Pro-ject- X2 B (Quintet Red) Turntable

The Pro-Ject X2 B Quintet Red is a mid-range belt-drive turntable bundled with the Ortofon Quintet Red low-output moving coil cartridge, available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Pro-Ject dealer in Toronto, Canada. The "B" designation indicates balanced output: alongside the standard RCA/ground phono connection, the X2 B adds a mini XLR output for true balanced phono operation when paired with a compatible balanced phono stage and cable. The platform is built around a 50mm CNC-machined MDF plinth, a 2kg 30mm-thick acrylic platter, and a 9-inch carbon-wrapped aluminum tonearm — a meaningful step up in mass and rigidity from the Debut range. Electronic speed control covers 33 and 45rpm; 78rpm is available via a flat belt (included). Browse the full Pro-Ject turntable lineup at Vinyl Sound.

2kg Acrylic Platter and 50mm MDF Plinth

The X2 B's plinth is machined from 50mm-thick top-quality MDF on a CNC router and finished in either a luxurious 8-layer paint or genuine walnut veneer. The additional plinth mass compared to thinner-plinth designs reduces susceptibility to airborne resonance and rack vibration. The 30mm-thick acrylic platter weighs 2kg — dense enough to provide meaningful rotational inertia for speed stability, yet inherently low in self-resonance compared to glass or aluminum platters of equivalent size. The platter runs on a high-precision sub-platter with a stainless steel bearing shaft seated in a bronze bushing; Teflon mirrors on the bearing contact surfaces minimize friction and bearing rumble. Height-adjustable TPE-damped aluminum feet handle decoupling at the base.

Carbon Tonearm, Ortofon Quintet Red, and Balanced Mini XLR Output

The 9-inch tonearm uses a carbon-wrapped aluminum tube — a construction that balances low mass with high stiffness to suppress standing-wave resonances along the armtube. Effective arm mass is 13.5g, placing it in the medium-high category suitable for the Ortofon Quintet Red's compliance characteristics. The TPE-damped counterweight reduces high-frequency resonances at the counterweight-to-stub interface. Azimuth adjustment and fully adjustable VTA allow the arm to be optimised for the Quintet Red's specific geometry or for any alternative cartridge within the arm's compatible weight range. The X2 B ships with a shielded semi-symmetrical low-capacitance RCA/ground phono cable; the mini XLR output unlocks balanced operation via a compatible cable and phono stage, which cancels common-mode cable noise and improves channel separation.

Key Features

• 50mm CNC-machined MDF plinth — 8-layer paint or genuine walnut veneer finish
• 2kg, 30mm-thick acrylic platter — resonance-free, high rotational inertia
• High-precision sub-platter with stainless steel bearing in bronze bushing and Teflon mirrors
• Height-adjustable TPE-damped aluminum isolation feet
• Electronic speed control — 33 / 45 rpm; 78rpm available via flat belt (included)
• 9-inch carbon-wrapped aluminum tonearm, 13.5g effective mass
• TPE-damped counterweight for reduced high-frequency resonance
• Azimuth and VTA fully adjustable
• Ortofon Quintet Red low-output MC cartridge (pre-installed)
• Dual phono outputs: balanced mini XLR + RCA/ground
• Shielded semi-symmetrical low-capacitance RCA/ground phono cable included
• Handmade in Europe

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying a Pro-Ject turntable at the X2 B level?

At the X2 B price point, the key upgrades over entry-level Pro-Ject turntables are plinth mass (50mm MDF vs 30mm), platter mass and material (2kg acrylic vs lighter platters), tonearm construction (carbon-wrapped vs basic aluminum), and phono output type (balanced mini XLR vs RCA-only). The X2 B Quintet Red also includes the Ortofon Quintet Red MC cartridge, which eliminates the need to budget separately for a cartridge at this tier. Contact Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada for help comparing the X2 B against adjacent models in the lineup.

What is the difference between the Pro-Ject X2 B and the X1 B?

The X1 B and X2 B both offer balanced mini XLR output, but the X2 B adds a heavier 2kg acrylic platter (vs a lighter platter on the X1 B), a thicker 50mm MDF plinth, a higher-mass 13.5g carbon-wrapped tonearm suited to the Ortofon Quintet Red MC cartridge, and a TPE-damped counterweight. The X2 B Quintet Red bundle also includes the MC cartridge pre-installed, whereas the X1 B is a separate purchase. Both are available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada.

Does the Pro-Ject X2 B Quintet Red support 78rpm playback?

Yes, with the flat belt included in the box. The standard round belt covers 33 and 45rpm; switching to the flat belt enables 78rpm. To play 78rpm shellac records without damaging them, you also need a dedicated 78rpm stylus — the Ortofon Quintet Red's LP stylus will damage shellac grooves. Contact Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada for 78rpm stylus options.

What phono stage should I pair with the Ortofon Quintet Red on the X2 B?

The Ortofon Quintet Red is a low-output MC cartridge (approximately 0.5mV output) requiring a phono stage with MC gain (typically 60–65dB) and adjustable loading around 100Ω. To use the X2 B's balanced mini XLR output, you also need a phono stage with balanced mini XLR inputs — the Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B, DS3 B, or Tube Box DS3 B are natural matches. Browse phono preamplifiers at Vinyl Sound, or contact Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada for a recommendation based on your system and budget.

Which accessories would enhance listening on the Pro-Ject X2 B Quintet Red?

The X2 B Quintet Red ships with a shielded RCA phono cable and the Ortofon Quintet Red pre-installed. The most impactful upgrades are: (1) a balanced mini XLR phono cable to unlock the balanced output; (2) a phono stage with MC gain, adjustable loading, and balanced inputs; and (3) a record cleaning kit to protect the Quintet Red stylus — MC cartridges are more sensitive to debris than MM. Contact Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada for a system-matched accessories recommendation.

Can I use a different cartridge with the Pro-Ject X2 B?

Yes. The 9-inch tonearm accepts any standard half-inch mount cartridge. Its 13.5g effective mass suits low-to-medium compliance MC cartridges and medium-compliance MM cartridges. The Ortofon Quintet Red is an excellent match out of the box, but the arm also works well with cartridges from Sumiko, Audio-Technica, Benz Micro, and Shelter at various budget levels. Browse cartridges at Vinyl Sound, or contact Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada for pairing advice specific to the X2 B tonearm.

Where to buy the Pro-Ject X2 B Quintet Red in Toronto, Canada?

The Pro-Ject X2 B Quintet Red is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Pro-Ject dealer in Toronto, Canada. Contact Vinyl Sound to confirm current stock and available finish options before ordering.