A belt-drive turntable with a 9-inch carbon and aluminium arm and two outputs, balanced mini XLR and RCA. It is the starting point for a True Balanced phono system, to be completed with the cartridge of your choice.
X2 B: arm and drive
A cartridge is a balanced generator by its very nature, yet an ordinary RCA hook-up makes use of only half its signal. The X2 B carries that signal to a mini XLR socket: add a fully balanced lead, sold separately, and a balanced phono stage such as the S3 B or DS3 B Phono Box, and interference collected along the way cancels out, giving a quieter background and wider dynamics. Getting the whole balanced signal calls for an MC cartridge, because the internal wiring of MM designs rules it out. The box contains a semi-balanced Connect it E RCA lead, suitable for a conventional phono input.
The plinth is CNC-machined from a 50 mm MDF panel and sits on three damped aluminium feet whose height can be set to level the platter. That platter is a 2 kg acrylic disc turning on a spindle of stainless steel and brass. The motor is fed by a board that regenerates its own clean, steady supply, and its mount hangs from a TPE ring that keeps it apart from the plinth. All three speeds, 78 rpm included, are chosen with a single button.
The arm tube is a carbon and aluminium sandwich made as one piece, with no detachable headshell to add resonance, and its generous diameter improves internal damping. An effective mass of 13.5 g suits low-compliance MC cartridges. The counterweight is decoupled by a TPE insert; azimuth and VTA can both be set, so the geometry can be tuned to whichever cartridge is fitted.
Specifications
- Speeds: 33, 45 and 78 rpm, switched electronically
- Drive: belt
- Speed deviation: 0.25% at 33 rpm, 0.20% at 45 rpm
- Wow & flutter: 0.12% at 33 rpm, 0.10% at 45 rpm
- S/N ratio: 70 dB
- Platter: acrylic, 30 mm deep, 2 kg
- Bearing: stainless steel and brass
- Arm: 9-inch, carbon and aluminium sandwich tube
- Effective length: 230 mm
- Effective mass: 13.5 g
- Overhang: 18 mm
- Downforce: 0 to 30 mN
- Outputs: balanced mini XLR plus RCA
- Supplied: power supply (15 V DC / 0.8 A), lid, Connect it E phono lead, felt mat
- Power draw: 4.5 W at most, 0.3 W in standby
- Size (W/H/D): 460 x 150 x 340 mm
- Weight: 10 kg
- Finishes: high-gloss black, satin black, white, walnut
