The Pro-Ject XA B turntable is distinguished among the rest because of the elegant, high-quality materials and well-balanced sound features that make it appropriate for both audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts. Crafted within Pro-Ject’s renowned X Series, the XA B turntable features an anti-resonant acrylic chassis, a precision-engineered aluminum tonearm, and a revolutionary balanced output system-all of which are designed to produce pure sound, where listeners can immerse in the vinyl experience.
If you want a quality turntable for your sound system that will deliver noise-free sound and clearly describe the fine details hidden in digital recordings, then the Pro-Ject XA B is worth a glance. Let’s get into what makes this product special.
Introduction of the Pro-Ject XA B Turntable
High-performance turntable and the symbol of high fidelity analog, in the Pro-Ject XA B embodies the craftsmanship of more than three decades of experience that Pro-Ject has to perfect to produce turntables that speak more about quality sound in preference to the convenience Pro-Ject. The audio-grade experience offered by one-piece aluminum tonearm to a damped die cast aluminum platter and in addition, to a fully balanced DIN output.
From the very start, the XA B shines out with its transparent acrylic chassis, which is aesthetics for the very reason of not contributing to resonances. Whether you have been collecting vinyl for many years or just starting out, this turntable seamlessly combines aesthetic appeal and performance.
Main Features of XA B Turntable
The XA B turntable is designed to give you the best quality components for the ultimate listening experience. Among the standouts are the following:
- 10\” Aluminum Tonearm: Enhanced rigidity and clear sound.
- Balanced 5-Pin DIN Output: Reduces noise and interference.
- Anti-Resonant Acrylic Chassis: Prevents unwanted vibrations.
- TPE-Damped Die-Cast Platter: Adds depth and reduces resonance.
Each feature was chosen to create a balanced, pure audio experience.
Premium 10″ One-Piece Aluminum Tonearm
The one-piece aluminum made tonearm on the XA B is 10 inches long, offering the advantage of extra rigidity and reduction of vibrations that may cause interference in the sound. Much longer than other tonearms, it minimizes tracing error and captures the detail and accuracy in which the record grooves were imprinted.
The choice of aluminum over carbon fiber was because it exactly matched the resonant characteristics of the acrylic chassis. Carbon fiber, although great for providing rigidity, is usually too dampened. Aluminum, on the other hand, provides a better balanced frequency response and a fuller range of sound with warmth and detail.
The tonearm is further equipped with a cardanic 4-pinpoint bearing assembly to minimize friction while tracking on the record. This prevents the stylus from drifting off the path and instead keeps it in line at all times, allowing smooth and stable motion for precise sound wave pick-up by the stylus without picking up any unwanted noise.
Balanced Audio Connectivity Explanation
The XA B has some balanced audio connectivity via a 5-pin DIN output. For audiophiles, this is the most important since they can be assured of getting clear noise-free sound. With a symmetrical signal path, balanced connections reduce interference and background noises that may otherwise degrade the quality of audio.
Balanced connectivity is like having a good digital camera where every detail is captured with no “noise” or blurriness. The XA B also makes it easy to connect directly to any suitable phono preamp, using a DIN to XLR or mini XLR cable, like their own Phono Box S3 B and Phono Box DS3 B from Pro-Ject. The +6dB sound output for the interference-free, richer signal with no unwanted noise added makes music richer
Pick it PRO Balanced Cartridge
The Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge was designed to complement the XA B’s balanced output capabilities. Unlike most cartridges, which send a single-ended signal, this cartridge redirects grounding to send a symmetrical, “true balanced” signal. This allows listeners to hear more of the music and less of the background noise that sometimes creeps in with single-ended systems.
The Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge adds more output gain to your setup, bringing more volume and detail to your music, making you listen to your vinyl collection deeper. It is made to provide clear and accurate sound reproduction, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to take their listening experience to a new level with a balanced setup.
Precision TPE-Damped Aluminum Platter
A turntable’s platter is the critical component in how well it maintains consistent playback speed and minimizes resonance. The XA B’s 1.7kg die-cast aluminum platter has been precision-balanced and treated with a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) damping ring. The TPE damping absorbs any unwanted resonance generated by the platter itself, which prevents those vibrations from being picked up by the stylus and coloring the sound.
