Project Acryl It E - Acrylic turntable - Pro-Ject - Returned goods

The platter is the acoustic foundation of any vinyl playback—and at the same time, the most frequently underestimated component of an entry-level turntable. Its role is far from trivial: It keeps the record rotating at a steady speed during playback, dissipates the microvibrations generated by the cartridge, and, through its material, determines how acoustic energy is transferred between the vinyl and the platter. The standard MDF platter on the Pro-Ject Elemental and Essential performs this task reliably—but the significantly more substantial and acoustically optimized Acryl it E takes a good turntable to a noticeably higher level.

The swap takes just minutes: remove the stock platter, attach the Acryl it E, place the record on top—done. No tools, no adjustments, no compromises. The result is a sound that Pro-Ject itself sums up in three words: livelier, more open, more dynamic.

When the stylus traces the groove, it causes the record to vibrate microscopically. This energy is transferred from the vinyl to the turntable. At every interface between materials with different acoustic properties—density, elasticity, and speed of sound propagation—reflections occur: some of the vibrational energy is reflected back into the record and picked up by the cartridge as a false signal. Acrylic has nearly the same acoustic impedance as vinyl —making the transition between the record and the platter as seamless as possible. The vibrational energy flows unimpeded from the vinyl into the platter, where it is absorbed and securely held in place by the mass of the acrylic platter.

MDF—the material used for the standard platter—operates on a different principle: It dampens well but has a significantly different acoustic impedance than vinyl. Therefore, a felt mat is necessary to act as a buffer between the dissimilar materials. This works, but it comes at the expense of directness: The felt mat acts as a soft underlay that slightly cushions subtle impulses, transients, and bass attacks before they reach the bearing. With the Acryl it E, the felt mat is completely eliminated —the record rests directly on the acrylic. This is not a gimmick, but a physically logical approach: Direct contact between two materials with nearly identical acoustic impedance provides better vibration transfer than any intervening damping layer.

At 1.2 kg, the Acryl it E brings significantly more weight to the bearing axis than the standard MDF platter. This increased flywheel mass acts as a rotating buffer: even the slightest speed fluctuations—caused by belt irregularities, load changes during tracking, or minimal motor pulses—are compensated for by the platter’s greater inertia. The result is a smoother, more stable rotation. In the soundstage, this manifests as a deeper silence level: the background noise between notes becomes quieter, instruments emerge more clearly from the background, and deep bass lines gain greater definition and control. Users report that the slight rumble still audible with the MDF platter has virtually disappeared.

The Acryl it E is compatible with the Pro-Ject Clamp it —the turntable weight that presses the record onto the platter with light pressure. Both upgrades work on the same principle: greater mechanical coupling between the record and the platter, less inherent resonance, and better signal transmission. According to Pro-Ject and independent tests, they deliver their best results when used together: significantly improved fine detail and clarity, even with perfectly flat records. If you want to take your Elemental or Essential to the next level, the Acryl it E and Clamp it are the most effective upgrade pair for your turntable.