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Pro-Ject · X2 B

X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red

A manual three-speed belt-drive deck with thick MDF plinth, acrylic platter, nine-inch carbon-aluminum arm, adjustable VTA and azimuth, balanced mini-XLR output and factory-fitted Ortofon Quintet Red moving-coil cartridge
Market statusCurrent balanced-ready heavy-plinth belt-drive packageChecked Aug 19
Reference price$2,149 current authorized U.S. priceExact X2 B U.S. package with Ortofon Quintet Red
Product cyclecurrentRelease history under review
EvidenceWell supported7 publishers · 4 independent
Next full checkAug 26, 2026Price checks run sooner
01

Ready to buy

Verify setup, support and the exact package

The retained reference is $2,149 current authorized U.S. price. Confirm cartridge and cable contents because international, prior-year and dealer X2 B packages may be sold bare or with a different pickup. Download the manual, confirm the cartridge and phono stage, inspect the final furniture and record the dealer's alignment and service responsibilities.

02

Current market

The facts that change the ownership choice

Each line carries its own check date because price, software, specifications, and product cycle do not age at the same speed.

QuestionCurrent answerFreshnessBasis

Current price

$2,149 current authorized U.S. price

Confirm cartridge and cable contents because international, prior-year and dealer X2 B packages may be sold bare or with a different pickup. Confirm authorized new stock, tax, shipping, setup, return terms and exact package before paying.

Checked 5 days agoDirect source1 evidence item

Drive architecture and ownership branch

balanced moving-coil belt-drive package
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Exact deck, arm, cartridge and package boundary

The retained $2,149 U.S. configuration includes the Quintet Red cartridge but requires a suitable MC phono stage; balanced cable and amplification remain separate and finish is not another model
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Drive, speed selection and measured-speed boundary

The electronically controlled isolated motor drives 33, 45 and 78 rpm by belt, with the documented round belt or pulley arrangement for 78. Belt condition, pulley seating and measurement method remain speed variables.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Platter, bearing, chassis and isolation

A heavy acrylic platter rotates on an inverted stainless-steel bearing with ceramic tip above a thick MDF plinth and adjustable aluminum-TPE feet. The mass-loaded unsuspended design still requires a stable shelf and room-specific feedback testing.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Tonearm geometry, bearings and adjustment

The nine-inch carbon-aluminum arm has a one-piece tube, gimbal bearings, adjustable VTA and azimuth and hanging-weight anti-skate. Preserve exact overhang, offset and cartridge height when changing mats or pickup.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis2 evidence items

Cartridge, compliance, stylus and upgrade path

The supplied Quintet Red is a low-output moving-coil cartridge without a simple user-replaceable stylus. Its compliance, mass, tracking force and output are matched as a package claim, while retipping or replacement and any future cartridge require fresh geometry and loading decisions.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Phono stage, output and grounding

RCA and balanced mini-XLR outputs carry phono level. The Quintet Red needs compatible MC gain and loading; balanced operation requires a suitable cable and genuinely balanced stage, and grounding remains an installed-system test.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Setup, alignment, tracking and anti-skate

Assemble belt and platter, level the deck, protect the exposed stylus, balance the arm and verify factory alignment, tracking force, anti-skate, VTA and azimuth. Begin with low amplifier volume and prove channels, hum and speed on a clean expendable record.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Vibration, feedback and furniture

The approximately 22-pound deck needs a level rigid support with clearance for the lid, rear mini-XLR and anti-skate thread. Mass does not cure a springy floor or shared speaker console.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Power supply, mains and regional boundary

Use the included U.S. power supply and exact low-voltage connection. Confirm mains input and dealer warranty before any export or travel use.
Checked 5 days agoDirect source2 evidence items

Warranty, parts, cartridge and deck service

Pro-Ject USA and authorized dealers provide setup, warranty and replacement-part routes. Confirm responsibility for a damaged moving-coil stylus, cartridge rebuild, belt, bearing oil, motor and arm service before the return window ends.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Stylus, record, hearing and electrical safety

