In the digital age, many find themselves yearning for the tangible gear that once powered our lives and hobbies. Because of this nostalgia, some old equipment is getting celebrated and updated in the modern age. Turntables and vinyl records, for example, have been steadily increasing in popularity since the early aughts, and have been putting up numbers that are even surprising the suits (in 2021, one out of every three albums sold was on vinyl). Pro-Ject Audio Systems is an Austrian-based audio equipment manufacturer that’s been around since the early ‘90s, and its turntables have also been increasing in popularity due to the premium sound quality, intuitive designs, and reasonable prices. The label dropped its first completely automatic turntable last year with the A1, and now they’re back with the updated A2, a bigger turntable with a floating sub-chassis.
The main advantage of an automatic turntable versus a manual one is the tonearm’s ability to accurately place the needle in the correct spot (without lowering it yourself), and the A2 allows you to select the drop-off point for 7-inch and 12-inch 45s (and you can even spin 78s if you’re feeling really nostalgic). With the push of a button, the A2’s tonearm moves to the top of the record, starts playing, and the rest of the process is mechanical (so no fussing over other electronics). Pro-Ject opted for a sub-chassis, as many automatic turntables have hollow spaces which produce unwanted resonances so that you can enjoy unhindered sound quality.
Getting into the nitty-gritty, the DC motor drives the belt at 33, 45, and 78RPM, and the accessories include a 15V DC power supply, a dust cover and felt mat, a phono cable, and a 7″ single adapter. It all comes together at 16 pounds and is handmade in Germany.
Pre-orders for Pro-Ject’s Automat A2 are live now, starting at $1,499, and shipping is expected to start this November. You can check to see which of your local dealers will be carrying the turntable through Pro-Ject’s website.
