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Pro-Ject Xpression & Debut Modifictions....read

I've owned a new Pro-ject Xpression tuntable for about a year now and have to share some mods i've done to it..the sound i'm getting now is very similar to a friends VPI Aries table. These cheap new Pro-ject turntables can be hotrodded easily and cheaply to perform amazing. A photo would do this better justice but here it is:

Spend $60 and get a set of Mapleshade Records Heavyfeet footers (money back guarantee). REMOVE the stock rubber feet on your table and also the posts to hold the dust cover and be amazed at the clarity and bass. The feet and post add vibration & the brass footers take it away from the table leaving clean, clear music.

REMOVE the anti-skating weight & string and listen to music...if shocked then use a tweezers to gently unscrew the nub that the weight attaches to on the tonearm...then if shocked carefully unscrew the armboard mount screw and carefully remove the metal piece that supported the anti-skating weight...this may require needle nose pliers and patience...dont unscrwe that scrwe moer than 6 or 7 times.

Now, you think you've got something special but just hold on....spend another $60 (money back guarantee again) and buy the Marigo VTS Tonearm Damping Kit and follow the instructions. This really makes all the difference in the world EXCEPT its tough to hear the benefits until you've stripped your table of feet, posts and anti-skating...which all muddy sound tremendously. This Marigo tweak locks in 3-D sound, huge live bass and killer mids and highs...quite a shocker.

last, and this is the only permanent modification, is to have a qualified shop install Eichmann Bullet Plugs on the RCA's...and while that is going on have them carefully strip away the stock rubber cable insulation from the left and right RCA's (black & red) just up to the armboard or 2" before and immediately replace with a much thinner shrinkwrap (thick insulation smears the signal BIGTIME). Also, use WTB Silver Solder for the Eichmann's. At the same time use your other 2 Eichmann plugs and re-plug your ipod cable (use WTB solder again).

the total for this modification is about $220 and I have a new Grado Gold cartridge and my TT modded up this way sounds absolutely amazing given the $ i've spent.

the turntables we own are quite good, but they don't come that way in stock form unfortuneatly. As long as your tonearm is balanced the lack of anti-skating should not be an issue. If you do not want new RCA plugs, at least make certain the rca's and ground are always separated...never running parallel.

i'd like to hear other folks opinions.
mattcecil
sbrownnw
700 posts
 
@Mattcecil, thanks for these recommended tweaks!

I have already removed my anti-skate weight and plan on removing the string pin also. If I partially unscrew the armboard mount screw to undo the the anti-skate threat support, do I have to re-setup the cartridge? I also plan on ordering the Tuning Dot Kit and the Mapleshade HeavyFeet.

Maybe a Traveler upgrade is not in my near future? I hope these stabilize my table enough that I get no woofer pumping like I and others have stated in separate threads. Another woofer pumping solution seems to be upgrading to a Well Tempered Labs golf ball table (after reading a recent review of one) but that is out of my price range plus I really like my cuing lever...

Thanks again,

Scott
sbrownnw
700 posts
 
A couple more things.

I have the Xpression III with the acrylic platter and the better feet. They are not as heavy as the brass footers and hope brass ones really anchor the table. Has anyone else done these upgrades on their Xpression or other table? Does the Xpression III and other Xpression tables use the M6 thread?

I do not have attached RCA cables like the Xpression I and use Mogami 2549 with Neutrik Pro-Fis for all my RCA cables. I hope to try the same Mogami 2549 cables with some all copper chassis gold plated RCAs (search for Q-911 RCA copper) since the Pro-Fis have a brass chassis.
sbrownnw
700 posts
 
Removed the anti-skate pin and loop last night and moved my speed box off the wall turntable shelf. Sounding more open and involving. Also ordered the dot tonearm kit. Not sure if I am going to try the heavier footers because the Xpression lll feet are female threaded to take a screw that is part of the plinth. Also removed the hinges for the dust cover.
cinellipro
26 posts
 
The Pro-Ject Xpression and RM and RPM models are potentially excellent tables but are all affected by one major problem and that is rumble caused by the motor being coupled to the plinth.
These model Pro-jects have a floating motor that has a poorly designed attachment point. The owner needs to remove the four screws attaching the floating motor via a belt to the plinth and install two tiny rubber grommets around each screw. Then re-attach the belt that connects to the screws around the lip of the top grommet at each corner. That will decouple the motor vibration from the plinth and remove the vibration that bleeds into the needle. The important step is to attach the belt around the rubber grommet so it is not coupled directly around the screw.
The next important upgrade is to install THREADED brass weights. Either from Edensound or Mapleshade. This adds almost 12 pounds of mass to the turntable and continues to improve the sound. DO NOT purchase floating footers. To be completely effective they must be attached to the plinth.
If you want specific details look up "Pro-ject rumble" and you'll find further discussions on how to make your Pro-ject a keeper.
sbrownnw
700 posts
 
Does anyone know the feet thread size of the Xpression III? The feet are female threaded with the bolts coming out of the plinth. It looks like a M8 but wanted to make sure.
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