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Preview: Pro-Ject’s Debut PRO B Turntable Aims To Restore Balance to the Force

Pro-Ject adds balanced connectivity with Pick it Pro MM cartridge to its award-winning Debut PRO Turntable for only $100 more.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B Turntable Angle

Has it really been 3 years since Pro-Ject unveiled the award-winning Debut Pro turntable? Apparently so.

EIC Ian White reviewed the Debut PRO back in 2021 and still considers it to be the one to buy below $1,000. However, it is now 2024 and Pro-Ject feels that it is time for a successor, which takes the form of the new Debut PRO B.

Are the new changes merely cosmetic or a series of improvements that can potentially make this already excellent table — the one to consider below $1,300 and the most logical option next to the Rega Planar 3?

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B Turntable Rear
Rear view of Pro-Ject Debut PRO B

Two main additions bring listeners closer to the True Balanced experience: a balanced mini XLR output and the Pick it PRO Balanced moving magnet phono cartridge, which is the first of its kind. 

This means that from the turntable, users can connect using a mini XLR cable (sold separately) to connect PRO B directly to the mini XLR input of Phono Box S3 B ($499), Phono Box DS3 B ($799), or Tube Box DS3 B ($1,099). In addition, users can also use a mini XLR to standard XLR cable adapter to connect the PRO B to the Reference Series Phono Box RS2.

To sum it up, the PRO B provides more connection flexibility with other key Pro-Ject, or other branded compatible hi-fi components.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B Tonearm Bearing
The Debut PRO B uses the same tonearm bearing as Debut PRO.

Features carried over from the Debut PRO 

  • Same physical design
  • 8.6” carbon-on-aluminum arm tube
  • Massive tonearm bearing block
  • Precision-machined diecast TPE-damped aluminum platter
  • Anti-resonant sub-platter
  • Sophisticated DC/AC power generator
  • TPE-damped height-adjustable metal feet.
  • Finished with nickel-plated trimmings and an eight-coat satin black paint job. 
Pre-Adjusted Pick it PRO Balanced MM Cartridge
Pick it PRO Balanced MM Cartridge

What’s New in the Debut PRO B

According to Pro-Ject, here are new additions and refinements to the Debut PRO B:

  • Improved Platter features a notch for the record label and together with the Record Puck PRO (available separately), the puck’s weight presses a record tightly against the platter. The die-cast aluminum platter is reworked and precision balanced in an extra step to obtain an even spinning operation.
  • The new refined Hybrid Tonearm features a one-piece carbon-aluminum sandwich. The carbon layer gives the tonearm a high degree of rigidity, while the inner aluminum tube takes over the damping of the tonearm. 
  • New precision CNC milled and nickel-coated tonearm bearing parts.
  • The tonearm base allows the adjustment of both the azimuth and the vertical tracking angle (VTA)
  • mini-XLR Balanced Phono Output Connection

Tech Note: Although Pro-Ject has assigned the Pro B as the direct replacement for the Debut Pro, there is another turntable in Pro-Ject’s Debut turntable lineup, the Pro S which is included in the comparison below. 

