Pro-Ject RPM 3 Carbon Turntable - Gloss Red - Moonstone Cartridge

A Longer Tonearm and a Step-Up Cartridge

The RPM 3 Carbon carries the same open-plinth RPM design up to a 10-inch composite tonearm and a factory-installed Sumiko Moonstone cartridge, already mounted and aligned for a serious manual turntable without the extra step of choosing and fitting one yourself.

The same freestanding motor and inverted ceramic-ball bearing used across the RPM Carbon line isolate motor vibration from the platter, while the tonearm's longer effective length reduces tracking-angle error compared to a shorter arm.

Like the RPM 1 Carbon, this is a fully manual deck with no built-in phono preamp, so an external MM phono stage or phono-equipped amplifier is still part of the system you'll need to build around it.

A Longer Arm for More Accurate Tracking

A 10-Inch Tonearm with Headroom to Grow

The 10-inch S-shaped tonearm shares the RPM 1's carbon-fiber, aluminum, and resin construction, formed under heat and pressure for a rigid, damped structure, but its longer length and 16-gram effective mass give it more headroom for future moving-coil cartridges.

Magnetic anti-skating and a TPE-damped counterweight carry over unchanged from the RPM 1 Carbon, keeping setup simple even as the tonearm itself supports a genuinely wider range of cartridge choices later on.

The Same Isolated Motor and Bearing Design

A freestanding motor housing keeps vibration away from the 300mm MDF platter, which turns on an inverted stainless-steel bearing with a ceramic ball, the same foundation used throughout the whole RPM Carbon range.

The platter itself is dynamically balanced and topped with a vinyl-record surface, giving the Moonstone cartridge a stable, low-resonance base to track accurately from the outer edge to the label.

Who Is the RPM 3 Carbon Best For?

• You want a step up from an entry-level cartridge — the factory-installed Sumiko Moonstone is a genuine tier above the Rainier on the RPM 1 Carbon
• You want room to grow into moving-coil cartridges — the 10-inch tonearm's higher effective mass supports that upgrade path later
• You're comfortable with fully manual operation — you cue the stylus and return the tonearm yourself, with no auto-start or auto-stop
• You already have, or plan to add, a phono preamp — this turntable has no built-in phono stage of its own
• You want the RPM line's flagship MM cartridge — the RPM 5 Carbon steps up to the Sumiko Amethyst, Sumiko's top moving-magnet design

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the included phono cable to a moving-magnet phono preamplifier, or to an amplifier or receiver with a built-in MM phono input — there's no line-level output on this turntable.

As on the RPM 1 Carbon, changing speeds means physically repositioning the belt on the motor pulley rather than flipping an electronic switch.

Pairs Well With

Where the RPM 3 Carbon goes from here:

• Phono preamplifiers — required, since none is built into this turntable
• Integrated amplifiers — with a phono input suited to moving-magnet cartridges, or paired with a separate phono preamp
• Audio racks — a rigid, level shelf gives the open plinth and freestanding motor a stable foundation
• Record cleaning accessories — clean records sound better and protect the stylus

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the RPM 3 Carbon have a built-in phono preamp?

It doesn't. Connect it to an MM phono input on your amp or receiver, or add a separate phono preamp.

Is the cartridge already installed?

Yes. The Sumiko Moonstone moving-magnet cartridge is factory-mounted; tracking force still needs setting to Sumiko's recommended 2.0 grams before use.

Can I use a moving-coil cartridge instead?

Yes, with the right phono stage. The tonearm's 16-gram effective mass and standard half-inch mount support a range of compatible moving-coil designs.

Does it change speeds automatically?

It doesn't. Switching between 33 and 45rpm means moving the drive belt to the other step on the motor pulley by hand.

Is a dust cover included?

It isn't. Pro-Ject sells a compatible external dust cover separately for the RPM 1 and RPM 3 Carbon.

What's the warranty?

A two-year limited manufacturer warranty covers the RPM 3 Carbon.

See It in Action

Henley Audio presents the Pro-Ject RPM 3 Carbon:

Henley Audio demonstrates setup of the RPM 3 Carbon:

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