After thirty years away from vinyl, I got back in. While I didn't get the Debut Pro-S, I did get a Pro-Ject X1 at a fabulous open box price from Audio Advisor. As far as cost of used records, I found that the price of my favorite kind of music (Classical) is by far the most cost effective by far. In three months, I've accuumlated about 130 records. Including mostly used classical, a little bit of jazz (Chuck Mangione, Jimmy Smith), a new Paul Simon Graceland album and one new Acoustic Sounds double album, my average cost is about $3.50 per record. There are a small handful of clunkers, but most of them sound absolutely stunning after a few cleanings on a Record Doctor VI. Anyway, my fears of hearing bacon frying while listening to records has vanished. Many of the records are absolutely silent. The rest of my audio chain is the Schiit Mani 2 connected to the KEF LS50 Wireless ii speakers. I know you are not fond of powered speakers, but these are ideal in my little man cave.

Steve, Just getting in to the hobby and I learn a lot from you. Thanks!

Love the album recommendations! Thanks Steve 👍

Thanks for the review Steve very thoughtful

Great review thanks.

Hey Steve great video I just picked up the debut pro this summer and a very happy with it and I have to disagree with the looks I think it's stunning with the nickel and the matte black finish this is my fourth turntable and probably my last thanks 👍

I know it's way too late and circumstances are not always available, but I wish you could have compared the TTables with the Technic 1200 MK7 or other various same near cost other Technic tables with this Pro-ject. :) .... I'm glad I caught this review, Thanks!! - m. :)

This is a well thought out system of the day. Really well thought out.

Great review. I wish you will also review Audio Technica LP-2022 which is about the same price as Pro-ject Pro S.

Steve, you are so right... You can amass a decent record collection for just dollars at thrift stores and rummage sales. I have also had good luck telling relatives if they're throwing away their old albums, let me take a glace first. Don't believe me? In the last six months I have found Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck records in immaculate shape for $1 each at my local thrift store. Today, I pulled out a Gerry Mulligan album, as well as Brubeck's "Gone With The Wind" and I don't think they'd ever been played. Both were stereo and were still in the plastic inner sleeve (no paper here!) I am listening right now, wondering and chuckling how much some pay to hear such good sounds... You can't find cheap records if you don't actively look for cheap records!

Used to be into vinyl, got out, and recently tried to get back into it. I just cant.. Maybe im too old to hear the benefits of analogue, but streaming thru Roon just (almost) always sounds better to me than vinyl. Love the channel.

Nice review! This TT seems very strategicly priced. For just a few hundred dollars more, you can get a way better TT. MOFI studio deck, Rega P6, clearaudio/ Marantz and the list goes on. If you are spending $1200, you are better off going to $1500. That extra $300 buys you way more TT IMHO.

The Shelby Lynne lp was recorded directly to tape. She stated that was why she wanted to work with Ramone and Al Schmitt. You should hear the 45 rpm version released by Analog Productions. It is stunning !!

Steve! This is it! A showdown between the Pro-Ject Debut Pro S, Technics SL100c and Fluance RT85 then we’ll know for sure. Do it!!!

My Pioneer 518 still rocking

Thanks, was looking at The Pro, more to think about ....aloha

So Steve, now we have the Pro-Ject Pro S, the Uturn you referenced in the video, the Technics SL-100C, and likely something by Rega all in the same $1k price range. What's your pick for the around $1k but sub $1.5k price range?

Nice review! What’s name of that sleek looking phono preamp with the blue light?