Comparison

Pro-Ject Debut PRO Turntable Comparison
Pro-Ject Debut PRO B (2024)Pro-Ject Debut PRO (2021)Pro-Ject Debut PRO S (2022)
Price (USD)$1,099$999$1,199
Drive PrincipleBelt Drive (electronic speed regulation)Belt Drive with electronic speed controlBelt Drive with electronic speed control
Nominal Speeds33/45 rpm 78 r.p.m. optional)33/45 rpm. (78 r.p.m. optional)33/45 rpm. (78 r.p.m. optional)
Platter300mm die-cast aluminum platter with TPE damping ring300mm; die-cast aluminum, TPE damping, stabilizing rim300mm, die-cast aluminum platter with TPE damping and felt mat
Platter BearingHigh-precision stainless steel axle in bronze bushingHigh-precision stainless steel axle in bronze bushinghigh-precision stainless steel axle in bronze bushing
Speed Drift+/-0.40% (33rpm) +/-0.50% (45rpm)+/-0.40% (33rpm)+/-0.50% (45rpm)+/-0.40% (33rpm)+/-0.50% (45rpm)
Wow and Flutter+/-0.16% (33rpm), +/-0.14% (45rpm)+/-0.16% (33rpm), +/-0.14% (45rpm)+/-0.16% (33rpm)+/-0.14% (45 rpm)
SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio)68dB68dB68dB
Tonearm8.6″ one-piece carbon/aluminum hybrid tonearm8.6” one-piece carbon-aluminum hybrid tonearm10″ S-shaped aluminum with SME-type headshell connection
Effective Tonearm Mass10g10g8g
Effective Tonearm Length218.5mm (8.6”)218.5mm (8.6”)254mm (10”)
Overhang18.5mm (0.728”)18.5mm (0.728”)16mm (0.63”)
ConnectivityRCA w/Ground, mini XLR BalancedRCA w/GroundRCA w/Ground
Power Consumption4W/0W in Stand-By4W/0W in Stand-By4W/0W in Stand-By
Outboard Power Supply15V / 0 – 0.8mA DC (set at 0.5mA), universal power supply15V / 0 – 0.8 DC, universal power supply15V / 0 – 0.8 DC, universal power supply
CartridgePick-it-Pro BalancedSumiko RainierPick it S2 C
Frequency range20-20.000 Hz +/-2 dB 20 – 20 000 Hz +/- 2dB20Hz-22kHz
Channel Separation22dB/1kHz22dB/1kHz24dB/1kHz
Output Voltage4mV4mV/1kHz6mV
Recommended Load Impedance47k ohms47k ohms47k ohms
Dimensions  (WHD)415 x 113 x 320 mm
16.34 x 4.45 x 12.6″
415 x  113 x 320 mm
16.34 x 4.45 x 12.6″
462 x 145 x 345 mm
18.19 x 5.71 x 13.58”
Weight6kg (13.23 lbs)6kg (13.23 lbs)8kg (15.43 lbs)
Included Accessories15V DC / 0.8A power supply
Dust cover
78 RPM round belt
7″ single adapter
Felt record mat
15V DC / 0.8A power supply
Dust cover
78 RPM round belt
7‘‘ single adapter
15V DC / 0.8A power supply
Dust cover
78 RPM round belt
7‘‘ single adapter

Tip: Just as with all Pro-Ject Turntables the Debut PRO B is handmade in Europe.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B Turntable Front
Pro-Ject Debut PRO B

Initial Impression

Does balanced connectivity matter to you?

If you already own the previous Debut PRO and are happy with what it offers, there is no need to toss it and get a PRO B as almost all of the performance characteristics of the PRO and PRO B and Pro S variant are identical. 

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However, if you desire a turntable with balanced audio connectivity, the PRO B might be a good choice. It carries a slightly higher price tag than the Debut PRO, but a lower price tag than the PRO S or XA-B.

If you don’t plan on upgrading your existing phono pre-amplifier and are limited to single-ended connections, the balanced output changes absolutely nothing and you are better off just upgrading your phono cartridge instead.

The new Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge is a revised version of the Pick it PRO which permits balanced transmission of the signal; which is rare for a MM cartridge.

So who should really consider the new PRO B?

If your phono pre-amplifier and existing line-stage do offer balanced inputs and outputs (you will need an adapter if don’t use a Pro-Ject phono stage with the mini-XLR input), there are a few changes to sound that are worth mentioning.

Our experience with the Pro-Ject balanced turntables so far when used with better quality MC cartridges and balanced set-ups has demonstrated improvements in clarity, detail, overall dynamics, and an enlarged soundstage. The bass range comes across as slightly more impactful and detailed.

Are the differences that huge?

When used with better quality electronics, the balanced option has certainly improved the overall sonic performance — but that also comes with a more significant asking price.

We’ve tried in the Pro-Ject X2 B with $20,000 worth of electronics and we felt that the table could be the final destination for a lot of listeners if they ever decide to take the balanced approach.

The Debut PRO B could be a stepping stone for a lot of listeners, but we think it’s a journey taken with incremental steps.

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B Belt Drive System

Price & Availability

The Pro-Ject Debut PRO B Turntable is available for pre-order for $1,099 at Crutchfield, but is not expected to start shipping until October 15, 2024.

For more information: project-audio.com

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