If the recently released Pro-Ject Signature 12.2 Flagship caused heart palpitations after you read through the technical explanation and saw the price — the new Pro-Ject Classic Reference will not require a defibrillator. You might even be safe with some kishka and gravy.
2024 has been a busy year for turntable maker Pro-Ject Audio Systems. Since August, they have released the XA B Transparent Acrylic, the Debut PRO B, Debut EVO 2, T1 EVO, T1 EVO Phono and T1 EVO BT.
Pro-Ject claims that the Classic Reference combines technical excellence and luxury like no other turntable and is built on the foundation of the VPO 175 and Classic EVO turntables.
Classic Reference Turntable
The Classic Reference includes the EVO 9 AS HG tonearm. High-precision ABEC 7 bearings are housed in an aluminum gimbal for frictionless, resonance-free operation.
The internally-damped S-shaped aluminum arm tube accommodates a removable headshell so that cartridges can be swapped as desired. In addition, flexible high-purity copper tonearm wire is used. Each lead is fitted with a gold-plated connector clip.
The Classic Reference is available with the limited edition VPO 175th Anniversary MC cartridge which was fine tuned together with members of the Vienna Philharmonics and built in Europe by Ortofon according to Pro-Ject’s specifications.
The high-mass aluminum alloy record platter is damped with TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer), which eliminates unwanted resonance. The Clamp it record clamp and Leather it record mat are included in-purchase for additional resonance control.
The platter rotates on a precision machined & balanced aluminum sub-platter. This provides better rotational stability and also adds mass to the drive system.
The tonearm is mounted to an aluminum alloy top plate supported by TPE pods sandwiched between it and the MDF plinth.
The record platter rotates on an aluminum sub-platter which is belt-driven by the AC motor.
The Classic Reference includes full-sized Balanced XLR outputs in addition to RCA unbalanced outputs with ground. This means you have the option of connecting The Classic Reference to any phono stage with corresponding inputs.
Although The Classic Reference comes with a power supply, there is also another power supply option you can take advantage of. Pro-Ject’s Power Box RS2 Phono can provide linear power to The Classic Reference (15V) as well as a Pro-Ject phono stage (18-20V).
Its two outputs are specifically engineered to power Pro-Ject turntables and phono preamps simultaneously. The linear power supply contributes to improved overall sound quality.
In addition to the sonic improvements, Power Box RS2 Phono also offers users a cleaner cable solution (only one wall wart is needed for the PSU).
Comparison
| Classic Reference | Signature 12.2 Flagship | |
| Price | $5,999 (Silver with Gloss Black Plinth) $6,999 (Brass with Acacia Plinth) | $14,999 |
| Speed Options | 33, 45 (78) rpm (electronic speed change) | 33 & 45rpm (electronic speed change) |
| Drive Mechanism | Belt drive | Belt drive with Flywheel |
| Platter | 300mm aluminum with TPE damping ring | 10.55kg (magnetically decoupled) |
| Motor Control System | Not Indicated | Precision Generator |
| Mains Bearing | Stainless steel | Ceramic (ball/plate) Cl |
| Wow & Flutter | 0.03% (33rpm), ±0.04% (45rpm) | ±0.01% (33rpm), ±0.01% (45rpm) |
| Speed Variance | ±0.08% (33rpm), ±0.10% (45rpm) | ±0.09% (33rpm), ±0.08% (45rpm) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) | 73dB | 75dB |
| Tonearm | EVO 9 AS HG | Built for Signature 12.2 |
| Effective Arm Length | 230mm (9 inches) | 304.8mm (12 inches) |
| Effective Arm Mass | 24.2g | 21.7g |
| Overhang | 18mm (0.71 inches) | 13.2mm (0.52 inches) |
| Power Consumption | 5W | 15W/0.5W standby |
| Power Input | 15V/ 0.8 A DC, universal power supply | 15V/ 1.6 A DC, universal power supply |
| Dimensions (WHD – closed cover) | 462 x 138 x 335mm 18.19 x 5.43 x 13.19 inches | 580 x 220 x 480mm 22.83 x 8.7 x 18.9 inches |
| Weight | N/A | 37 kg / 81 lbs 10 oz |
| Included Accessories | Single Adapter Allen Key 1.5 mm (Azimuth Setting) Allen Key 2 mm(Cartridge Installation) Allen Key 3mm (Shortened, VTA Setting) Drive Belt for 78 RPM Record Playback Counterweight No. 27 (33), Evolution (For Cartridge Wight 6.5 – 11 grams) Counterweight Mo. 26 (32), Evolution Line (For Cartridge Weight 9 – 16g) Two-Point Cartridge Alignment Protractor Connection Cable (Connect IT E RCA) Instructions White Cotton Gloves Cotton Cloth Connection Cable (Connect IT E RCA) Universal Power Supply | Single Adapter Allen Key 1.5 mm (Azimuth Setting) Allen Key 2 mm (Cartridge Setting, VTA Locking Screw) Allen Key 3mm Counterweight Counterweight Insert 30mm Counterweight Insert 45mm Cartridge Alignment Tool (Pro-Ject Align IT) White Cotton Gloves Cotton Cloth Connection Cable (5 Pin DIN to RCA) Record Puck Universal Power Supply |
| Cartridge | Not Included | Not Included |
The Bottom Line
17 years into the vinyl revolution, music listeners have a plethora of high-end turntable options that range from the state-of-the-art $128,000 Nagra Reference, Kuzma Stabi R, Rega Naia, Technics SL-1300G, and more affordable Pro-Ject Debut Pro B, and U-Turn Audio Theory — with another 200 models from other brands that we could mention.
So where does that place the Pro-Ject Classic Reference in the overall mix?
Spending anywhere between $6,000 and $7,000 for a turntable that does not even come with a cartridge is a rather sizeable investment and there are a number of tables from VPI, Clearaudio, Rega, Thorens, Kuzma, AVID, MoFi, and Technics that have be considered viable alternatives.
Pro-Ject are not the only high-end turntable manufacturer who design and make their own components internally — but they might be the only one who can produce a table of this level of quality whilst selling another 100,000+ tables, and thousands of components, and OEM products for another 5 or 6 major manufacturers at the same time.
They can make almost anything in-house and keep the prices below that of their competition.
The build quality of their tables seems to have taken another step forward in 2024 and there is a classical elegance to this deck that really stands out in a rather crowded marketplace.
If its performance matches the rather striking industrial design, this might be one to consider if your budget stretches that far — just leave room for a high-end cartridge that can show off its capabilities.
Price & Availability
The Classic Reference is handmade in Europe and is available for special order only. Select between silver with a gloss black plinth ($5,999) or brass with an Acacia plinth ($6,999).
For more information: pro-jectusa.com
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