Pro-Ject RPM-9 Carbon Turntable

"A Terrific Package… for Years of Vinyl-spinning Thrills"

Pro-Ject's RPM 9 Carbon turntable combines beautiful and clever design with true high-end sound quality. And the price is exceptionally low, considering the level of performance that the RPM 9 delivers.

"The Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon continues the brand’s outstanding run of sonic and technical improvements in affordable vinyl playback,' reports Neil Gader in his July 31, 2015 review for The Absolute Sound. "Without qualification, the RPM 9 Carbon is a terrific package, certain to give a great many lucky owners years of vinyl-spinning thrills."

Thanks to extensive research and development, Pro-Ject has raised its classic RPM turntable design to an even higher level. Although the RPM 9 resembles the very popular RM-9.2, it is a significant upgrade which features a new mass-loaded, sandwich design plinth, a TPE-damped polished aluminum platter with integral vinyl mat on top, and an exceptionally quiet DC-driven motor which incorporates the design of Pro-Ject's Speed Box II technology with electronic speed control.

Last but not least, the no compromise 9“ EVO tonearm with conical carbon-fiber armtube and inverted bearing design ensures perfect tracking, even with demanding cartridges.

Newly Designed Extra Heavy Chassis

The RPM 9 Carbon uses a new extra heavy chassis. It features a special CNC machined MDF plate that incorporates hard resin coated steel pellets to form an extra heavy precise sandwich construction. A special, complex heat treatment and a carbon surface coating ensure superior low resonance levels. The mass-loaded chassis is effectively decoupled from its surface using magnetic feet.

Special Polished Aluminum Platter

Rather than using a acrylic platter like the RM-9.2, the RPM 9 uses a new special polished aluminum platter with internal TPE damping and a vinyl layer on top which forms an integral turntable mat. The inverted ceramic main bearing delivers an absolute stable turntable speed with extra low rumble.

Ultra Quiet Motor with Electronic Speed Control

The RPM 9 features an extra heavy outboard motor unit using an extremely quiet DC-driven power supply. Drawing on Pro-Ject's Speed Box II, the RPM 9 has precision motor control and features a built-in switch that lets you very conveniently select 33-1/3 rpm or 45 rpm speed. No messing with pulleys or belts to change speed, and the delivered speed is precise and very stable.

Outstanding 9cc Evolution Tonearm

An outstanding 9" tonearm, the 9cc Evolution, incorporates a conical carbon fiber arm tube with integrated headshell made of a single piece of carbon fiber and new ultra-rigid bearing assembly to give you the ability to use more massive and lower compliant moving coil cartridges.

The headshell and conical armtube are formed from a single piece of carbon fiber for maximum rigidity and resonance control. The armtube stills allows azimuth adjustments, despite the fixed headshell. The vertical tracking angle is also adjustable. Nominal speeds are 33-1/3 rpm and 45 rpm.

Chassis-mounted female RCA connectors on the rear panel allow you to use any single ended interconnects. A brass record clamp is included.

Optional Sumiko Blackbird Cartridge

For an unbeatable value, the RPM 9 Carbon is available in a special money-saving version that includes the critically acclaimed Sumiko Blackbird phono cartridge.

Designed for exceedingly low noise levels, wide dynamic range, and the highest possible fidelity in its price class, the Sumiko Blackbird MC moving coil phono cartridge is destined to become an analog classic. Each cartridge is assembled using time honored, labor intensive techniques, and then is hand calibrated and critically auditioned to meet the most rigorous standards of consistency.

Choose a high output or low output version of the Blackbird.

"Sumiko’s Blackbird is a strong Class B cartridge. I highly recommend it," says Michael Fremer in Stereophile for January 2004. "If you're currently living with a $300-$500 cartridge, move up to this and your world will be rocked… Its sound is as sumptuous as its packaging."

"Sumiko’s Blackbird is one of the finest cartridges I’ve heard in its price range, and it serves as a highly credible 'reference cartridge for the real world,'" notes Chris Martens in his October 2003 review for AVGuide.com.

Product made in Czech Republic.

Note: Dustcover not included.

Product Features

Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon turntable

Nominal Speeds: 33 / 45 rpm
Motor Completely Decoupled
RCA Phono Jacks
Tonearm: Pro-Ject 9cc EVO
Outboard Power Supply
Finish: Black/Carbon Fiber
Available with optional Sumiko Blackbird MC phono cartridge

Sumiko Blackbird MC Phono Cartridge

Cartridge Type: High output MC
Stylus Type: Low mass elliptical
Cantilever: Long grain Boron
Hand calibrated and tested

Product Specs

Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon turntable

Effective Tonearm Length: 9" / 230 mm
Effective Tonearm Mass: 8.0 g
Overhang: 18 mm
Downforce Range: 1 - 3.5 grams
Speed Deviation: 33: +/- 0.10% 45: +/- 0.10%
Wow & Flutter: 33: +/- 0.10% 45: +/- 0.10%
Signal-to-Noise: - 75dB
Power Consumption: 1W
Dimensions (WHD): 17.33" x 7.09" x 12.8"
Weight: 36.82 lbs.

