Blame it on the medication. And never get caught in the middle of a railroad track. Especially if you’re on your way home after purchasing Pro-Ject’s AC/DC Turntable which is part of its rather visually creative Artist Series.
Don’t blame the folks in Austria for trying to think outside the box on this one. The response to their creations paying homage to the Beatles (read our review), Pink Floyd, and Metallica was rather positive, so it’s hard to knock them for going totally out on a limb for the thunder from down under.
Take a quick gander at the turntable designed for Metallica which was clearly designed for performance with its aluminum sub-platter, steel pulley, and mirror finished metal top plate.
The “One” was introduced at Munich 2022 for $1,599 USD and sold out quickly — although there are a few apparently left if you ask nicely.
Red and Black Lightning?
The Pro-Ject AC/DC Turntable is clearly based off some of their more popular belt-driven turntables and we’re ok with that. The glossy black plinth is engineered out of MDF and it’s clear to us — maybe — that the rest of the table is designed to look like a lightning bolt or something that Angus Young would have played during one of their iconic (did we mention really loud?) sets.
Before you think that Pro-Ject found a way to save on the design and this is likely not up to their usual standards — the table also uses a rather heavy glass platter and the sub-platter is fashioned out of acrylic.
Definitely not a case of dirty deeds done dirt cheap.
The design also includes a number of strategically integrated LEDs which gives the table a rather interesting red hue while you are listening to “Back in Black” or “Highway to Hell.”
Coolest Tonearm That You’ll Ever See
If all of that wasn’t enough for you to hide those Taylor Swift exclusive albums you just purchased from Target in Boynton Beach, the Pro-Ject AC/DC Turntable features an 8.6-inch acrylic tonearm that is shaped like something you might find on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s hockey jersey.
Our favorite part is the black lightning bolt head shell lift that is fashioned to the Ortofon 2M Red MM Cartridge that comes pre-installed.
A special edition 2M Black with red lightning would have looked much more appropriate but that would have taken the price of this custom deck to a price point where a lot fewer fans would have considered it.
The table does not come with a cheap felt platter mat (we hope that we are correct about this), but it does come with one of Pro-Ject’s better quality Connect It RCA phone cables with a ground wire attached.
The Bottom Line
Unless you are a massive fan of AC/DC, there are definitely less expensive options available from Pro-Ject like the over-achieving Debut PRO B which is one of our top picks below $1,300 and the type of table that can be upgraded rather easily over time with a number of accessories.
The Pro-Ject AC/DC deck is priced at £1,149, which comes out to roughly $1,460. You’ll be able to purchase it from the brand’s website and select audio retailers starting in March. Pro-Ject have not indicated how many will be available but it would be reasonable to assume that quantities will be limited.
Money talks. And it’s pretty clear what this actually is unlike the Waiting for Ideas PP-1 which retails for over $6,000.
For more information: project-audio.com
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Anton
March 19, 2025 at 11:06 am
Beautiful. In a grotesque kind of way.
I do agree that the 2M Red cheapens this considering the price.
I’m sure this will sell out.
Ian
March 22, 2025 at 7:56 pm
The Metallica table had a much more substantial design and build.
The tonearm is so much better.