Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've had the Pro-ject Debut Carbon for about four months. I set the TEAC TN-300 up adjacent to the Pro-Ject. I listened to a dozen albums on both decks hooked up to an Arcam A85 amp and Blumenstein speakers. Here's my assessment: SOUND: Both decks have great sound at this price point. I used the on-board preamp on the TEAC and a Behringer Microphono PP400 with the Pro-ject. The output was essentially equal. I'd say the TEAC sounds slightly warmer. The Ortofon 2M cartridge that comes with the Pro-ject is supposed to be better than the Audio-Technica AT95E, but I'm not hearing it. Winner: Tie USABILITY: This is where the TEAC blows away the Pro-ject. It's significantly easier to use the TEAC. The on/off switch is on top of the deck; whereas the Pro-ject's is underneath. The TEAC's cue lever has a richer feel to it and the tone arm has more presence. If you want to listen to 45 rpm records on the Pro-ject it's an ordeal. You have to take the platter off and move the belt (this doesn't sound like as much of a nuisance as it becomes, trust me). On the TEAC, the rpm switch is adjacent to the on/off switch. I tested a long-playing 45 rpm on both decks and it was so wonderful to just flip the switch on the TEAC. Winner: Hand's down the TEAC. APPEARANCE: What drew me to the Pro-ject Debut Carbon was its simple aesthetic. It really is a gorgeous piece of artwork for the minimalist at heart. The TEAC is a beautiful machine in its own right (it has a 70's feel, which I love), but there's something sculptural about the Pro-ject that I find more compelling. Winner: Pro-ject VIBRATION: The Pro-ject deck is more substantial. However, its sturdiness makes it prone to vibration. The TEAC's lighter and is coupled with shock absorbent feet that really do work. Winner: TEAC SETUP: The counterbalance and anti-skating were significantly easier to setup on the TEAC. In my time with the Pro-ject I've had trouble with the anti-skate weight coming loose--it's held in place by a piece of fishing line. Winner: TEAC EXTRAS: Both decks come with dust covers. The Pro-ject's includes an unsightly logo on top. The TEAC's comes with some useful, rubber feet. The TEAC also includes a rubber mat that is substantially nicer than the flimsy piece of felt that comes with the Pro-ject (you'll have to replace it because it will cling to your records). The TEAC also comes with an electrical cord with swappable US and European plugs. Both units include cables, but the Pro-ject's has built-in grounding wires. The TEAC includes a USB cable. (For the record, I think TEAC could have left out the USB functionality as I suspect its superfluous quality will turn off purists.) Winner: TEAC SUMMARY: Overall I'm actually quite surprised I'm giving this one to TEAC. I'm torn because I truly love the simple look of my white, Pro-ject deck, but I've fallen for the usability and slightly warmer sound of the TEAC.