Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon vs SME Synergy
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · SME Synergy.
| Specification | Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon |
SME Synergy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $36,789 |
| Category | High-end | High-end |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2016–present | 2019–present |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | sold bare or with Ortofon Quintet Bronze (MC) | Highlighted difference. Ortofon Windfeld Ti (fitted) |
| Phono stage | No | Highlighted difference. Yes |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | 7.2kg aluminium with TPE damping | aluminium, damped |
| Tonearm | 9" EVO carbon-fibre | SME 309 |
| Wow & flutter | — | — |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.
The SME Synergy has a built-in phono stage. Skip the phono stage and you'll need one built into your amp, or a separate box, to play through normal speakers.
Bottom line: Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon and SME Synergy are close in the recorded fields, and this specification comparison does not establish an overall winner.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon…
Retailer searches
12 US retailers stock Pro-Ject — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | Search at Amazon ↗ |
| Audio Advice | hifi independent | Free shipping on most orders. | Search at Audio Advice ↗ |
| B&H Photo Video | electronics chain | Free expedited shipping on most orders in the contiguous US. | Search at B&H Photo Video ↗ |
| Best Buy | electronics chain | Free shipping on orders $35+; free store pickup at most locations. | Search at Best Buy ↗ |
| Crutchfield | electronics chain | Free shipping on nearly all orders, with free 2-day delivery on most gear. | Search at Crutchfield ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at eBay ↗ |
| Elusive Disc | hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $79. | Search at Elusive Disc ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at Reverb ↗ |
| Sweetwater | music retail | Free shipping on almost every order, no minimum. | Search at Sweetwater ↗ |
| Turntable Lab | hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | Search at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | Search at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| World Wide Stereo | hifi independent | Free shipping on all orders. | Search at World Wide Stereo ↗ |
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for SME Synergy…
Retailer searches
1 US retailer stock SME — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at eBay ↗ |