Pro-ject Dark Side of the Moon turntable
Pro-ject Audio Systems reveals the The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable. The new model joins Pro-ject’s exclusive Artist Series collection and sees the turntable manufacturer celebrate 50 years since the release of Pink Floyd’s extraordinary eighth studio album.
Released in 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon became one of the world’s best-selling albums, and its cover is one of the music world’s most iconic images. The graphic sleeve, designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis and illustrated by George Hardie, famously depicts a beam of white light split into its constituent colours, delivering an image for the ages. Now, owners of Pro-ject’s new, limited-edition turntable can recreate that moment of refraction at the flick of a switch.
The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable features an LED-backlit rainbow – with a dimming function – to deliver those iconic visuals as your vinyl turns. Even the beam of white light makes an appearance, represented by the deck’s extended on/off lever. The result is an unmistakable homage to the vinyl sleeve that became almost as famous as its musical contents.
The Dark Side of the Moon artwork-inspired design theme continues throughout the turntable, always expressed through only high-end componentry. The three-cornered platter mirrors the album cover’s triangular dispersive prism, and a solid aluminium sub-platter sits in bronze bushing and supports the 10 mm heavy glass structure. Like the album, this deck backs up its visuals with exceptionally high-quality material.
As well as unique visuals, The Dark Side of the Moon turntable brings new technical workings, including the 8.6-inch acrylic and black aluminium low resonance tonearm, which Pro-ject equips with spring anti-skating. The deck also employs a Pick it Pro Special Edition cartridge specifically tuned to the Dark Side of the Moon Turntable, meaning users can experience the best performance levels within a few moments of unboxing their new purchase. The precision belt-drive turntable enables two speeds, 33 and 45 rpm, with an electronic speed control, and Pro-ject supplies a seven-inch single adapter for owners of, say, Money or Us And Them on 45.
This limited-edition meeting of iconic artwork and technical prowess results in a turntable worthy of such an essential and treasured record. Money? The price of Pro-ject Audio Systems The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable is £1,599 (SRP). Stock will be with the UK’s Pro-ject dealers this month. Henley Audio distributes Pro-ject in the UK and Ireland.