RPM 9 Carbon

What Hi-Fi?, June 2016

Sound:	4 Stars
Features:	4 Stars
Build	5 Stars
Score	4 Stars

"the Pro-Ject has plenty of sonic skill and aesthetic class to rationalise the money you'll spend to get it. For this price, it's a fine turntable indeed."

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Hi-Fi Choice, April 2016

Reviewed By:	Neville Roberts
Sound Quality:	5 Stars
Value For Money:	4.5 Stars
Build Quality:	5 Stars
Features:	4.5 Stars
Overall Score:	5 Stars, Recommended

Comments of Note:
(“I waste no time in slipping onto the platter an amazing recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons performed by Interpreti Veneziani and recorded direct to vinyl. This recording is about as high as it gets from a technical point of view from vinyl and this, combined with a first-rate performance makes it the perfect test recording.”)
“The RPM 9 Carbon is adept at extracting all of the subtle nuances from the music. I can even hear the players moving their fingers on the fingerboards of the violins as they play.”
“Instruments are well positioned in a soundstage that is both wide and extends a long way back”
“The playing is harmonious and deeply enjoyable and a massive credit to the Pro-Ject’s refined abilities of reproduction.”

Listening to: Raymound Fol’s Big Band – The Four Seasons
“The aggressive drum solos in the third movement from Concerto No.2 Summer are both tuneful and musical and the plucking of the double bass leads beautifully to the crisp trumpet blasts. It’s crystal clear and not overly harsh…”
“The performance really impresses with the complexity of the music, and it digs deep into the groove and mines every ounce of detail from this LP.”

Listening to: Branford Marsalis – Stravinsky’s Serenata from Pulcinella
“Once again, I am impressed with the vast amounts of detail, as well as emotion, that the RPM 9 Carbon manages to extract from this recording.”

Listening to: Arctic Monkeys – Do I wanna know?
“The heavy thumping bass, which kicks in at the start and then keeps pace throughout the record is tight and well controlled. It’s a complex sound, yet the vocals are clear and intelligible.”

Listening to: Lincoln and Mayorga & Distinguished Colleagues Vol.3 You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
“The bass is meaty, tight and beautifully controlled. The saxophone is throaty and tuneful. Then the triangle kicks in and is crystal clear and perfectly positioned at the back of the group of musicians, adding a sparkle to the performance during the electric piano solo. This is a highly commendable rendition from an impressive turntable.”

“…if you’re shelling out this sort of cash for a turntable and tonearm you want it to perform exceptionally well and here the decks doesn’t disappoint either. The Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon turns in a highly polished performance with every bit of vinyl placed onto its sumptuous platter, and is one deck I’ll be very sad to say goodbye to.”
“LIKE: Contemporary styling; sophisticated sound with all material”

Absolute Sound, July 2015

Reviewed By: Neil Gader

Comments of Note:
"The sonic performance of the RPM 9 Carbon is devilishly good. Backgrounds are jet black and softly tinted to the warmer end of the tonal spectrum. Its character is one of overarching balance across all criteria, a trait that makes LP reproduction sound elegantly composed and well nigh effortless. Imaging and soundstage stability are excellent with a wide comfortable spread of images across the stage. String sections, winds, brass are all nicely differentiated from another and there’s little to no image smearing."
"there was an impressive sense of air and lift in the upper octaves."
"As these aggressively played passages built in intensity, the harmonic aura enveloping the soundboard and rippling the air around the concert grand was superb."
"There was enough specificity and transient snap that I was ready to do a head count. (And then go find the party’s bartender.) The vibes solo was also richer harmonically, more stable and articulate. And the blazing horn section could now be broken down into individual instruments, not just white sheets of sound." 
"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 thrill"

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