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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
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
693 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.
mintchris
1 posts
 
They are indeed M8. Dan from Edensound had me check before he sent a set
of Bearpaws for my Xpression III. I am expecting them hopefully later this week or early next week so we'll see what kind of an impact they make.
tklemzak
2 posts
 
Whoever you are...you clearly have nailed it. Unclear to me how or why these suggested mods work - but they do. I can't believe it.

I think I understand the damping and rumble isolation tweaks as they are pretty straight-forward. Yet, I am baffled at why brass for feet is superior? Also, why removing the bias/anti-skate improves the sound when this seems counter-intuitive? In fact, removing the anti-skate weight causes my needle Dynavector 10x5 at 2.2gm to skip right over side 1 tracks 8 and 9 Hi-Fi News test lp. But for whatever reason, the soundstage is more precise, signals more balanced. Everything seems proper.

Still in shock,

Tom
cinellipro
26 posts
 
If you have properly isolated the motor and installed the brass weights (mass = density = reduction in plinth resonance and transfer of vibration), then you have accomplished 95% of the potential improvements available to your turntable. The next step is to purchase a round turntable belt. The pro-ject belt is flat, and a round belt is thick and has less surface area to transfer vibration to the subplatter. Then purchase a heavier Pro-ject counterweight (120g) and a pair of Herbie's Audio PTFE tonearm damping instruments. The belt, counterweight and damping instruments will cost under $70. Then you need to buy some records and enjoy your system.
Cheers.
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