Keep power dry and intact, unplug before moving or service, lock and protect the arm and sharp stylus, keep children and pets clear, clean and handle records and styli appropriately and never test with a cracked or dangerously warped record. Control downstream listening level and duration because the deck itself cannot set a safe exposure.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis3 evidence items

Sound, speed, reliability and outcome boundary

No drive architecture, speed controller, platter, bearing, isolation system, arm, cartridge, phono path, cable, setup, measurement, review, owner report, warranty or service plan guarantees sound quality, speed accuracy, reliability, stylus or record life, hearing safety, electrical safety, compatibility, resale or any listening, health or commercial outcome.
Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis6 evidence items

Current verdict

The supplied moving-coil balanced reference

X2 B is defended for buyers wanting a factory-fitted moving-coil cartridge, heavier belt-drive platform and balanced-ready phono wiring while accepting careful setup and external gain or loading.

Checked 5 days agoOur synthesis10 evidence items
03

Other paths

The alternatives change what the X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red is worth

These are not generic competitors. Each one represents a different way to buy into the same market.

01lower upfront

Pro-Ject

Debut PRO B

$1,099 current authorized U.S. price
Best fit
compact balanced-ready complete belt drive
Tradeoff
The retained $1,099 U.S. package includes the Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge; a compatible balanced cable and true balanced phono stage are separate, and balanced wiring does not itself promise lower noise
Open the source
02premium

Thorens

TD 1500

$2,999 current U.S. list reference
Best fit
suspended complete belt drive with balanced output
Tradeoff
The retained approximately $2,999 U.S. system includes the TP 150 arm and 2M Bronze; phono stage and furniture remain separate, and the suspension requires commissioning rather than being treated as maintenance-free
Open the source
04

What changed

The product has a history

Older observations stay in the ledger when the current view changes. That lets a buyer tell the difference between an old complaint, an active issue, and a problem that was corrected.

  1. notable

    Current deck, package and ownership boundary retained

    X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red was checked against exact identity, current U.S. price, manual, support, drive, speed, platter, bearing, isolation, arm, cartridge, phono path, setup, furniture, power, service, safety, independent evidence and bounded owner reports.

Price record

The price history starts here

Each amount stays tied to its source and capture date. Conflicting prices remain visible until the seller resolves them.

  1. $2,149 current authorized U.S. price

    Current reference priceA structured timeline will begin with the next source capture

05

Owner experience

What repeats after the purchase

Owner discussion returns to moving-coil loading, balanced cable, stylus vulnerability, anti-skate, vta, motor noise and dealer setup rather than a universal sound-quality, speed-accuracy or reliability result.

These are self-selected reports from different production runs, cartridges, styli, alignment methods, tracking forces, phono stages, cables, grounding arrangements, shelves, floors, rooms, records, power conditions, playback levels and service regions. They identify acceptance tests and ownership questions and do not establish sound-quality, speed, defect, wear, reliability or safety rates.
SignalWhat owners reportOur readEvidence

moving-coil loading, balanced cable, stylus vulnerability, anti-skate, VTA, motor noise and dealer setup

Self-selected exact-model owners discuss setup, leveling, isolation, speed, hum, grounding, cartridge matching, stylus wear, record condition, parts and service. Reports span different cartridges, phono stages, supports, rooms, power, records and listening levels, so they identify acceptance tests rather than sound-quality, speed-accuracy or reliability rates.

Have the dealer record alignment and loading values, inspect the stylus before acceptance and retain an RCA baseline before attributing any change to balanced wiring.

1 evidence record
06

Sources

Why we believe the current view

The page separates what a source states directly from what we conclude across sources.

01
X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red current manufacturer identityPro-Ject · identity

Pro-Ject identifies X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red as the current balanced moving-coil belt-drive package system described here.

Source type
manufacturer
Content hash
6fcdbe6161bd1344
Use
store excerpt
Open Pro-Ject
02
X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red current U.S. pricePro-Ject USA · price

$2,149 current authorized U.S. price was retained for the exact deck, arm, cartridge and power-package boundary visible on August 19, 2026.

