The Article
Pro-Ject Audio Systems Essential III: Sgt. Pepper‘s Drum
5th May 2017
After being re-worked earlier this year as the George Harrison Record Player, the Essential III is now getting the Sgt. Pepper treatment
The Essential III: Sgt. Pepper’s Drum is a non-limited, special edition release, emblazoned with the iconic group’s imagery.
The blue MDF plinth boasts a vintage print to the top-panel. The iconic Sgt. Pepper’s drum kit logo is printed in the middle of the plinth. The frosted matte acrylic platter reveals the drum skin print underneath.
Aside from the cosmetic differences and the inclusion of an acrylic platter, all other characteristics of the turntable match the Essential III design, including the the 8.6” aluminium tonearm with Ortofon OM 10 cartridge.
Available from late-May 2017, the price is £429.
For more information, call 01235 511166 or click henleydesigns.co.uk
I wonder how much it costs Pro-Ject to use these iconic logos? So, basically, how much would this turntable cost without these I wonder?
You can see for yourself here, John: https://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/ui/product/price-list.aspx?BrandID=2
Hi Paul,
I’m finally getting back into vinyl after dreaming about it for the last 6 years. I had a crosley 15 years ago and want to do things right this time. I picked up this turntable a few days ago and it doesn’t seem to have a built in phono stage. I thought the Essential III did? I stumbled across your site looking for a phono stage. I plan to upgrade the cartridge to the blue ortofon I saw here. Any recommendations for a phono stage would be much appreciated. My system includes a Peachtree Nova hybrid amplifier and B&W CM5s on stands. Speaker cables are Audioquest Type 4 and I have a NRG-4 power cord for the amp.
Hi Ira – thanks for joining me and thanks for your note. The III doesn’t but this one does: https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/products/Essential-III-Phono?DepartmentIds=1&BrandIds=2
Actually, it’s better to have an external model, better sound quality that way. You’ve done the right thing.
This is a simple yet effective phono amp that will work well with your III: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rega-Fono-Mini-A2D-Pre-Amplifier-black/dp/B0072RZ95U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521547725&sr=8-1&keywords=rega phono preamp
If I was you, I would buy a 2M Red and save yourself some cash. The Blue might be a little too good for the III. If and when you decide to upgrade, then buy a new Blue stylus: https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/products/Stylus-2M-Blue-100?DepartmentIds=1&CategoryIds=9&BrandIds=1
The only difference between the Red and the Blue is that stylus and the swop over is easy to do.