Pro-Ject The Classic – Timeless Turntable with a Brand-New Sumiko Olympia Cartridge
The Pro-Ject The Classic is designed for listeners who want to combine the elegance of a traditional turntable with carefully considered modern engineering. Its walnut-veneered outer plinth, silver inner chassis and clean proportions deliberately recall some of the finest record players of the classic analogue era, while its underlying construction reflects Pro-Ject's contemporary approach to vibration control and precision playback.
The Classic is far more than an attractive turntable. Its isolated inner chassis, damped aluminium platter, precision bearing and adjustable tonearm create a serious foundation for analogue reproduction. This particular example is also fitted with a brand-new Sumiko Olympia moving-magnet cartridge, eliminating the immediate need for a replacement cartridge or additional upgrade.
Classic Appearance, Modern Engineering
The styling of The Classic draws inspiration from the wooden-plinth turntables of the 1960s and 1970s, but beneath its traditional exterior is a carefully engineered modern design. The walnut-veneered outer frame is not simply decorative. It forms a rigid base within which the metal sub-chassis supporting the platter and tonearm is mechanically isolated.
This separation helps prevent vibration from the motor, surrounding furniture and loudspeakers from reaching the record and cartridge. Since the information stored in a record groove is recovered through extremely small mechanical movements, effective vibration control can directly influence background clarity, low-level detail and the stability of the stereo image.
The traditional styling is therefore more than an exercise in nostalgia. It forms part of a construction designed to provide controlled, accurate and enjoyable vinyl playback over the long term.
Belt Drive and Damped Aluminium Platter
The Pro-Ject The Classic employs a belt-drive system, meaning that the motor does not drive the platter directly. The flexible belt helps isolate mechanical noise and vibration generated by the motor while maintaining smooth rotation during playback.
Its precision-balanced aluminium platter provides enough rotational mass to support stable speed, while additional damping helps control the unwanted resonances commonly associated with untreated metal platters. Stable platter rotation is particularly important with sustained piano notes, strings and other musical material that can reveal even small variations in pitch.
Support for both 33 and 45 rpm records allows The Classic to accommodate a wide variety of albums and singles. It is therefore equally suitable for an established record collection and for regular everyday listening.
Precision Tonearm for Accurate Groove Tracking
One of the defining components of The Classic is its nine-inch tonearm. Its rigid yet carefully damped construction is intended to allow the cartridge to follow the smallest groove movements accurately while minimising coloration from the arm's own resonances.
Its precision cardan bearing provides smooth movement with very low friction. Adjustable tracking force, anti-skating, azimuth and vertical tracking angle allow the cartridge geometry to be set correctly. These adjustments are more than technical refinements: correct alignment helps reduce distortion, improves channel balance and protects both the record groove and stylus from unnecessary wear.
The adjustability of the tonearm also adds long-term value, as it allows cartridges of different heights and designs to be accommodated. The Classic therefore provides a suitable platform for future upgrades as the rest of the analogue system develops.
Fitted with a Brand-New Sumiko Olympia Cartridge
One of the most important advantages of this particular Pro-Ject The Classic is its brand-new Sumiko Olympia moving-magnet cartridge. The Olympia is not merely a basic accessory but a carefully selected, musically capable cartridge that is well matched to the quality and potential of the turntable.
The Sumiko Olympia uses a 0.3 × 0.7 mil elliptical stylus, a hollow aluminium cantilever and a reduced-mass magnet system. Its lower moving mass supports more agile groove tracking, helping it retrieve subtle detail while maintaining a natural sense of musical flow and a clearly organised stereo image.
With a 4 mV output and recommended 47 kΩ load impedance, the Olympia is compatible with most conventional MM phono stages and MM phono inputs. Its recommended tracking force is 2 grams, with an adjustment range of 1.8 to 2.2 grams.
Another advantage of the Sumiko Oyster family is its replaceable stylus assembly. The cartridge can later be upgraded with a higher-level Moonstone or Wellfleet stylus without necessarily replacing the complete cartridge body. This provides a simple and cost-effective development path for the future.
Because the Olympia fitted to this turntable is brand new, its next owner can begin listening with a fresh stylus that has no previous wear or uncertain history. This is a particularly valuable benefit when purchasing a pre-owned turntable, as there is no need to budget immediately for a replacement stylus or cartridge.
A Strong Foundation for a Serious Analogue System
The Pro-Ject The Classic can serve as the primary analogue source in a carefully assembled stereo system. It can be connected directly to an amplifier equipped with an MM phono input or used with a separate MM phono preamplifier where no suitable input is available.
Its stable mechanical foundation, adjustable tonearm and Sumiko Olympia cartridge make it suitable for more than casual background listening. With correct setup and stable placement, it is capable of revealing the natural continuity, spaciousness and tonal richness that continue to make analogue playback such a distinctive part of the hi-fi experience.
Its appearance is also an important part of its appeal. The walnut veneer, metal inner chassis and transparent dust cover create an elegant and lasting design that can sit comfortably in either a traditional or contemporary listening room.
Key Features
Premium belt-drive turntable
Classic walnut-veneered outer plinth
Mechanically isolated and damped metal inner chassis
Precision-balanced, damped aluminium platter
33 and 45 rpm playback
Precision main bearing
Nine-inch tonearm with low-friction bearing system
Adjustable tracking force and anti-skating
Adjustable azimuth and vertical tracking angle
Transparent dust cover
Brand-new Sumiko Olympia moving-magnet cartridge
0.3 × 0.7 mil elliptical stylus profile
Hollow aluminium cantilever
4 mV output voltage
Recommended 47 kΩ load impedance
Tracking-force range of 1.8–2.2 grams
Recommended tracking force of 2 grams
Replaceable and upgradeable Sumiko stylus assembly
Compatible with most conventional MM phono stages
Who Is It For?
The Pro-Ject The Classic is an excellent choice for listeners who appreciate the appearance of traditional wooden-plinth turntables but do not want to sacrifice the benefits of modern engineering, precise adjustment and future upgradeability.
It is well suited to anyone seeking to reproduce an existing record collection at a higher standard, as well as listeners building their first serious analogue system and wanting a turntable they will not quickly outgrow. Its adjustable tonearm and interchangeable Sumiko stylus system provide useful flexibility as the system evolves.
The brand-new Sumiko Olympia cartridge makes this particular package especially attractive. The turntable is offered with a properly matched cartridge and an unworn stylus, creating a ready-to-use combination without the need for an immediate additional investment.
The Pro-Ject The Classic is more than a stylish record player. It is a carefully constructed analogue source combining timeless design, effective vibration control and the musically refined qualities of the Sumiko Olympia in one complete and enduring package.
