Pro-Ject Audio Systems ESSENTIAL III Troubleshooting guide

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Pro-Ject Essential III Flexi-Range

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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Dear Music Lover,
Congratulations and thank you for choosing Pro-Ject Audio Syste s record player.
Your Essential III 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 disasse bled in order to avoid da age to sensitive parts.
Please check i ediately to ake sure that neither the packaging nor the device was da aged in
transit. If you are issing parts or if the unit is da aged, please do not operate and contact your
dealer.
Contents
Product illustrations 4
General setup
1. Platter and drive belt installation 5
2. Cartridge installation, stylus exchange 5
3. Vertical Tracking Force setting (VTF) 5-6
4. Anti-skating force adjust ent 6
5. Azi uth setting 6
6. Turntable types and their functions 7
a) ESSENTIAL III 7
b) ESSENTIAL III BLUETOOTH 8
c) ESSENTIAL III PHONO 9
d) ESSENTIAL III SB 10
e) ESSENTIAL III IGITAL 11-12
f) ESSENTIAL III RECOR MASTER 12-13
Technical para eters 14
Troubleshooting, warranty, service 15
Exploded view of the packaging 16
Please do your part to help protect the environ ent:
Disposal of packaging aterial:
Pro-Ject packaging is carefully designed to protect your co ponent fro da age 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 aterials were chosen to be environ entally friendly, so if
you ust discard
the packaging, please recycle.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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ESSENTIAL III FLEXI-RANGE
GENERAL INFORMATIONS
Controls, features and connections
1 PLATTER & FELT MAT
2 DRIVE PULLEY
3 DRIVE BELT
4 TONEARM COUNTERWEIGHT (4a) DOWNFORCE SCALE
5 TONEARM LIFT LEVER
6 TONEARM REST (66) REMOVABLE TRANSPORT LOCK
7 TONEARM TUBE
8 HEADSHELL WITH FINGER LIFT AND PRE-MOUNTED ORTOFON OM10
9 ANTI-SKATING WEIGHT WITH WIRE
10 ANTI-SKATING WEIGHT SUPPORT HOOP
11 ANTI-SKATING STUB WITH ADJUSTMENT SCALE
12 LID
13 LID HINGES
14 HINGE FASTENERS
15 POWER SUPPLY SOCKET
Accessories
1 ANTI-SKATING WEIGHT
2 HOOK TOOL FOR SPEED CHANGE
3 SINGLE ADAPTOR
4 ALLEN KEY 1,5
5 COUNTERWEIGHT no. 00
6 TWO-POINT CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT PROTRACTOR
7 UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY
8 CONNECTION CABLE (CONNECT IT E RCA)
9 INSTRUCTION FOR USE

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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SETUP
1. Platter and drive belt installation
Please re ove brown paper insert which holds the platter in transport position. Put the felt at on the
top of the platter. Install the drive belt as shown in the following illustration.
2. Cartridge installation, stylus exchange
* If you purchased this turntable in a package that included the cartridge, this has already been done
for you.
Install the cartridge into the alu iniu headshell, using the appropriate hardware included with your
cartridge. All cartridges with half inch ounting 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 align ent, use the two-point cartridge align ent protractor provided with your
Essential III accessories. If unfa iliar with two-point setup, please refer to your dealer.
A da aged or worn stylus ay har your record collection and should be replaced.
Please re ove stylus protection before pulling the stylus fro the cartridge and replace for a new one.
Stylus type is exchange for pre- ounted cartridge Ortofon OM 10: Stylus OM 10. If in doubt, consult your
local dealer or distributor.
3. Vertical Tracking Force setting (VTF)
Before setting the Vertical Tracking Force, confir the exact weight of your cartridge. The
counterweight supplied (no. 00) is suitable for cartridges fro 3,5 to 5,5g. An alternative
counterweight (no. 01) for cartridges between 6 – 9g is available on request.
Pushing carefully, turn the counterweight onto the rear end of the tonear tube. With the tonear lift
in lower position, carefully rotate the counterweight until the tonear tube balances out. Once the
tonear is correctly balanced, return it to the rest. Hold the counterweight without oving it, and gently
revolve the downforce scale ring until the zero is in line with the anti-skating stub.
Rotate the counterweight counter clockwise (seen fro the front) to adjust the downforce according to the
cartridge anufacturer's reco endations. One ark on the scale represents 1 N (= 0,1g / 0,1 Pond)
of downforce.

