Pro-Ject Audio Updates Its A1 Automatic Vinyl Turntable With New Features

Forbes

27-03-2025

The new Pro-Ject A1.2 automatic turntable has plenty of new premium features and an easy-to-use ... More design.
Sales of vinyl have been rising for almost two decades now, ever since millennials discovered the joy of music held on physical media. On the back of this revival, many turntable manufacturers like Pro-Ject Audio have seen healthy growth in their business.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems has just unveiled the A1.2, its latest fully automatic turntable in the company's AUTOMAT range which makes the playing of vinyl more accessible. The new turntable retains the core design principles of the original A1 model, but the A1.2 refines the performance with a series of important upgrades.
The A1.2's new die-cast aluminum platter is at the heart of the turntable's improvements, replacing the stamped platter of the original A1. Pro-Ject has also introduced a CNC machining process that ensures precise and consistent production of the platter which reduces resonance.
The new A1.2 turntable has a new die-cast aluminum platter that replaces the previous model's ... More stamped version.
The new deck has an 8.3-inch ultra-light aluminum tonearm with a redesigned headshell made from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. This construction enhances the arm's stability but keeps its weight to a minimum—a key factor in automatic turntable design. The maker has paired the tonearm with a pre-adjusted Pro-Ject Pick it MM E cartridge.
The engineering of the A1.2 extends to fully mechanical operation, eliminating motors or electrical components from the tonearm. By eliminating any potential source of interference, unwanted resonance is avoided. Once a record begins playing, the mechanics are disengaged completely, preserving the playback quality.
Like its predecessor, the A1.2 is handmade in the same German factory but with the final assembly taking place in Czechia. The result, says Pro-Ject, is a 'super-reliable, high-performance product at an accessible price.'
The chassis of the A1.2 is made from resonance-damped wood and has silicone-damped feet for isolation, while semi-symmetrical Connect it E phono cables continue Pro-Ject's reputation for making high-performance automatic turntable.
The new A1.2 turntable from Pro-Ject has its counterweight and anti-skating mechanism preset at the ... More factory.
Setting up the turntable is easy because the tracking force and anti-skating device are adjusted at the factory prior to shipping. The A1.2 also comes with a fitted cartridge that has been factory-aligned and is ready for playback straight out of the box.
All the user needs to do is unpack the turntable, place it on a level surface and remove the platter's protection and the tonearm's twist tie. The user just needs to clip on the dustcover hinges before sliding them into the turntable's hinge holders. Finally, the power supply is plugged into the socket on the turntable's rear before turning on the mains power.
The A1.2 includes an integrated phono preamp with an on or off switch which is set by lifting the turntable's mat and adjusting the switch manually. Once the turntable speed is chosen, the user just needs to lift the lever and press the Start/Stop switch. The platter begins spinning and the tonearm automatically moves to the correct position before gently lowering the stylus onto the record surface. Once the music is over, the tonearm automatically returns to its resting position.
The new Pro-Ject A1.2 turntable is available in black and white finishes and will start shipping in April and is priced at £469. The turntable should be available in the U.S. soon but no price has been published. The Pro-Ject A1.2 turntable is available in the U.K. and Ireland from Henley Audio. In the U.S., Pro-Ject Audio is available here.