The Pick it PRO Balanced reworks the Pick it PRO MM cartridge and is, prepared for True Balanced signal transfer. It is the moving-magnet choice when turntable and phono stage are linked by a balanced connection.
Pick it PRO Balanced: the balanced connection
Pro-Ject presents it as the first cartridge of this kind: an MM that lets the signal travel in balanced form from turntable to phono stage. The benefit of this connection lies in its capacity to cancel noise and interference gathered along the way. To make use of it the maker points to its own True Balanced cable series and, as phono stage, to two models, Phono Box S3 B and Phono Box DS3 B.
Like the Pick it PRO it derives from, it is built in Europe and comes out of the partnership with Ortofon, which Pro-Ject chose in order to combine manufacturing quality with a sensible cost. The stated character is lively and robust, with a wide dynamic range. The elliptical stylus has 8 and 18 μm radii, bandwidth covers 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 2 dB and channel separation is 22 dB at 1 kHz.
Mounting and loading figures match the original version: tracking weight between 1.8 and 2.2 g with 2.0 g suggested, 18 mm from the tip to the mounting face, 7.2 g of mass. Output is 4 mV at 1 kHz and the phono stage should be set to 47 kOhm, with capacitance between 150 and 300 pF. An internal resistance of 750 Ohm and an inductance of 450 mH complete the electrical picture.
Specifications
- Principle: moving magnet (MM), True Balanced compatible
- Output level, 1 kHz: 4 mV
- Stereo separation, 1 kHz: 22 dB
- Tracking capability, 315 Hz: 70 μm
- Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, within 2 dB
- Stylus: elliptical with 8 and 18 μm radii
- Tracking weight: 2.0 g suggested, 1.8-2.2 g span
- Stylus tip to mounting face: 18 mm
- Tracking angle, vertical: 20°
- Internal resistance: 750 Ohm
- Inductance: 450 mH
- Suggested load: 47 kOhm, 150-300 pF
- Mass: 7.2 g
