Pro-Ject Automat A1
Budget turntables · 2022–? Discontinued
£185 typical UK used price
Pro-Ject's first fully-automatic deck, built in Germany on the old Dual production know-how: press start and the arm does everything, with an Ortofon OM 10 and built-in phono stage.
The first genuinely audiophile-brand automatic turntable in decades.
Who it suits
Best suited to: a first turntable for casual, low-effort listening. Less ideal for: an existing hi-fi system where you want to hear more detail — the fixed cartridge and light tonearm are the limiting factors there; anyone who wants a manufacturer warranty — this model is no longer sold new.
Good to know
- Has a built-in phono stage, so it can feed a normal line input on an amplifier or powered speakers without a separate phono box.
- Fully automatic: the arm cues itself and returns at the end of the side.
- This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history — for this drive type, check the drive belt (often perished or stretched with age) and bearing, plus the stylus regardless.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | fully-automatic |
| Cartridge included | Ortofon OM 10 |
| Built-in phono stage | Yes |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | aluminium |
| Tonearm | 8.3" aluminium |
| Dimensions | 430 x 130 x 365 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 5.6 kg |
| Finishes | Black and white |
| Warranty | 2 years (extendable to 3 with registration) |
| Years | 2022–? |
Where to buy the Pro-Ject Automat A1
2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Vinyl Revival | music retail | UK delivery | Search at Vinyl Revival ↗ |
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