PRO-JECT RPM 6.1SB

TR11.07.2008

Analog sources

The motto for designing the RPM 6.1 SB was functional simplicity. Some turntables are real monsters that induce awe in us, and become so complicated to operate that a one-week training is needed to learn everything. Then, when you see your kid approaching such a behemoth, your heart stopps. With the Pro-Ject everything is available in a neat package with the good sound as an extra.

Function and form

73%

Ease of use

50%

Sound

80%

Appearance

With Pro-Ject RPM 6.1 SB the mass principle with its advantages in optimising resonance was established at a remarkable price. A heavy weight (4.3kg) platter made from MDF and covered with a vinyl mat is utilized. The design of the chassis is more radical - a ceramic main bearing and acrylic sub-platter add up to a resonance-free combination. Special Sorbothane feet are used for efficient decoupling of the whole system.

For a record clamping a brass puck is provided with the RPM 6.1 SB. The motor is decoupled by 4 point suspension to reduce vibration . It has an integrated Speed Box that allows to switch electronically between 33 and 45 rpm . The 78 rpm is also available but only through manual operation.

Bass management

Weight

Slam

Articulation

The carbon fibre tonearm is conical to avoid standing wave reflections. Solid armbase permits accurate height adjustment of armtube and vertical tracking angle, single-screw fixing of armtube allows rotation for easy adjustment of needle azimuth despite fixed headshell. The tome armlift is silicon damped.

Clarity & delicacy

Detail

Air

Transparency

The Prro-Ject is silent-running and when paired with a good cartridge (read further) it provides three-dimensional, rich and sweet sound. It does not mean it is not open, dynamic and sparkling on top, but I found it more on the emotional side of neutrality than on the analytically digital. Sometimes it preferred macro view, a slight zoom out, instead of delving into small minutiae. This even the less well recorded music was highly listenable.

Tonal accuracy

Timbre

Dynamics

Temporal resolution

I started my critical listening with Sumiko Black Pearl cartridge. The sound was decent but perhaps too decent - as if the music could not leave the grooves, there was less life to it than I am used to. The sound was closed in and the top end was too smooth.

When I switched to Ortofon I witnessed quite a drastical transformation - it was like the speakers were different. The sound become more articulated and the music came alive. In Eyes That Can See in The Dark Eberhard Weber (Works) joins Charlie Marian's saxophone and Rainer Bruninghaus's keys. The colourful tapestry of percussive instruments, cellos, saxes, flutes and basses was the right food for the set-up powered by the Ortofon. With the Sumiko the same track was a bit bland and uninvolving.

Spatial resolution

Holography

Soundstage width

Soundstage depth

As outlined, throughout this review I used Sumiko Black Pearl and Ortofon OM30 cartridges, but considering the Pro-Ject's partnership with Danish Ortofon I encourage you to buy the best cartridge you can afford right away with the turntable - different "Super packs" are offered by the manufacturer.

Price as reviewed:18 000,- Kč

Recommended resellers

AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232

Manufacturer's website: http://www.project-audio.com

Associated components

Amplifiers: Accuphase 2410, Accuphase A-60, Accuphase E-210A phono
Interconnects and speaker cables: Ocos, Nordost SPM Reference, Nordost Heimdall
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Contour 1.1 and Confidence CA
Power conditioning: Monster Power HTS2600

Gallery

Sound

84%

McINTOSH MT2

The MT2 is an entry level turntable offering from McIntosh. Affordability is a very flexible word – in McIntosh’s jargon it equals the asking price of around 5.800€. The turntable is preset in the factory and equipped with all ...

Recommended resellers

E.P. Audio, Dobřejovice u Prahy, +420 323 605 088

Sound

78%

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