Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

While the M8xTT's architectural DNA can clearly be traced back to the M1, including its retention of an inverted bearing, this latest version benefits from improved tolerances and materials. Notably, the 'joined platters' are alloy here, not acrylic, taking the rotating mass to 10kg while the bearing point is now ceramic rather than hardened steel. The upshot is a very low –71.5dB bearing rumble, reduced still further to a spectacular –73.5dB when measured through-the-groove with the record weight in place (20Hz-20kHz, DIN-B wtd re. 1kHz/5cm/sec). The undersized platter spindle assists in reducing the direct transmission of bearing noise into the vinyl LP substrate, ensuring one of the 'quietest' platters of any deck tested in HFN. Start-up time is a leisurely 7-8secs and the (absolute) speed error is a minimal –0.05%, however, and despite the original DC motor being replaced by a synchronous AC type here, the M8xTT suffers from a low-rate drift that contributes to a high (by the standards of its own Pro-Ject decks) 0.22% peak wow [see Graph 1, below].

The partnering 10in tonearm is very substantial indeed, its chromed and tapered tube terminated in a large, fixed headshell (the cartridge mounting slots achieve the correct offset angle even if the 'shell itself looks too 'straight'). Effective mass is a very high 18-19g so low compliance MCs are de rigueur. The massive acrylic yoke surrounding the bearing proper successfully diffuses any very low frequency tube modes, so there is 'energy' from 20-80Hz on the CSD waterfall but no distinct resonances. Instead, there is a (harmonic) mode at 140Hz and a higher-Q bending at 810Hz associated with the headshell platform [see Graph 2]. Bearing play is imperceptible and friction <10mg. PM