Hifi News

Pro-Ject Audio Systems Essential III: Sgt. Pepper‘s Drum

Posted on 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

Paul Rigby

I’ve been a journalist and editor for 35 years and still retain my good humour. Who’d have thought? I have worked within a range of industries, writing for hundreds of national magazines and newspapers in the UK, Europe and the USA covering: aviation, music, computer technology, computer gaming, hi-fi, mobile technology, home automation, lady’s lifestyle, plastic model making, antiques and more. I currently write for national magazines in the subjects of business, music, hi-fi and general technology.

4 Comments

John Norris

6th May 2017 at 9:24 am

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?

Reply
Paul Rigby
6th May 2017 at 1:50 pm
You can see for yourself here, John: https://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/ui/product/price-list.aspx?BrandID=2

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Ira

20th March 2018 at 6:22 am

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.

Reply
Paul Rigby
20th March 2018 at 12:12 pm
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.

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