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Please note: Adjust the VTF prior to installing the anti-skating weight.
4. Anti-skating force adjustment
Hang the loop of the thread of the anti-skating weight in the groove of the anti-skating stub
corresponding to the downforce applied to your cartridge and feed the thread through the loop of the
wire support.
The anti-skating force ust be adjusted corresponding to the downforce as follows:
VTF Groove in the stub
10 - 14 N 1
st
fro bearing rings
15 - 19 N 2
nd
" " "
20 N and bigger 3
rd
" " "
5. Azimuth setting
The cartridge needle ust be perpendicular to the record in order to trace the groove wall
odulations correctly.
The azi uth (angle) is precisely set by the factory. In the event that you need to odify this setting,
however, follow the instructions below.
Loosen the s all azi uth screw, again using the 1.5 allen key.
!
DO NOT REMOVE THE AZIMUTH SET SCREW COMPLETELY!
Loosen the screw just enough to be able to gently rotate the ar tube and set the azi uth to the
correct position. The correct position can be checked fro the front view, preferably with the needle
placed on a irror placed on the platter. Once the azi uth setting is correct, gently re-tighten the
azi uth setting screw.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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ESSENTIAL III SPECIFIC INFORMATIONS
Controls, features and connections
1 ON/OFF SWITCH
2 STEPPED DRIVE PULLEY
3 OUTPUT CABLE CONNECT IT E
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Switc ing on and off
Pressing the ON/OFF switch alternately starts or stops the otor.
C anging replay speed
To play 45 r.p. ., put the drive belt over the larger dia eter part of the otor pulley. To revert to 33
r.p. . repeat the proceedings using the s aller step on the pulley.
Connection to t e amplifier
The record player has a captive tonear signal lead for connection to the a plifier. Use the Phono input on
your a plifier. Make sure that the phono input offers correct atching and a plification for the type of
cartridge used. Line inputs (such as CD, Tuner, Tape or Video) are not suitable.
Take care to connect the left and right channels correctly. The right channel is usually arked red, the
left channel black or white. Check the anual supplied with your a plifier for relevant infor ation.
The earthing wire of the tonear lead should be connected to the earth ter inal on your a plifier (if
provided).
If your a plifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges you will require a separate
phono a plifier stage for MM or MC cartridges which is then connected between the record player and
a free line level input of the a plifier.

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ESSENTIAL III Bluetooth SPECIFIC INFORMATIONS
Controls, features and connections
1 ON/OFF SWITCH
2 STEPPED DRIVE PULLEY
3 PHONO/LINE OUTPUT, EARTH CONNECTION
4 BLUETOOTH SWITCH
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Switc ing on and off
Pressing the ON/OFF switch alternately starts or stops the otor.
C anging replay speed
To play 45 r.p. ., put the drive belt over the larger dia eter part of the otor pulley. To revert to 33
r.p. . repeat the proceedings using the s aller step on the pulley.
Connection to t e amplifier
The record player has two possible outputs – Line OUT with integrated prea plifier and Phono OUT for
connection to the prea plifier. If you choose Phono OUT, than use the Phono input (so eti es
labelled gra , disc or RIAA) on your a plifier. Make sure that the phono input offers correct atching
and a plification for the type of cartridge used. If you choose Line OUT, than use the Line inputs (like
CD, Tuner, Tape or Video).
Take care about connecting the left and right channel correctly. The right channel is usually arked
red, the left channel black or white. Check the anual of your a plifier for relevant infor ation. An
earthing wire ay be connected to the screw ter inal between the sockets if you encounter hu ing
proble s.
Bluetoot pairing
The record player has Bluetooth output and trans it signal auto atically when is connected to ains.
It is paired auto atically with any device with Bluetooth receiver (such as Pro-Ject MaiA, MaiA DS,
Bluetooth Box s and Bluetooth Box E).
For pairing with other devices and portable speakers use the anual of the given product.
For restart of the Bluetooth trans itter, please turn OFF and ON the Bluetooth odule by using the
switch. Restart is needed only when there is a change of the Bluetooth receiver.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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ESSENTIAL III Phono SPECIFIC INFORMATIONS
Controls, features and connections
1 ON/OFF SWITCH
2 STEPPED DRIVE PULLEY
3 PHONO/LINE OUTPUT, EARTH CONNECTION
4 PHONO/LINE OUTPUT SWITCH
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Switc ing on and off
Pressing the ON/OFF switch alternately starts or stops the otor.
C anging replay speed
To play 45 r.p. ., put the drive belt over the larger dia eter part of the otor pulley. To revert to 33
r.p. . repeat the proceedings using the s aller step on the pulley.
Connection to t e amplifier
The record player has gold plated fe ale RCA phono sockets and possibility to choose between Phono and
LINE output. With LINE OUT on, you can use a line input (such as AUX, CD, Tuner, Tape or Video) on your
a plifier. With PHONO OUT on, you can use your own phono pre-a plifier (so eti es labelled gra , disc
or RIAA).
Take care to connect the left and right channels correctly. The right channel is usually arked red, the
left channel black or white. The earthing wire of the tonear lead should be connected to the earth
ter inal on your a plifier (if provided).

