Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red

A Modern Classic, Ready to Play

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable is a refined take on the most popular audiophile turntable ever made, and it arrives ready to play with a pre-fitted Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. A one-piece carbon fibre tonearm, a heavy damped platter and electronic speed control make it a serious step up from entry-level decks, in a range of modern finishes.

Why You'll Love It

• Ready to play out of the box. It comes pre-fitted with the Danish-made Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, so it is set up and ready for your records with no cartridge fiddling.
• A genuine carbon tonearm. The one-piece 8.6-inch carbon fibre tonearm is stiff and light, tracking your records accurately with minimal resonance, technology usually found on pricier decks.
• Quieter, more stable playback. A heavy 1.7 kg flywheel-effect platter and damped motor suspension cut resonance and lower wow and flutter, for cleaner, more solid sound.

Under the Hood

• One-touch speed control. Electronic switching between 33 and 45 RPM via a rocker switch hidden under the plinth, with a second belt included for 78 RPM.
• Isolated on any surface. Three height-adjustable, TPE-damped metal feet keep the deck level and free of vibration.
• Everything in the box. A dust cover, two drive belts, a semi-balanced low-capacitance RCA cable, anti-skate weight and 45 adapter.

CHT Insider Verdict

The Debut Carbon Evo is the deck we point people to when they want a real audiophile turntable without spending a fortune. The carbon tonearm, heavy platter and pre-fitted 2M Red punch well above the price, and it looks the part in any of its modern finishes. It is a manual turntable, so you place and lift the arm yourself, which is part of the ritual for most vinyl lovers. A brilliant first serious turntable, and one you will not outgrow quickly.

Pro Tip: The Ortofon 2M Red it comes with shares a body with the higher 2M Blue, so when you are ready for more detail you can simply swap the stylus for a 2M Blue rather than buying a whole new cartridge. It is one of the easiest and most cost-effective upgrades in vinyl.