Pro-Ject Audio Systems A2 User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Pro-Ject A2

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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Dear Music Lover,
Congratulations and thank you for choosing Pro-Ject Audio Systems record player.
Your A2 turntable has been handcrafted and rigorously tested by skilled technicians to give you years of
enjoyable, trouble-free service.
Please contact your dealer if you require additional assistance.
Important:
Your turntable was shipped partially disassembled in order to avoid damage to sensitive parts. Please
check immediately to make sure that neither the packaging nor the device was damaged in transit. If you are
missing parts or if the unit is damaged, please do not operate and contact your dealer.
Safety instructions
!
The power supply is used to connect and disconnect the unit from the mains. Make sure that the plug
is easily accessible at all times. Hold the plug when unplugging the power cord. Never handle the
power cord while your hands are wet or damp.
Avoid letting liquids enter the device. Never place any item containing liquid, like a flower vase, on
or near the device. Never spill any liquid on the device. Never place any naked flame sources, like
lighted candles, on or near the device. The product shall not be used in damp or wet locations, next to
a bathtub, sink, swimming pool or any other similar conditions.
Keep plastic bags away from children to prevent any risk of suffocation.
General Information 3
Controls, features and connections 3
In the packaging 3
Setup
1. Unpacking and setup of the turntable 5
2. Connection to an amplifier or phono preamplifier 5
3. Starting and stopping record playback 5
4. Tracking force setting 6
5. Anti-skating setting 6
6. Adjusting drop-off point 7
7. Cartridge installation, stylus exchange 7
8. Maintenance and cleaning 7
Technical specifications 8
Troubleshooting, warranty, service 9
Please do your part to help protect the environment:
No immediate disposal of packaging material:
Pro-Ject packaging is carefully designed to protect your component from damage in transit and you are
strongly urged to keep the original packaging in order to safely ship or otherwise transport your turntable in
the future.
However, the packaging materials were chosen to be environmentally friendly, so if you must discard the
packaging, please recycle.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Controls, features and connections
1 PLATTER with FELTMAT
2 COUNTERWEIGHT
3 TRACKING FORCE ADJUSTMENT
4 ANTI-SKATING ADJUSTMENT
5 TONEARM TUBE
6 HEADSHELL WITH FINGER LIFT AND PRE-MOUNTED CARTRIDGE
7 TONEARM REST with LOCK
8 REPLAY SPEED SWITCH
9 7”/12”DROP OFF SWITCH
10 TONEARM LIFT LEVER
11 START/STOP LEVER
12 DUSTCOVER HINGE HOLDERS
13 PHONO RCA OUTPUT
14 GROUND TERMINAL
15 POWER SUPPLY SOCKET
In the packaging
a TURNTABLE
b CONNECT IT E PHONO CABLE WITH EARTHING WIRE
c FELTMAT
d DUSTCOVER
e SINGLES ADAPTER (not pictured below)
f POWER SUPPLY
g PLATTER
hSUB-PLATTER TRANSPORT PROTECTION
i DRIVE BELT
j COUNTERWEIGHT
k SETUP GUIDE WITH TRANSLATIONS (not pictured below)
a
h
b
d
c
f
g
j
i

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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1
2
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
15
9
13
14
3
4