I don't get the fascination for albums from a sound quality standpoint anymore. Still dig on the cover art though. Have twice played LPs, archived via a Dual 1229/AT Shibata 14S to a Teac 2300SD, then via a Revox B-790/Ortofon VMS 20e MK II to a Revox B 77. Went from 7.5ips to 15 ips with the transition. Had the first pairing in HS, the second during my first undergrad. Post University enlisted into the Naval Flight Program and moved OFTEN. Sold off the quarter ton of grandmaster 456 and the tape decks. Still have the LPs and the B 790. Was going to transcribe onto the Tascam DA3000, but apparently BOTH Tascam and Sony have withdrawn their consumer DSD hardware. Looking at the Tascam 96KHz/24 Bit solid state units to transcribe, as the Ortofon has < 250 hours on it and the B 790 still works after 45 years. So, I own LPs and understand the emotional involvement AND compromises made for this medium. The music on them, can't be beat and a lot of it not on more modern mediums. I've noticed the lack of dust covers for these spinning vortices of Coulombic attraction, on many modern, EXPENSIVE, TTs and wonder does everyone else have totally dust free environments? I realize that there may be more microphonic feedback, but a quality TT should be designed to minimize, given the advancements in Materials Science, although I never listened through speakers, but Stax earspeakers, when transcribing. Plus, NEW LPs are almost exclusively mastered from digital sources. I sure as hell don't get that at all. Surface noise, inner groove distortion, at the mercy of the stamper's quality, restricted dynamic range, etc, and DIGITAL? So unless one obtains older, all analog, pressings, what's the point? I'll add that my DAC is an Audio Note Kit, with R2R topology and for the I/V conversion employs the least compromised Resistor/Transformer/Resistor, no OP Amp, conversion and freed from the LP's limitations does it for me. My amplification, all Valve, OTL's from kits. CHEAP compared to commercial and articulation, Bass, timbre accuracy, delicacy, that I haven't found in solid state, including Class A, capable of.

Just pulled the trigger on the PRO S. 🤞If this turntable sucks, its your fault Mr. Guttenberg... ✌😂🍻

I found out what is causing the hum on Pro-Ject carbon turntable. The ground lug is not making contact through the black anodized coating! I put on a new ground lug. The tone arm ground was not making contact either. I soldered on a new wire. From the new lug to the tone arm ground. Finally the hum is fixed.

Cheers! 🤓

Dan from Marietta ... nice room. Does the compression driver operate dipole/open back?

Loved this System of the Day... No Comment on this TT vs Price 😛

T Sheldon I'm looking at the Harbeth 30.2 speakers and you had promised us a full review! As a hobby, I'm a busy classical musician (oboe, English Horn) and perform 5-6 times per year. I find the speakers lively and engaging, conveying remarkably correct timbre to acoustic instruments. Thoughts?

Records in the UK are expensive. When I go on discogs you can see the prices are so much cheaper in the US. Unfortunately the overseas postage kills it. Anyway, enjoyed the video steve. Great channel👍

Pro-ject sells an optional heavier counterweight for use with heavy cartridges

I'm considering buying a turntable but I'm not sure what improvement would make the biggest impact to my system. 1) upgrade my amp, 2) buy a better dac/streamer, 3) get a turntable. I have about 2k to spend. I'm running a dolby atmos system around Kef r11 meta speakers, Sony AZ7000es receiver and Emotiva BasXA3 amp. I'm really looking for the biggest impact on the overall sound quality for music listening.

What table should I get this or the technics 1500C

Such an antiskating setup directly translates friction between the counterweight wire and the supporting bracket to friction in the lateral tonearm bearing. Yet nobody seems to realize that or at least wonder why some "more refined" implementations include a pulley to reduce said friction. Such bliss....

What about the Dual 618Q? The black vinyl version is about the same price and it is more user friendly and has an Ortofon Blue, and doesn't have the pain in the butt belt change for 78 rpm

Hi Steve , thanks for your videos I am a big fan! One question: Debut Pro S or Technics SL1500c ? They are around the same price and I am about to invest in a turntable. Thanks a lot and greetings from Brasil!

To get excellent sound from vinyl costs a lot of money. To get excellent sound from a CD is far cheaper. Of course relative to the level of system your budgeting for. I still buy BOTH, and stream...... my latest vinyl is a Gay Bikers On Acid LP which sounds great fun on my Rega TT. Happy that this high quality is now trickling down through the price points.

