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Project essential II

Luis.correia

Luis.correia

Well-Known Member
My current, first, and very recent turntable is a project essential II.

What are your thoughts about it? Half decent? So far I am pleased with it. Very minimalist, 100% manual and nice sound.

Are there any recommended upgrades for this turntable?

Thanks in advance.


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This is an entry level table, and the best I can tell, not a lot up upgrades are possible without getting into the price of a better table. The key is that you like it. What I would do if it has the Ortofon cartridge on it would be upgrade to the next level stylus.
 
I have not heard one that I remember, but AFAIK it's a decent entry table, but probably not much going for it as far as upgrades go. So I would just use it as long as you're happy, then if you get the upgrade bug move on to something better.
 
Luis.correia said:
My current, first, and very recent turntable is a project essential II.

What are your thoughts about it? Half decent? So far I am pleased with it. Very minimalist, 100% manual and nice sound.

Are there any recommended upgrades for this turntable?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

There is new Pro-ject Acryl-it E platter as the fine upgrade for Essential, and it's on sale for around 70-90 euro (+-$80)
 
Upgrading to na ortofon 2M red or 2M blue would make any difference in sound? Noticeable difference? .,it's still somewhat less than a new turntable.


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Luis.correia said:
Upgrading to na ortofon 2M red or 2M blue would make any difference in sound? Noticeable difference? .,it's still somewhat less than a new turntable.


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Click to expand...

Going from the red to the blue should provide a noticable improvement in sound on any table worth it's salt. However, I've only ever used the Red myself. The Nagaoka MP-110 is a good cart in the same price range as the Red and it sounds better to my ears, though hopefully others here can tell you if it's a good fit for the arm on that deck. Depending on the weight of the arm, some carts may or may not perform to their best on different tables.

I've switched to the Denon 110 recently, and it's the best cart I've had, though I've always stayed under the $200 level. Above that, well, I just don't make enough to justify the purchase, especially when a cart is so easy to damage or break.
 
Luis.correia said:
My current, first, and very recent turntable is a project essential II.

What are your thoughts about it? Half decent? So far I am pleased with it. Very minimalist, 100% manual and nice sound.
Click to expand...

I've heard it and think it sounds quite nice. It's better than the Denon DP-300F that I bought, which sells for exactly the same price, but I wanted automatic operation for my bedroom system. My local dealer prefers the Essential II over the more expensive Debut Carbon, and What HiFi has awarded it "best turntable up to £400" the last two years. I'd say you've got a fine machine.

Are there any recommended upgrades for this turntable?
Click to expand...

I haven't heard any of the upgrades that Pro-Ject may have for it (such as the Acryl it E platter, said to reduce resonances), but I agree with others who have said you can get improved sound by upgrading the stylus. I would enjoy what you've got til the current stylus is worn out (after all, it's sounding nice for you now), then try either a Stylus 10 or Stylus 20 if you feel the need (a friend of mine loves the 20 on his Rega P1, though he had previously installed a glass platter upgrade and then a Herbie's Mat). Sometimes it's fun just to have a cartridge change even if it's not necessarily an upgrade in terms of price or specifications. I'm having a great time with Sumiko's lowest priced moving magnet cartridge, the Oyster ($75), which sounds great even with its bonded conical stylus and 2.3 gram recommended tracking force.
 
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