Pro-Ject often finds itself included on lists of the best record players around and we suspect its latest could be another to make the grade. The company has announced a super sleek turntable that not only improves on an existing classic but enhances it with wireless connectivity.
The Pro-Ject T2 W is a true step-up model from its popular T1 vinyl deck, with a dual-stage, split-passive MM phono preamp and 9-inch one-piece aluminium tonearm, and can also stream record playback losslessly to any network-enabled speaker or device.
That's because it connects to your home network through Wi-Fi. Most record decks that can stream audio do so through Bluetooth which, even using the latest aptX codecs, has a small amount of loss in transmission.
By connecting via 2.4 / 5.0GHz Wi-Fi, it allows for up to 24bit / 48kHz streaming. The deck is also capable of being integrated into multi-room setups.
It makes the T2 W extremely versatile, as you can place it anywhere and simply connect it to a power socket. You can then enjoy music through a network-enabled AV system, Smart TV, or any other device that features UPNP connectivity.
Everything is operated through the Pro-Ject Control App, so you can easily hook it up to your kit.
The belt-driven deck itself comes in three colour schemes – black, satin white and walnut – and has a 10mm thick 1.7kg platter with a felt mat. The tonearm is matched with a Sum Rainier MM cartridge.
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It is capable of playing records at 33 and 45rpm, and can even convert them to MP3 tracks for playback on a PC via USB. Other connections include phone RCA in case you do want to use cabling to connect it to a conventional audio system.
The Pro-Ject T2 W measures 542 x 300 x 412mm and weighs a total of 5.5kg, It will be available from September, priced ay £899 in the UK and €999 in Europe. A US price is yet to be revealed.
Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.
Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.