There are certainly good turntables available in the budget class. Pro-Ject makes several of them, and now there’s another one. But this one has something we rarely see in a turntable. Namely, a built-in amplifier.
The Pro-Ject JukeBox E1 is an improved version of its predecessor JukeBox E, with easier shifting between 33 and 45 rpm, a new chassis, upgraded tonearm and platter.
The arm has a pre-mounted Ortofon OM 5E MM pickup and inside is a 50W amplifier that can drive a pair of speakers. Add to this the fact that the player has Bluetooth, so you can stream music from your mobile phone via the turntable, and you have a complete system that covers most people’s needs.
The turntable can be purchased without speakers if you want to add it to a system or pair of speakers you already have. However, it can also come with a pair of speakers from Pro-Ject, such as the Speaker Box 5 shown in the images.
The speakers are connected on the back and there is also an input for an external audio source. With a built-in phono stage, it can be connected directly to any amplifier, but you can also skip the built-in if you have an amplifier with a phono stage.
However, if you skip the phono stage and amplifier, it will obviously be more economical to buy one of Pro-Ject’s models without built-in electronics.
There are volume controls on the front and a small display that shows volume level, selected input and speed.
The JukeBox E1 is available in black, white, red or a stylish walnut veneer.