I've had an Audio Technica LP120 for years. The Debut sounds like a good upgrade. Has anyone made that specific or similar change? I heard another pro-ject recently and it sounded gorgeous but the environment was not ideal to make that decision.

I'm 72 grew up with LP's ... now use CD's. ( also a few SACD's ) 3 /4 + of the time. Actually I strongly prefer Video concert DVD be it Dead 'Oregon or A. Netrebko, La Traviatta.... Still I bought for no good reason a new thorens full auto TD 103 a while back.

God Dan! That’s a nice system!

Interesting turntable. You should put a Concorde Elite on it... This seemingly DJ cartridge is surprisingly much of a HiFi cartridge!

Well, add this one to the shopping list. Thanks Audiophiliac.

How does it compare to the Technics Sl-100C? Especially with the same Grado cart.. I know from memory that can be difficult..

Depends on which album you want if you want Gary Moore - Ballads & Blues 1982 - 1994. . Then you'll be lucky if you find one for under $100. But you can get the same album on a CD for under $10

I am now living in Japan, when I moved I could not bring my record player (Audio-Techinca AT-LP120XBT). Now I need to buy a new one, I would like to still use a Japanese brand...but I would love to hear your advice...do you have any recommendation? What would be the best Japanese choice and non Japanse choice under 1000 dollars?

I really like the looks of this turn table Sleek desighn thanks Steve .

I'm hung up on choosing this model or the standard debut pro. The main thing about the Pro S is I'm turned off by lower value cartridge vs the Pick It on the regular Debut . Am I being a fool or am I being sensible in erring towards the DP Vs DPS?

I’ve never been out. I’ve been playing LPs for more than 50 years.

I just can't get past those fishing line anti-skate systems. Are they effective or not?

STEVE: Just a thought; but have you considered recording your hardware and comparing the wave patterns? It would really interesting to get a visual, and scientific data to compare your findings. I am an big fan of ortofon. I recently purchased the Black 2m, for my shellac treasures. Also: I plan on “taking notes” on my listening from now on. Such a wonderful idea. Keep up the great work! Your awesome.

I always assumed Pro-Ject tables were pretty iffy. The official spec for wow and flutter is not very impressive at 0.16% for both. But it turns out Pro-Ject is very conservative when it comes to specs. Because according to Miller Audio who measured it the Pro S only has 0.06% wow and flutter (same as the vastly more expensive Spiral Groove turntable). And it's entirely possible you can improve that with the Pro-Ject vi Speedbox.

Steve, what is the likelihood of the master to the vinyl being digital?

I dont see on Apple podcast

I play lp’s on 45 when I’m in a hurry

Shelby Lynne's "Just A Little Lovin" was released in 2008. If I recall correctly, Schmidt was migrating from analog to digital at the time, so unclear it was recorded to analog tape. However, Analogue Production's reissue sates it was done from the analog master tapes so probably the source is analog.

FYI, I wanted to order a Pro S but the EU Pro-ject distributor refused to sell it to me. Because there's a major recall campaign with the PRO S. The carbon tonearm's black finish creates resonance and hum effects. Which is not the case on the PRO version where carbon is non-painted. I bought an X1 instead with excuses and a 100€ discount from the distributor. Be aware of this if you're considering the PRO S...

I have a love hate relationship with project but also thorens kinda get my back up Steve, finding a lot of the project turntables and others being fitted with those horrendous ortofon om cartridges if they're going to fit ortofon fit the red or blue cartridges

I had a chance to audition Project Debut pro, (with a basic Project phono) and Technics Sl 1500c. And liked Debut Pro more even Technics felt more dynamic and more reliable... And then, when I decided to buy Debut pro, I had another chance to compare Debut Pro with Roksan Attessa, (which never crossed in my mind) there was a discount and they came at same price. I ended up with Attessa. The sound was more transparent, more naturel. Very slight differences...

