The Pro-Ject A2 sits above the Automat A1 as the more advanced model in Pro-Ject’s fully automatic turntable range, combining German Automat engineering with Pro-Ject’s own design philosophy and component choices. It is handmade in Germany by Automat, a manufacturer with over 50 years of experience building automatic turntables, and brings genuine audiophile refinement to a format long associated with compromise.
Fully Automatic, Mechanically Pure
The A2 is fully automatic: press Start and the tonearm moves to the record’s lead-in groove without manual intervention. At the end of the record, the tonearm returns gently to its rest and the motor shuts off. Crucially, the automatic mechanism is entirely mechanical, meaning no additional electronics are introduced into the signal path during playback. Once the stylus is in the groove, the mechanism is completely disengaged.
The A2 also introduces 78 RPM support alongside 33 and 45 RPM, with all three speeds selectable electronically at the push of a button, rather than by repositioning a belt. A separate selector allows the drop-off point to be set for 7-inch singles or 12-inch LPs at 45 RPM.
Floating Sub-Chassis
Automatic turntables require space inside the chassis for their mechanical parts, and hollow spaces are a primary source of resonance. The A2 addresses this with a floating sub-chassis construction: the tonearm, platter bearing, and motor are mounted on a separate sub-chassis that is spring-suspended within the main body. This decouples the most critical components from the outer chassis and provides an additional layer of isolation against vibration and feedback, which is particularly beneficial when loudspeakers are positioned close to the turntable.
The sub-chassis features a new aluminium diecast top covering the automatic mechanism, replacing plastic parts used in the original German Automat design. This is described by Pro-Ject as the first significant redesign of the automatic mechanism in its 50-year history. The main chassis is constructed from heavy MDF and finished in an eight-layer hand-applied matt black lacquer, chosen for its mass and rigidity.
Tonearm and Cartridge
The A2 uses an 8.3-inch ultra-light-mass aluminium tonearm with a larger-diameter tube than its predecessor for improved rigidity. The tonearm bearing is machined from aluminium and employs a four-point cardanic construction with steel tip ball bearings manufactured in-house, minimising friction and allowing free movement in both planes.
Tracking force is set using a damped counterweight to level the tonearm, followed by a dial on the tonearm bearing itself to apply the precise force. This keeps the centre of gravity directly above the bearing centre, which Pro-Ject describes as a massless adjustment system. Anti-skating is adjustable via a spring mechanism at the tonearm base.
The headshell is made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer, keeping mass low while providing high rigidity and anti-magnetic properties. It is supplied fitted with an Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge, a well-regarded all-purpose cartridge that balances open, dynamic sound with musical warmth.
Platter and Drive
The aluminium platter is precision-balanced and fitted with a damping ring on its underside to add mass and reduce resonances. Drive is via a rubber belt from a separate motor mounted on the sub-chassis, physically isolating motor vibration from the platter bearing. A felt mat is included.