Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 Review: A Vinyl System with Built-In Amplifier

Experience high-quality sound from an all-in-one vinyl system that combines convenience and performance in the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1.

Changing the Game for All-in-One Turntables

When I first heard about the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 turntable, I thought, "Another all-in-one player? Usually, these are budget gadgets with hidden compromises." But the Juke Box E1 flips that narrative on its head. Pro-Ject clearly wasn’t chasing cheapness—they prioritized convenience while maintaining serious audio quality. This isn’t some bargain-bin device; it looks, feels, and most importantly, sounds like a no-compromise solution.

At its core, the Juke Box E1 is based on the stylish Pro-Ject Primary E1 turntable, but with a twist: it features a built-in phono preamp, amplification, and Bluetooth receiver. In other words, this is a full-fledged audio system—you just add speakers. Or, for even more ease, grab the package that includes Pro-Ject’s signature speakers.

If you already have a solid standalone amplifier, you might lean towards the regular E1 turntable. But for newcomers starting from scratch, the Juke Box E1 is a dream: super simple to set up and use, yet capable of delivering impressive sound across all kinds of genres.

At $799, it’s not exactly a budget buy, but when you consider the price you’d pay for a quality turntable plus a separate amplifier, this all-in-one setup offers honest value—and it’s compact, too.

That said, if you see your audiophile ambitions growing, pairing a standard Pro-Ject E1 turntable with a separate amp might be wiser long-term, since you can upgrade components independently.

Pricing and Availability

• Released: February 2024
• Price: $799
• Bundle with speakers: $1,199

You can either buy the Juke Box E1 alone for $799 or opt for the bundle with the Pro-Ject Speaker Box 5 at $1,199. While pricier than many all-in-one competitors, this unit targets listeners who value sound quality and component integrity but might have limited space or dislike juggling separate devices.

The Juke Box E1 is the successor to the 2018 Juke Box E model and hit shelves in early 2024.

Key Connections at the Back

Features That Impress

• Built-in amplifier
• Works with external amplifiers too
• Bluetooth streaming support

The Juke Box E1 ships with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge—a versatile setup that’s great for upgrades by swapping needles. Inside, you’ll find a built-in phono preamp and a class D amplifier pumping out 2×50 watts. This makes it a true Hi-Fi system: just attach your favorite speakers (or the Pro-Ject pair) and you’re good to go.

The turntable employs a belt drive to reduce mechanical noise, and there’s a line-in for adding other audio sources like a CD player. Of course, you can also stream music wirelessly over Bluetooth.

Keep in mind, there’s no automatic arm return—you have to manually place the needle and lift the tonearm when finished.

Feature rating: 4/5

Sound Quality: Rich, Engaging, and Fun

• Musical and immersive
• Solid bass and airy highs
• Plays loud without distortion

Having tested the Pro-Ject E1 turntable before, I had a good idea of what to expect: Pro-Ject turntables are known for their musicality, and the E1 with the Ortofon OM 5E cartridge handles everything from classic rock to electronic pop like a champ.

The soundstage is clean and detailed, with excellent instrument separation and a neutral delivery tinged with warmth. It’s the kind of player that makes you smile unintentionally as you listen. Bass guitar sounds tight, vocals layered and clear, and you’ll catch subtle details that other players often miss. Complex arrangements come alive, but I also had a blast cranking up some noisy guitar rock (sorry, neighbors!).

The real difference here is the built-in amp, especially if you buy the bundle with speakers. The amplifier delivers a robust 2×50 watts into 4 ohms, which impressed me compared to similarly priced integrated amps.

Whether using Pro-Ject’s speakers or my own Bowers & Wilkins bookshelf speakers, I noticed a bigger sound stage with vinyl compared to Bluetooth streaming. That’s less about Juke Box and more about Bluetooth’s limitations—the wireless mode doesn’t quite unlock the system’s full potential.

The included Pro-Ject speakers cover a frequency range from 55 Hz to 20 kHz, respectable for their size, only slightly shy of the Bowers & Wilkins range of 52 Hz to 28 kHz. Both are two-way ported designs sensitive to placement: too far from the walls and bass thins out; too close, and it can get boomy. Personally, I liked my Bowers & Wilkins better on the same amp—they sounded more spacious and airy—but the Pro-Ject speakers are lively and engaging.

