Pro-Ject has seen some big success with its budget and mid-range record players over the years and we have given multiple models multiple five-star ratings as a result of our testing. Its latest record player, though, has even loftier aspirations.
The Pro-Ject Signature 12.2 is the company’s new flagship deck, and it’s a bit of a beast. Weighing in at over 80lb (37kg) it has been designed with isolation, stability and damping all in mind to remove the influence of outside interference and vibrations.
The platter weighs over 23lb (10kg) on its own, is damped underneath and spins on an inverted ceramic ball bearing with a magnetic support. Pro-Ject claims the design helps reduce bearing noise and vibrations. Your records are clamped onto the platter with the help of the Signature Record Puck which comes as part of the package.
The solidity and stability theme continues with the turntable’s MDF plinth which is hand-painted in no fewer than 10 coats and is mass-loaded with steel pellets to help reduce vibrations.
The Signature 12.2 is a belt-driven deck, compatible with 33rpm and 45rpm playback speeds and includes an electronic speed change. The turntable uses over 100 precision CNC-machined parts (all the machining is done in-house) and includes a 12-inch s-shaped aluminium tonearm with a removable headshell and a new three-point pivot system which is designed to reduce friction and improve stability. Pro-Ject assumes you’ll have a suitable cartridge on hand, so the Signature 12.2 doesn’t come with one included.
To help with set-up, the record player’s conical, spring-loaded feet can be adjusted from the top of the plinth for extra convenience – after all, it’s a lot of weight you’d need to lift each time you want to make an adjustment!
The Pro-Ject Signature 12.2 is set to go on sale in November 2024 for $14,999 / £10,599.00 UK SRP / AU$21,999.
MORE:
Our pick of the best turntables you can buy right now
How to set up a turntable and get the best sound
13 of the weirdest turntables ever made
I love the idea of Bluetooth turntables, but they need to fix one thing to win me over completely
