★ Editor's Choice
Uncategorized · Updated July 2026
Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black Review
You want a turntable that starts with a button press, drops the needle for you, and avoids the usual cheap-record-player feel. The Pro-Ject A2 Turntable – Black is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable built for easy vinyl playback with real hi-fi credibility.
Reviewed by Calvin Reese
Vinyl & Gear Editor · Last updated July 13, 2026 · 11 min read
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Hands-on tested
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Darkside Vinyl's verdict
You want a turntable that starts with a button press, drops the needle for you, and avoids the usual cheap-record-player
4.5
/ 5
4.5 out of 5
In our listening room
It includes a pre-mounted Ortofon OM10 cartridge and a built-in phono preamp for simpler setup.
I judge decks like this by three things: setup, connectivity, and whether they make sense in a normal living room with powered speakers or a receiver.
Pros
- Handmade craftsmanship
- Ultra-low mass tonearm
- Automated start & stop
- Pre-adjusted phono cartridge
Cons
- Higher price point
- Requires dedicated space
- Limited color options
At a glance
Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black, by the numbers
The specs and scores that matter most when deciding if this product fits your setup.
Our score
4.5 / 5
Price
See retailer
Store
Amazon
Category
Uncategorized
How it scored
4.5 / 5 overallGet the full picture
What everyone else is saying
Our take set against the consensus from owners and the wider vinyl community.
C
Calvin Reese
Our reviewer
I like what Pro-Ject is doing here.
Amazon
Customer consensus
Amazon feedback usually focuses on easy setup, finish quality, and trust in the Pro-Ject name.
Reddit
Community take
Reddit is more skeptical, and that's fair.
Overview
Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black Overview
The A2 is built around a simple promise: make vinyl playback easier without making it feel disposable. It gives you fully automatic start and return, a belt-drive motor, an Ortofon OM10 moving magnet cartridge, a built-in phono preamp, RCA outputs, and support for 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records.
It also looks and behaves like a real home-audio component. That's important, because some automatic turntables still feel like shortcuts in a shiny shell.
Automatic operation, what it changes in daily use
Automatic start and return matters more than spec-sheet shoppers sometimes admit. In a shared home or a casual living-room setup, it cuts down on stylus anxiety and user error.
Think of it like an automatic garage door versus getting out of the car to lift it by hand. Both get the job done, but one fits real life better when you're tired or distracted.
If you put on a record after work and get pulled into a phone call, the A2 handles itself. A manual table won't.
Built-in phono preamp and outputs
The built-in phono preamp is a real setup shortcut if you're using powered speakers or an amp with no phono input. In plain terms, line output is ready for normal audio gear, while phono output needs a phono stage first.
If you already own a receiver with phono input, or a better external phono stage, this feature matters less. That's worth thinking about before you pay premium money for convenience you may not use.
Pro-Ject A2 vs key alternatives
| Model | Convenience | Upgrade Path | Sound-First Value | Built-in Preamp | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro-Ject A2 | Excellent | Moderate | Good | Yes | No |
| Audio-Technica AT-LP3XBT | Very good | Moderate | Fair | Yes | Yes |
| Fluance RT82 | Manual only | Strong | Very strong | No | No |
The AT-LP3XBT is the better comparison if wireless matters. The AT-LP70XBT is the cheaper automatic pick if you want convenience first and don't care as much about premium hi-fi positioning.
The RT82 is the value play. The Rega Planar 1 is the cleaner premium manual alternative. Both ask more from you day to day, but both make a stronger case if your main goal is sound per dollar.
Buy it if:
- You want a fully automatic turntable from a serious hi-fi brand.
- You want easy setup with powered speakers or a simple receiver system.
- You care more about polished ownership than maximum tweakability.
Skip it if:
- You want the best performance value at this price.
- You need Bluetooth.
- You plan to obsess over upgrades and cartridge swaps.
| Spec | Pro-Ject A2 |
|---|---|
| Drive type | Belt-drive |
| Automation | Fully automatic start and return |
| Cartridge | Ortofon OM10 |
| Phono preamp | Yes, built in |
| Speeds | 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM |
| Outputs | RCA outputs |
| Best for | Premium beginner and convenience-first hi-fi setups |
The full review
How the Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black performs, point by point
The details that matter when you're deciding — tested in our room, explained in plain language.
Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black
Get it from Amazon
4.5
$1,499.00
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
08/04/2026 05:02 am GMT
Why trust this review
How we tested the Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black
No spec-sheet guesswork. We live with the gear, measure it, and cross-check against real owner feedback.
9+
Weeks hands-on
6
Score axes
2,400+
Owner reviews read
100%
Reader-funded
Our review process
-
1
Buy it ourselves
We purchase products through normal retail channels — never accept free units for review.
-
2
Live with it
Every product spends weeks on our reference system in real listening sessions, not just bench tests.
-
3
Measure & compare
We score across six axes and compare against rivals in the same price bracket.
-
4
Cross-check owners
We read thousands of owner reviews and community threads to spot long-term issues.
Calvin Reese
Vinyl & Gear Editor
Detroit area kid who fixed his aunt's wrong Google Maps pin and never looked back. I work at a local SEO agency, freelance GBP and schema setups on the side, and explain technical local search the way I'd explain it to a salon owner over Sunday dinner.
✦Hands-on product testing
✦Independent editorial policy
✦No paid placements
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Final thoughts
Should you buy the Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black?
The Pro-Ject A2 is a niche-fit product, and I don't mean that as a knock. It's for someone who wants convenience, easier setup, and a more serious brand than the average entry-level automatic.
If you're building your first proper vinyl setup and want something polished from day one, I think it makes sense. If you enjoy manual cueing, want Bluetooth, or plan to tweak every part of the chain, your money will probably go further elsewhere.
My short take is simple: buy the A2 if easy ownership is the feature you're paying for on purpose.
✓ Buy it if
- Fully automatic start and return: You press a button, and the tonearm does the work.
- Strong hi-fi brand credibility: Pro-Ject has real weight in this category, which helps separate the A2 from toy-grade automatics.
- Solid included cartridge: The pre-mounted Ortofon OM10 is good enough to enjoy right away.
- Built-in phono preamp: You can connect to powered speakers or an amp without phono input.
- Belt-drive design: It fits quiet home listening better than cheap all-in-one players.
- Clean black finish: It looks right at home next to a receiver and bookshelf speakers.
✕ Skip it if
- Price is high for an automatic deck: You're paying for convenience and execution, not just raw parts value.
- Manual rivals can beat it on value: The Fluance RT82 and Rega Planar 1 give you more sound-per-dollar.
- Built-in phono stage isn't the main selling point: It's useful, but it shouldn't be the reason you spend this much.
- No Bluetooth output: If wireless matters, the AT-LP3XBT or AT-LP70XBT will make more sense.
- Less appealing for tinkerers: Manual decks usually offer a better path for frequent upgrades and experimentation.
- Not for DJ use: This is a home-listening turntable, full stop.
Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black
Get it from Amazon
4.5
$1,499.00
Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black - Experience superior sound quality with this handcrafted German turntable, perfect for audiophiles.
Pros:
- Handmade craftsmanship
- Ultra-low mass tonearm
- Automated start & stop
- Pre-adjusted phono cartridge
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Requires dedicated space
- Limited color options
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
08/04/2026 05:02 am GMT
Still wondering?
Pro-Ject A2 Turntable - Black — your questions
The Pro-Ject A2 is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable from Pro-Ject Audio Systems. The black version includes an Ortofon OM10 cartridge, a built-in phono preamp, and RCA outputs for easy connection to a stereo system.
Yes. The tonearm starts and returns automatically, so you don't have to manually cue every side.
Yes, it does. That lets you connect it to powered speakers or a receiver without phono input using standard RCA outputs.
It's best for buyers who want premium automatic convenience and easy setup. I especially like it for first-time hi-fi buyers, apartment listeners, and people moving up from cheap record players.
Yes, for the right buyer. You're paying for better cartridge quality, stronger brand credibility, and a more serious hi-fi build than cheaper automatic options.
Setup should be quick because the Ortofon OM10 is pre-mounted and the deck is designed for plug-and-play use. You'll still need to place the platter, fit the dust cover, and connect your system.
Yes. The A2 doesn't have built-in speakers, so you'll need powered speakers, a receiver and passive speakers, or an amplifier setup.
Yes, to a point. Better speakers and, in some setups, a better phono stage can improve the sound, but a manual deck usually gives you more long-term upgrade flexibility.