Pro-Ject turntable

[gregch]

Years ago, with the advent of digital music, I got rid of my old hifi. Soon after, I realised I wanted to keep my records - some of which aren't available in digital form, and have some way of listening to them (and digitising them to add to my iTunes library, as it was then).

Anyway, I settled on a Pro-Ject Debut USB Phono something and it's done the job well (despite my concerns about its slightly "home made" build quality).

Yesterday, it suddenly started making a horrible loud noise that sounds like maybe failed motor bearings - but basically could be any kind of serious vibration I guess. I've ordered a replacement for the rubber band that suspends the motor and looks to be perished but not convinced that's the solution. If the motor's failed, I don't know if it's worth fixing or how easy it is to replace the motor (motor itself seems to be about £70-£100).

Has anyone else experienced an issue with these pro-ject turntables?

[Don1]

No, sorry - mine has been faultless so far.

[gregch]

Don1 said:

No, sorry - mine has been faultless so far.

Glad to hear that; I know these are really popular so I guess they're generally good. I realised yesterday that mine is 20 years old now so I guess that might be a factor.

I tried replacing the motor suspension and took the motor out and fiddled with it, thought it was fixed but noise (and vibration) started up again once it warmed up (one side of an LP).

The question now is whether to buy a new motor for £70 and hope that's the only issue, or put that £70 towards something else. Any recommendations for reasonably priced turntables?

[croyde]

Just bought a ProJect E1 refurbed through a company on eBay for £150. Came in it's original box and was packaged up as if it was new.

Here it is married up to the Nad amp and AR speakers that I bought back in 1985

[gregch]

croyde said:

Just bought a ProJect E1 refurbed through a company on eBay for £150. Came in it's original box and was packaged up as if it was new.

Here it is married up to the Nad amp and AR speakers that I bought back in 1985

Nice! Quite like those NAD amps, too.

[croyde]

Cheers. Unfortunately the internal phono pre amp no longer works, but it is 41 years old

So an external pre amp is now being used.

I also stream Spotify through it via an old Chromecast sound dongle.

Tempted to dig out my 40 year old Sony multi CD player and connect that up too

[TwigtheWonderkid]

gregch said:

Anyway, I settled on a Pro-Ject Debut USB Phono something and it's done the job well (despite my concerns about its slightly "home made" build quality).

I have to admit that's what put me off buying a Pro-Ject, probably wrongly given how popular they are. But they just look and feel too flimsy. I went for an Audio Technica LP120, that weighs a tonne and looks and feels bombproof.

[Matt_N]

croyde said:

Just bought a ProJect E1 refurbed through a company on eBay for £150. Came in it's original box and was packaged up as if it was new.

Here it is married up to the Nad amp and AR speakers that I bought back in 1985

Do you have a link to the seller please?

I can only find ones well over £200.

[croyde]

I must have struck lucky. Just had a look on eBay and the cheapest refurb from Peter Tyson, who I bought from, is the E1 Bluetooth at £258.

They don't appear to have any more base E1s in stock anymore.

[Matt_N]

Cheers