Pro-Ject Audio Systems Primary E Turntable
Like when the original, now iconic, Debut turntable burst onto the scene in 1999, the Primary E has been designed to offer a hi-fi friendly alternative to vinyl music lovers who are limited by their budget. Where the majority of affordable turntables are impacted by flimsy, plastic components or poor quality accessories, the Primary E is a reliable, made-in-Europe product designed by a leading analogue audio company. Protect your records and enjoy their sound with Primary E.
Offering exactly the same features and performance as the multi-award winning Primary record player, the Primary E is available for an even more appealing budget because of its direct-wired 230V motor.
Pro-Ject Primary E Highlights
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Low vibration synchronous motor direct-fed by mains | Pre-adjusted tracking force & anti-skating force | Pre-mounted Ortofon OM cartridge | Acrylic lid included |
The quiet-running, stable motor is direct-fed to the mains – like many other popular designs from the Pro-Ject range, such as the original, award-winning Debut Carbon – reducing the need for internal signal processing and an external power supply. The end result of this change is a turntable that still sounds like a true piece of hi-fi, but that costs less than ever before.
The Primary E’s 8.6″ aluminium tonearm uses sapphire bearings for optimal tracking across a record side. The tonearm is designed specially for use with the supplied Ortofon OM cartridge, and it’s pre-configured to play straight out of the box with no fiddly setup.
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What Hi-Fi?, August 2018“The Primary E confidently nails the basics, from an even tonal balance to a delivery that’s clear and clean and spacious enough to keep things coherent.” | Wired Magazine, November 2018“it’s an entertaining and enjoyable listen. Smoothly easy-going where Spotify files or CDs are spiky and edgy, the Primary E is a classic gateway drug. Six months on the Pro-Ject and you’ll be mainlining vinyl for the rest of your life.” | Hi-Fi Choice, 2018“Setting an impressive standard for the entry-level, this plug-and-play deck is perfectly pitched.” |
Technical Data:
Replacement Stylus: Ortofon Stylus 1S
Pre-Fitted Cartridge: Ortofon OM
Nominal Speeds: 33 / 45 RPM (Manual)
Platter: 300mm MDF (0.8kg)
Effective Tonearm Length: 8.6″ (218.5mm)
Tracking Force Range: 0 – 25mN
Power Consumption: 4.5W
Dimensions: 420 x 112 x 330mm
Weight: 4kg
Acryl platter optional (Pro-Ject Acryl it E)
| Dimensions: | 33 x 42 x 11.2 cm; 4 Kilograms |
| Model: | 9120082383325 |
| Manufacture: | PRO-JECT |
I’m a beginner when it comes to records, and so when I did some research pointing me to this product I was quite skeptical as you need to set up the belt and manually change speeds, however in reality the product is easy to use and set up and once you put the belt on once it’s easy every other time. The only downside is the included platter mat is fairly low quality felt and causes lots of static buildup on my records.
Added to my hifi separates. Really happy with purchase. Would really recommend this turntable.
Overall, very pleased with this turntable. The sound quality is very good, but this also depends on your amp and speakers. The only downside at the moment is that the belt drive goes around the outside of the turntable, which makes it easy to change speed from 45 to 33, but on the downside, you can catch the belt when taking off a LP and pulling the belt off of the turntable, but I’m sure this won’t be a problem once I get use to the turntable.
I used the record player to play my old vinyls from 40 years ago. The sounds of the old tracks were brought back to life by the fantastic sound quality. I did connect the player to my old denon amplifier and speakers, which definitely enhanced the sound quality. The only draw back with the system was the drive belt (rubber string) that wraps around the edge of the turntable. It drops off with the slightest touch and has to be reset each time. Annoying, but solvable with greater care. For the price though, it is fantastic value if it is pure sound replication you are looking for.
Bought for hubby. He loved it. Not cheap but not too expensive. Only downside was the band/tape bit that goes round was tricky to put on. Great sound quality though.
Good value turntable. Yes it has it’s niggles as others have mentioned, but the sound quality is great and could be improved with a better stylus down the line. Came well packed with no damage. Plugs directly into a mains socket so no wall adapter needed. I checked the stylus pressure and was a little high but within the tracking force range. The cartridge is an unbranded Ortofon genuine one( Ortofon OM NN) Mine came fitted with the Pro-Ject high quality Connect-it E cables to. Very good value and a good alternative to the cheap plasticky chinese offerings.