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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ESSENTIAL III SB SPECIFIC INFORMATIONS
Controls, features and connections
1 SPEED CONTROL
2 DRIVE PULLEY
3 PHONO OUTPUT, EARTH CONNECTION
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Switc ing on and off, c anging replay speed
To play records at 33 r.p. . press the speed control switch to starts the otor. Pressing the ON/OFF
switch two ti es selects 45 r.p. .. The selected speed is shown respectively by the flashing LED. When
the platter has attained full speed, the LEDs stop flashing.
A long ( ore than three seconds) press on the ON/OFF switch stops the otor.
Connection to t e amplifier
Connect the tonear cable provided with the accessories to the RCA tonear output that is located at
the rear of the turntable, behind the tonear . Connect the grounding cable on the earth connection
screw.
If your a plifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges you will require a separate
phono a plifier stage for MM or MC cartridges which is then connected between the record player and
a free line level input of the a plifier.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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ESSENTIAL III Digital SPECIFIC INFORMATIONS
Controls, features and connections
1 ON/OFF SWITCH
2 STEPPED DRIVE PULLEY
3 PHONO/LINE OUTPUT, EARTH CONNECTION
4 PHONO/LINE OUTPUT SWITCH
5 DIGITAL OUTPUT SWITCH (24bit/48kHz or 24bit/96kHz)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Switc ing on and off
Pressing the ON/OFF switch alternately starts or stops the otor.
C anging replay speed
To play 45 r.p. ., put the drive belt over the larger dia eter part of the otor pulley. To revert to 33
r.p. . repeat the proceedings using the s aller step on the pulley.
Connection to t e amplifier
The record player has two possibilities of connection to the a plifier.
The analog output:
The record player has gold plated fe ale RCA phono sockets and possibility to choose between Phono and
LINE output. With LINE OUT on, you can use a line input (such as AUX, CD, Tuner, Tape or Video) on your
a plifier. With PHONO OUT on, you can use your own phono pre-a plifier (so eti es labelled gra , disc
or RIAA).

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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Take care to connect the left and right channels correctly. The right channel is usually arked red, the
left channel black or white. The earthing wire of the tonear lead should be connected to the earth
ter inal on your a plifier (if provided).
The digital output:
The record player has digital S/PDIF output through optical connector with switch between
24bit/48kHz and 24bit/96kHz. Use the optical input on your a plifier, AV receiver or D/A converter.
Optical cable is not supplied with the record player. Your dealer can help you with selection of the
optical cable.
ESSENTIAL III Record aster SPECIFIC INFORMATIONS
Controls, features and connections
1 SPEED CONTROL
2 DRIVE PULLEY
3 PHONO/LINE OUTPUT, EARTH CONNECTION
4 PHONO/LINE OUTPUT SWITCH
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Switc ing on and off, c anging replay speed
To play records at 33 r.p. . press the speed control switch to starts the otor. Pressing the ON/OFF
switch two ti es selects 45 r.p. .. The selected speed is shown respectively by the flashing LED. When
the platter has attained full speed, the LEDs stop flashing.
A long ( ore than three seconds) press on the ON/OFF switch stops the otor.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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Connection to t e amplifier
The record player has gold plated fe ale RCA phono sockets (14) and possibility to choose between Phono
and LINE output. With LINE OUT on, you can use a line input (such as AUX, CD, Tuner, Tape or Video) on
your a plifier. With PHONO OUT on, you can use your own phono pre-a plifier (so eti es labelled gra ,
disc or RIAA).
Take care to connect the left and right channels correctly. The right channel is usually arked red, the
left channel black or white. The earthing wire of the tonear lead should be connected to the earth
ter inal on your a plifier (if provided).
Connecting to a Computer
Connect the USB-output of the unit to a free USB-socket on your co puter and turn it on/ ake sure it
is powered on.
The “new hardware found assistant“ will auto atically detect the unit and announces it as a Microphone
USB audio codec. There is no need to install a driver anually.
After installation, one setting has to be done. For exa ple - Windows 7
®
operating syste :
 Control Panel  Sound  Recording  Microphone USB Audio CO EC  Properties 
Advanced: set to 2 channel, 16 bit, 48000 Hz ( V Quality)
Please note: Connection should be made to an U B-socket of your computer directly. Connecting
to U B-hubs or switches can cause problems.
Recording Programme
In case you do not have a recording progra e installed on your co puter, you ay download one free
fro the Internet. Recording progra es ay be found by searching Google.
In the menu of the recording programme, source or input may have to be set to Microphone USB audio
codec.
Please be aware that downloads from the Internet are made entirely at your own risk. Under no
circumstances can we carry responsibility or provide support for third-party software products
sourced from the internet or for any damage or problems arising from the use thereof. All
downloads should be checked with an up-to-date anti-virus programme. License fees may be
applicable.

