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Pro-Ject Essential II Manual belt-drive turntable with pre-mounted cartridge (White)

Item # 252ESIIW

We know a sweet deal when we see one, and Pro-Ject's Essential II lands at the top of our list of true audio...

We know a sweet deal when we see one, and Pro-Ject's Essential II lands at the top of our list of true audio...

3 questions - 6 answers

Item # 252ESIIW

Shop all Pro-Ject Turntables

About the Pro-Ject Essential II

Dave Bar

Everything you need — nothing you don't

We know a sweet deal when we see one, and Pro-Ject's Essential II lands at the top of our list of true audio bargains. This well-crafted, easy-to-use turntable makes an excellent choice for vinyl newcomers who want to savor that ear-pleasing analog sound without spending a fortune. Pro-Ject's minimalist design philosophy focuses squarely on the features that benefit performance — no unnecessary bells and whistles here. With its simple, uncluttered appearance and your choice of handsome matte black, red, or white finishes, this 'table will look and sound fantastic perched on your audio rack.

Everything you need — nothing you don't

We know a sweet deal when we see one, and Pro-Ject's Essential II lands at the top of our list of true audio bargains. This well-crafted, easy-to-use turntable makes an excellent choice for vinyl newcomers who want to savor that ear-pleasing analog sound without spending a fortune. Pro-Ject's minimalist design philosophy focuses squarely on the features that benefit performance — no unnecessary bells and whistles here. With its simple, uncluttered appearance and your choice of handsome matte black, red, or white finishes, this 'table will look and sound fantastic perched on your audio rack.

Crafted for serious sound

The Essential II's stiff, lightweight chassis rests on shock absorbing feet that help resist external vibration. Its low-resonance MDF platter spins on a precision axle and bearing that minimize friction for smooth, silent rotation. The turntable's tried-and-true belt drive system uses a silicone belt to isolate motor vibration and prevent noise from being transmitted through to your amp and speakers. A newly designed motor control with a DC power supply further minimizes unwanted vibration. And last but not least, the Essential II's rigid one-piece aluminum tonearm with low-friction sapphire bearings and an Ortofon OM-5e moving-magnet cartridge provides superior tracking ability and resonance reduction.

Get the best sound, without the hassle

Pro-Ject knows that turntable setup can be a challenge for the novice. That's why the Essential II comes out of the box virtually ready to play. Its pre-matched, factory-mounted phono cartridge and tonearm take the guesswork out of installation, and give you optimized sound quality with minimal effort. A few simple steps to dial in key settings like tracking force and anti-skating are all it takes to get this 'table primed and ready to deliver spacious, detailed music.

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Product highlights:

  • low-resonance 12" MDF platter with felt mat to protect records from scratches
  • one-piece aluminum tonearm with sapphire bearings for superior rigidity and low resonance
  • includes pre-mounted Ortofon OM-5E moving magnet cartridge
  • stainless-steel main bearing runs in bronze bushing with Teflon® bottom for smooth, quiet platter rotation
  • stiff, lightweight particle board base with shock absorbing feet
  • low-vibration synchronous motor
  • integrated motor control with DC power supply for silent operation
  • fully manual operation
  • 33-1/3 and 45 rpm speeds (manual speed change)
  • speed variance: 0.14% (at 33-1/3 RPM), 0.25% (at 45 RPM)
  • wow and flutter: 0.12%
  • signal-to-noise ratio: 65dB
  • 39" fixed RCA cable
  • external power supply reduces likelihood of electro-mechanical interference
  • 16-3/8"W x 4-3/8"H (with dust cover down) x 13-1/8"D
  • weight: 8.4 lbs.
  • warranty: 2 years (1 year warranty for the supplied cartridge)
  • requires a phono preamp or phono input on receiver or preamplifier
  • MFR # Essential II-White

What's in the box:

  • Turntable (tonearm and cartridge installed)
  • AC power supply (w/ attached 6.5' DC cord)
  • 3 AC plug adapters (US/UK/EU)
  • MDF platter
  • Drive belt
  • Felt mat
  • 45 RPM adapter
  • Anti-skate weight
  • Counter weight
  • Dust cover
  • Plastic hook-tool
  • Instructions For Use
  • Two-Point Cartridge Alignment Protractor

Customer reviews for Pro-Ject Essential II

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4.0 out of 5 stars
12 reviews

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More details on the Pro-Ject Essential II

