collaborations with partners who share equal environmental values such as the use of green energy, ecological gas and solar energy, properly managed waste management.
There are those who have even released albums on biodegradable vinyl using microorganisms, including bacteria.
In Italy in San Giuliano Milanese someone thought of putting all these purposes together: Greenyl, a startup that produces vinyl records using a 100% recyclable polymer compound.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems not only enhances the beauty of vinyl but contributes to environmental protection, both with its headquarters optimized with cutting-edge energy solutions and through the production process: recycled components to limit waste, raw materials coming from the area surrounding, high quality materials to ensure durability and therefore fewer replacements.
As with the choice of music, the choice of a record player takes place. They are not all the same and differ in tactile, visual and auditory emotion. I really advise you to delve deeper into the immense treasure that Pro-Ject Audio Systems offers, because each of you could be struck by one of its models and, like a symphony, become incomparable and recognisable.
The turntable is the extension, it is the means through which we live again, it is the body of the musical soul... a mechanical work of art and a bridge between the past and the present.
Take a break...slow down...And as the philosophy of Pro-Ject Audio Systems reminds us:
"Hear it. Feel it."
CONTACTS:
Official site: https://www.project-audio.com
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