Pro-Ject ProJect XA B Review: True Balanced Turntable

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Pro-Ject ProJect XA B is a European made turntable positioned as an upper mid range option for vinyl playback. The listing title emphasizes a true balanced architecture, an acrylic turntable designation, a 10 inch aluminum tonearm, and a Pick it Pro cartridge. The product is described as handmade in Europe with decades of factory experience and a 25 year spare parts availability guarantee.

The listing focuses on the XA B as a high end sounding deck, but it does not publish every typical specification. Drive type, speed options, dimensions, weight, built in phono preamp, and Bluetooth or USB details are not provided. Because this is an editorial research review based on the listing, no in-person testing claims are made.

The Pro-Ject ProJect XA B should be understood as a component deck rather than an all in one record player. It appears aimed at listeners who are assembling a separate hi-fi chain, especially those who own or plan to buy a compatible Pro-Ject phono stage. The included phono optimized Connect it Phono E RCA cable suggests a focus on clean analog signal transfer.

Sound and Cartridge

The listing names the included cartridge as the Pick it Pro. No further details about cartridge body, stylus shape, output voltage, or tracking force are given. The Pick it Pro designation suggests a design intended for high output and standard phono stage compatibility, but that is not confirmed by the published data.

The headline sonic feature is True Balanced operation. According to the listing, the turntable is designed to be paired with one of Pro-Ject's True Balanced phono cables connected to a Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B, Phono Box RS, or Phono Box RS2. This balanced signal path may lower noise and improve channel separation in a suitable system.

Without in-person testing or published measurements, sound quality can only be evaluated on paper. The combination of a 1.7kg aluminum platter, a 10 inch tonearm, and a Pick it Pro cartridge suggests stable rotation and controlled tracking. The true balanced connectivity is the most distinctive audio feature, but the full benefit may require a balanced cable and matching phono stage.

Build, Platter and Tonearm

The listing states that the XA B has a heavy 1.7kg die-cast aluminum platter. This platter is described as anti-magnetic and precision balanced in an extra manufacturing step. Those attributes are meant to reduce resonances and improve speed stability compared with lightweight stamped platters.

The tonearm is identified as a premium 10 inch aluminum design. A 10 inch arm typically offers lower tracking distortion than shorter arms, but the listing does not publish effective mass, bearing type, or adjustment range. The title also mentions acrylic, but the feature bullets focus on the aluminum platter and tonearm rather than an acrylic plinth or platter.

Build quality is supported by the handmade in Europe statement and the 25 year spare parts availability guarantee. However, the listing does not include dimensions, total weight, plinth material, or dust cover information. Buyers who need these practical details will have to consult separate documentation or accept that the listing does not state them.

Features and Connectivity

The defining feature is True Balanced connectivity. The listing names several compatible Pro-Ject phono stages, all of which are sold separately from the turntable. To use the balanced path, buyers need a True Balanced phono cable and one of the specified phono boxes. The listing does not state whether any balanced cable is included.

The included accessory is a Connect it Phono E RCA cable. This is a phono optimized interconnect with RCA terminations. The output section does not mention a built in phono preamp, Bluetooth, or USB. That omission suggests the XA B is a traditional analog turntable meant for use with an external phono stage and amplifier or powered speakers with a phono input.

The feature set is focused and analog. The turntable does not appear to include digital conveniences such as USB recording or wireless streaming in the published listing. This will appeal to purists and may frustrate buyers who want a more flexible all in one device.

• True Balanced output path with compatible Pro-Ject phono stages
• Included Connect it Phono E RCA cable for standard analog connection
• No built in phono preamp, Bluetooth, or USB in the published listing
• External phono stage required for most systems
• 25 year spare parts availability guarantee

Setup and Ease of Use

The listing does not provide a detailed setup guide for the Pro-Ject ProJect XA B. Important setup factors such as cartridge alignment, tracking force, anti-skate adjustment, and tonearm height are not specified. Buyers familiar with Pro-Ject turntables may expect a manual setup process, but that is not confirmed by the listing.

Because the XA B does not include a built in phono preamp in the published data, setup also requires an external phono stage or an amplifier with a phono input. The included Connect it Phono E RCA cable is ready for standard connections. For True Balanced operation, the user must purchase a compatible Pro-Ject True Balanced phono cable and one of the supported phono boxes.

The European manufacturing and spare parts guarantee may provide confidence, but the absence of setup documentation means buyers should be prepared for a traditional component turntable. Those who are new to vinyl may need more guidance than the listing provides. Experienced users will likely find the process straightforward.