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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SETUP
Please also refer to your Setup Guide (k) included in your A2 packaging for step-by-step instructions
for unpacking your new A2, setting it up and playing your first record.
1. Unpacking and setup of the turntable
Unpack the turntable (a) and place it on a level surface. Remove the dustcover (d), the sub-platter protection
(g) and the red transport spacers (see setup guide). Put the belt over the pully & sub-platter. Put the platter (g)
on the turntable and secure it with the fastening clip. Put the felt mat on the platter. Put the counterweight (j,
2) on the tonearm. Plug the power supply (f) first into the power socket on the turntable (15) and then into
your mains power.
2. Connection to an amplifier or phono preamplifier
Your A2 needs to be connected to suitable MM phono preamp or to a suitable MM phono input on your
amplifier (sometimes labelled gram, disc or RIAA) using our supplied Connect it E phono cable.
Take care to connect the left and right channels correctly. On the Connect it E cable, right is marked red and
left is marked white. On your A2, right is marked red and left is marked black. On your amplifier or phono-
preamp, the right channel is usually marked red, the left channel black or white. Check the manual supplied
with your amplifier for relevant information. The earthing wire should be connected to the ground terminal
on your amplifier or phono-preamp (if provided) and your A2 (14).
3. Starting and stopping record playback
Automatic start:
Put on a record and set your replay speed (8) to the RPM of your record. Most long play records need to be
played with 33 RPM. Smaller 7” singles with 45 RPM. Also put the singles adapter (e) on the platter (1)
spindle to play 7” singles. Select your automatic drop-off point (9). 7”is for singles and 12”for regular full-
length LPs. Remove the stylus protection cover. Move the lift lever (10) to the position. Push the
START/STOP lever (11) to START to engage the automatics and start playing your record. The platter will
start turning and the tonearm will automatically move to the selected start position and lower down to the
record. When the record is finished the tonearm will be lifted and move back into its resting position
automatically as well.
The start position is different between LPs and singles. Singles with a smaller 7“ diameter are usually
45RPM. And bigger 12“LPs can exist as 33RPM and 45RPM. Doublecheck your replay speed and
the record you are playing, in case your tonearm moves to the wrong position.
78 RPM records in 10" format must be started manually, as the automatics can be set to 7" singles or
12“LPs only. To do this, set the playback speed to 78 RPM and follow the Manual start instructions
below.
Manual start:
It is also possible to start playing records manually. To do this make sure the lift lever (10) is in the
position. Manually place the tonearm above the part of the record or song, from where you want to start
playback. The platter will start spinning automatically as soon as you move the tonearm. Move the lift lever
(10) to the position to lower the tonearm onto the record. When the record is finished, the tonearm will
move back into its resting position automatically.
Starting playback manually is necessary for 10“/78RPM records and recommended for advanced
users or when you want to play only a certain song of a record or start playing the record further into
it. Take care to not damage the stylus (needle) when doing so.
!

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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Stopping playback:
Push the START/STOP lever (11) to STOP to stop playing the record at any time during playback. The
tonearm will move back into its resting position automatically. Move the lift lever (10) back to the position
to ensure the tonearm rests in its lifted position.
Playback can also be stopped manually at any time without affecting the function of the automatics system.
Move the lift lever (10) to the position to stop playback at the desired point and then return the tone arm
manually to the tone arm holder.
4. Tracking force setting
Make sure the stylus protection cover is removed. Make sure the lift lever (10) is in the position, take the
tonearm out of its rest, place it somewhere between the platter and the rest and balance the tonearm by
turning the counterweight on the rod left and right until the tonearm is level.
Once it is level, put it back in its rest. Turn the tracking force
adjustment wheel (3) to set the desired tracking force.
The Ortofon 2M Red requires 1.7g tracking force => set the wheel to the mark between 1.5 and 2
The Sumiko Rainier (shipped on the USA version) requires 2g tracking force => set the wheel to 2
5. Anti-skating setting
Set the anti-skating by turning the anti-skating adjustment ring (4)
to the desired level. Anti-skating is generally set to the same level
as your tracking force.
The Ortofon 2M Red requires 1.7g tracking force =>
set anti-skating to 1.7
The Sumiko Rainier (shipped on the USA version)
requires 2g tracking force => set anti-skating to 2

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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6. Adjusting drop-off point
The drop-off point for the automatics (the exact location where the automatics lower the tonearm on the
record when pushing the start button) does usually not need to be adjusted. However, there is variance from
record to record, which makes it useful to be able to fine tune the point for some records.
Next to the 12”/7”selector (9) there is a small
hole, that allows you to reach a slotted screw to
fine tune the drop off point. Make sure the 12”/7”
selector (9) is in the 12”position. The 7”position
blocks access to the screw underneath. Take a
slotted screw driver and slowly turn the screw in
either direction by just a few degrees (which
direction does not matter). Make only small
adjustments and see where the tonearm now lands.
After turning the screw 360° you will be back in the
original position. This fine tuning affects both the
12”and 7”drop-off location.
7. Cartridge installation, stylus exchange
Your A2 turntable comes with a cartridge which has already been factory aligned and is ready for playback
immediately.
For advanced users, in case you want to switch cartridges, install your new cartridge into the headshell, using
the appropriate hardware included with your new cartridge. All cartridges with half inch mounting holes can
be fitted.
Connect the cartridge as indicated below:
•White left channel L+
•Red right channel R+
•Green right channel R-
•Blue left channel L-
For correct cartridge alignment, use a cartridge alignment protractor of your choice (not included with your
A2 turntable). If unfamiliar with this setup, please refer to your dealer.
A damaged or worn stylus may harm your record collection and should be replaced.
Please remove the stylus protection before pulling the stylus from the cartridge and replace for a new one.
Exchange stylus for the pre-mounted cartridge Ortofon 2M Red: Stylus 2M Red. If in doubt, consult your local
dealer or distributor.
8. Maintenance and cleaning
Your record player requires little or no regular maintenance. Remove dust with a slightly moistened antistatic
cloth. Never use a dry cloth because this will create static electricity which attract more dust! Antistatic
cleaning fluids are available at specialist stores but must be applied sparingly to avoid damage to rubber
parts. It is recommended to fit the needle cover before cleaning or maintenance is carried out to avoid damage.
!
Always disconnect the record player from the mains power supply as a precaution before maintenance!

