Pro-Ject nails the affordable Bluetooth turntable recipe

There are some combinations that work beautifully, even if you wouldn't necessarily consider putting them together in the first place. Beans on toast is an odd combination when you think about it, as is surf and turf, while carrots in a cake has no right to be as good as it is. Mixing poached eggs with smoked salmon is essentially combining poultry and fish, but no one complains when a bougie brunch spot has Eggs Royale on the menu, do they?

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It's the same with Bluetooth turntables. Teaming up Bluetooth and vinyl may seem strange at first, but the idea of having analogue record playback beamed wirelessly to a host of modern compatible sources unquestionably has its appeal, especially for users who are just setting out on the vinyl path and need a simple system to get them started.

The Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT is designed to be just that - an accessible option for getting your vinyl spinning with wires or without as part of Pro-Ject's Evo T1 line of wallet-friendly decks. The big question, then, is this: is the T1 Evo BT akin to the holy union of ham and cheese, or is this particular recipe more akin to putting pickled onions in your ice cream sundae?

If you're familiar with Pro-Ject's healthy roster of budget-friendly turntables, you will know that it's a brand that often goes for simple, functional designs when value for money is a key priority. The T1 Evo BT continues that fuss-free philosophy, showing itself to be a well made and easy to operate turntable that should appeal to vinyl novices.

Our particular test subject looks smart in its walnut finish (black or white finishes are also available), and handling the aluminium tonearm or running a hand across the smooth, unblemished surface of the plinth indicates a product well made.

The deck is a little subdued next to the more eye-catching but similarly priced Audio-Technica AT-LPW50BTRW - a rival Bluetooth turntable whose robust build and higher quality of fit and finish impresses us more at this price level.

However, this is a turntable that is designed to be simple to use, and that's always a good thing in our books. While it's not quite a plug-and-play affair, a PhD in engineering isn't required to get it up and running in a very short time. The platter, mat, belt and optional dust cover all need to be fitted, but those are simple tasks.