Speeds, Playback and Automation

The listing does not publish the supported speeds for the Pro-Ject ProJect XA B. Most turntables in this class handle 33 1/3 and 45 rpm records, but that is not stated in the provided data. Buyers who need 78 rpm capability or speed accuracy figures will not find them in the listing.

There is no mention of automation in the listing. The XA B appears to be a manual turntable with no automatic start, stop, or tonearm lift functions described. The 10 inch aluminum tonearm and heavy platter suggest a design focused on stable manual playback, but no wow and flutter or speed drift data is published.

For users who value precise speed control, the listing's silence is a drawback. It does not mention an electronic speed switch, a pulley system, or a speed box accessory. This is one area where the published information is thinner than the product's upper mid range positioning would suggest.

Daily Use and Record Care

The heavy aluminum platter on the Pro-Ject ProJect XA B is a practical benefit for daily use. A 1.7kg die-cast platter with anti-magnetic and precision balanced properties should provide a stable surface for records. The included Connect it Phono E RCA cable is also a thoughtful touch for standard phono stages.

The listing does not mention a dust cover or record clamp, so daily record care relies on the user's handling habits. The lack of specified dimensions and weight means buyers cannot easily plan shelf space or isolation. The 25 year spare parts availability guarantee does support long term ownership.

Since the cartridge is identified as Pick it Pro but stylus replacement details are not published, users should plan for eventual stylus service. The listing does not state whether the stylus is user replaceable or what replacement stylus model is needed. This is a practical gap for daily use and long term maintenance.

Who Should Buy It

The Pro-Ject ProJect XA B is best suited to vinyl listeners who already use external phono stages and want a European made deck with a true balanced path. If you own a Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B, DS3 B, RS, or RS2, this turntable is an especially logical match.

Buyers who value long term support will appreciate the 25 year spare parts availability guarantee. The handmade in Europe claim adds a sense of craft and consistency. Those who prioritize a heavy anti-magnetic aluminum platter and a 10 inch aluminum tonearm will find those features clearly published.

This turntable is not for everyone. The listing leaves out many practical specifications, and the lack of built in preamp, Bluetooth, and USB means it requires a dedicated analog chain. Beginners or those seeking a one-box solution should look elsewhere.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Buyers who want a more complete plug and play experience might consider the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X. It includes a built in phono preamp and is easier for beginners, though it does not offer the balanced output or heavy platter of the Pro-Ject ProJect XA B. The Fluance RT81 is another mid range option with a built in preamp.

For those who want a direct drive turntable with USB output and pitch control, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is a common alternative. The Sony PS-LX310BT adds Bluetooth convenience and automatic operation, but it does not have a true balanced output. The U-Turn Orbit is a minimal customizable belt drive deck.

If balanced output is the priority, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO is a well-known step in the Pro-Ject line, but the XA B's true balanced philosophy is more specialized. None of these alternatives should be considered exact spec rivals, as the listing for the XA B does not publish full performance data.

Verdict

The Pro-Ject ProJect XA B is a focused analog turntable with some genuinely appealing ingredients. The 1.7kg aluminum platter, 10 inch tonearm, and Pick it Pro cartridge are the standout published specs. The True Balanced output is a clear point of differentiation for buyers who run compatible Pro-Ject phono stages.

However, the listing leaves too many specifications unpublished for a confident full assessment. Speeds, speed stability, wow and flutter, dimensions, weight, and setup details are all missing. There is no built in preamp, Bluetooth, or USB in the provided data, and the True Balanced cable is not included.

Overall, the Pro-Ject ProJect XA B earns a score of 81 out of 100 on paper. The score reflects its strong build and sound potential, tempered by the incomplete published specifications and additional components required for balanced use. It is a serious upper mid range turntable for a specific buyer, not a universal recommendation.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

FiiO R9

A desktop audio hub for headphones and active speakers with streaming and HDMI integration, not for vinyl playback.

Read the FiiO R9 review →

Onkyo TXRZ70

Home theater enthusiasts who want a powerful 11.2 channel AV receiver with Dirac Live and THX certification, not a turntable.

Read the Onkyo TXRZ70 review →

Pro-Ject Debut PRO B

Buyers who want a European built upper mid-range turntable with a resonance-reducing plinth and simple speed control, and are willing to research or choose their own cartridge.

Read the Pro-Ject Debut PRO B review →

Questions Buyers Ask