Pro-Ject
Pro-Ject X1 B Review
A premium Pro-Ject deck aimed at higher-end systems and long-term upgrade paths.
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Quick Specs
Hover over ⓘ to learn what each means
- Drive Type ⓘ Belt drive = quieter listening, great for home use. Direct drive = instant start/stop, good if you want to DJ or scratch records.
- belt
- Speeds ⓘ This tells you which records you can play. 33 RPM plays full albums, 45 RPM plays singles. If it includes 78, you can also play old vintage records from your grandparents' collection.
- 33, 45, 78 RPM
- Built-in Preamp ⓘ Yes = plug directly into any speakers and you're ready to go. No = you'll need to buy a separate phono preamp or use a receiver with a 'phono' input.
- No
- USB Output ⓘ Yes = you can plug into your computer and save your vinyl as digital files to listen on your phone. No = vinyl only, no digital copies.
- No
- Cartridge ⓘ This is the part that actually touches your records. A good cartridge means better sound quality. You can always upgrade this later without buying a new turntable.
- Pick it PRO
Our Take
The X1 B represents Pro-Ject moving up their own internal quality ladder — the materials, the platter, and the tonearm are all noticeably improved over the Debut Carbon EVO. The Pick it PRO MC cartridge is a genuine audiophile piece, and the result is a system that competes at a level well above its form factor might suggest.
This is not a casual purchase. It assumes you already have or are willing to invest in a quality phono stage capable of handling an MC cartridge, and that you have speakers and amplification that will actually reveal what the deck can do. The full chain cost is substantially higher than the deck price alone.
The buyer for the X1 B already knows what they want. They've listened to mid-range decks and heard what they're missing. They want something they can upgrade further without replacing the turntable itself. If that describes you, the X1 B is a well-considered next step.
Sound Quality
With a quality MC phono stage in the chain, the X1 B opens up considerably — detail retrieval, soundstage depth, and dynamic range all improve over what mid-range decks deliver. The Pick it PRO cartridge has a low-output MC character: precise, fast, and revealing. Bass is tighter and more textured; highs are extended without brightness; imaging is stable and spacious. It's the kind of deck that makes familiar recordings feel like new discoveries. Classical, jazz, and acoustic music particularly reward the extra resolution this deck brings.
Setup and Ease of Use
MC cartridge means you need a phono stage with MC capability — not all phono preamps handle this. Budget accordingly before purchasing. Tonearm setup (counterweight, VTF, anti-skate) takes 15–20 minutes and benefits from a stylus force gauge for precision. The three-speed support (including 78 RPM) requires manual belt repositioning. Pro-Ject includes solid setup documentation. Total system cost consideration: the X1 B is the starting point of a chain that needs matching components to perform at its best.
What We Like
- ✓ Higher-end materials and platter
- ✓ Serious upgrade potential
- ✓ More audiophile engineering
What Could Be Better
- ✗ Expensive once you add the rest of the chain
- ✗ Not for casual users
Best For
Advanced listeners building a high-fidelity setup
Sold Out on Amazon?
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