Technology

Automatic for the people: stylish Pro-Ject A1 turntable targets new record collectors

Pro-Ject has begun selling the Automat, its first fully automatic turntable. The brand has won multiple awards since it began making turntables in 1991. Now the A1 sees the Austrian-based maker widening its appeal to the growing army of vinyl enthusiasts.

While streaming may be the predominant way we listen to music, vinyl continues to demonstrate enduring appeal. Despite supply and production challenges in 2021, UK record sales jumped by 11 per cent, with well over 5.3m albums sold, representing a 14th year of consecutive growth. 

The A1 sees the Austrian-based maker widening its appeal to the growing army of vinyl enthusiasts…

The A1 Pro-Ject Automat without dust cover
This belt-drive deck has a straight aluminium tonearm

Ease of use is paramount. Fully automatic, this debut Automat model has 33 and 45 RPM controlled playback speeds, with auto start/stop button – just select and press. To keep your records pristine, a dust cover is included. 

The A1 belt-drive deck features an 8.3-inch aluminium tonearm with carbon fibre reinforced anti-magnetic headshell, with a built-in switchable Moving Magnet phono stage. The deck can be connected to any music system with a spare line input. Of course, if you want to user it with a dedicated phono stage, then you can.

It comes with a pre-adjusted Ortofon OM 10 cartridge, with elliptical stylus profile.

Ortofon cartridge tracks a record
A pre-adjusted Ortofon OM 10 cartridge comes as standard

Build quality looks solid. The stylish resonance-damped wooden chassis, comes with silicon-damped turntable feet, while the metal platter is damped for decreased wow and flutter.

Available now, the Pro-Ject A1 Automat turntable sells for £369.

New Technics x Automobili Lamborghini vinyl turntable has us in a spin

Japanese Hi-Fi specialist Technics has teamed with Automobili Lamborghini, for the special edition SL-1200M7B turntable. The new record player is decorated with Lamborghini’s distinctive Y-shape pattern, and available in Lambo Orange, Green and Yellow liveries. Features mirror those found on its SL-1200MK7/ SL-1210MK7 DJ models, including pitch control and reverse play. The Direct Drive deck…

Black Sabbath Anno Domini 1989-1995 box set to feature remasters and rarities from the Tony Martin era

Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio are synonymous with Black Sabbath, but until now, no boxed set collection has focused on Sabbath’s Tony Martin era, the band’s second-longest-serving singer. It’s a wrong about to be righted with the release of the Anno Domini 1989-1995 boxed set. For rock aficionados and vinyl collectors alike, this is…

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 vinyl system is a fusion of modern convenience and vintage soul

Take a close look at the Juke Box E1. This all-in-one music system from Austrian turntable titan Pro-Ject Audio Systems could well be the sonic upgrade you’ve been looking for. Combining a premium vinyl record player with Bluetooth streamer and amplifier, it’s a stylish, classic looking package designed to soothe any music-loving soul. Handmade in…

About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Ideal Home, Louder Sounds, Channel News and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK