Thoughts on the various platter materials used in Pro-Ject's midrange turntables?
I've been looking at Pro-Ject's mid-priced turntables and it has got me thinking: which ones have better platters for sonic performance? Specifically, the models, all which have different platter materials are:
X2 - Acrylic ($1,699);
The Classic Evo - Aluminum (Precision balanced TPE-damped) ($1,999);
6 PerspeX SB - Vinyl/MDF sandwiched platter ($2,799).
Doing some general searches online, there seems to be high praise for acrylic. A lot of bashing of aluminum and not great comments regarding MDF. Is it possible that the cheapest turntable (X2) has the best platter? Obviously, this discussion does not take into consideration the other differences with the turntables, including cartridge differences. But just thought I'd get some insight specifically on the platter issue.
It's shameful that audio manufacturers often don't fully describe what you are getting. [I'm involved in some discussions about DACs and finding out what's actually inside some of these is detective work.] IMO platter weight is perhaps the most important turntable spec. If you're serious about buying you might write to Pro-ject and ask. They are correct about ringing aluminum platters if they are not thick and heavy (like VPI for ex.). Best then to use a substantial mat for dampening. |
@syr1990 , You can make a good platter out of pretty much anything if you know what you are doing. It is the mat and the way the record is clamped to it that matter the most. The mat has to be dead flat, the same mechanical impedance as vinyl and relieved for the label and edge of the record. The mats that Sota and Basis use are great examples. Vacuum clamping is the best followed by reflex clamping as used in SME and Kuzma turntables. The Sota Reflex clamp can be used on most tables. Just putting a weight on the record is pretty close to worthless. The size or weight of the platter is another contested issue many thinking the bigger and heavier the platter is the better. This is not necessarily true and depends on drive type, torque of the motor, control system of the motor, belt stiffness, etc. A heavy platter might have less flutter but it has more inertia and is harder to correct. After a point, platter weight is just male muscle flexing. Most of the tables I really like, cost no factor have platters in the 20-30 pound range. |
