Pro-Ject

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Austrian audio equipment manufacturer

title: "Pro-Ject" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["electronics-companies-established-in-1991", "headphone-amplifier-manufacturers", "austrian-brands", "phonograph-manufacturers", "audio-equipment-manufacturers-of-austria", "economy-of-lower-austria", "austrian-companies-established-in-1991"] description: "Austrian audio equipment manufacturer" topic_path: "engineering" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-Ject" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Austrian audio equipment manufacturer ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]

FieldValue
namePro-Ject Audio Systems
logoPJ-Audio-Systems-Logo-black.jpg
logo_size200px
typePrivately held company
foundation
locationMistelbach, Lower Austria, Austria
key_peopleHeinz Lichtenegger (founder and director)
industryElectronics
productsHi-fi equipment, Turntables
num_employeesapprox. 300
revenueunknown
homepage
::

::callout[type=note] the audio electronics brand ::

| name = Pro-Ject Audio Systems | logo = PJ-Audio-Systems-Logo-black.jpg | logo_size = 200px | type = Privately held company | foundation = | location = Mistelbach, Lower Austria, Austria | key_people = Heinz Lichtenegger (founder and director) | industry = Electronics | products = Hi-fi equipment, Turntables | num_employees = approx. 300 | revenue = unknown | homepage = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Pro-Ject_Debut-EVO_(Yellow-Box).jpg" caption="Debut EVO Soundsystem in the HQ showroom"] ::

Pro-Ject Audio Systems is a manufacturer of audiophile equipment, founded in 1991 by Heinz Lichtenegger and located in Mistelbach, Austria. Pro-Ject Audio Systems designs the products in Austria and produces them in plants located in Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Its product range includes a family of turntables, which are often quoted as reference entry-level models. The Pro-Ject Debut turntable, introduced in 1999, played a pivotal role in revitalizing interest in vinyl records (Phonograph record) by offering high-quality analog playback at an affordable price point, making quality turntables accessible to a broader audience.

Since 2015 Pro-Ject has released limited edition Artist Collection turntables in cooperation with the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Hans Theessink, Parov Stelar, and the Vienna Philharmonic.

They also manufactures a range of micro Hi-Fi components such as Amps, CD Transports, Phono Stages, Streaming Devices, Loudspeakers and more.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems is a division of Audio Tuning, that also owns Musical Fidelity, REKKORD AUDIO and TONE Factory.

History

Pro-Ject founder Heinz Lichtenegger began producing and selling turntables under this brand name in 1991. The Pro-Ject 1, launched in 1991, marked the company's entry into the turntable market. Developed by founder Heinz Lichtenegger, this deck was essentially a modified version of the Tesla NC-500, a turntable produced in the Czech Republic. By enhancing the design with improved materials and engineering, Pro-Ject created an affordable yet high-quality turntable that laid the foundation for its future success.

Timeline

Significant events in the history of Pro-Ject Audio Systems

1991 – Foundation

Heinz Lichtenegger founded Pro-Ject Audio Systems and launched the first turntable, the Pro-Ject 1. The consortium of the most experienced hi-fi editors within the Expert Imaging and Sound Association EISA has chosen the Pro-Ject 1 for an award in the category ‘Best Buy Turntable’.

1993 – Partnership

After the collapse of the Iron Curtain, Pro-Ject partnered with a former Tesla factory in the Czech Republic, which continues to produce turntables for Pro-Ject.

1994 – Pro-Ject 6

Introduction of the first high-end turntable, the Pro-Ject 6.

1999 – Debut Series

Launch of the Debut turntable, aiming to make hi-fi products more accessible; it has sold nearly one million units to date.

2000 – New Factories

To support electronics production, Pro-Ject established new partnerships in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

2007 – Digital Entry

Introduction of the first digital products: Pre Box, Amp Box, and DAC Box.

Since 2015 – Artist Collection

Collaboration with artists such as Parov Stelar, The Beatles, Metallica and The Rolling Stones to create special edition turntables.

2017 – Headquarters

Opening of new headquarters in Lower Austria, including offices, logistics center, administration, and R&D facilities.

2021 – 30th Anniversary

Celebration marked by the release of the Debut PRO turntable.

2023 – EVO Tonearms

Release of 24 different high-precision tonearms, handmade in Europe.

2024 – Current Status

Pro-Ject operates in over 80 countries with more than 5,000 dealers, employing over 500 people across four factories, and has received numerous international awards, including EISA and Red Dot Design Awards.