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Color Not given
Operation Manual
Speeds 33-1/3, 45
Speed Control ---
Drive Type Belt
Pitch Control No
Phono Preamp No
USB Output No
Bluetooth Built-In No
45 RPM Adapter No
Audio Cable Attached
Power Cable ---
Materials and Construction
Plinth ---
Platter ---
Tone Arm Shape Straight
Tone Arm Material ---
Tone Arm Lift Finger, lever
Cartridge Info
Included Cartridge Ortofon OM5e
Cartridge Type MM
Removable Headshell No
Tracking Weight ---
Frequency Response 20-25,000
Output Voltage ---
Load Impedance ---
Load Capacitance ---
Audio Specs
Signal to Noise Ratio 65
Wow and Flutter 0.12
Dimensions and Warranty
Width (Inches) 16.375
Height (Inches) 4.375
Depth (Inches) 13.125
Weight 8.4 lbs.
Turntable Parts Warranty 2 Years
Turntable Labor Warranty 2 Years
Cartridge Parts Warranty 1 Year
Cartridge Labor Warranty 1 Year

Product Research

Features

Belt Driven: The Pro-Ject Essential II turntable features a quiet-running synchronous motor with silicone belt to drive the low-resonance platter.

2 Speeds: The Essential II turntable supports 33-1/3 and 45 rpm speeds.

Particle Board Plinth: The main chassis is made from lightweight, but very stiff particle board. Special feet effectively decouples the turntable from the surface. The turntable should be positioned on a low-resonance surface such as wood or multiple layer ply-board to avoid structural vibrations disturbing replay.

MDF Platter: The Pro-Ject Essential II employs a low-resonance platter made from MDF and includes a felt mat. The main platter bearing consists of stainless steel spindle and bronze bushing with Teflon bottom to secure low friction.

8.6" Aluminum Tonearm: The Essential II utilizes a straight 8,6" aluminum tonearm design made from a single piece of aluminum with sapphire bearings.

Ortofon OM5e Cartridge (Pre-Mounted): The turntable is fitted with a Ortofon OM5e MM-cartridge. If your receiver does not have a suitable Phono MM input, a separate phono pre-amplifier (sold separately) is required to connect the turntable to your amplifier.

Fixed RCA Cable: The turntable features fixed 39" stereo RCA cable and ground wire. The turntable's internal wiring consists of high-grade flexible copper from the headshell right through to the fixed connection cable.

Dust Cover: The Pro-Ject Essential II comes supplied with a dust cover to prevent dust build-up on the turntable.

AC Power Adapter: The turntable operates off of standard household current using the supplied external AC power adapter.

  • Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz, 0.35A
  • Output: 15V - 0.8A (0.5A)

Colors: Available in black, red, or white finish.

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
do you need or advise to purchase a pre amp for this model? Does it adapt to my older original LP's as well as the new 180 gram vinyl that is coming out now?
allen  Dec 17, 2014
3 answers
A
This model is appropriate for older amps/receivers with phono inputs. If your amp has only line inputs, the Pro-Ject Essential II UCB is a better choice since its outputs are line level. It works equally well with older LPs as well as the new 180g vinyl.
peter  Dec 19, 2014
A
I have 2 different amps,one with a phono input. and the turn table worked great. the second amp does not have a phono input. and will not play without a preamp. so yes I bought a preamp and use it in the aux input. works great. and no problems w/new or old albums
leonard  Dec 18, 2014
A
I did not need a pre-amp for my receiver. The thickness of 180 gram vinyl versus lesser vinyl pressings should not be an issue.
paul  Dec 18, 2014
Q
How do you change speeds from 33-1/13 to 45?
ferfer2@mac.com  Oct 18, 2015
2 answers
A
Just slip the drive belt from the smaller drive wheel to the larger one right below it. It's super easy & can be done without removing the platter.
peter  Oct 19, 2015
A
The smaller, drive wheel has to spots for the belt - one for each speed. So, you just move the belt to change the speed.
barry  Oct 19, 2015
Q
Is this table suitable for both 110v (US) and 240v (UK)?
paul  Mar 19, 2016
1 answer
A
The turntable is made in Europe. The power supply is external (wall-wart style). This is lifted from INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE Pro-Ject Essential II "The turntable is supplied with a power supply suitable for your country's mains supply. Check the label before connecting to ensure compliance with the mains rating in your house." That said, you may need to specifically request (or purchase separately) the 240v power supply and plug.
james  Mar 20, 2016

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