The verdict
The T1 Phono SB is the electronic-speed pick. Glass platter plus electronic speed control plus built-in preamp gives you a complete listening solution out of the box. Style-forward Pro-Ject design. The build is lighter than the RT85's, and the cartridge trails it on detail.
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB
Strengths
- +Glass platter and electronic speed control (SB suffix) for stable rotation
- +Pre-installed Ortofon OM5E cartridge
- +Built-in phono preamp — connect directly to powered speakers or any line input
- +Minimalist Pro-Ject aesthetic that holds up in any room
Watch-outs
- −Ortofon OM5E cartridge trails the RT85's 2M Blue in detail
- −Some testers report tonearm skating issues vs the RT85
- −Lighter chassis than the Fluance RT85 — more sensitive to footfall
How it compares
Built-in preamp like the AT-LP120XUSB. Glass platter (vs Fluance's acrylic, Audio-Technica's aluminum). Lighter cartridge than the Fluance RT85. Style-forward vs the utilitarian AT-LP120XUSB.
Who this is for
At a glance: design-conscious buyers who want a turntable to look at as well as listen to.
Why you’d buy the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB
- Glass platter and electronic speed control (SB suffix) for stable rotation.
- Pre-installed Ortofon OM5E cartridge.
- Built-in phono preamp — connect directly to powered speakers or any line input.
Why you’d skip it
- Ortofon OM5E cartridge trails the RT85's 2M Blue in detail.
- Some testers report tonearm skating issues vs the RT85.
- Lighter chassis than the Fluance RT85 — more sensitive to footfall.
Rating sources
Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
