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#33 of 64 Pro-Ject X1
Pro-Ject · Ranked #33 of 64

Pro-Ject X1

The Pro-Ject X1 sits confidently in the mid-tier turntable market, offering audiophile-adjacent build quality and a genuinely excellent factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge without requiring buyers to shop for a separate phono preamp.

Drive BeltSpeeds 33/45 rpmPreamp Built-inSetup ~19 min
4.5out of 5

Bench score

★★★★★

Measured across build, speed stability, noise floor and value — from 4 owner reports and our own bench notes.

◆ Our verdict

The Pro-Ject X1 sits confidently in the mid-tier turntable market, offering audiophile-adjacent build quality and a genuinely excellent factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge without requiring buyers to shop for a separate phono preamp. It's a strong choice for listeners upgrading from an entry-level deck who want tangible, audible improvements in tracking and tonal accuracy without stepping into high-end territory.

▤

Specifications

Drive Type
Belt-drive
Speeds
33 / 45 RPM (electronic switch)
Cartridge
Ortofon 2M Silver (pre-mounted)
Tonearm Length
8.6 inches
Phono Preamp
Built-in, switchable
◎

On the bench

Wow & flutter
0.098%
S/N ratio
68 dB
Speed deviation
0.43%
Platter mass
1310 g

Wow & flutter measured W.R.M.S. at 33⅓ rpm; S/N ratio A-weighted. Lower wow & flutter and speed deviation are better; higher S/N is better.

⚖

Pros & cons

✓What we liked

  • Excellent tracking and detail from the included Ortofon 2M Silver
  • Built-in phono stage means fewer extra components needed
  • Solid, well-damped plinth reduces unwanted resonance
  • Electronic speed switching is convenient and accurate
  • Attractive high-gloss finish options look premium at this price

✕What we didn’t

  • No auto-stop or auto-return functionality
  • Dust cover sold separately in some regions
  • Setup still requires care with tonearm balance despite pre-mounted cartridge
  • Belt replacement needed periodically as with all belt-drive decks
❝

What owners say

Marcus T.12 Mar 2024 ★★★★☆

Huge step up from my old belt-drive

Switched from a budget deck to the X1 and the difference in clarity and bass control is night and day. The built-in preamp saved me money too.

Elena R.28 Jan 2024 ★★★★☆

Great sound, wish it had auto-stop

Sound quality is fantastic for the price, especially with the Ortofon cartridge. Only gripe is manually lifting the arm at the end of each side.

David K.05 Nov 2023 ★★★★☆

Beautiful finish and solid build

The gloss black finish looks stunning on my shelf, and the platter feels substantial. Setup was straightforward since the cartridge comes pre-aligned.

Priya S.19 Feb 2024 ★★★★★

Reliable performer

Been using it daily for months now. Speed stability is rock solid and the phono preamp sounds clean through my amp's aux input.

⇄

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