If you are looking for an affordable turntable that still offers a great design and good quality, the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB is the perfect device for beginners.
I put the record player through its paces and reveal all the pros and cons.
According to the manufacturer, the Pro-Ject T1 delivers genuine hi-fi sound quality at a reasonable price.
It is available in black, white and walnut, and there are also three variants with minor technical differences.
In this review, I will focus on the T1 Phono SB model, as it is the best fit for most applications.
The turntable on the T1 is driven by a belt: A small rubber belt transmits the movement from the motor to the turntable.
Some high-priced models also have a direct drive. In the past, this was particularly important for DJs and radio studios when the turntable needed to start up very quickly.
Packaging and accessories
Let’s start from the beginning: The record player is delivered well and securely packed in a sturdy cardboard box. In addition to the device itself, a plastic cover is included to protect it from dust.
In addition, a felt mat (slipmat), a record puck for single records with a larger hole and a template for adjusting the pickup.
The scope of delivery also includes an RCA cable and an adapter from RCA to 3.5mm jack plug.
What I particularly liked was that record players are often supplied with an inferior quality RCA cable or even worse – the cable is permanently attached to the device.
The Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB comes with an excellently shielded cable with high-quality plugs and an additional cable for earthing.
Structure of the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB
Setting up and assembling the turntable is quick and easy: First, the rubber belt supplied must be tensioned between the motor and the platter support.
Then place the glass plate on the holder and connect the device to the amplifier using the cinch cable.
The protective cover can also be attached as an option: It protects the record player from dust, but only has optical advantages or disadvantages.
Tonearm and pickup
Cartridges (needles) and the tonearm play a major role in record players: if they are of inferior quality or poor workmanship, they can transmit unwanted vibrations and have a negative effect on the sound.
The headshell – i.e. the holder for the pickup – is integrated into the tonearm and not screwed or glued on as on other models.
The pre-assembled cartridge from Ortofon (OM 5E) has an elliptical stylus and is of mid-range quality.
In general, Ortofon has been a leader in the production of pickups for decades and is virtually the gold standard in this field.
Pro-Ject T1 with phono amplifier
A special feature of the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB is the integrated phono amplifier. This amplifies the signal from the record and passes it on to the respective end device.
In the past, classic hi-fi amplifiers often had various cinch inputs, including special inputs for record players. These inputs had a corresponding amplifier integrated.
If you want to connect the T1 Phono SB to a Sonos system, for example, this integrated amplifier is absolutely essential.
Below the T1 there is a switch for “Line Out” and “Phono Out”. The former should be selected if speakers or amplifiers do not have their own phono amplifier.
“Phono Out” is set if the hi-fi amplifier or receiver has its own phono input.
The T1 from Pro-Ject also has a connection for the power supply unit, two RCA sockets and a screw for earthing.
Quality and workmanship
When I unpacked the device, I was initially surprised: the wooden panel that serves as the base for the device was surprisingly light, but still appeared to have a high-quality finish.
After I had mounted the glass platter, the turntable made a heavier and better impression.
Cables and switches are inserted into milled recesses on the underside of the device, which in my opinion could have been solved a little more elegantly.
Due to the design, there are only three feet on the underside: two at the front and one at the back. Although the turntable is stable, it would stand even better on the surface with a fourth foot.
All other components such as the switch, belt and drive appear simple but are nevertheless well and sturdily made.
It’s important to remember that this is an entry-level device, so the quality is appropriate in my opinion.
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB: Sound and conclusion
It must be said in advance: Sound is always somewhat subjective. I have often experienced in test rooms that opinions differ when it comes to assessing sound, even among experts.
In addition, a record player only plays a limited role in the overall system: In my opinion, it is primarily the speakers, the installation location and the listening room that have the greatest influence on the sound.
After the loudspeakers comes the type and quality of the amplifier. The recording quality of the sound carrier also plays a major role, as does the production of the vinyl and, of course, the turntable, the cartridge and the needle.
I would classify the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB as very good in terms of sound in this price range.
Of course, there are much more expensive devices that sound even better. However, the sound of this device should be absolutely sufficient for most applications.
For music lovers who not only value good sound but also an appealing, simple design, I can absolutely recommend the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB. I don’t know of any comparable device that combines all these positive features.
Even if the material and workmanship could be a little better in some areas, the overall concept of this device is very successful.
I was particularly impressed by the tonearm, which was made from a single piece of aluminum, the Ortofon cartridge and the solid drive.
Connect Pro-Ject T1 with Sonos
The Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB is perfect for connecting to a Sonos system. Thanks to the integrated phono amplifier , no additional device is required.
However, the record player can only be integrated into a system with a Sonos Five speaker, the Sonos Amp or the Era 100 and Era 300.
The new Victrola Stream Carbon and Onyx models do away with this detour and can be connected directly to the Sonos system.
Sonos Set: Five & T1 Phono SB
If you want to buy both a T1 Phono SB and the matching Sonos Five speaker, you can currently save a few euros.
The official Sonos store is offering a set with Five and T1 at a reduced price. The set is available in both black and white.
Technical data Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB
The following technical data refers to the manufacturer’s specifications:
| Speeds | 33, 45 |
| Speed deviation | 33: 0.7% – 45: 0.6% |
| Speed fluctuation | 33: 0.25% – 45: 0.23% |
| Drive | Electronically controlled belt drive |
| Turntable | 8mm glass with felt mat |
| Turntable bearing | Stainless steel/brass |
| SNR | 65dB |
| Tone arm | 8.6″ Aluminum |
| Effective tonearm length | 218.5 mm |
| Surplus | 22 mm |
| Effective tonearm mass | 8.0 g |
| Counterweight for masses | 5 – 10g (pre-installed) |
| Contact force adjustment range | 0 – 50mN (set to 17.5 mN) |
| Dimensions | 415 x 100 x 335mm (WxHxD) |
| Weight | 3.8 kg net |
Various models
There are three technical versions of the Pro-Ject T1 turntable. I explain the differences here.
Pro-Ject T1: Basic model
The basic version of the T1 has neither an integrated phono amplifier nor speed switching.
The latter in particular is essential in my view, as vinyl is still pressed at different speeds.
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB: Phono stage & speed
Compared to the basic model, the Phono SB has a built-in phono MM stage, which is important if you want to connect the turntable to Sonos systems, for example.
It also offers electronic speed switching between 33 and 45 RPM.
Pro-Ject T1 BT: Bluetooth
In addition to the functions of the Phono SB, the T1 has a Bluetooth transmitter with the addition of BT .
This allows the sound from the turntable to be sent to a Bluetooth speaker, for example.
Lars Grudzinski has been working as a sound and lighting technician since the 90s, was a DJ for electronic music, has a large collection of vintage speakers, and has been working for various radio stations in Germany for 20 years. At home, he enjoys high-quality home theater products such as soundbars and projectors and has installed an extensive Sonos system in his own home.