Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable

Description

About the Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable with Ground It Carbon Isolation Base

The Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable uses an extra-heavy chassis with a CNC-machined MDF plate, carbon fibre, and resin-coated steel pellets. It also includes a 10-inch 10cc Evolution carbon tonearm, a 10.4kg aluminium platter, an inverted ceramic main bearing, an outboard motor with electronic 33/45 RPM speed control, and Pro-Ject’s Ground It Carbon isolation base.

The included Ground It Carbon base is a major part of the design. It uses granular damping, four magnetic decoupling feet, a piano lacquer finish, and a carbon layer on top. Therefore, the RPM 10 Carbon is designed to sit on a highly stable, resonance-controlled platform from day one.

What we think

At Rapallo, the Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon is a serious analogue source for customers building a dedicated vinyl system.

The biggest strength is its mechanical stability. The mass-loaded chassis, heavy aluminium platter, ceramic bearing, outboard motor, and Ground It Carbon base all work together to reduce vibration and give the cartridge a very stable platform. As a result, the turntable is better able to reveal fine detail, bass texture, and natural timing from good records.

We also like that this version comes without a cartridge. That makes sense at this level. Customers buying an RPM 10 Carbon may already have a favourite cartridge. Also, the 10cc Evolution tonearm is good enough to justify a serious moving-coil cartridge. It is far better to choose the right cartridge and phono stage together than to compromise with a supplied cartridge that may not suit your system.

The Ground It Carbon base is another strong advantage. Many turntables need an isolation platform added later. Here, the base is part of the package. It weighs 14.5kg and is designed specifically for larger high-end Pro-Ject turntables, including the RPM 10 Carbon.

For NZ customers wanting a high-end turntable platform with cartridge freedom, the RPM 10 Carbon is a superb choice. Match it with a quality MC cartridge, a low-noise phono stage, a capable amplifier, and revealing speakers, and it becomes the heart of a very refined analogue system.

 

 

Specifications >> User Guide >> View Pro-Ject >>

 

The Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable is ideal for

• Vinyl listeners wanting a refined RPM-series turntable
• Customers upgrading from RPM 1, RPM 3, Debut, or entry-level decks
• Systems with a separate MM phono stage
• Listeners wanting the Ortofon 2M Bronze pre-fitted
• Compact to mid-sized two-channel hi-fi systems
• Customers who want a sculptural turntable with serious engineering

 

What The Experts Say

• SoundStage! Hi-Fi named the RPM 10 Carbon with 10cc Evolution tonearm a Recommended Reference Component. It noted that the bundle includes the Ground It Carbon platform, Connect It 5P-CC phono cable, and record puck, but no cartridge in the reviewed package. (soundstagehifi.com)
• SoundStage! Ultra praised the RPM 10 Carbon’s elegant design and substantial engineering. The review highlighted the heavy aluminium platter, magnetic support, outboard motor, adjustable 10cc Evolution arm, and Ground It Carbon base. (soundstageultra.com)
• Hi-Fi Choice reported that the RPM 10 Carbon is Pro-Ject’s top-of-the-range RPM design, with resin-coated steel pellets in the MDF plinth, carbon surface coating, TPE-damped aluminium platter, outboard motor, 10cc Evolution tonearm, Ground It Carbon platform, and record puck. (hifichoice.com)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon?
   The Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon is a high-end manual belt-drive turntable with a mass-loaded carbon chassis, 10cc Evolution tonearm, heavy aluminium platter, outboard motor, and Ground It Carbon isolation base.
2. Does this RPM 10 Carbon come with a cartridge?
   No, this version is supplied without a cartridge. That lets you choose the MM or MC cartridge that best suits your phono stage, amplifier, speakers, and listening taste.
3. Does the RPM 10 Carbon include the Ground It Carbon base?
   Yes, the Ground It Carbon isolation base is included. It uses granular damping, four magnetic decoupling feet, and a carbon top layer to improve turntable isolation.
4. Does the RPM 10 Carbon have a built-in phono preamp?
   No, it does not include a built-in phono stage. You will need a suitable external phono preamp or an amplifier with a phono input.
5. What cartridge should I use with the RPM 10 Carbon?
   The RPM 10 Carbon can support high-quality MM and MC cartridges. Good options include Ortofon Cadenza, Ortofon Quintet, Hana, Sumiko, and other premium cartridges. The best choice depends on your phono stage and preferred sound. Talk to Rapallo for expert help.
6. Can the RPM 10 Carbon play 45 RPM records?
   Yes, it plays 33 and 45 RPM records. It includes electronic speed switching, so changing speeds is simple.
7. Is the RPM 10 Carbon automatic?
   No, it is a manual turntable. You place the tonearm on the record and lift it at the end of the side.
8. Does the RPM 10 Carbon include a dust cover?
   No, the acrylic dust cover is not included as standard. It is available separately.
9. How heavy is the RPM 10 Carbon?
   The turntable weighs 22kg net. The included Ground It Carbon base weighs 14.5kg, making the full system very substantial.
10. How is the RPM 10 Carbon different from the RPM 9 Carbon?
    The RPM 10 Carbon is larger and more substantial. It uses a 10cc Evolution tonearm, a 10.4kg platter, and includes the Ground It Carbon base. The RPM 9 Carbon is smaller and uses a 9cc Evolution tonearm.
11. Who is the Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon best suited to?
    It is best for serious vinyl listeners who want a high-end turntable platform, cartridge freedom, excellent isolation, and a stable foundation for a premium analogue system.

