![]() ![]() An optional DIN to XLR cable allows for fully balanced operation, though of course cartridges not referenced to ground are inherently “balanced”. The tonearm’s electrical interface, a DIN jack located on the arm’s bottom, requires a straight DIN plug cable, which Pro-ject supplies, terminated in RCA plugs. The X8 Evolution makes use of both the Xtension 9’s ultra-dense, metal-alloy granulate-filled MDF chassis and the top-of-the line Pro-Ject 9cc EVO one-piece carbon fiber tonearm fitted with ABEC 7 quality bearings located within a high mass “C” shaped housing. Switching between 33 1/3 and 45 is at the push of a plinth mounted button. generated by a high-precision, microprocessor-controlled quartz-referenced electronic speed regulation system completely isolated from the mains. This is the same bearing assembly used on the Xtension 9 (and 10).ĭrive is via a synchronous motor fed pure A.C. The magnetic load reduction system produces less rumble and noise producing “rubbing”, which also lowers bearing/thrust pad mechanical noise-a critical issue in a design that puts the noise producing interface so close to the platter surface. The shorter bearing spindle produces less bearing “wobble” while its inverted design puts the platter’s center of gravity well below the point of rotation for far greater stability than a standard bearing design.Ī neodymium magnet system reduces the load on the ceramic ball, producing smoother platter rotation on the Teflon thrust pad located within the platter. The X8 features affixed to the plinth an inverted ceramic ball-topped stainless steel bearing spindle. The X2’s acrylic platter rides on a polymer subplatter/stainless steel bearing/bronze bushing/Teflon thrust pad assembly. Instead, Pro-Ject supplies the familiar felt mat that you can use or replace with whatever is your favorite platter/record interface. Minus the Xtension 9’s permanently affixed recycled vinyl mat, it appears to be identical. In place of the X2’s acrylic platter, the X8 includes a precision machined and balanced TPE-damped 11.25 pound aluminum alloy platter (TPE is an acronym for “thermoplastic elastomer”). Priced between the X2 ($1699) and Xtension 9 Evolution ($3699) the $2499 X8 (including cartridge) has more in common with the more expensive Xtension 9 than it does with its less costly, but equally well-manufactured relative. That is, it relies upon mass and materials to damp resonant behavior. The recently introduced X8 Evolution is a “mass loaded” belt drive design. Project's state of the art CNC machine shop (photo: Michael Fremer) ![]() It's not clear how long it takes to assemble, box and package Pro-Ject’s new X8 Evolution turntable, or how economies of scale work at the company’s two Livotel, Czech Republic factories (the newer, second one is a large, multi-CNC machine shop) but the new turntable makes obvious that the company can now offer a lot more turntable for considerably less money. Usually this results in either the same product costing less, or a better product for the same cost as a not as good previous one. The more you produce, the lower the cost per unit, measured by the amount of output per unit of time. Pro-Ject's Evolution X8 Turntable Throws A Monkeywrench Into the Marketplace So much turntable for such an agreeable price (video review on TA YouTube channel)Ī rough definition of “economies of scale” is the cost advantages produced by increased production. ![]()
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