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The Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 Turntable Builds on the Original’s Minimalism

09.11.24 | By
The Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 Turntable Builds on the Original’s Minimalism

Pro-Ject is back with an update to one of its most loved products ever. The Pro-Ject Debut EVO turntable has long been regarded as one of the best turntables you could get in its price range for years, simultaneously offering exceptional audio quality and a sleek, modern design. Now, the company is back with an update in the form of the Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2, which doubles down on the colorful build and high-quality audio.

Top view of a Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 turntable in red and black with a minimalist design on a light gray background.

The Debut EVO 2 retains the same minimalist design as the previous generation model, while adding a variety of new finishes. Pro-Ject offers a real wood veneer, three high-gloss paint finishes, and six satin paint options. New for this generation in particular is the satin wine red finish, which looks particularly striking. True to form, Pro-Ject has crafted another visually appealing turntable.

Yellow car with a turntable on its hood, parked in front of a field of yellow flowers and a wind turbine in the background.

A black Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 turntable sits on a round marble table, next to a vinyl record cover depicting a baby swimming underwater.

Close-up of a modern turntable with a black platter and tonearm against a dark contrasting background.

This model offers slightly different tech too. The Debut EVO 2 is equipped with a premium 8.6-inch carbon fiber tonearm, a new low-friction precision tonearm bearing, and a pre-adjusted Pick It MM Evo cartridge. According to Pro-Ject, the combination of these technologies ensures stable and accurate tracking with more precision than before. On the back of the tonearm, a new TPE-damped counterweight can be found, which further reduces resonances by up to 50%.

Close-up of a turntable, showing the tonearm and stylus ready to play a vinyl record, with a sleek and minimalist design.

The turntable has a new platter as well. It now includes a substantial 1.7-kilogram die-cast aluminum platter with an integrated TPE ring to dampen vibrations and minimize flutter. The platter is anti-magnetic, so you can use MC cartridges and upgrade to Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connection technology. The turntable also supports Pro-Ject’s Record Puck-E record stabilizer for additional dampening, though that’s sold separately.

Bottom view of a turntable in a red housing, showing its various components including gold-plated RCA jacks, a belt drive mechanism, and adjustable feet against a black background.

While some aspects of the turntable remain consistent with the previous model, this continuity is certainly not a drawback. It still features height-adjustable damped feet for stability on uneven surfaces, and includes high-quality cables to ensure reliable audio transmission. The precision belt drive with electronic speed control remains, complemented by an electronic speed switch for added convenience. The turntable supports playback at 33.33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds. On the back, gold-plated RCA connectors are present, and the unit comes with a premium acrylic dust cover.

A red turntable with a black platter and tonearm is displayed on a cylindrical white pedestal against a gray background.

Close-up of a turntable with a black tonearm and stylus positioned on a sleek, red base. The turntable platter is empty and ready for a vinyl record.

Close-up of a Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 turntable tonearm against a black background, showing intricate details and a sleek, modern design.

The Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 turntable is now available from select retailers for $699, which is a pretty stellar price for one of the best turntables in its class under $1,000. For more information, head to project-audio.com.

Christian de Looper is a consumer tech reporter based in sunny Santa Cruz, California. Christian has reported on tech for over 10 years, with bylines in many of the largest tech publications, including Digital Trends, Forbes, CNN Underscored, Tom’s Guide, and PCMag. Christian has an obsession with how tech companies balance great design with great functionality, and lives at home with his wife, daughter, and cat.