 

Key Features

Supplied Without Cartridge

This version is supplied without a cartridge. Therefore, you can select the cartridge that best matches your phono stage, amplifier, speakers, and listening taste. This is ideal for customers considering Ortofon, Hana, Sumiko, Audio-Technica, or other high-quality MM and MC cartridge options.

10cc Evolution Carbon Tonearm

The RPM 10 Carbon comes with Pro-Ject’s 10-inch 10cc Evolution carbon tonearm. It uses a conical carbon-fibre armtube and inverted bearing design for rigidity, low mass, and accurate tracking with demanding cartridges.

Extra-Heavy Chassis Construction

The chassis uses CNC-machined MDF, carbon fibre, and resin-coated steel pellets to create an extra-heavy sandwich construction. This helps reduce resonance and gives the turntable a very stable foundation.

Carbon Surface Treatment

The plinth is manufactured with special thermo treatment and a carbon surface coating. This is designed to improve rigidity and reduce resonance through the chassis.

Ground It Carbon Isolation Base Included

The RPM 10 Carbon is supplied with the Ground It Carbon isolation base. The base is filled with granular damping material and uses four magnetic decoupling feet. This gives the turntable a resonance-controlled platform without needing a separate upgrade.

Magnetic Decoupling

The turntable chassis is effectively decoupled from the surface through the Ground It Carbon base and magnetic feet. Pro-Ject describes the turntable as practically floating, with the foot studs used only to keep the feet centred.

10.4kg Aluminium Platter

The RPM 10 Carbon uses a 10.4kg aluminium platter with a 300mm diameter. The platter is internally damped and topped with a vinyl layer. This gives records a very stable, low-resonance playback surface.

Inverted Ceramic Main Bearing

The inverted main bearing uses a ceramic ball and plate. This helps deliver stable rotation, low rumble, and long-term mechanical precision.

Outboard Motor with Massive Steel Base

The motor sits separately from the main chassis on a massive steel base. This helps keep motor vibration away from the platter, tonearm, and cartridge.

Electronic 33/45 RPM Speed Control

The RPM 10 Carbon includes electronic speed control with 33 and 45 RPM switching. Therefore, you can change between LPs and 45 RPM records without manually moving the belt.

Connect It Phono CC Cable Included

The turntable is supplied with a 5P Connect It Phono CC cable with RCA plugs. An XLR option is available in some markets or by special order for suitable balanced phono setups.

Record Puck Included

A high-quality record puck is included. This helps hold the record more securely to the platter and can improve contact between the vinyl and platter surface.

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Perfect System Match Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon

A strong match would be the Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon, a carefully chosen moving-coil cartridge, a high-quality MC phono stage, a capable integrated amplifier, and revealing passive speakers.