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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Technical specifications Pro-Ject A2
Nominal speeds
33/45/78 RPM
Speed variance
33: ±0.27% 45: ±0.22%
Wow and flutter
33: ±0.14% 45: ±0.12%
Signal to noise
74dB
Effective tonearm mass
ULM (ultra light mass) design principle
Effective tonearm length
8.3" (211 mm)
Overhang
19,5mm
Power consumption
1,5W
Outboard power supply
15V/800mA DC, suitable for your country's mains supply
Dimensions (W x H x D)
430 x 150 x 365 mm
Weight
7,3 kg net / 10 kg with packaging
Technical specifications MM-Cartridge Ortofon 2M Red
Frequency range
20-22.000Hz
Channel separation
22dB/1kHz
Output voltage
5.5mV
Recommended load impedance
47kohms/amplifier connection –MM-input
Compliance/stylus type
20µm/mN –elliptical
Recommended tracking force
17.5mN
Weight
7.2g

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject A2 · Revision 2023.08.02
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Potential incorrect use and fault conditions
Pro-Ject turntables are manufactured to the highest standards and undergo strict quality controls before
leaving the factory. Faults that may possibly occur are not necessarily due to material or production faults but
can sometimes be caused by incorrect use or unfortunate circumstances. Therefore, the following list of
common fault symptoms is included.
The platter doesn't turn although the unit is switched on:
The unit is not connected to the mains power supply.
No mains at the socket.
Drive belt is not fitted or has slipped off.
No signal through one or other channel or both channels:
No signal contact from the cartridge to the internal tonearm wiring or from that to the arm lead or
from that to the phono box or between that and the amplifier. This could be due to a faulty plug,
broken wire or solder joint or simply loose plug/socket connection.
Phono input not selected at amplifier.
Amplifier is not switched on.
Amplifier or speakers are defective or muted.
No connection to the loudspeakers.
Strong hum on phono input:
No earth connection from cartridge or arm or arm cable to amplifier, or earth loop.
Distorted or inconsistent sound from one or both channels:
Record player is connected to wrong input of amplifier, or MM/MC switch incorrectly set.
Needle or cantilever damaged.
Wrong RPM., drive belt overstretched or dirty, platter bearing without oil, dirty or damaged
Service
Should you encounter a problem which you are not able to alleviate or identify despite the above information,
please contact your dealer for further advice. Only when the problem cannot be resolved there should the
unit be sent to the responsible distributor in your country.
Guarantee repairs will only be affected if the unit is returned correctly packaged. For this reason, we recommend
keeping the original packaging.
Never return a record player without making sure that is it safely disassembled and correctly packaged in the
original packaging according to the diagrams on the last page of this user guide. Please remove these parts
and pack them separately: lid, counterweight, anti-skating weight and belt.
Fit the cartridge protection cap and the transport lock for the tonearm tube, prior to carefully packaging the
record player.
Warranty
The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for damage caused by not adhering to these instructions
for use and/or by transportation without the original packaging. Modification or change to any part
of the product by unauthorized persons, release the manufacturer from any liability over and above
the lawful rights of the customer.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems is a Registered Trademark of
H. Lichtenegger.
This guide was produced by: Pro-Ject Audio Systems
Copyright ©2023. All rights reserved.
The information was correct at the time of going to press.
The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to
the technical specification without prior notice as deemed
necessary to uphold the ongoing process of technical
development.