Pro-Ject Turntables in Film-Sets

Pro-Ject turntables have made notable appearances in various films, often serving as key elements in set designs. These placements underscore a cultural significance and aesthetic appeal of turntables in contemporary movies. For instance, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Line was featured in the film A Bigger Splash (2015 film) for the authentic portrayal of a character with a passion for vinyl records. It also appeared in the Music video of the Song “Giorgio by Moroder” by Daft Punk. Several Pro-Ject turntable models appeared in Do Not Disturb (2014 film), Westworld (TV series), Season 4, Suits (American TV series) or The Mechanic (2011 film).

Picture Gallerie

File:Pro-Ject 1 (1991).jpg|Pro-Ject 1 record player (1991) – the company's entry into the turntable market File:Pro-Ject Artist-Line TheBeatles-YellowSubmarine.jpg|The Beatles Yellow Submarine turntable - part of the Artist Collection File:Debut-Carbon-Evo-golden-yellow-front.364.jpg|Debut Carbon EVO (2020) in Satin Yellow File:Pro-Ject Juke Box S2 Stereo Set b.jpg|Pro-Ject Juke Box S2 Stereo Set File:Pro-Ject RPM 3.jpg|Pro-Ject RPM 3 File:Pro-Ject X 8 evolution.jpg|Pro-Ject X 8 evolution File:PJ-BD-PreBoxS2Digital+AmpBoxS2+EIII.jpg|The Pre Box S2 Digital and Amp Box S2 with an Essential III Turntable File:6PerspeX-NY-JakobDirnberger2018.jpg|6PerspeX turntable photographed in New York (2018) File:Phonopreamp-Pro-Ject.jpg|Phono Box RS2 (Phono Preamplifier)

References

References

  1. "Go Analogue! in the third {{notatypo".
  2. "Pro-ject Audio Systems".
  3. "Currently active record player manufacturers. G to Q".
  4. "Pro-ject Owners Manuals, Service Manuals, Schematics, Free Download". Vinyl Engine.
  5. Bob. (2017-04-27). "History of the Pro-Ject Debut a Budget Classic".
  6. (7 June 2021). "Pro-Ject TURNTABLES / Artist Collection".
  7. (2024-10-30). "Plattenspieler der Extraklasse: The Classic Reference".
  8. (23 August 2016). "Box Design by Pro-Ject Audio Systems".
  9. Reina, Robert J.. (February 2010). "Pro-Ject Debut III record player". [[Stereophile]].
  10. Gold, Phil. (April 2004). "Entry Level Vinyl Spinner... Pro-Ject 1 Xpression And Speed Box". Enjoythemusic.com.
  11. Price, David. (January 1998). "VINYL TO GO!". Hi-fi World.
  12. https://www.audiotuning.com
  13. https://www.musicalfidelity.com
  14. https://www.rekkord-audio.com
  15. https://www.tone-factory.com
  16. Joe Cox. (2023-09-23). "12 of the best Pro-Ject turntables of all time".
  17. Marcus Carlsen. (2024-02-08). "Pro-Ject Audio Systems".
  18. (2023). "Hi-Fi Hall of Fame - Business Inductee - Pro-Ject Audio Systems".
  19. Atr. (2019-08-19). "EISA-Awards for Pro-Ject". ATR – Audio Trade.
  20. What Hi-Fi?. (2023-10-16). "Pro-Ject Debut Pro review".
  21. (15 June 2021). "Company history – From the Beginning".
  22. Kashfia Kabir. (2018-10-25). "21 of our favourite turntable cameos in films and TV shows".
  23. Reel by projectaudiosystems. (2024-02-19). "Pro-Ject on Movie-Set: A bigger splash".
  24. Daft Punk. (2014-02-24). "Daft Punk - Giorgio by Moroder (Official Audio)".
  25. Reel by projectaudiosystems. (2024-02-14). "Pro-Ject on Movie-Set: Do not disturb".
  26. Reel by projectaudiosystems. (2024-03-13). "Pro-Ject on Movie-Set: Westworld (TV Series), Season 4".
  27. Reel by projectaudiosystems. (2023-12-21). "Pro-Ject on Movie-Sets: The Mechanic (2011)".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

electronics-companies-established-in-1991headphone-amplifier-manufacturersaustrian-brandsphonograph-manufacturersaudio-equipment-manufacturers-of-austriaeconomy-of-lower-austriaaustrian-companies-established-in-1991