Source type
retailer
Content hash
9a82bac12e692368
Use
store snapshot
Open Pro-Ject USA
03
X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red manual and technical specificationPro-Ject · specification

The exact manual defines drive, speeds, platter, bearing, arm, cartridge setup, output, grounding, power, installation, operation and safety boundaries for X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red.

Source type
support
Content hash
6b7ecc71fd34401b
Use
store excerpt
Open Pro-Ject
04
X2 B with Ortofon Quintet Red regional support and servicePro-Ject · software

Pro-Ject or its named U.S. distributor retains a current support, warranty, dealer or service route for the exact model.

Source type
support
Content hash
03539962a19ee745
Use
store excerpt
Open Pro-Ject
05
Pro-Ject X2 B reviewWhat Hi-Fi? · specification

Independent exact-model review covers build, balanced operation, cartridge path, setup and playback. Its connected electronics and sample do not guarantee noise floor, sound quality or longevity.

Source type
editorial
Content hash
9a488d2ac89abf7a
Use
store excerpt
Open What Hi-Fi?
06
Pro-Ject X2 B bounded owner discussionsTurntable owner communities · consensus

Self-selected exact-model owners discuss setup, leveling, isolation, speed, hum, grounding, cartridge matching, stylus wear, record condition, parts and service. Reports span different cartridges, phono stages, supports, rooms, power, records and listening levels, so they identify acceptance tests rather than sound-quality, speed-accuracy or reliability rates.

Source type
community
Content hash
00fb56bad71b566c
Use
store excerpt
Open Turntable owner communities
07
Care, handling and storage of audio recordsLibrary of Congress · specification

Record longevity depends on clean hands, appropriate cleaning, stable storage and careful handling. A premium deck does not make contaminated, cracked, badly warped or mishandled records safe for the stylus or listener.

Source type
editorial
Content hash
06ec874cb0cdfd17
Use
store excerpt
Open Library of Congress
08
Noise exposure and hearing boundaryNIOSH · specification

Hearing risk depends on downstream sound level and duration. A turntable has no intrinsically safe listening level and does not control amplifier, headphone or loudspeaker exposure.

Source type
editorial
Content hash
3eec5debd6d7ea53
Use
store excerpt
Open NIOSH
09
Debut PRO B defended alternativePro-Ject · alternative

Debut PRO B is a current defended alternative in the compact balanced-ready complete belt drive branch.

Source type
manufacturer
Content hash
ab52e591ccaad43c
Use
store excerpt
Open Pro-Ject
10
TD 1500 defended alternativeThorens · alternative

TD 1500 is a current defended alternative in the suspended complete belt drive with balanced output branch.

Source type
manufacturer
Content hash
bd3001abbeb213f8
Use
store excerpt
Open Thorens

Manufacturer identity, exact current U.S. price, manual, regional support, independent exact-model evidence and bounded owner reports were checked on August 19, 2026. This desk covers complete new U.S.-supported home-listening belt-, direct- or idler-drive turntables with an integrated tonearm; a cartridge may be included or explicitly required. It excludes DJ-first decks, built-in-speaker record players, arms, motors, plinths and other components alone, cosmetic editions, unsupported or used-only models and padded bundles. Preserve exact drive and speed behavior, platter, bearing and isolation, arm geometry and adjustment, cartridge compliance, output and upgrade service, phono level, balanced or RCA output and grounding, setup, alignment, tracking force, anti-skate and cueing, vibration and furniture, power and region, parts, warranty and service, plus stylus, record, hearing and electrical safety. Keep power dry and intact, unplug before moving or service, lock and protect the arm and sharp stylus, keep children and pets clear, clean records and styli only by appropriate methods, handle records carefully and do not use a cracked or dangerously warped record. Downstream level and exposure determine hearing risk. No drive architecture, speed controller, platter, bearing, isolation system, arm, cartridge, phono path, cable, setup, measurement, review, owner report, warranty or service plan guarantees sound quality, speed accuracy, reliability, stylus or record life, hearing safety, electrical safety, compatibility, resale or any listening, health or commercial outcome.

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