Sound rating: 4/5

Design: Familiar Yet Beefed Up

• Shares DNA with Pro-Ject E1 but larger
• Attractive despite the size increase
• Minimalist signature style

True to its name, the Juke Box E1 has much in common with the Pro-Ject E1 turntable. Visually similar but chunkier, it houses a beefier power supply and amplifier inside.

This latest generation of their award-winning all-in-one system keeps everything you need for vinyl enjoyment—just add speakers. Compared to the older model, it sports a new tonearm, redesigned sub-platter drive system, and electronic speed switch for 33/45 RPM.

The turntable uses the same anti-resonance ABS polymer platter as the E1, with a small LCD on the chassis corner to show input and volume. Since it’s on the top surface, you have to lean in close to see it.

The designers tucked some controls out of sight—the speed switch and power toggle are underneath the front lip. Speaker connectors, line in/out, and power jack sit on the rear. The front has just one knob: twist for volume, press for input selection. You can also operate it with the supplied remote.

Four finishes to choose from: glossy white, red, black, and walnut veneer—all with a clear acrylic dust cover. The cover is standard but can catch on the Bluetooth antenna when opened—an annoying little quirk.

Design rating: 4/5

User Friendliness and Setup

• Extremely user-friendly
• Small display indicates active input
• Remote control included

The Pro-Ject E1 turntable is already famously simple, but the Juke Box E1 raises the bar. Since it has a built-in amp, there’s no need to hook up anything extra. The tonearm’s tracking force is pre-set from the factory, so setup boils down to fitting the belt, placing the platter mat, and plugging in your speakers.

The little display is clear and helpful, showing volume level and input source.

One thing missing is auto-stop or tonearm return—features that would be nice for beginners. But it’s not a dealbreaker.

Ease of use rating: 4.5/5

Is It Worth Your Money?

• Reasonable price for turntable + amplifier combo
• Hard to find equal value at this price point

The Juke Box E1 costs about twice as much as a standard E1, but that price difference includes a powerful built-in amplifier. Finding a comparable amp and turntable separately for the same total is tough, plus the all-in-one saves space. Bluetooth streaming is a welcome bonus too.

On the flip side, you lose upgrade flexibility: you can't independently swap the amplifier or turntable later on. If you don’t plan big system changes or mind that tradeoff, this is a fantastic starter system. But keep in mind it could become a limiting factor if your audiophile dreams grow.

Value rating: 4/5

Summary Table of Ratings

Alternatives to Consider

Pro-Ject E1

If you already have an amplifier or plan to get one separately, the basic Pro-Ject E1 turntable is a stellar turntable with warm, rich sound at an attractive price. Available with or without a phono preamp and Bluetooth.

Lenco LS-410

Not our favorite in testing, but it beats the Juke Box in features because it includes built-in speakers. If you want to save space and money at all costs, this might be worth considering.

How We Tested

• Used over several weeks with vinyl collection and Apple Music streaming
• Compared directly with Pro-Ject E1
• Tested with optional Pro-Ject speakers and my own bookshelf speakers, both through internal amp and as a pure turntable

I had the Juke Box E1 spinning at home alongside the Pro-Ject E1 turntable, hooked to both the included speakers and my Bowers & Wilkins shelves. Also plugged it into an external Onkyo amp bypassing the internal amp, confirming it sounds identical to an E1 in that mode. I listened across a broad playlist—from smooth yacht rock to noisy punk and melodic synth pop.

Pro-Ject turntables are very musical, with excellent instrument separation and a warm, engaging soundstage.

— Reviewer

So, is the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 the all-in-one vinyl system you’ve been waiting for? For beginners who want simplicity without sacrificing sound quality, it’s a near-perfect fit. But if you dream of tweaking and upgrading your setup down the road, consider whether the all-in-one format might feel a bit restrictive.

FAQ

• What cartridge comes with the Juke Box E1?
  It includes the Ortofon OM 5E, a reliable, upgrade-friendly cartridge.
• Can I use my own speakers with this system?
  Absolutely, you can connect any compatible speakers.
• Does it have Bluetooth streaming?
  Yes, you can stream music wirelessly from your phone or other devices.
• Is there an auto-return tonearm feature?
  No, the tonearm must be placed and returned manually.
• Can I bypass the built-in amplifier?
  Yes, the Juke Box E1 can be connected to an external amplifier if preferred.

Love the vibe of your favorite vinyl albums? Bring that passion off the turntable and onto your walls. Shop your favorite album cover posters at Architeg Prints—a perfect way to celebrate your music obsession in style.