Sumiko Blackbird MC Phono Cartridge

Dynamic Compliance: (x10-6 cm/dyne)12
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50Khz
Output Voltage/Channel: high output version, 2.5mV
Output Voltage/Channel: low output version,.7mV
Internal Impedance: 135 Ohms
Channel Separation: 35dB @ 1kHz
Channel Balance: 0.5dB @ 1kHz
Tracking Force Range: 1.8 2.2 grams
Cartridge Weight: 9.6 grams
Mounting System: Standard 0.5” hole spacing

Product Warranty

Parts & Labor

2 Years

Pro-Ject Audio Systems Warranty Information

Product Manual

	Pro-Ject RPM 9 Turntable Manual (PDF Format)

2019 Editors' Choice Award – The Absolute Sound

"Sonics were devilishly good. Backgrounds were jet black, and sonics softly tinted to the warmer end of the tonal spectrum. Presto arpeggios were liquid and articulate, and there was an impressive sense of air and lift in the upper octaves with an overarching sense of balance across all other criteria. Overall, a terrific package certain to give a great many lucky owners years of vinyl-spinning thrills."

- The Absolute Sound, March 2019

"The Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon continues the brand’s outstanding run of sonic and technical improvements in affordable vinyl playback. In fact, throughout my evaluation it never seemed out of its league, even facing the heady heights of upper-crust setups, including my own much pricier kit. Interested parties should also know that the RPM 9 Carbon is a worthy addition for the long term – it’s got enough resolution and sheer musicality to ensure that audio upgrades elsewhere in the chain can be confidently purchased without fear of outdating the Pro-Ject. Without qualification, the RPM 9 Carbon is a terrific package, certain to give a great many lucky owners years of vinyl-spinning thrills."

- Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound, July 31, 2015

"The Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon, with its modified 9cc tonearm, and Sumiko Blackbird low-output moving-coil cartridge proved themselves to be worthy of praise on multiple fronts. This is a unique, and aesthetically-pleasing turntable design rooted in long-term research & development toward producing compelling, musical, and dignified playback, with a tonearm executed to match, and a cartridge capable of keeping pace (rhythm, and timing) makes this combination a thought-provoking musical companion – albeit more cerebral, than brawny – for those interested in a long-haul analog relationship."

- Rafe Arnott, Parttimeaudiophile.com, Dec 10, 2017

"It turns out that the experiments with the materials produced much good, and carbon fiber (and titanium, but it is completely different shelf price) are perfectly suited to increase the resolution of the sound without making it bright. And that's exactly what this turntable is about. It has a full, deep sound and high resolution. Bass is well extended and slightly emphasized, and the treble is nicely extended as well. The background noise as well as cracks & pops are barely audible. This is a very serious turntable."

- Wojciech Pacula, High Fidelity Magazine

"The first thing to strike us upon slipping some vinyl onto the RPM 9 Carbon is the incredible realism of the performance."

"This deck is adept at extracting all of the subtle nuances from the music. Instruments are well positioned in a soundstage that is both wide and extends a long way back, enabling us to focus on each individual instrument."

- Hi-Fi Choice Magazine, February 2017

Audio Advisor occasionally has fantastic deals on clearance items that are in excellent condition and we happen to have just one or two of.

Demo: Photo samples, gear we auditioned, items returned for wrong color/wrong size, etc.

Open Box: Contents briefly examined or inspected for promotional or internal purposes

Factory Refreshed: Original-condition items repackaged by the manufacturer

Cosmetically Blemished: A few dings or scratches, but functionally in original condition

Used: May show some signs of use

All clearance products are carefully inspected by our technicians before we offer the item for sale. All clearance products except Used items come with the original manufacturer warranty and are guaranteed to work and sound like new.

RETURN POLICY & PROCESS

NOTE:
You may only return a product purchased within 60-days of the receipt date.
The product must be in like-new condition and shipped in the original packaging (So SAVE THOSE BOXES!!!)

Call 1-800-942-0220 to request an RMA number.
Print the RMA number on the return shipping label.
Please make sure the return shipping name and address are written in a note on the inside.
Ship package to…

Audio Advisor Returns
4717 Broadmoor Ave SE, Suite G
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(PRINT YOUR RMA NUMBER HERE)

NOTE: If a coupon was used in the ordering process, then the final value (recorded during payment) will be the price refunded.

Returned products are inspected by our warehouse and refunds are issued within 24 hours of inspection. Please note: it may take 7-10 business days for your bank to show the refunded amount. If you do not see it then, please reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-942-0220.

Audio Advisor will ship products anywhere in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories.

Pro-Ject

Pro-Ject RPM-9 Carbon Turntable - No Cartridge

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