Steve always talks about a different topic. I love how vinyl sounds, though now I listen mostly to Qobuz through a Bluesound Node. Yup, vinyl sounds better to many so it's worth a try. A worthy idea. Steve's music selections are worthy also....to all the handful of naysayers out there.

“You get a new cartridge, you get a new sound” - If the goal is true and accurate music reproduction - Every component in the reproduction chain should sound the same - That is NO SOUND except the source music! 🤠

Steve......are SHURE out of the cartridge business ?? PS: Thanks for your videos.

Yes Steve, it is too late to get (back) into vinyl. Records have become very expensive over here in Holland. I started collection around 2001, back then i could find good repertoire on vinyl on flea markets. Not anymore. Same thing with vintage TT.

Nottingham Analogue owner here, sorry but in all serious I can't ever see myself downgrading to anything with the name "pro" on it 🙄 like your channel very much 👍

I get the sensory attraction of vinyl (visual and handling) but audio? No comparison! Fidelity is compromised at every stage of the vinyl process, manufacturing and replay. Sure, there are compromises within the digital process but they are relatively minimal. A decent (not even hi end) DAC, has lower distortion, wider dynamic range, no pops and crackles.... It's fine to like vinyl but it's not audipphiliate

Why bother with a parasound phono preamp if you are using any version of an AT 95?

Anyone else buy used vinyl that looked to be in good condition, but upon playing was just too noisy to be satisfactory listening. So my experience is to avoid this unless you can preview before buying.

I disappeared online for a couple of months and with that new time I made a list of my RECORDS. Most of my collection took me about 3 1/2 years to collect and I have Nearly 3,000 CDS, close to 500 Vinyl Albums - and - close to 350 Cassettes and no player ;) ...... Collecting Records have cost me less than $1,000 for nearly 4,000 - There are still some Good Deals ! - m. P.S. I gave away between Vinyl & CDs about 3,000. Most of what I gave away resides on my Hard-Drive as Wave files.

Still liking the Border Patrol DAC with tube engaged. Nice

Weird records, huh? Don't tell me you pulled out The Blowflys Party...

I think the Technics SL 100C is a better buy. More substantial & outstanding quality.

that is a lot of money for a turntable with audible Wow & Flütter

dude you look even more blazed than usual.. not that there is anything wrong with that

Obviously cd:s have much more potential for good sound than vinyl. Just look at the numbers, the measurements!

Looks nice, but it’s belt driven. No thanks

B.S.

Wow, 1.199 $!!!! You guys are getting ripped off. In Europe the Debut PRO S costs 849 € (916$) and the Pro-Ject Debut PRO with the straigt tonearm is 749€ (800$). Currently the phased out X1(is replaced by X1 B) is beeing sold off for around 699 € and the pased out X2 around 1.000€. I wonder which are better? In the pro-ject ranking the X-line is above the Debut line.

The tone arm is quite nice and it looks very good. This turntable has very poor quality filter caps in the circuit board. This creates a hum. This will get worse as they degrade quite quickly. The capacitors are very cheap Chinese rubbish and need to be changed. I changed mine and problem solved. Many ProJect owners are faced with this issue.

Digital is so much easier.

Yet another, everything stuck to the same bit of MDF turntable . Motor, bearing, tonearm all buzzing away into the cartridge. Cheap to make, easy to sell but seriously flawed.

Steve, you are pushing a gateway drug and you know it. Even the addicts with huge collections are bitching about the spike in prices - new and used - and its not a trend I see reversing anytime soon. This deck - and everything else short of megadollar exotica - is a fraction of what it would cost most of us to build up a decent collection. I sold my last milk crate full of records somewhere in the early 80s and - with the exception of one or two albums - I dont miss them. It may well not be too late to get into vinyl, but for folks like yourself I'd suggest that it's too late to get out of it.

It’s NOT as good as the Fluance RT85.