Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable - Carbon Fiber - No Cartridge

Reference-Level Engineering, Your Cartridge of Choice

The RPM 10 Carbon is Pro-Ject's reference-tier belt-drive turntable for listeners who want to select their own cartridge and build a genuinely serious analog front end around it, ready-to-play convenience left aside in favor of full control.

A mass-loaded plinth of MDF, carbon fiber, and resin-coated steel pellets sits on the included Ground it Carbon isolation base, whose magnetic feet decouple the whole system from the shelf, floor, or rack beneath it.

This version ships without a cartridge or built-in phono preamp, so a compatible cartridge and either a separate phono preamplifier or a phono-equipped amplifier are both still yours to select and add.

Mass, Isolation, and a Fully Adjustable Tonearm

A 10.4kg Platter with Magnetic Suspension

The aluminum platter's internal TPE damping and integrated vinyl surface work together to control unwanted resonance, while magnetic suspension relieves part of the load on the inverted stainless-steel main bearing sitting beneath it.

An outboard motor with built-in Speed Box circuitry handles electronic switching between 33 and 45rpm without moving the belt by hand at all, keeping drive noise physically separated from the plinth throughout every session.

A 10-Inch Carbon-Fiber Tonearm for Any Cartridge You Choose

The pre-mounted 10cc Evolution tonearm's one-piece conical carbon-fiber arm tube and headshell support adjustable vertical tracking angle and azimuth, with four supplied counterweights covering cartridges from roughly 5 to 14 grams.

Because no cartridge comes pre-installed, accurate mounting, alignment, tracking force, and anti-skating are entirely up to your own setup — professional installation is worth considering if you don't already have the tools and experience.

What Reviewers Are Saying

SoundStage! Ultra's Jason Thorpe praised "the pitch-black silence that the 10 Carbon so very well conveyed," and its ability to untangle complicated recordings "without mush or confusion."

Who Is the RPM 10 Carbon Best For?

• You want to choose your own cartridge from scratch — the fully adjustable tonearm and counterweight set support a wide range of MM and MC designs
• You want serious isolation built in — the included Ground it Carbon base adds a substantial second layer of vibration control
• You have space and a sturdy rack to spare — the turntable weighs 48.5 lb., and the isolation base adds roughly 32 lb. more
• You have, or plan to get, a capable phono preamp — nothing is built in, matching whatever cartridge you mount
• You want a cartridge already factory-installed — the RPM 5 Carbon ships with Sumiko's flagship Amethyst already mounted and aligned

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the included Connect it 5P-CC phono cable's RCA plugs to a compatible phono preamplifier matched to whichever cartridge you mount; a balanced XLR version of the cable is available separately.

Confirm your equipment rack can accommodate the 19.7-inch-wide by 15.7-inch-deep Ground it Carbon base, and safely support the combined weight of both pieces, before ordering.

Pairs Well With

Where the RPM 10 Carbon goes from here:

• Phono cartridges — this listing ships without one, so the fully adjustable tonearm is yours to set up from scratch
• Phono preamplifiers — make sure yours matches whatever cartridge output you end up choosing
• Integrated amplifiers — pair with an amp that has a built-in phono stage, or add a separate preamp
• Cables — a balanced XLR connection is available if your phono preamp supports it

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this listing include a cartridge?

It doesn't. This is the No Cartridge configuration, so a compatible MM or MC cartridge needs to be selected and mounted separately.

Do I need a separate phono preamp?

Yes. No phono stage is built in, so an external phono preamp or a phono-equipped amplifier is required, matched to your chosen cartridge.

Is the isolation base included?

Yes. The Ground it Carbon base ships with the turntable and adds a second layer of vibration isolation beneath it.

Does it change speeds automatically?

Yes. The outboard motor's Speed Box circuitry switches electronically between 33 and 45rpm without moving the belt by hand.

How heavy is the complete setup?

The turntable weighs 48.5 lb., and the included Ground it Carbon isolation base adds approximately 32 lb. more.

What's the warranty?

A two-year limited manufacturer warranty covers the RPM 10 Carbon.

See It in Action

See the Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon unboxed and assembled:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about turntable setup, cartridge selection, or choosing a phono preamp? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.