Essential III Digital is the successor to the well-received and much respected Essential II Digital. A turntable that not only offers analog playback, but also converts favorite LPs to a digital via its optical output. This makes it a great fit for multi-room entertainment systems, soundbars, TVs, computers and other gear with an optical input. Equipped with the classic, high-quality OM10 pickup by Ortofon, Essential III Digital delivers lively, balanced and highly involving sound that will impress any vinyl lover.
Key Features:
- Built-in MM phono stage with A/D converter (optical out)
- Belt drive with synchronous motor and silicone belt
- Diamond cut aluminium drive pulley
- Chassis & platter made of resonance absorbing MDF
- Integrated DC-powered motor control minimizes motor vibration and guarantees speed stability
- Low tolerance platter bearing with stainless steel spindle
- 8.6” aluminium tonearm with sapphire bearings
- Ortofon OM10 cartridge pre-mounted
- High-quality semi-balanced gold-plated Connect it E phono interconnect
- Special decoupling feet
- Dust cover included
- High-gloss colour options: black, red, white
- Handmade in Europe
The Essential II Digital is a plug-and-play turntable with a difference. Its built-in phono stage features an optical output that means it can feed a digital signal to all manner of modern-day soundbars and wireless speakers.
Pro-Ject has become well known over the past decade, primarily for its excellent Debut entry-level record players, but also its more ambitious, stylish RPM range. The Essential II Digital sits closer to the Debut models in its design and build.
It has a glossy rectangular plinth – available in black, white or red – that houses the bearing, the motor with a pulley stepped for 33/45rpm, the tonearm and the built-in phono pre-amplifier. An on/off switch sits on the left side.
The platter simply slips onto the bearing and a silicone belt is stretched around the platter and over the pulley to drive the turntable. A felt mat is supplied to pop on top of the platter.
Fitting the belt can be a little frustrating because of the platter’s shallow depth, but you shouldn’t have to do it often. Very much on the upside, the pulley sits next to the platter, rather than beneath it, so switching speeds for 33 or 45rpm records is super-easy – simply hook a finger around the drive belt and pop it up or down the pulley.
In the Box:
- Turntable;
- Power Supply;
- Audio cable;
- Manual.
