Dedicated balanced outputs offer new options.
The newest member of our “True Balanced Connection” components lineup that feature a balanced connection for your phono setup. The Pro-Ject X2 B is the brand’s first revamped turntable to feature the new dedicated mini-XLR output jack. The new X2 B comes fitted with the Ortofon Quintet Red MC cartridge to complement the balanced connectors. The MC cartridge opens up the possibility of an entirely True Balanced Vinyl HiFi setup.
Pro-Ject X2 B – Times are a changin’
Since the beginnings of HiFi reproduction, our homes have changed. The increase in personal electronic devices as well as domestic networks mean a lot more potential sources for interference for record players. To ensure the best connection to your phono preamplifier we designed our „True Balanced Connection“ product range.
X2 B – true balanced
The X2 B offers a dedicated fully balanced mini XLR output. This symmetrical connection allows the use of fully balanced phono-preamps for instance the new Phono Box S3 B or Phono Box DS3 B.
Why True Balanced?
The use of balanced audio connections is common among professionals in recording studios as well as for live concerts. It is very important to have a stable & interference free connection, as these signals, especially microphone signals, will be highly amplified. The same applies to the connection from your turntable to the phono-preamplifier, since the big advantage of a balanced connection is its ability to remove picked up noise and interferences.
Balanced connections use three wires per channel: ground, a hot and a cold wire. The cold wire carries the inverted (reversed polarity) hot signal. At the receiving end the cold signal is flipped and added to the hot signal. The trick happens here: Any noise along the way is picked up by both wires. So, an interference-tick is identical on the hot and on the cold signal. If you now flip one of them, the interference is also inverted, the noise gets cancelled out. The output of the music signal on the other hand is doubled.
To take full advantage of our True balanced connection your turntable must be equipped with an MC cartridge, so the X2 B comes standard with an Ortofon Quintet Red MC cartridge pre-installed.
High end tonearm & cartridge
The X2 B uses a 9“ carbon/aluminium tonearm. The carbon layer gives the tonearm a high degree of rigidity, while the inner aluminium tube takes over the damping of the tonearm. The ultra-low friction 4 pin point tonearm bearing guarantees a precise, stable and accurate tracking, while the one-piece design avoids vibrations caused by detachable headshells.
The higher mass makes the tonearm an excellent fit for low and moderate compliance MC cartridges like the Ortofon Quintet Red. The TPE damped counterweight reduces arm-cartridge resonances by as much as 50%. The X2 B is designed to suit anyone who cares about how their vinyl sounds.
The full aluminium tonearm base offers you real audiophile features like variable azimuth and the vertical tracking angle (VTA). Additionally, the tonearm height can be continuously adjusted by loosening the two grub screws. The variable tonearm height allows the use of different turntable mats or other cartridges to always achieve the best sound quality later. Experimenting with the VTA & Azimuth setting is crucial in reaching the highest performance with your cartridges.
Mini XLR & RCA output
The X2 B comes with our high-quality Connect it E cable. It is a semi-balanced, low-capacitance cable, with superior shielding. In order to take full advantage of the balanced signal transmission just pair the X2 B with the compatible balanced cable of our new balanced phono cable lineup. We offer a wide range of balanced phono cables with different connectors to fit all our phono preamps. You can find more details on our website or ask your Pro-Ject dealer for information.
Quiet and stable speed
The motor of the X2 B by itself, is already very quiet. To further enhance its performance, we designed a matching motor suspension. It allows the motor to run stable and also isolates it from outside influences. Vibrations are damped and eliminated, and not transmitted onto the chassis, platter or cartridge.
The X2 B‘s motor chassis is carefully balanced and suspended on a precision tuned TPE belt; this way the motor chassis is effectively decoupled from the main plinth for optimal performance. It is free floating, horizontally completely level.
The playback speeds are electronically controlled with a sophisticated DC/AC generator, which guarantees the most accurate and stable rotation. Change between speeds is done easily with just a press of a button.
Using the flat belt you can switch between 33 and 45 RPM. If you mount the supplied round belt you are able to switch between 45 and 78 RPM. Switchyour cartridge to a shellac compatible one and enjoy your old tunes.
Heavy chassis – perfect stand
Structurally, the X2 B is supported by its large & heavy MDF chassis, reducing unwanted resonances to almost imperceptible levels. Due to the high mass, the X2 B allows the vinyl reproduction to become more detailed and precise. The new X2 B stands on height adjustable damped aluminium feet to guarantee the perfectly level stand.
The X2 B‘s MDF plinth is coated with 8 layers of paint and polished by hand to achieve a beautiful finish. It is available in four different surfaces; a premium walnut wood veneer, a luxurious black 8-layer high gloss paint, and black or white eight-layer hand-polished satin paint. The new X2 B is completely handmade in Europe with only premium materials to meet our high quality demands.
Availibility and price
The Pro-Ject X2 B is available for MSRP 1.599 € (incl. VAT) with premounted Ortofon Quintet Red at Pro-Ject dealers in July 2022.