Product Comparison: Rega RP1 vs Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC

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Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

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Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Blue

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General Specifications

Brand

Rega

Pro-Ject

Model

RP1

Debut Carbon

Origin

England

About the Product

Rega's new RP1 turntable was designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point. Excellent build quality, reliability and ease of use combine to make a product, which will offer a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Omitting all the usual gimmicks allowed Rega to concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately.

The new DEBUT Carbon DC was designed to set new standards in this category for the coming decade – perfectly timed as analogue today is again a respected source, while the demand for good turntables is growing again! The most obvious improvement is the inclusion of a CARBON TUBE for the tonearm, which increases stiffness and decreases unwanted resonance.

Key Specs

Drive Type

Belt drive

Direct Drive

Operation Type

Semi-Automatic

Manual

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

The speed change from 33 to 45 is accomplished by lifting off the platter and moving the drive belt to a larger cylinder on the motor spindle.
Given the amount of records I play, she will probably be my next xx-year turntable, may upgrade the belt but saw no difference in the glass turntable-platter.
I do not want to purchase any 'upgrades' unless they are Rega products like the white belt.
Everything from the platter to the drive belt to the motor can be upgraded to higher quality components if you so choose. But I digress.
I can see where if operated with the dustcover down (and its hinges are not designed for the long term), that there might be some resonance.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Blue

Plays very well. Nice sleek design. Haven't had any problems with belt sounds that the previous model users have complained of.
The tone arm is really high quality. I would say the turning belt was kind of annoying to get on and have it stay on properly but after that it worked great.
Easy to change the platter speed with the included belt tool (so you don't stretch out the belt). Cart was already mounted, just had to spin on the counter weight and set the tracking force. Very easy setup.
There are no buttons, no switches, no pitch control, no lights, no return mechanism, no markings, NOTHING.
To change the turntable speed from 33 to 45 you need to remove the turntable top and place the rubber belt on a different part of the spindle. This is very awkward.

Size & Weight

Height

4.5 in.

4.6 in.

Width

17.5 in.

16.4 in.

Depth

15 in.

12.5 in.

Weight

9.2 lbs.

12.3 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

Tone arm comes with weight that is preset for the stock cartridge.
Just remove the packaging, slide the weight on and play.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Blue

Solid sound and clean design.
Set the weights right and you get no bounce.
The turntable sounds great but my issue is that the weight that balances the tone arm is constantly falling off.. I have to be so careful it doesn't fall off.. It is so frustrating using it
However, I believe there is a design flaw in the grounding of the turntable.

Audio

Stylys/Cartridge

Rega Carbon cartridge

Ortofon 2M red

Integrated Preamp

Record Sizes

Playable Record Speeds

33 ⅓, 45

What customers say about "Audio"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

Cartridge is okay for the average person, you can go crazy with cartridges as many options available, all depends on what type of audio enthusiast you are.
Rega Carbon beats higher priced cartridges and is a definite upgrade to Ortofon low cost models such as OM 5e
I got the standard unit that comes with the Rega Carbon cartridge, and I think it sounds fantastic.
Nice, damped cueing device, and the Rega Carbon phono cartridge mine came with is very nice...I am told it is better than the upgrade.
The dust cover it comes with is built with quality.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Blue

I really like the look and sound of this turntable. I think the quality is great, really love the sound, and overall I am very happy with the look and the sound.
Sure, this is an entry-level piece, but you will be amazed how clear and crisp those records will sound.
The table has absolutely no hum, is built like a tank, and sounds better than this table ever did on its best day.
My records sound phenomenal. A great entry into high quality vinyl players.
Sounds good, but a bit finicky and cheap in some places.

Features

Control

On/Off switch

Functions

Vinyl player

Platter Material

Phenolic

Felt mat

Dust Cover Included

Yes

Speaker(s) Included

Interfaces

Stereo RCA audio out

Extras

High quailty, low vibration motor, Phenolic resin flywheel effect platter improves speed stability

Increased platter size with more weight, Precision belt drive with synchronous motor, New DC power supply with ultra precision frequency DC-driven AC generator (like Speed Box) for ultimate speed stability, 7 high-gloss colours

Dust Cover Included
Speaker(s) Included

What customers say about "Features"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

It had everything I ever wanted in an audio product: excellent timbral accuracy, low level detail, and great holographic imaging.
Great entry point into enjoying higher quality vinyl.
Friends have told me that getting into vinyl can be a slippery slope, but if this is the payoff then so far I'd say it is well worth it.
The base/plinth is particle board covered with laminate, not bad though.
The dust cover hinges are very cheap and I can see them wearing out in the near future.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Blue

The cartridge is definitely high quality and you can hear every detail of the music.
Is a great entry level turntable for those that are just getting into the world of vinyl.
The anti-skating mechanism is a small counter-weight that hangs off the back of the tone arm and loops over a little hook with fishing line.
One word of advice: get rid of the included felt mat immediately, and upgrade to a custom-cut cork mat.
The only other issue is some parts of it are cheap. The platter mat is a straight up joke (it's the thinnest, cheapest piece of felt possible), the hinges on lid are about as cheap as they could possibly be, and the anti-skate weight just feels flimsy

Warranty / Certifications

Certifications