High-end Turntable Performance Starts Here
Attention, vinyl lovers: Looking for a high-end turntable that doesn’t cost as much as a car? Evolve your vinyl setup to a new level with the elegant Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution. Incorporating Pro-Ject’s extensive turntable engineering expertise into a sleek, slim-line design available in a range of stunning finishes, the Xtension 9 Evolution is as rewarding to gaze upon as it is to listen to. Pro-Ject packs its advanced technology into this inspired belt-drive turntable, and the results speak for themselves. Set up with the right moving coil cartridge and preamp, Xtension 9 renders every detail contained in the grooves of your cherished vinyl in a breathtakingly expansive soundstage with pinpoint instrument localization. Shipping as a package with Pro-Ject’s excellent EVO 9 CC tonearm, the Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution turntable is a worthy contender for inclusion in any serious audiophile system.
Packed for performance
The Xtension 9’s dense, resonance-absorbing MDF chassis is tightly packed with steel pellets. These pellets add mass and further disperse resonances evenly throughout the turntable base, which is fitted with unique opposing magnetic feet that decouple the main plinth from its surface. The feet isolate the turntable’s hefty 35 pounds of mass from structure-borne vibration, effectively leveraging the twin principles of mass loading and suspension. For the Xtension 9, Pro-Ject eschews the use of pure aluminum for the main platter in favor of a custom alloy damped with thermoplastic elastomer plus a top layer of recycled vinyl for optimized disc coupling. This delivers the benefits of a high-mass, resonance-free platter that runs smoothly and quietly on an inverted ceramic bearing with additional opposing magnetic force to eliminate friction and rumble — a well-designed bearing assembly trickled down from Pro-Ject’s upmarket models. Another unique feature of Pro-Ject turntables (without built-in phono preamps) is that they are configured for balanced operation.
How True Balanced Connection technology optimizes the vinyl listening experience
As its name implies, True Balance Connection technology employs a balanced audio connection to ensure a stable, interference-free signal between your turntable and preamp. Balanced connections comprise two legs independent of ground: a positive one and a negative one. Since the two signals are opposite in polarity, anything common to both will get canceled. Given that any noise induced into the line will be common to both signals, it will be canceled when it reaches its destination, which is referred to as common mode rejection. Balanced connections are crucial when using microphones, as the audio signal they produce is extremely weak and susceptible to noise (hence the need for a mic preamp). Due to their inherent noise rejection, balanced connections are the industry standard for professional recording and live sound reinforcement.
Interestingly, microphones and phono cartridges have a lot in common. Both are electromagnetic transducers, both produce extremely weak signals, and both require a preamp. Moreover, microphones and phono cartridges produce a balanced audio signal. Unfortunately, typical phono preamps (with RCA connectors) sport a single-ended design and only process one leg of the cartridge’s signal, leaving it open to all sorts of interference. True Balanced Connection technology, on the other hand, uses the full signal, employing common mode rejection to eliminate unwanted noise.
In order to employ True Balanced Connection technology, your turntable needs to be equipped with a moving-coil or Pick it PRO Balanced MM cartridge. Moreover, the connection between your turntable and phono preamp needs to employ one of Pro-Ject’s True Balanced cables, regardless of whether your turntable outputs are on RCA, mini XLR, or 5-pin DIN connectors. Finally, you’ll need one of Pro-Ject’s True Balanced phono preamps. With True Balanced Connection technology, nothing will inhibit your vinyl listening experience. You’ll say goodbye to unwanted noise and enjoy your LPs with crystal-clear sound.
Note: The Xtension 9 Evolution comes with a balanced 5-pin DIN phono output and can be run balanced with either DIN-to-XLR or DIN-to-mini XLR phono cables and a balanced phono stage.
Ultra-precise speed regulation
Although direct drive has its adherents, well-engineered belt-drive mechanisms have traditionally been the preference of audiophile vinyl enthusiasts. While DJs favor direct-drive tables for the high torque that gives them quick start-ups and stops as well as the ability to “rewind” a disc, the direct linkage between motor and platter can introduce vibration, which can transfer to the cartridge and distort the output signal. Speed accuracy is also typically cited as an advantage of direct-drive systems. Enter the Xtension 9 Evolution, a belt-drive turntable with ultra-precise microprocessor-controlled, quartz-generated electronic speed regulation. The system generates scrubbed, squeaky-clean alternating current that is fed directly into the onboard synchronous motor. Quartz regulation, combined with decoupling the power from mains interference and a dedicated filter circuit, delivers superior speed stability and flawless motor operation. A simple push button is provided for speed selection between 33 and 45 rpm.
Drop-in tonearm upgrade
The EVO 9 CC carbon fiber tonearm that ships with the Xtension 9 Evolution is a solid performer. However, when it comes to turntable setups, experienced vinyl enthusiasts know there’s always room for improvement! Luckily, Pro-Ject’s state-of-the-art EVO 9 CA Premium tonearm is available as a drop-in upgrade (no soldering required). The EVO 9 CA Premium features a one-piece carbon/aluminum arm tube and high-purity silver tonearm wire, as well as an upgraded stainless steel bearing assembly and TPE-damped counterweight. For even greater versatility, consider the EVO AS and EVO AS Premium curved tonearms with replaceable headshells — a welcome accommodation for audiophiles who like to switch out their phono cartridges.
Pro-Ject: projecting sonic purpose and premium playback performance
Since its founding in 1991, Pro-Ject has pursued a singular mission: provide premium analog listening experiences for music lovers. During a time in which the succession of CDs and digital audio over analog and vinyl seemed all but inevitable, company founder Heinz Lichtenegger doubled down. Lichtenegger and his talented team were determined to introduce new listeners to the world of genuine, true-stereo, hi-fi audio, complete with a menu of value-laden products. Considering that the RIAA reported that vinyl outsold CDs in 2022 — the first time it had done so since 1987 — it’s clear that Pro-Ject’s long-term wager paid off. The company’s initial major success stemmed from the inaugural release of its debut turntable, the Pro-Ject 1. Since then, Pro-Ject has materialized as a worldwide window into the world of high-fidelity analog listening. The company collaborates with manufacturers, engineers, and designers around the world to produce parts from scratch, ensuring everything from the smallest screw to the most complex components maximizes quality. This all-encompassing commitment has manifested in an extensive line of turntables, speakers, cables, amplifiers, tonearms, cartridges, and more. Whether you’re a newcomer to the format or a veteran collector, Sweetwater invites you to chart your vinyl voyage with Pro-Ject — supreme style and sonic substance are only the beginning.
Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution Features:
- High-performance belt-drive audiophile turntable
- Heavy CNC machined MDF chassis packed with steel pellets
- High-end EVO 9 CC carbon fiber tonearm
- Inverted tonearm bearings (ABEC 7 quality)
- Central gravity point technology
- Massive 35-lb. total weight
- Precision-balanced TPE damped aluminum platter
- Top layer comprised of recycled vinyl for optimized disc coupling
- Inverted ceramic ball bearing with magnetic support
- Advanced DC-AC power generator
- Microprocessor-controlled, quartz-generated electronic speed regulation
- 33/45 rpm electronic speed control
- Balanced 5-pin DIN output
- Unbalanced cable supplied; balanced cable options available
- Includes Connect it E 5P to RCA cable, record clamp, dust cover, and power supply
- Available in a range of hand-painted or premium wood veneer finishes
- Handcrafted in Europe
