The Article
Pro-Ject Essential III FlexiRange: There’s Five Models To Choose From
27th October 2017
The Essential III FlexiRange turntables are built around the original Essential III design. From the high-gloss MDF plinth and platter, through the bearing and decoupling feet, all the way onto the aluminium tonearm, Ortofon OM 10 cartridge and 9V asynchronous motor.
The range includes:
ESSENTIAL III PHONO
Price: £279
The integrated phono stage in the Essential III Phono is based on Pro-Ject’s Phono Box range. Though the Line level output allows you to connect Essential III Phono to any Line or Aux input on your amplifier, the switch on the side of the output terminal also allows you to turn the phono stage off.
So as your system develops and you want to enjoy a superior phono stage, you do not need to upgrade the whole turntable. The Essential III Phono also utilises a junction box output, allowing for cable upgrades.
ESSENTIAL III SB
Price: £319
The neatly integrated speed control function, controlled by a push button on top of the plinth, works using an improved version of the motor generation system found in the other Essential III models.
ESSENTIAL III BT
Price: £319
Its built-in phono stage is designed to transmit to any compatible device within a 10m range, so whether you want to listen on Bluetooth headphones, a Bluetooth-enabled DAC or a Bluetooth-enabled sound system, you can stream your vinyl.
ESSENTIAL III DIGITAL
Price: £319
The Essential III Digital takes the Essential III design and adds the specially developed phono stage taken from the Essential II Digital turntable.
The integrated phono stage gives users the option between an analogue line level output and a 24-bit/96kHz digital Optical output. The Optical output uses a high-quality Analogue-Digital Converter (ADC) to send a signal to any digital hub. So whether listening to music through a soundbar, an AV receiver, a DAC, a digital pre-amplifier or a multi-room system with different input options – the Essential II Digital should fit in.
The analogue output uses a phono stage based upon Pro-Ject’s Phono Box design.
ESSENTIAL III RECORDMASTER
Price: £349
Using the same integrated speed control as the Essential III as well as the phono stage from the Essential III Phono, the RecordMaster is a turntable that connects to any spare Line input and switches from 33 to 45rpm at the push of a button.
The additional inclusion of a USB output means the Essential III RecordMaster can also be used to record your vinyl direct to a PC or Mac.
Call 01235 511 166 or click henleyaudio.co.uk for more information
Which Phono Preamp is better? Phono or Digital? And does the Digital allow line pass through in case you want to upgrade it in the future?
Hi Arian – if you’re talking only about the phono amplifier and no other features that might attract you to buy the turntable in the first place then the Phono is better. Purely because there’s less ‘other stuff’ included in the turntable. The less ‘other stuff’, the lower the overall electronic noise contamination from them which means the basic sound quality is improved. Later, when funds allow, you can turn off the internal phono amplifier and buy an external model to plug into the turntable which will improve sound quality even further.