Pro-Ject E1.2 black

Pro-Ject E1.2, turntable from the E range

Second chapter for Pro-Ject’s entry-level full-platter model. The E1.2 retains the minimalist silhouette of the E1 and upgrades several mechanical stages: the platter is now 730 g die-cast aluminum, the in-house Pick it MM E cartridge comes pre-mounted, and the tonearm has been revised with a new headshell and a TPE-damped counterweight. Handmade in the Czech Republic, delivered factory-set and balanced, it only requires a phono preamp to get up and running.

Changes compared with the first E1

On the original E1, the platter was made of ABS polymer reinforced with ridges and the pre-mounted cartridge featured a spherical stylus. The E1.2 takes a different direction. Die-cast aluminum replaces ABS for the platter, mass is increased to 730 g, and balancing is redone at the factory after machining. On the playback side, the new Pick it MM E is based on a miniature neodymium magnet and a conical-profile diamond. Its heavily damped ABS body contains stray vibrations before they travel back up the tonearm. The tonearm itself gets a reworked headshell, play-free adjusted bearings, and a TPE-damped counterweight. The overall look of the chassis and the usage philosophy, however, remain faithful to the spirit of the E range.

The CNC-machined MDF chassis

The plinth is CNC-machined from a dense MDF panel. The operation is calibrated to avoid internal cavities, possible sources of resonance between the walls. Three damping feet support the structure and decouple it from the supporting furniture. Their damping factor limits the transmission of vibrations coming from the speakers, which reduces the risk of acoustic feedback (Larsen effect) when the turntable shares the same room as speakers playing at high volume. The controls, a power switch and a speed selector, are hidden on the edges of the chassis to preserve the clean top-panel design.

A 730-gram aluminum platter

The die-cast aluminum, individually balanced after manufacture, provides greater rotational inertia than a plastic platter. The surface is damped to reduce micro-resonances between the record and the support, and a felt mat sits on top. The sub-platter, made of glass-fiber-reinforced ABS, is manufactured to tight tolerances so that the belt runs in a consistent plane. The stainless steel spindle rotates in a high-precision bronze bushing, which limits friction and rotational noise. Belt drive mechanically isolates the motor from the platter, and switching between 33⅓ and 45 rpm is done electronically, without handling the belt. Pro-Ject specifies wow and flutter of ±0.23% at 33 rpm and ±0.21% at 45 rpm, and speed variance of ±0.7% and ±0.6% respectively.

Tonearm and Pick it MM E cartridge

The CNC-machined aluminum tonearm has an effective length of 218.5 mm and an effective mass of 7 g, a combination suited to moving-magnet cartridges with medium to high compliance. The gimbal design relies on precision bearings adjusted without play, ensuring smooth movement on both axes. The counterweight features TPE damping that dissipates vibrations transmitted from the tonearm. The geometry is set and the anti-skating preconfigured at the factory; startup only requires balancing the tonearm and adjusting the tracking force to the prescribed value for the cartridge.

The Pick it MM E, made by Pro-Ject for this range, is based on a miniature neodymium magnet and a conical-profile diamond. The conical stylus differs from an elliptical stylus by offering less fine treble tracking, but it is more forgiving of groove wear and remains consistent with the turntable’s tonearm level and factory presetting. The captive 123 cm phono cable exits directly from the rear of the chassis.

Setup and included accessories

Out of the box, the tonearm and cartridge are already assembled and aligned. The installation sequence is limited to placing the sub-platter, fitting the belt around it, putting the aluminum platter back on, then balancing the tonearm and setting the tracking force via the counterweight. The transparent acrylic dust cover, included as standard, attaches to adjustable hinges and protects the whole unit between listening sessions. The 45 rpm adapter and an external 15 V DC power supply (0.8 A, power consumption 4.5 W) complete the package. The turntable does not include an internal phono preamplifier: it therefore requires either an MM phono input on the amplifier, or a separate phono preamp.

Three finishes to choose from

The E1.2 is available in glossy black lacquer, matte satin white, and walnut-effect veneer. With a width of 415 mm, depth of 320 mm, height of 112 mm, and a weight of 3.6 kg, its footprint remains well controlled for an audiophile turntable, and most hi-fi furniture can accommodate it without difficulty.

Technical specifications

General overview

• Ready-to-use audiophile turntable
• Handcrafted in Europe (Czech Republic)
• Hand-assembled with careful finishing
• Several colors available
• Design optimized to limit unwanted vibrations and resonances

Chassis and design

• High-rigidity MDF chassis
• Decoupled damping feet
  • Reduction of external vibrations
  • Limitation of acoustic feedback phenomena

Platter

• Main platter in die-cast aluminum
• Weight: 730 g
• Precision-balanced at the factory
• Damped surface to reduce resonances
• Stable and silent rotation

Bearing and sub-platter

• Stainless steel spindle
• High-precision bronze bushing
• Smooth and silent rotation
• ABS sub-platter reinforced with fiberglass
• Extremely precise manufacturing tolerance

Drive and motorization

• Belt drive
• Electronic speed control
• Electronic speed change
• Speeds: 33⅓ and 45 rpm

Tonearm

• CNC-machined aluminum tonearm
• Effective length: 218.5 mm
• Effective mass: 7 g
• High-mass gimbal design
• Zero-play precision bearings
• Counterweight optimized to improve groove tracking
• Factory-adjusted settings

Phono cartridge

• Pre-mounted Pro-Ject Pick it MM E moving magnet (MM) cartridge
• Conical diamond stylus
• Miniature neodymium magnet generator
• Excellent groove tracking ability
• Warm and balanced sound reproduction
• Low background noise
• Highly damped ABS body limiting vibrations

Performance

• Wow and flutter
  • ±0.23% at 33 rpm
  • ±0.21% at 45 rpm
• Speed drift
  • ±0.7% at 33 rpm
  • ±0.6% at 45 rpm
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 65 dB

Power supply

• External power supply 15 V DC / 0.8 A
• Power consumption: 4.5 W

Included accessories

• Transparent protective cover
• Adapter for 45 rpm records
• External power supply unit

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 415 x 112 x 320 mm
• Weight: 3.6 kg