The die-cast aluminum construction also contributes to a flywheel effect, helping the platter maintain a steady speed and adding a sense of fullness to the music. This damped, heavyweight platter ultimately ensures that each note and beat resonates clearly, unaffected by any distortions.
Height-Adjustable, Damped Feet
A turntable must have isolation since it will no longer be susceptible to extraneous vibrations that degrade audio playback. XA B has three height-adjustable, damped feet for optimal leveling and stability. It avoids rocking even on slightly uneven surfaces as it uses three points of contact instead of four.
The feet are composed of vibration-absorbing material. The feet could be further fine-tuned to set the turntable perfectly and level out performance of the tonearm in order to ensure that whatever noise external, due to the floor, cabinet or other sources does not pass into the playback; thus, you enjoy your music at its best.
Electronic Speed Regulation & Stability
One of the most practical features of the XA B is its electronic speed control, which lets you switch between 33 RPM and 45 RPM with the touch of a button. This function is managed by a DC/AC generator, which converts the AC power from your wall into a clean DC current and then reconverts it to AC to power the motor. This process isolates the motor from any fluctuation in your power supply, thus ensuring that the platter maintains a constant speed without drift.
This will ensure that the sounds being reproduced are clear, because even the slightest motor speed variation can lead to distortions or pitch. Thanks to the XA B’s advanced generator and power regulation system, you will be sure that the record will play back at the right speed and keep the original sound quality.
The Acrylic Chassis Advantage
The XA B uses acrylic as the chassis in functional and aesthetic decisions. As acrylic does not accept exterior vibrations like wood and plastic do, it works more favorably as the distortion will not occur through vibration. Besides, its property is that it works like an anti-resonance.
Pro-Ject has used acrylic in its turntable designs for a long time, and the first such models go back to the Perspective and 6PerspeX. The transparent chassis of XA B is the classic design with better engineering and aesthetics. Acrylic gives XA B that modern minimalist look that just melts into any listening environment while supporting superior sound quality.
Setting up the XA B Turntable
The XA B is set up to realize the optimum performance, which focuses on the smallest of details. Here is step by step to get rolling:
1.The Turntable has a stable, level-surfaced platform. Slightly adjust the height by turning the feet if not perfectly level.
2.Connect the Tonearm Cables- Connect turntable to your phono preamp using a cable DIN to mini XLR or DIN to XLR.
3.Proper Alignment of Cartridge. Now align the cartridge by adjusting the position, making less wear to the record, then reposition your tracking force and anti-skate according to the setup suggested by Pro-Ject.
4. Now you need to check for your speed control in how accurate it takes the platter to proper 33 or 45 RPM spinning.
Once assembled, the XA B is ready to give you a well-balanced audio performance, extracting the finest details from your vinyl collection.
Care and Maintenance
The proper care will add years to the life of your XA B turntable and make it keep producing quality sound:
- Dust regularly: Dust the acrylic chassis with a soft cloth and use a stylus brush to keep the stylus clean.
- Alignment: Ensure the cartridge is aligned and the tracking force is set to avoid record wear due to misalignment.
- Keep Records Clean: Dirty records can damage your stylus over time. So, clean your vinyl with a carbon fiber brush or record cleaner.
- Proper Storage: When you are not using the turntable, put the dust cover on it to protect the turntable from dust and accidental impacts.
Follow these tips to get the best performance from your turntable over the years.
Conclusion
This turntable is very good for all the audiophiles who have a strong desire for an elite and high-quality sound experience using vinyl records. The advanced balanced connectivity and high-grade tonearm allow the capture of all subtleties of sound while offering the listener a profound listening experience. With an acrylic chassis, TPE-damped platter, and adjustable feet, stability and resistance to vibrations ensure that there is nothing at all in comparison to what the XA B does.
For serious vinyl enthusiasts, the XA B is more than just a listening device-it is a pathway to discovering the intricate beauty of analog sound.
