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The Pro-Ject Debut PRO is a belt-driven, non-suspended turntable. This is the most common type of turntable for cheap record playback. From there, though, things move toward the strange end of what’s going on. Think back to the last few years of the 20th century. The Debut was a new turntable that was small, simple, and very cheap. In its very first form, the basic model cost £115, and a gloss base cost an extra ten pounds.
We have said many times that we think it will be one of the most important items for the two-channel market in 2022. Since then, Debuts have gotten fancier and cost more. Their place in Pro-Ject’s line-up has changed from being the first step toward owning a turntable to being something that audiophiles really like. When we looked at the Debut Carbon Evo, it showed this very well. Even though the price just went up to £500, this turntable is still a great deal for the money.
Pro-Ject Debut Pro specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Drive System | Belt Drive |
| Speeds | 33⅓, 45, and 78 RPM |
| Tonearm | 8.6-inch aluminum tonearm |
| Cartridge | Ortofon 2M Red |
| Platter | Heavy steel platter with felt mat |
| Motor | DC motor |
| Phono Preamp | Yes, built-in |
| Output | RCA |
| Dimensions | 16.3 x 4.7 x 14.2 inches |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs |
Pro-Ject Debut Pro review: Design

The original Pro-Ject Debut was simple and plain, but the Pro-Ject Debut Pro is a world away from that. It’s aimed right at the middle of the market, but it’s still a good bit cheaper than clear class leaders like the Rega Planar 3 and Technics SL-1500C. This isn’t just a small change to what Debut has always done. Engineers at Pro-Ject have carefully improved almost every part of the design. You can buy this turntable from its official website
Pro-Ject Debut Pro: Features
There aren’t that many parts to a record player, but the ones that are there have been carefully described here. The Debut Pro seems to have every feature you could want. The platter, for example, is made of heavy-duty die-cast aluminum and is anti-magnetic in case you want to use a moving coil cartridge in the future. It also has a large ring of thermoplastic elastomer on the bottom of its inner side to help reduce resonance.
Sound quality

This Pro-Job is great at digging deep into the production and showing layers of instrumental textures that most at this level ignore. The lows are tight and clear, making the previously mentioned Rega sound a little soft in this way. The Debut Pro also makes a steady, controlled sound that doesn’t change, even when the music gets busy and difficult.
Pro-Ject Debut Pro: Performance
According to the press, the Pro-Ject Debut Pro excels in every significant manner that vinyl is regarded as the greatest means to preserve music. And it does well where vinyl typically fails. When compared to competing recorders in its price range, the Debut Pro offers comparable clarity, detail retrieval, and comprehension of an audio file. From the highest to lowest frequencies, it collects and stores an enormous quantity of data. Concerning the instrument’s texture or timbre, the volume with which it is played, or its placement on the soundstage,
Price and availability
When we were asked to review the Pro-Ject Debut PRO, we were excited to get ready for its arrival, even though we knew the makers would set it up. The Debut PRO, which costs $999 and comes with a Sumiko Oyster Rainier moving magnet cartridge that costs an extra $149, was made to celebrate Pro-Ject’s 30th year as a turntable maker.
Think about the timing: In the early 1990s, when Pro-Ject was formed, vinyl tracks were on their way out. Since then, they have lived and done well. During those 30 years, they’ve sent out hundreds of thousands of turntables to music fans all over the world.
Final Words
The Pro is the most forward-thinking and cutting-edge Debut model that we have come across. It has a very high-quality sound and is quite simple to put together, all in one convenient box. If you are at this level and looking for a record player, you should pay close attention to this one. Ignoring it could be a mistake. Strongly suggested as an option.
Pro-Ject Debut Pro Ratings
Pro-Ject Debut Pro review: the good and the bad
The Good
- Impressive finesse
- Fine build
The Bad
- Tough competition
faqs
For extra protection, we recommend putting the turntable in a second box with packing materials like bubble wrap or sheet foam. Make sure your RA number is visible on the outside of the box or on the shipping sticker.
The AV Design Haus Dereneville VPM is the most expensive turntable in the world. It costs well over $500,000.