Few album covers can claim to have left their mark on pop culture and transcended generations. However, the cover of Blackout clearly belongs in this category. More than forty years after its release, this disturbing and iconic artwork is now inspiring a limited-edition turntable: the Pro-Ject T2 Scorpions Special Edition. Part of the Artists range, this turntable will appeal both to collectors who are fans of the German band and discerning music lovers.
Collector’s Edition from the Pro-Ject Artist Collection
With this Scorpions version T2, Pro-Ject is adding to its renowned Artist Collection range, which pays tribute to the artists who have shaped music history. After Metallica, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles, it is now Scorpions’ turn to join this gallery of legends.
The choice of Blackout is no coincidence. Released in 1982, the album marked a major turning point for the band: international success, hit singles such as No One Like You, and lasting critical acclaim, even earning a place among the greatest metal albums of all time. Its artwork, created by Gottfried Helnwein, covers the plinth and is revealed through the turntable’s 1.7kg transparent glass platter.
A tried-and-tested technical foundation
Beneath its bold rock-inspired aesthetics, this Pro-Ject Scorpions limited edition is built on a solid audiophile foundation. The Austrian brand chose to use the chassis and components of its T2 turntable, renowned for its reliability and outstanding value for money.
The CNC-machined plinth has been widened to improve stability. Completely free of plastic and internal cavities, it effectively minimizes unwanted vibrations. The belt-drive system, combined with electronic speed selection for 33 and 45 RPM, ensures consistent rotation without tedious manual adjustments. The 10mm-thick glass platter contributes to stable, low-resonance playback.
An anniversary cartridge for Pro-Ject’s 25th anniversary
The Pro-Ject T2 Scorpions turntable also features a 230mm single-piece straight aluminum tonearm. This seamless design reduces sources of vibration and ensures precise groove tracking. The low-friction bearings and integrated headshell follow the same philosophy: preserving signal integrity.
The adjustable spring-based anti-skating allows cartridge performance to be optimized according to listening preferences and the records being played. As standard, the turntable comes fitted with a Pick it 25A moving magnet cartridge, factory pre-mounted and pre-adjusted. Designed in collaboration with Ortofon to celebrate Pro-Ject’s 25th anniversary, it features an elliptical stylus.
Pro-Ject T2 Scorpions: key specifications
- Manual turntable, belt drive
- Compatible with 33 and 45 RPM
- 1.7kg glass platter
- 230mm single-piece aluminum tonearm
- Pick it 25A moving magnet cartridge, elliptical stylus
- Wow and flutter: 0.19%
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 67 dB
- Dimensions: 465 × 135 × 347mm
- Weight: 5.5kg
In summary
Like all special editions from the Austrian brand, the Pro-Ject T2 Scorpions is produced in limited quantities and manufactured in Europe, in workshops backed by decades of expertise. A choice that aligns with Pro-Ject’s philosophy of sustainability and longevity.
Both a collector’s item and a reliable, high-performance hi-fi component, the Pro-Ject T2 Scorpions model embodies a tangible link between rock culture and high fidelity. This turntable does more than just play records—it tells a story: that of an album, a band, and an era.
