Pro-Ject RPM-9 Carbon Turntable - No Cartridge

Built to Let the Music Through

A turntable's job sounds simple: spin a record at a steady speed and let a stylus trace its grooves. In practice, keeping that process free of vibration, noise, and speed drift is where the real engineering happens.

The Pro-Ject RPM-9 Carbon starts with a sandwich plinth: MDF, carbon fiber, and steel pellets, treated for stability, sitting on magnetic feet that decouple the table from its shelf. The goal is simple — keep outside vibration from ever reaching the stylus.

A 7.2kg aluminum platter, damped and topped with a vinyl mat, keeps speed steady. A fully decoupled DC motor sits outside the plinth, so its own vibration never reaches the record. The 9" Evolution tonearm uses a carbon-fiber armtube and an inverted bearing for precise, low-friction tracking.

Choosing Your Cartridge

The RPM-9 Carbon in gloss black comes in three configurations.

No Cartridge lets you mount a cartridge you already own. Low Output Songbird pairs the table with a Sumiko moving-coil cartridge built for phono stages with true MC support. High Output Songbird uses the same cartridge, but at a higher voltage (2.5mV), so it works with more phono stages — including many that only support moving-magnet cartridges.

Both Songbird cartridges share the same stylus and tracking specs. The only real difference is output level and phono stage compatibility.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Neil Gader of The Absolute Sound praised backgrounds that were "jet black and softly tinted to the warmer end of the tonal spectrum," with "excellent" imaging and stability, calling it "a terrific package" for years of vinyl enjoyment. What Hi-Fi? found it "solid and full-bodied" with "generous detail" and "strong stereo imaging," though noted it could stand to sound a bit more expressive.

Who Is This Turntable Best For?

• You want serious, visible engineering — a carbon-fiber tonearm, machined platter, and decoupled motor, not just a name on the box.
• You already own a cartridge you love, or want to choose your own — the No Cartridge option leaves that decision to you.
• You want a proven cartridge out of the box — either Songbird option gets you listening right away, matched to your phono stage.
• You have (or plan to get) a capable phono preamp — this table is built to be the centerpiece of a serious system, not a plug-and-play all-in-one.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The RPM-9 Carbon connects to a phono input or separate phono preamp using the included RCA phono cable. Electronic switching handles 33 and 45 RPM at the flip of a switch, and the outboard power supply keeps motor noise out of the signal path.

In the box: the power supply, phono cable, a record puck, a 7" adapter, and a spirit level for leveling the table — an important step for best performance.

If you choose a Songbird cartridge, check that your phono preamp matches: Low Output needs true MC support, while High Output works with most MM or MC phono stages.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the RPM-9 Carbon:

• Phono Preamplifier: Make sure yours matches your cartridge's output — see our Phono Preamplifiers.
• Integrated Amplifier: Pair with an amp that has a built-in phono stage, or add a separate preamp — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Cables: Good interconnects matter for a table at this level — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: A stable, level surface matters for turntables — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the three cartridge options?

No Cartridge lets you mount your own. Low Output Songbird is a moving-coil cartridge for phono stages with MC support. High Output Songbird is the same cartridge design at a higher voltage, compatible with more phono stages.

Do I need a separate phono preamp?

Yes, unless your amplifier or receiver has a built-in phono stage that matches your cartridge type (MM or MC).

Which Songbird cartridge should I choose?

If your phono stage explicitly supports moving-coil (MC) cartridges, either works. If you're not sure, or your phono stage is moving-magnet (MM) only, choose High Output.

What's included in the box?

The power supply, a phono cable, a record puck, a 7" adapter, and a spirit level for leveling the table.

What's the warranty?

The RPM-9 Carbon carries a 2-year parts and labor warranty from Pro-Ject.

What finish does this come in?

Gloss black, with visible carbon-fiber accents on the tonearm.

See It in Action

hxos plus takes a close look at the RPM-9 Carbon's build and features:

GRAMOPHONE walks through setting up the RPM-9 Carbon:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about turntables, cartridges, or building a two-channel system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.