The Pro-Ject Automat A2 is aimed at listeners who want the ease of a fully automatic turntable without giving up the design priorities usually associated with more traditional hi-fi record players. It sits above the A1 in Pro-Ject’s automatic line and introduces a more substantial chassis, broader speed support, and additional setup flexibility. Its appeal is not that it tries to make vinyl complicated; rather, it is designed to make the physical act of playing records simpler while still paying attention to resonance control, tonearm movement, cartridge choice, and mechanical isolation.
A fully automatic approach with a hi-fi mindset
The central attraction of the Automat A2 is its fully automatic operation. The user places a record on the platter, selects the appropriate setting, and presses the start button. From there, the mechanism raises the tonearm, moves it over the lead-in groove, and lowers the stylus to begin playback. At the end of the side, the automatic system completes its work and shuts off the mechanism.
That convenience matters for several types of vinyl listeners. It removes the need to manually cue the arm at the start of every side, which can be reassuring for new record owners and useful for anyone who wants a more relaxed playback routine. It also reduces the risk of leaving the stylus running in the run-out groove indefinitely after a record finishes.
Pro-Ject’s automatic system is electronically controlled and is designed to operate only at the beginning and end of playback. The stated intention is that the automation handles cueing and shut-off duties without remaining engaged during the music itself. For prospective owners, that design choice helps define the A2’s position: it is not simply a lifestyle convenience product, but an automatic turntable built around the idea that playback should still be mechanically considered.
A heavier MDF enclosure with attention to resonance control
One of the most visible differences between the Automat A2 and the smaller A1 is the A2’s thicker base. Pro-Ject describes the enclosure as a hand-painted MDF construction with reduced internal voids, intended to make the plinth very heavy and to help reduce unwanted resonance. The turntable weighs 7.3 kg, giving it a more substantial physical presence than many compact automatic designs.
The use of a heavier plinth can be important because turntables are mechanical playback devices. The stylus is tracing very small groove modulations, so the structure supporting the platter, bearing, motor, and tonearm has a meaningful role in keeping unwanted energy under control. While the A2 should not be judged on claims beyond its documented design, the emphasis on mass, reduced cavities, and MDF construction shows that Pro-Ject has treated the chassis as more than a cosmetic platform.
The hand-painted enclosure also gives the A2 a more finished, furniture-like quality. For many owners, a turntable is not hidden away; it sits in a living room, listening space, or office. A thicker, heavier plinth can make the product feel visually grounded, while the simpler automatic operation keeps the user experience approachable.
Mechanical separation for the arm, platter, and motor
The A2 uses separate floating bearing structures for the tonearm, platter bearing, and motor. This is a notable design decision because it addresses a common challenge in turntable engineering: different parts of the deck generate or transmit different forms of vibration. Separating key mechanical areas can help limit the paths through which unwanted energy travels.
Pro-Ject also specifies a reinforced cast aluminum bearing top, which is intended to strengthen the automatic movement. In an automatic turntable, the mechanism has additional work to do compared with a purely manual design, so the robustness of the parts involved is especially relevant. A reinforced bearing area suggests an effort to combine convenience with mechanical stability rather than treating automation as an add-on.
The turntable stands on aluminum feet with silicone damping. This is another practical detail that may matter in real systems, where the deck might be placed on a cabinet, rack, or sideboard rather than a dedicated wall shelf. Damped feet cannot solve every placement issue, but they are part of a broader design strategy aimed at isolating the player from external influences.
Tonearm design with greater user control
The Automat A2 is fitted with an 8.3-inch thin-walled straight tonearm. The arm ends in a black aluminum headshell area described as carbon anti-magnetic, and it comes with a pre-tuned Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge. The inclusion of a known cartridge family is useful because it gives the turntable a clear out-of-the-box configuration, reducing the number of decisions required before first use.
