- Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable, Pro-Ject Audio Systems now presents the second generation of its entry-level Pro-Ject AUTOMAT Series turntable.
It came as quite a surprise when Pro-Ject Audio Systems launched the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1, the first fully automatic record player, at the beginning of 2022. Until then, the company had actually been considered an advocate of turntables designed as purely manual solutions, and had been doing so since Pro-Ject Audio Systems was founded in 1991. There was a reason why the company ultimately decided to launch a completely new product series of fully automatic record players, namely the exclusive cooperation with Fehrenbacher GmbH, which was concluded in autumn 2021.
Based on their expertise in fully automatic record players, a product line of turntables was designed to meet the wishes of many customers, especially in the entry-level segment, namely the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1, which now has a successor in the form of the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable.
A paradigm shift with Pro-Ject AUTOMAT Technology
From the point of view of Pro-Ject Audio Systems, it is certainly possible to speak of a paradigm shift, although, as already mentioned, the company only ventured the step towards fully automatic record players when all the prerequisites for a performance at the usual high level were guaranteed.
At the market launch of the first Pro-Ject AUTOMAT Series turntable, it was stated that a key feature of the new Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1 is a special automatic system that is only used when it is actually required to start and stop the turntable, while it is completely absent during the actual playback of the record and is therefore completely decoupled. Of course, this also applies to the latest turntable, the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable.
The fully automatic control unit is activated when the start button is pressed and the tonearm moves automatically to the entry groove. During playback, the mechanism is completely decoupled and does not impair the playback quality – the free movement of the tonearm and turntable – in any way, according to the manufacturer’s promise. And since the automatic system is completely mechanical – no additional electronics are required – it does not affect or degrade the sound quality during playback.
Heavy wooden chassis and feet with silicone damping
Another key design feature of the new Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable is its heavy, wooden chassis, which, unlike some of its competitors’ products, is deliberately not made of cheaper plastic. The design of the housing of the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable is also intended to avoid cavities, which would naturally lead to unwanted resonances.
For optimum decoupling of the turntable, there are also silicone damping feet. According to Pro-Ject Audio Systems, this is an essential feature for any good record turntable and another essential mechanism that ensures that the playback of vinyl is not affected by external influences such as vibrations.
Ultra-light mass aluminium tonearm with carbon fibre reinforced polymer headshell
The Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable is equipped with an 8.3-inch tonearm with a particularly low mass, which the manufacturer refers to as an ultra-light mass aluminium tonearm.
A completely newly developed headshell is also used, namely a headshell made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, which makes it extremely stable and rigid, while the weight can still be kept very light. The polymer/carbon composite material ensures excellent internal damping of resonances, according to the manufacturer’s promise.
New die-cast aluminium platter
While the predecessor was still equipped with a stamped aluminium platter, the new Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 uses a die-cast aluminium platter, whereby the blank is then additionally CNC-milled for perfect reproduction and thus finished with the lowest tolerances and therefore the highest precision.
The platter is driven by a belt and an electronically controlled motor, allowing it to switch between 33 1/3 and 45 revolutions at the touch of a button.
Pro-Ject Pick it MM E cartridge and integrated phono preamp
The new Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 can be connected to almost any audio system via a line input and can therefore be used very flexibly.
Of course, this fits perfectly with the factory-fitted and preset cartridge system from Pro-Ject Audio Systems, the Pro-Ject Pickt it MM E cartridge.
The turntable is also supplied with a high-quality cable, the Pro-Ject Connect it E phono cable, which according to the manufacturer is a semi-balanced, low-capacitance RCA cable with excellent shielding, unique in this price range.
The scope of delivery also includes a matching cover and a 15 V 0.8 A DC power supply unit, a 7 inch single adapter and a felt mat.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable is available in black or white, measures 430 x 130 x 365 mm and weighs 5,6 kg.
“Since our foundation in 1991, we have always pursued one goal: to offer HiFi stereo music enjoyment to as many people as possible. With the A1, we have added a completely new product range to our portfolio: the AUTOMAT line. Thanks to this technology, we were able to produce automatic turntables without compromising on sound quality and make listening to vinyl easier than ever before.
The automatic turntable is still handmade in Germany by a traditional manufacturer with a lot of experience in the production of automatic turntables. Assembly is carried out in the Czech Republic by technicians with decades of experience. This technically reliable technology allows us to bring the sound and philosophy of Pro-Ject to a whole new audience, bringing affordable and accessible high quality HiFi into people’s homes.
Due to the great success of the A1, we want to go one step further and have updated the turntable and platter.Pro-Ject Audio Systems
The automatic drive is still handcrafted in a traditional manufactory in Germany and the assembly is done in the Czech Republic by technicians with decades of experience. The drive is therefore completely Made in EU.”
Prices and availability
As described, you can choose between black and white for the new Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable. The turntable should be available from specialist retailers these days at a recommended retail price of € 499,-.
Getting to the point
For a long time, Pro-Ject Audio Systems was reluctant to offer fully automatic turntables, even though it was of course well aware that the trend towards vinyl was increasingly becoming part of the lifestyle of many young people and that there was a relevant group of customers who wanted exactly this kind of solution. It was only when an exclusive co-operation with the German company Fehrenbacher GmbH led to the development of a solution in which the automatic system would not compromise on quality in any way that the decision was made to establish the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT Series, with turntables manufactured exclusively in Europe and to proven high quality standards. The latest addition to this series is the Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable.
| Product | Pro-Ject AUTOMAT A1.2 Fully Automatic Turntable |
|---|---|
| Price | € 499,- |
| Brand | Pro-Ject Audio Systems |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Pro-Ject Audio Systems |
| Distribution Austria | Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | Audio Trade Hi-Fi Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH |
| Distribution Switzerland | Lakeside Audio |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