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Tec nical specifications Pro-Ject Essential III Flexi-Range / Pro-Ject 8.6
No inal speeds 33/45 r.p. .
Speed variance 33: ±0,70% 45: ±0,60%
Wow and flutter 33: ±0,21% 45: ±0,19%
Signal to noise -66dB
Effective tonear ass
8,0g
Effective tonear length 8,6" (218,5 )
Overhang 22,0
Power consu ption 4,5W
Outboard power supply 15V/500 A DC, suitable for your country's ains supply
Di ensions (W x H x D) 420 x 112 x 330
Weight 5,0kg
Di ensions packaging (W x H x
D)
488 x 235 x 393
Weight incl. packaging 7,0kg
Tec nical specifications MM-Cartridge Ortofon OM 10
Frequency range 20-22.000Hz
Channel separation 22dB/1kHz
Output voltage 4 V
Reco ended load i pedance 47koh s/a plifier connection – MM-input
Co pliance/stylus type 20µ / N – elliptical
Reco ended tracking force 15 N
Weight 5g
Tec nical specifications MM p ono pre-amplifier (Essential III Digital)
Gain 34dB
Output voltage typically 160 V/1kHz at 4 V/1kHz input
Input i pedance 47koh s/100pF
Noise floor >73dB
RIAA-equalisation curve accuracy
20Hz-20kHz / ax. 0,5dB
Optical output: 24/48 kHz or 24/96 kHz (bit depth/sa pling frequency)
Tec nical specifications MM p ono pre-amplifier (Essential III P ono,
RecordMaster)
Gain 34dB
Output voltage typically 200 V/1kHz at 5 V/1kHz input
Input i pedance 47koh s/100pF
Noise floor -68dB
RIAA-equalisation curve accuracy
20Hz-20kHz / ax. 0,5dB
Weight
Bluetoot
Maxi u trans it power per
operated frequency band
2,8 kg
Class II, 2.5 W (4dB ) per 2.4GHz – 2.48 GHz

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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Potential incorrect use and fault conditions
Pro-Ject turntables are anufactured to the highest standards and undergo strict quality controls
before leaving the factory. Faults that ay possibly occur are not necessarily due to aterial or
production faults but can so eti es be caused by incorrect use or unfortunate circu stances. Therefore
the following list of co on fault sy pto s is included.
T e platter doesn't turn alt oug t e unit is switc ed on:
The unit is not connected to the ains power supply.
No ains at the socket.
Drive belt is not fitted or has slipped off.
No signal t roug one or ot er c annel or bot c annels:
No signal contact fro the cartridge to the internal tonear wiring or fro that to the ar lead or
fro that to the phono box or between that and the a plifier. This could be due to a faulty plug,
broken wire or solder joint or si ply loose plug/socket connection.
Phono input not selected at a plifier.
A plifier is not switched on.
A plifier or speakers are defective or uted.
No connection to the loudspeakers.
Strong um on p ono input:
No earth connection fro cartridge or ar or ar cable to a plifier, or earth loop.
Distorted or inconsistent sound from one or bot c annels:
Record player is connected to wrong input of a plifier, or MM/MC switch incorrectly set.
Needle or cantilever da aged.
Wrong r.p. ., drive belt overstretched or dirty, platter bearing without oil, dirty or da aged
Service
Should you encounter a proble which you are not able to alleviate or identify despite the above
infor ation, please contact your dealer for further advice. Only when the proble 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
reco end keeping the original packaging.
Never return a record player without aking sure that is it safely disasse bled and correctly packaged
in the original packaging according to the diagra s on the last page of this user guide. Please re ove
these parts and pack the separately: lid, counterweight, anti-skating weight and belt.
Fit the cartridge protection cap and the transport lock for the tonear 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 Syste s is a Registered Trade ark of
H. Lichtenegger.
This guide was produced by: Pro-Ject Audio Syste s
Copyright
©
2017. All rights reserved.
The infor ation was correct at the ti e of going to
press. The anufacturer reserves the right to ake
changes to the technical specification without prior
notice as dee ed necessary to uphold the ongoing
process of technical develop ent.

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© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject Essential I II F l e x i- Ra n g e · Revision 2018.05.15
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