Pro-Ject Xtension 12 Turntable - Olive Wood - No Cartridge

Pro-Ject's Flagship Mass-Loaded Design

The Xtension 12 is Pro-Ject's flagship turntable, the design the company built once it was no longer constrained by the budget-friendly decks that first made its name, combining mass loading with a magnetically floating chassis at a genuinely larger scale.

A 55-pound total mass, a sandwich platter built from a damped alloy topped with recycled vinyl, and a 12cc Evolution carbon-fiber tonearm all sit atop magnetically repelled feet designed to almost completely decouple the plinth from its surroundings.

This version ships without a phono cartridge and without a built-in phono preamp, so the cartridge and its matching phono stage are both still entirely yours to choose and add later.

A Sandwich Platter, Built for Silence

A Damped Alloy Platter Topped with Recycled Vinyl

Rather than using pure metal, which tends to ring, Pro-Ject found an alloy it could damp on the inner side with Sorbothane, then glued recycled vinyl records to the top to act as a built-in mat before baking and precision-balancing the whole sandwich.

The result is a resonance-free, heavy platter that runs ultra-silently, sitting atop a chassis whose magnetic feet almost completely decouple the main plinth from whatever surface happens to support it.

The 12cc Evolution Tonearm and Electronic Speed Control

A built-in Speed Box SE switches speeds electronically at the push of a button, with quartz regulation and filtering keeping motor operation smooth and stable without any belt to reposition by hand.

The 12cc Evolution tonearm's conical carbon-fiber arm tube eliminates standing-wave reflections, and its single-screw armtube fixing allows azimuth rotation despite the fixed headshell, accommodating cartridges from 4 to 14 grams.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewing it for Hi-Fi News & Record Review, John Bamford and Paul Miller found it "completely straightforward to set up," praising music-making that was "velvety smooth and flowing" and concluding it "can be highly recommended."

Who Is the Xtension 12 Best For?

• You want Pro-Ject's largest, highest-mass flagship — 55 pounds of mass-loaded, magnetically floating chassis, without budget constraints holding the design back
• You already own a cartridge, or want to choose your own — nothing is pre-installed, so the decision and the setup are entirely yours
• You want push-button electronic speed control — the built-in Speed Box SE switches speeds without touching a belt
• You have, or plan to get, a capable phono preamp — this deck has none built in, matched instead to whatever cartridge you choose
• You want mass and isolation working together — fifty-five pounds on magnetically floating feet, silencing vibration before it reaches the stylus

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the included phono cable to an external MM or MC phono preamplifier, or to an amplifier with a compatible built-in phono input, matched to whichever cartridge you mount.

Cartridge choice determines what you need downstream: a moving-magnet design calls for a standard MM phono input, while a low-output moving-coil cartridge needs a phono stage with genuine MC support.

Pairs Well With

Where the Xtension 12 goes from here:

• Phono cartridges — this listing ships without one, so the tonearm is yours to fit with whichever suits your ears and your phono stage
• 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
• Audio racks — a strong, level shelf matters for a turntable at this weight and level

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Xtension 12 include a cartridge?

It doesn't. A compatible moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridge needs to be purchased and installed separately.

Does it have a built-in phono preamp?

It doesn't. You'll need an external phono preamp, or an amplifier with a phono input matched to your cartridge.

What cartridge weights will the tonearm accept?

The included counterweight, along with the tonearm's design, supports cartridges weighing between 4 and 14 grams.

How does it change speeds?

Electronically, at the push of a button on the built-in Speed Box SE, with no belt to reposition by hand.

Is a dustcover included?

Yes. A dustcover with adjustable hinges is included.

What's the warranty?

A two-year limited manufacturer warranty covers the Xtension 12.

See It in Action

Lyrics Audio examines the Pro-Ject Xtension 12 Evolution alongside related Pro-Ject reference turntables:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

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.