For a Pro-Ject-focused system, pair it with a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B or Phono Box RS2. Then choose the cartridge to match your preferred sound and phono stage settings. Because this package is supplied without a cartridge, Rapallo can help select and fit the right cartridge for your system.

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Recommended With This Product

• Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B
• Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2
• Ortofon Cadenza or Quintet cartridge
• Hana moving-coil cartridge
• Digital tracking force gauge
• Cartridge alignment tools
• Record cleaning brush
• Stylus cleaning kit
• Quality RCA or XLR phono cable, where suitable
• Professional cartridge setup by Rapallo

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Product Comparison Snapshot

Model	Best For	Key Difference
Pro-Ject X8	Premium mass-loaded systems	More conventional plinth, 9cc EVO arm, balanced-ready design
Pro-Ject XA B	Acrylic design with balanced MM cartridge	Clear acrylic chassis, Pick it PRO Balanced cartridge included
Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon	High-end cartridge-flexible vinyl systems	10cc Evolution arm, 10.4kg platter, Ground It Carbon base, no cartridge supplied
Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon	High-end RPM systems with smaller platform	9cc EVO arm, 7.2kg platter, lower-tier RPM platform

 

Specifications

Brand: Pro-Ject

Model: RPM 10 Carbon

Product Type: Manual Belt-Drive Turntable with Isolation Base

Drive System
Belt drive

Operation
Manual

Speeds
33 RPM
45 RPM

Speed Control
Electronic speed change

Motor System
Outboard motor construction
Massive steel motor base
Precision DC-driven AC generator
Built-in Speed Box electronic speed control

Cartridge
Not included

Tonearm
10-inch Pro-Ject 10cc Evolution carbon tonearm

Tonearm Construction
Conical carbon-fibre armtube
Inverted bearing design
Top-grade copper internal wiring

Effective Tonearm Length
254mm

Effective Tonearm Mass
8.5g

Overhang
16mm

Tracking Force Range
10mN to 35mN

Chassis
Extra-heavy mass-loaded chassis
CNC-machined MDF plate
Carbon fibre and resin-coated steel pellet sandwich construction
Thermo-treated plinth
Carbon surface coating

Isolation
Mass-loaded subchassis design
Magnetic feet
Ground It Carbon isolation base included

Platter
10.4kg aluminium platter
300mm diameter
Internal TPE damping
Vinyl mat / vinyl top layer

Main Bearing
Inverted stainless-steel main bearing
Ceramic ball and plate

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
73dB

Speed Variance
33 RPM: ±0.11%
45 RPM: ±0.10%

Wow and Flutter
33 RPM: ±0.01%
45 RPM: ±0.01%

Phono Preamp
Not included

Output
5-pin tonearm output

Included Phono Cable
5P Connect It Phono CC cable with RCA plugs

Included Accessories
Ground It Carbon isolation base
Record puck
7-inch single adapter
Power supply
Spirit level
5P phono cable with RCA plugs

Dust Cover
Not included
Acrylic dust cover available separately

Power Supply
15V DC / 1600mA

Power Consumption
15W maximum
Less than 0.3W standby

Turntable Dimensions
480mm (W) x 210mm (H) x 330mm (D)

Turntable Weight
22.0kg net

Ground It Carbon Dimensions
500mm (W) x 70mm (H) x 400mm (D)

Ground It Carbon Weight
14.5kg

Finish
Carbon Fibre Skin / Carbon finish

Country of Manufacture
Czech Republic, listed by retailer

Rapallo Product Data

MPN: RPM-10-CARBON

SKU: PROJ-RPM10-CARBON-NOCART

EAN / UPC / GTIN: 9120050435285

 

Why Buy From Rapallo

✔ Expert turntable and cartridge matching advice
✔ Professional cartridge setup and alignment support
✔ Help matching phono stages, amplifiers, and speakers
✔ NZ support and after-sales service
✔ Trusted hi-fi and home entertainment specialists
✔ Practical guidance for isolation, cabling, record care, and system tuning