Pro-Ject Automat A1 Turntable Review

The Pro-Ject Automat A1 Turntable is a fully automatic belt-drive record player with a built-in switchable moving-magnet phono stage. It is aimed at listeners who want a proper hi-fi-style turntable but do not want to cue the arm manually or set up a cartridge from scratch.

Its strongest appeal is convenience with credible analogue foundations: a factory-fitted Ortofon OM10 cartridge, automatic start and return, electronic 33/45 speed selection and RCA output for either line-level or phono-level connection.

This review covers the original Automat A1, not the later A1.2. That distinction matters because the newer model has documented updates and should be compared separately if both are available at similar prices.

The Automat A1 uses a traditional rectangular plinth and a straightforward black finish, giving it a more conventional hi-fi appearance than many lifestyle automatic decks. Pro-Ject describes the chassis as a heavy wooden construction designed to avoid hollow spaces where possible, with the aim of reducing resonance.

The platter is damped aluminium with an internal damping ring, and the deck sits on silicon-damped feet. These are sensible construction choices for a turntable intended to be easy to use without feeling like a disposable all-in-one player.

Its 8.3-inch aluminium tonearm is an ultra-light-mass design with a carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer headshell. The counterweight, tracking force and anti-skating are factory set, which simplifies ownership but reduces scope for user adjustment.

There are a few practical compromises. The RCA cable is fixed rather than detachable, and the phono-stage switch is reached through or under the platter area rather than being placed conveniently on the rear panel.

The headline feature is genuine full automation. Pressing Start sets the platter in motion, moves the tonearm to the record, lowers it, then lifts and returns it at the end of the side before stopping the motor.

This is more useful than a simple auto-stop function, particularly for beginners, casual listening and anyone concerned about lowering a stylus by hand. Pro-Ject also states that the mechanical automation is disengaged during playback, so it is not intended to interfere once the record is playing.

The factory-fitted Ortofon OM10 moving-magnet cartridge is another important part of the package. It has an elliptical stylus and is already aligned, removing one of the most common setup hurdles for new vinyl users.

A built-in switchable MM phono preamp allows the A1 to connect to a normal line input on an amplifier or suitable powered speakers. If you already have a better MM phono input or external phono stage, the internal preamp can be switched off.

Setup is intentionally undemanding. Place the deck on a level, rigid surface, remove transit protection and the tonearm tie, fit the mat and dust cover, connect the fixed RCA leads, attach the earth wire where needed, plug in the power supply and remove the stylus guard.

The cartridge is already fitted and aligned, with tracking force and anti-skating pre-adjusted. That makes the A1 much less intimidating than a manual deck requiring counterweight balancing and cartridge alignment.

Daily use is equally simple for standard records: choose the speed and press Start. For 12-inch 45 RPM records or 10-inch 45 RPM singles, manual cueing is required because the automatic 45 RPM position is set for 7-inch singles.

Day-to-day operation is designed to be simple. Electronic speed selection covers 33 and 45 RPM, and the automatic mechanism handles normal LP playback and 7-inch 45 RPM singles without requiring manual cueing.

There is an important limitation for some collections: the automatic 45 RPM start position is preset for 7-inch singles. The manual states that 10-inch 45 RPM singles and 12-inch 45 RPM records need to be started manually.

Official speed figures are modest rather than class-leading, with stated wow and flutter of ±0.27% at 33 RPM and ±0.25% at 45 RPM, plus stated speed variance of ±0.75% and ±0.65% respectively. Professional feedback also points to the automatic mechanism working well, while speed stability, rumble and hum behaviour are not presented as standout strengths.

Connectivity is deliberately analogue. There is no verified Bluetooth, USB output or built-in speaker support on the original A1, so it is best treated as a turntable for a hi-fi amplifier, powered speakers with line input, or an external MM phono stage.

The A1 is best understood as a clear, easy-going automatic turntable rather than a purist performance deck. Its Ortofon OM10 cartridge and light tonearm give it a more credible starting point than many basic automatic players with less established cartridges.

Professional commentary broadly supports the idea that it can deliver enjoyable, reasonably detailed playback in the right system. The built-in phono stage is useful and serviceable, but it should not be assumed to match a good separate MM phono preamp or a higher-quality amplifier input.

More sound-focused buyers should weigh the convenience against the limitations. The A1’s factory-fixed setup, modest speed specifications and mixed measurement feedback mean a good manual turntable may offer stronger performance and upgrade flexibility for similar money.