STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT

An entire HiFi in a field? Paul Rigby hooks up this low-cost system and wonders who will purchase it

Yes it’s actually that. An entire HiFi in a single field. Inside are three extra bins, simply to increase the thrill to Christmas Day proportions. One incorporates the turntable with a pre-fitted cartridge, one other the built-in amplifier and a 3rd for a pair of audio system. You additionally get some fundamental speaker cables in a plastic bag. That’s it. That’s all you get, that’s all you want.

STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT

So, this field of goodies. Who is it for? Well, I’ll let you know who it’s not for to start with. If you’re an skilled HiFi person, used to upgrading and used to technical shenanigans? This shouldn’t be for you.

If you’re searching for a brand new HiFi system with a funds of £1,000, £2,000, £3,000 or extra. Have accomplished a lot of analysis through magazines and web sites, had lengthy discussions with discussion board members about whether or not to plump for Class A or A/B amplification and have sleepless nights about Shibata stylii? This system shouldn’t be for you.

If you’re a wheeler and a supplier across the Internet and know what to look out for on eBay? What second-hand treasures to purchase and what to afford, pleased to haggle, know what inquiries to ask from sellers? This system shouldn’t be for you.

WHO’S IT FOR?

So who’s it for then? If you’re a uncooked HiFi newbie, haven’t any clue what inquiries to ask by no means thoughts what analysis to do and discover all the means of system matching wholly complicated and baffling? This is for you.

If you’re on a restricted funds, this technique, is for you.

If you’ve a busy life, simply wish to rapidly take heed to music and actually can’t be bothered to leap by way of analysis, retail and supplier hoops? This system is for you.

So what do you get? Firstly, there’s a belt-driven, two-speed E1 turntable which arrives with a sub-platter, plastic outer platter, MDF plinth and Audio-Technica 3600 L cartridge, tethered phono cable, mud cowl, swap mode energy provide plus a felt mat.

STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT

The included amplifier is the 21W Stereo Box E, a small footprint design with a built-in MM phono amplifier, built-in headphone amplifier, Bluetooth supporting aptX HD.

Because I’m taking a look at three elements, I simply wished to get a measure of this amplifier on this all-in-one system, versus a full-blown overview of it so one or two options will go untested.

Finally, you get a pair of stand-mounted Speaker Box Es which embody detachable grilles, have a rear-mounted bass port, MDF cupboard, 127mm fibreglass mid/bass unit and 25mm silk dome tweeter.

So how does this lot sound?

SOUND QUALITY

I hooked the system collectively and performed, not too surprisingly, a bit of vinyl. Specifically? I performed Ennio Morricone’s LA Cosa Comica which mixed feminine vocalisations, bass guitar, piano, percussion, harpsichord, strings and extra. This is a busy piece.

To overview this technique, I made a decision to swap out one part at a time, evaluating it with my very own reference simply to see what half every part performed within the Pro-Ject system.

STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT

I started with the E1 turntable which I swopped for my Fluance RT81. I discovered the the E1 didn’t fairly have the bass solidity of the RT81. Bass focus and depth wasn’t in the identical class. Even so, bass remained first rate. It by no means slurred or boomed through the E1 whereas offering sufficient decrease frequency response for a lot of customers. Where the E1 actually shined was across the higher frequencies, out-performing the RT81 when it comes to its lightness of contact, offering a heap of area within the higher mids with loads of reverb from the resonant piano whereas treble was each nimble and delicate. Vocals had been additionally filled with emotion as a result of they exuded element and manoeuvrability. Subtlety was by no means an issue for the E1.

STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT

For the amplifier, I drafted in an older Cambridge Azur 651A built-in amplifier which doesn’t function a built-in phono amp. So this was an ideal alternative to check the precise Class D Stereo Box E amplifier straight. Both amplifiers had been plugged into one other Pro-Ject product, the exterior MM Phono Box with a pair of QED cables operating to the amplifiers.

I modified the software program to proto-prog/blues rock and Mighty Baby’s self-titled album on the Lightning Tree label. The 1969 album, reissued in 2006,

As the Cambridge was pushed by a whopping nice transformer and Class A/B amplification, the bass was superior right here too whereas the smaller Stereo Box E struggled for that bass weight. Like the turntable although, the Stereo Box E amplifier actually excelled within the mids and the treble space with higher coherence across the vocals, the shy cymbals had been heard correctly right here whereas, throughout the efficiency, the financial institution of strings had an actual emotive, virtually tragic air about them at one level. The Pro-Ject amplifier was simply ready convey that emotion. For the worth, £199 by itself, the sound high quality from this amplifier was surprisingly good.

STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT — Yes, there’s one included

All of this was made attainable by the exterior phono amplifier, by the way. So an improve from the inner mannequin is a precedence.

As for the audio system? I introduced in an authentic pair of Q Acoustic 3020 designs. Slightly bigger than the Pro-Ject audio system. The 3020s proved superior in lots of areas of the sound envelope: richer within the mids, tonally higher balanced, extra character within the higher mids, precision within the bass and extra.

STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT

So the Pro-Ject audio system are a waste of money and time then? Not in any respect. The Pro-Ject E audio system work very nicely certainly on this system and are matched very nicely to stress the strengths of each the turntable and amplifier whereas, in and of themselves, offered a broadly balanced output with loads of midrange and treble element on supply. Bass wasn’t an amazing asset however this complete system was not bass heavy. Upper frequency element was the place it scored finest.

STEREO SET E1 FROM PRO-JECT

Next? I attached my Sennhesier 650 headphones to the inner headphone amplifier and favored what I heard. An exterior amplifier would have been higher however this inner module provided a broadly balanced presentation and will probably be greater than sufficient for many customers.

I lastly, rapidly linked to Bluetooth, through my Astell&Kern Kann Alpha and listened to Nick Cave’s Ghosteen through aptX HD and was impressed with the Bluetooth output through the Stereo Set E1. Output was broadly balanced, detailed with a large soundstage, I additionally favored the 3D depth to the presentation.

CONCLUSION

Let me rapidly listing a number of upgrades so that you can get the most effective from this technique. Make certain you place the turntable and amplifier on the highest quality shelving you possibly can. When funds permit, seize some stands for the audio system, improve the speaker cables, add isolation to the turntable, amplifier and audio system, enhance the platter mat on the turntable, improve the inner phono amplifier to an exterior mannequin plus if and if you really feel confidant to improve one of many main elements, improve the audio system first. Talk to me within the feedback when you want particular recommendation.

As for the system out of the field? I find it irresistible! I really like the concept, I really like the course of going analogue though digital is there too in fact, I just like the comparatively small footprint of the system, and the way nicely matched it’s when it comes to color, model and sound.

Perfect in case you are on a low funds, when you can’t be bothered to analysis and filter evaluations and recommendation, if that complete course of simply makes you confused, if shopping for second hand is frightening and you favor a guaranty or when you simply don’t have the time and wish to get on together with your life, the Stereo Set E1 is a superb possibility, a great HiFi system. Highly really useful.

PRO-JECT STEREO SET E1

Price: £699

Website: www.henleyaudio.co.uk

GOOD: sonically matched, normal sound high quality, small footprint, worth

BAD: speaker cables