Unlike a fully locked-down automatic player, the A2 gives the listener some control over setup. The user can select the drop point for seven-inch singles or 12-inch records, and the tracking force can be set. These details broaden the A2’s appeal. It is not limited to one record format, and it allows cartridge force to be handled as a real setup parameter rather than hidden entirely from the owner.
Pro-Ject also specifies an upgraded aluminum tonearm bearing with a four-point gimbal design and a steel hub ball bearing. The company’s stated goal is free tonearm movement with minimal friction. For a prospective owner, the practical point is that the A2’s automatic convenience is paired with attention to the tonearm’s basic mechanical job: allowing the cartridge to follow the groove with as little interference as possible.
Three-speed playback for broader record collections
The Automat A2 supports 33, 45, and 78 rpm playback via its electronically controlled DC motor and belt-drive system. Speed selection is made at the upper left corner of the turntable, keeping the interface straightforward. The addition of 78 rpm capability gives the A2 a broader functional range than turntables limited to LPs and standard singles.
This speed flexibility may be valuable for collectors whose shelves include more than modern LPs. A typical contemporary collection may revolve around 33 rpm albums and 45 rpm singles, but some listeners also own older 78 rpm discs or specialist releases. The A2’s speed options make it a more versatile platform, provided the rest of the playback chain and stylus requirements are appropriate for the records being used.
The fact that the speed control is electronic also supports ease of use. There is no need to manually move a belt between pulleys for normal speed changes as described in the A2’s operation. For an automatic turntable, that kind of interface consistency is important: the product is meant to reduce friction in the listening routine, not add another mechanical step every time record type changes.
Designed for listeners who value convenience and mechanical substance
The Automat A2 is most suitable for vinyl listeners who want automation but still care about traditional turntable fundamentals. It is likely to appeal to people who play records frequently, share a system with family members, or prefer not to manually cue and return a tonearm every time. The automatic start and end functions can also be helpful in casual listening situations where the user may not be sitting beside the deck for the entire side.
It is also a strong conceptual fit for owners with mixed-format collections. The ability to choose between seven-inch and 12-inch drop points, combined with 33, 45, and 78 rpm speed support, makes the A2 more adaptable than a simple LP-only automatic player. The pre-tuned Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge further supports a user-friendly starting point for those who want a complete, ready-to-use vinyl source.
The A2 may be less suitable for listeners who specifically want a fully manual turntable, enjoy every aspect of manual cueing, or require extensive cartridge experimentation from the outset. Its value is in combining automation, build substance, and sensible adjustability, not in presenting itself as a minimalist manual deck or a platform for endless modification.
Market position: automatic, but not simplistic
Automatic turntables often sit at the convenience end of the market, while more serious hi-fi models are frequently manual. The Pro-Ject Automat A2 occupies a useful middle ground. Its automation is the obvious headline feature, but the heavier MDF plinth, separated bearing areas, damped aluminum feet, upgraded tonearm bearing, and adjustable tracking force all show that the design is not limited to push-button operation.
That combination is the A2’s distinctive character. It offers the ease of pressing start and letting the player handle cueing, while retaining visible engineering decisions aimed at stability and usability. For a prospective buyer, the significance is simple: the A2 is built for people who want records to be easier to play, not for people who want vinyl reduced to a decorative object.
The inclusion of a pre-installed cartridge also clarifies the product’s intended role. It is meant to be a complete, approachable turntable rather than a bare platform that demands immediate parts matching. At the same time, the adjustable force setting and format controls give it more user involvement than the most simplified automatic designs.
Conclusion
The Pro-Ject Automat A2’s strongest documented qualities are its fully automatic operation, heavier hand-painted MDF enclosure, resonance-conscious mechanical layout, upgraded tonearm bearing, adjustable tracking force, selectable record-size drop point, and support for 33, 45, and 78 rpm playback. It is best suited to listeners who want a turntable that feels approachable in daily use while still reflecting serious attention to the mechanical details that matter in vinyl playback. For owners who value convenience, format flexibility, and a more substantial automatic design, the A2 occupies a distinctive and practical place in Pro-Ject’s turntable range.
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