10 years into the vinyl revolution, the seemingly endless river of high-end audio turntables continues to bring us new and innovative offerings. The folks at Pro-Ject have had their finger on the pulse of the market from the beginning and that includes putting their resources years ago behind products like the EAT C-Dur Turntable.
Whether you are looking for something inexpensive or the ultimate high-end, there are turntables out there that can fit your needs or taste.
With that in mind, EAT (European Audio Team) has announced its latest turntable that can be packaged with their award-winning Jo No.5 MC cartridge.
Design
The EAT C-Dur has a classy, elegant look. Available with either a black satin or high gloss plum finish, it complements any home or audio room decor.
The C-Dur’s design borrows from the EAT Forte turntable but is more compact. As a result, it provides smooth movement without perceivable rumble. This means better quality vinyl record music listening.
Construction
While many turntables go for lightweight construction solutions, EAT goes heavy with the C-Dur starting with an MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) base. From there, C-Dur features a 5.2 kg aluminum platter that sits on a 900g aluminum sub-platter that is resonance-free with additional support from the main bearing that contributes to guaranteeing silent playback with accurate speeds.
A mass-loaded 1.8 kg bearing block is also included that uses a polished stainless-steel spindle with a ceramic ball on the top. This assembly in combination with a Teflon plate as a bearing mirror provides additional damping with smooth movement and no rumble.
Tonearm
The EAT C-Dur includes a 10-inch C-Note Tonearm which not only looks good but is precisely engineered to fulfill its role in supporting a cartridge to deliver music to your ears.
The C-Note tonearm combines a stiff, low-mass carbon fiber tube with an aluminum headshell that supports rigidity and low resonance.
Inside the tonearm is a special silicon-based grease to dampen the tonearm/cartridge resonances by more than 50%.
A semi-balanced 5-pin DIN to RCA cable is included for sound signal delivery to the turntable’s audio outputs. Users can also upgrade to a balanced phono cable for fully balanced signal transmission.
Motor
The C-Dur incorporates an ultra-low-noise motor that is isolated and placed into a steel ring that is mounted in the chassis.
An external DC power supply unit with an AC generator creates total clean power for the motor. A special anti-static polished rubber belt connects the motor with the aluminum sub-platter. Electronic speed control is located on the top plate.
Tip: The C-Dur is a belt drive turntable.
Feet
The unsung hero of a good turntable is its feet. The C-Dur’s feet isolate the turntable from the surface it is placed on reducing the risk of acoustical feedback. The feet are able to absorb energy with its TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers) insert.
Specifications
- Nominal speeds: 33/45 rpm
- Speed variance: 33 1/3 rpm: ± < 0.08%; 45rpm: ± < 0.09%
- Wow & flutter: 33 1/3 rpm: ± < 0.01%; 45rpm: ± < 0.01%
- Signal to noise: –70 dB
- Downforce range: 0–30 mN (millinewtons)
- Supplied counterweights: 5-13g cartridges
- Effective tonearm mass: 16.5 g
- Effective tonearm length: 254 mm/10-inches
- Overhang: 16 mm
- Power consumption: 8.5 W max/ 0.5W standby
- Voltage: Universal power supply 15 V DC/1.6 A
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 496x170x396 mm/19.53×6.7×15.6-inches (closed lid), 496x475x396 mm/19.53×18.7×15.6-inches (open lid)
- Weight: 15.6kg/34.4 pounds
Pricing and Availability
EAT provides for purchase option for C-Dur Turntable:
- Satin Black Finish: MSRP $3,799 (w/o cartridge)
- Satin Black Finish: MSRP $4,599 (w/Jo No. 5 Moving Coil Cartridge)
- High Gloss Plum Finish: MSRP: $4,499 (w/o cartridge)
- High Gloss Plum Finish: MSRP: $5,299 (w/Jo No. 5 Moving Coil cartridge).
The EAT C-Dur is available in the U.S. through authorized dealers of Vana Distributing.
Jo No.5 Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving Coil
- Stylus: Nude Fine Line
- Cartridge Weight: 15 g
- Stylus Tip Radius:8/40 μm
- Frequency Response: 20 – 26.000 Hz ±1.5dB
- Output Voltage at 1 kHz: 5cm/sec. 0.33 mV
- Channel Separation at 1 kHz: >25dB
- Channel Separation at 1 kHz: >16dB
- Tracking Force Range: 2.2-2.5 g (22-25 mN)
- Tracking Force Recommended: 2.4 g (24 mN)
- Tracking Angle: 20°
- Coil Wire: Pure 4N copper
- Recommended Load Impedance: > 20 ohms
- Internal Impedance/DC Resistance: 5 ohms
Related Reading
Editors’ Choice 2022: My Favorite Turntables
5 Vintage Turntables For Your Stereo System
Vinyl Nirvana & The Art Of Vintage Turntable Restoration
The Dual 701 & Yamaha YP-701 Turntables: Exit To Vintage Street
Audio-Technica’s 60th Anniversary AT-LP2022 Turntable Redefines “Transparency”
U-Turn Audio Orbit Theory: A Turntable 10 Years In The Making