Just arrived to replace my (too sensitive) Michell Syncro. Great looking deck. All the criticisms I read about three feet( nonsense) tough lid ( set screws can adjust) and not being automatic (it’s manual) are not relevant. Took minutes to set up and will spend an hour finely adjusting with spirit levels etc but it’s not a Linn!! The deck sounds great and for the money awesome sound. My only criticism and this can be a big issue putting into an existing system, the power cord is way too short (not the case with the phon leads) the cord does not reach my power strip so need to sort that out. The belt is an issue too but audiophiles will not have an issue. It’s tricky but like handling vinyl just be careful.
This Pro-ject turntable is perfect. It arrives with just a couple of small parts to assemble – parts which might otherwise be damaged in the post. These couple of parts were very easy to install. Connected easily to the pre-amp and to the speakers – instructions were clear but it was so simple that didn’t really need them. The sound quality is excellent. Finally, we didn’t want anything to brash or ostentatious and feel that this turntable sits discreetly within our home.
My son loves it. Brilliant gift. Great quality. Sound quality is brilliant.
A brilliant turntable , at this price how do they sell it for this sort of money. Also has a great sound.
The sound quality is great. This is a good player for my daughter’s first venture into vinyls.
She is happy with the set up. Thank you.
Great starter turntable, perfect for exploring an inherited record collection. Few niggles, belt slips off sometimes and it’s very light so can move when you lift the lid too quickly. But it’s sounds great, much better than CDs. I may even start investing in some new records.
Simple design, very easy to set up. Great sound quality for the money, in fact better than some systems twice the price.
The only niggle is that the drive belt is easily dislodged and can be fiddly to put back in place (a groove in the plate would make a huge difference).
Now, I’ve ordered two of these because I accidentally broke the first one being clumsy. Lucky for me it wasn’t a super high end expensive turntable. Both of the turntables I ordered turned up fitted with non-branded cartridges attached, despite the fact that they’re supposed to come with factory pre-fitted Ortofon cartridges (note that all Ortofon cartridges come with the brand name on the side – not plain black like the ones I received). By complaining to the seller I was able to get a partial refund and replace the cartridge, but I think this is something Amazon should be cracking down on. No doubt the sellers are re-selling the better cartridge and replacing them with cheap knock-offs.
A few of points to note if you’re buying this turntable. 1. Speed change is manual, so you have to move the belt. 2. It only has 3 feet, so you’ll need to place it somewhere stable. 3. You’ll need an amp with a phono stage or a pre-amp as there is no built in phono stage.
Great turntable with excellent sound quality for a budget player.
The belt drive is a wee bit fiddly
Other than that it’s a great deck
I bought this for my partner for Christmas. He is absolutely obsessed with it! The sound out put is incredible and its very simple and sleek.
Great for someone wanting to get into vinyl records. Simple and easy set up, simple and easy to use. Not a huge fan of the rubber band as an slip off when changing the records if not careful, then a little fiddly to reinstall but on the whole very good value for money.
It’s a no-frills basic turntable but with high end quality. I selected this model for its small footprint because I have limited space. It turned out to be the perfect choice. It does take a little bit of adjustment and setting-up to get the best from it, but nothing too taxing. It lacks many of the frills of budget turntables such as USB/Bluetooth and built-in preamp. Fortunately I don’t need any of that stuff, just a really good deck.
Excellent value for the price. Vinyl getting much needed plays again. Had to fit the rubber belt manually from spindle to turntable but this was easy enough.
Good entry level as I was looking for, a bit too noisy and transmit too many vibrations, but I can’t expect an audiophile level at that price. Overall it well worth the money, and I’m happy for that purchase
Bit fiddly to install the belt and found I popped it off the deck when changing disks the first couple of times.
Now I’m used to it it’s not a problem. Replaces an ancient Dual CS505 and sounds great.
I could have gone for a higher priced model but this seemed to fit my price range and promised a good listening expeience.
All I can say is I am not disappointed. The sound is warm and clear and I had forgotten just how good real records sound. The deck is easy to set up, already pre vcalibrated and looks really good. I am very pleased as it is great value for money.
By all means spnd an extra 100 on a higher priced deck but I doubt you will get 100 in added value compared to this turntable. I heartily recommend.
Great sounding deck and already setup perfectly, plug in and go
Just plug into your amps phono connection, put the drive belt on – simple and good quality sound. Does not have wireless.
Project turntables are defiantly the best brand to go for. This budget turntable, feels far higher quality than the price suggests. For your first turntable this is a great choice. Already set up straight out of the box, Easy. The one thing i would say is other project turntable may be best suited to you, if you have more money to spend or want preamp built in.
Great choice!