The Pro-Ject EVO 12 CC is the 12-inch iteration of Pro-Ject's EVO CC tonearm range, which succeeds the long-running Evolution series. It sits in the standard tier of the EVO line alongside the 9-inch and 10-inch CC models, below the premium CA and AS Premium variants that feature silver wiring and stainless steel bearing blocks. The EVO 12 CC is designed for turntables that accept a 12-inch arm, where the longer effective length reduces tracking error across the record surface.
Arm Tube and Construction
The arm tube is a single-piece conical carbon fibre construction: lighter and stiffer than aluminium, and tapered towards the headshell to minimise standing-wave reflections. The one-piece design eliminates the joint found in two-part tubes, increasing rigidity and improving signal transparency. Aluminium bearing parts are hand-polished to a high gloss on the HG version, giving the tonearm a premium appearance alongside the carbon fibre tube.
Bearing Assembly
A new inverted cardanic ABEC 7 quality bearing, using four stainless steel tips, provides extremely low friction in both horizontal and vertical planes. The bearing block is machined from solid aluminium and houses the bearing assembly securely. The outer ring of the bearing block is open to reduce resonances. Pro-Ject carried out extensive listening tests with different bearing types and arm materials before settling on this configuration.
Counterweight and Damping
The counterweight incorporates a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) insert that damps resonances at the rear of the arm, preventing them from feeding back into the cartridge. An assortment of counterweights is available as accessories to accommodate a wide range of cartridge weights.
Geometry and Setup
The 12-inch geometry delivers a tracking error of 18 degrees and an overhang of 13.2mm. VTA (vertical tracking angle) is adjustable by releasing two grub screws on the arm pillar, allowing the arm height to be set continuously. Azimuth adjustment is achieved by rotating the arm tube, which is secured by a single screw. A silicone-damped arm lift is included and adjustable for arm height. Output is via a gold-plated 5-pin DIN socket. All EVO CC tonearms are hand-made in Europe.
