Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO

From the middle of the 1990s, only a handful of years after Pro-Ject Audio Systems was founded and right at the peak of CD's popularity, Pro-Ject could already see the growing number of people missing analog music. In 1998 Heinz Lichtenegger and his UK distributor and longtime friend, Laurence Armstrong, were sitting together dreaming of a new record player model that could deliver as close to hi-end sound as possible, but at a price that a new younger generation could afford.

For more than 20 years, Debut is one of the best-selling products in the history of hi-fi with close to 1 million units sold. It made listening to vinyl an affordable option for music lovers. Its minimalist aesthetic and premium finish options also made analog fashionable again. Through the years Pro-Ject constantly kept improving this formula, moving with technologies and fashion trends. Now in 2020, it is time for the next generation. As the name suggests, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO is an evolutionary product. The most popular model of the Pro-Ject turntable has been thoroughly improved in every respect. In the base of the turntable, we will not see any button, switch, or imprint. The speed selector has been moved to the bottom of the base to give the unit a clean, more luxurious, and minimalist look. The Debut Carbon EVO is designed to be a timeless turntable, offering traditional black, white and red high-gloss finishes or real walnut veneer. A novelty are satin varnishes in five color variants.

The Debut Carbon EVO design uses engine suspension and damping technologies that are known from the higher Pro-Ject models. The design uses advanced TPE damping and a multi-layer structure for the engine base and suspension. The new Debut Carbon EVO not only looks great, but it can also be perfectly leveled. The device uses three sturdy metal legs with height adjustment to ensure optimal and stable positioning on any surface. The cheaper Pro-Ject models actually lacked that. In addition to the ability to easily change the playback speed with a single button, it should be mentioned that the system is completely electronic, which is to ensure the highest precision of reading black discs at a stable rotational speed.

According to the manufacturer, the platter used in the previous version of the turntable was made of metal and, although heavier than competing designs available on the market, it was not free from the basic drawback of metal structures, which is resonance. The TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) technology used in the new model now helps to dampen unwanted vibrations and also increases the weight of the platter to 1.7 kg. As the TPE cartridge is mounted on the inside of the platter, it moves with it - just like a flywheel. The result is even quieter, noiseless, and stable platter operation. The Debut Carbon EVO is equipped with the proven 8.6-inch carbon fiber one-piece tonearm. The Ortofon 2M-Red cartridge is factory-installed. The manufacturer claims that it is a universal model that provides an open, dynamic, and light sound. To guarantee a good connection with the amplifier, the set includes a shielded RCA Pro-Ject Connect It E cable. The Debut Carbon EVO including cartridge is available for MSRP €499. Info and photos by Pro-Ject.