Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution Turntable

Limited inventory. Available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, the Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution is a high-end belt-drive turntable that distils over two decades of Pro-Ject engineering into a compact, rack-friendly form. Weighing 16kg (35 lbs), it combines two of the most effective approaches to vinyl playback — mass loading and suspended isolation — in a single chassis. Every Xtension 9 Evolution is handmade in Europe, ships with the EVO 9 CC 9" carbon fiber tonearm, quartz-regulated electronic speed control, an 800g record puck, and a dust cover. Analog Planet singled it out as a turntable that "invites you to design your own" — with nine finish options and a full tonearm, cartridge, and phono stage ecosystem available at Vinyl Sound.

Steel-Pellet MDF Plinth — Mass Loading Done Right

The Xtension 9 Evolution's plinth is CNC-machined from high-density MDF — a naturally resonance-absorbing material — and filled at its central gravity point with steel pellets. Unlike a solid metal insert, which can develop its own resonances, loose steel pellets dissipate vibration energy through dispersion. This draws harmful resonance away from the bearing and tonearm, dramatically reducing the potential for plinth-borne noise to colour the signal. The resulting mass (16kg total) also provides the inertial stability that characterises the best high-end turntable designs.

Opposing-Magnetic Isolation Feet

The main plinth sits on three opposing-magnetic isolation feet that physically decouple it from whatever surface the turntable rests on. With opposing magnets in each foot, the entire 16kg plinth effectively floats — combining the noise-rejection of a suspension design with the inertial stability of mass loading. A reviewer who tested the table noted that knocking the support surface caused no stylus skip whatsoever, a direct result of this dual-principle isolation.

TPE-Damped Platter on Inverted Ceramic Bearing

Pro-Ject's platter uses a precision aluminum alloy damped with a ring of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) on the underside, topped with a layer of recycled vinyl baked into the surface as an integrated mat. The entire sandwich is precision-balanced before installation. The platter spins on an inverted ceramic ball-and-plate bearing supported by an additional opposing-magnetic force — the magnetic assist reduces the effective weight on the bearing surface to near zero, eliminating bearing friction and rumble at the source.

Quartz-Regulated Electronic Speed Control

Speed accuracy is handled by quartz-generated electronic regulation with microprocessor control — the same Speed Box technology Pro-Ject uses in their standalone speed control units. Clean, interference-free AC power is generated on-board and fed directly to the synchronous motor, decoupling it from mains noise. Speed variance is held to ±0.09% and wow and flutter to ±0.1%. Switching between 33 and 45rpm requires only a button press.

Balanced Output — True Reference Operation

The Xtension 9 Evolution ships with a 5-pin DIN to RCA phono cable for standard unbalanced use, but its 5-pin DIN output supports full balanced operation via an optional DIN-to-XLR or DIN-to-mini-XLR cable paired with a balanced phono stage. Running balanced eliminates common-mode noise across the phono cable run and represents a meaningful sonic upgrade — one that typically requires far more expensive components from other manufacturers. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto for balanced cable and phono stage pairing recommendations.

Key Features

• 16kg (35 lb) belt-drive turntable — mass-loaded MDF plinth with central steel-pellet gravity point
• Opposing-magnetic isolation feet — combines mass-loading and suspension isolation principles
• TPE-damped aluminum alloy platter with recycled vinyl integrated mat — precision balanced
• Inverted ceramic ball-and-plate bearing with opposing-magnetic support — near-zero bearing friction
• Quartz-generated electronic speed regulation — speed variance ±0.09%, wow and flutter ±0.1%
• EVO 9 CC tonearm — 9" (230mm) one-piece carbon fiber armtube, ABEC 7 cardan bearings
• Balanced 5-pin DIN phono output — supports DIN > XLR or DIN > mini-XLR balanced connection
• Ships with DIN > RCA cable, 800g Pro-Ject Record Puck, and dust cover
• Electronic 33/45rpm speed change — push-button switching
• Upgradeable tonearm: EVO 9 CA Premium, EVO AS, EVO AS Premium (drop-in, no soldering)
• Available in multiple gloss and satin finish options
• Handmade in Europe

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution include a cartridge?

No. The standard Xtension 9 Evolution ships without a cartridge. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto for cartridge pairing recommendations matched to the EVO 9 CC tonearm's 8.5g effective mass — moving coil cartridges of low-to-medium compliance are ideal, and balanced operation requires an MC cartridge.

What is the advantage of the steel-pellet-filled plinth over a solid metal chassis?

A solid metal insert can develop its own resonant frequency and ring. Loose steel pellets, by contrast, dissipate vibrational energy through movement and friction between individual pellets — a dispersion effect that converts mechanical energy to heat rather than allowing it to resonate. Pro-Ject uses this same approach across their RPM 9, RPM 10, and Signature series plinths.

How does balanced operation improve sound on the Xtension 9 Evolution?

In balanced mode, the phono signal travels from the tonearm through the cable as a differential pair. Any noise picked up along the cable length is common to both conductors and cancelled at the balanced input of the phono stage — a process called common-mode rejection. The result is a lower noise floor, improved channel separation, and greater dynamic range. You need an MC cartridge, a balanced DIN cable, and a phono stage with balanced inputs to use this feature.

Can the tonearm on the Xtension 9 Evolution be upgraded?

Yes. The Xtension 9 Evolution accepts drop-in tonearm upgrades with no soldering required. Options include the EVO 9 CA Premium (carbon/aluminum armtube, silver tonearm wire, upgraded bearings, TPE-damped counterweight), and the EVO AS and EVO AS Premium curved arms with replaceable headshells — ideal for cartridge collectors. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto for upgrade pricing.

What phono stage is recommended for the Xtension 9 Evolution?

For unbalanced use, any quality MM/MC phono stage is compatible. To take full advantage of the balanced 5-pin DIN output, you need a phono stage with balanced XLR phono inputs — such as the Pro-Ject Phono Box RS or RS2. Vinyl Sound Toronto stocks compatible phono stages and balanced cabling; contact us for a matched system recommendation.

Where can I buy the Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution in Toronto, Canada?

The Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada with limited inventory. Contact us to confirm current stock, finish availability, and cartridge or phono stage pairing options.