Pro-Ject Audio Systems Essential User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Pro-Ject Essential

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Essential / Pro 8.6UP / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 2013.3.15
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22
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66
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77
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14 14
44
66
Controls, features and connections
1 Power switch
2/22 Stepped drive pulley and drive belt *
3 Platter with felt mat *
4/44 Tonearm counterweight * and counterweight support rod
5 Tonearm lift lever
6/66 Tonearm rest and removable transport locks
7/77 Tonearm tube with tonearm bearing housing and red coloured transport lock
8 Anti-skating weight adjustment scale
9 Anti-skating weight support hoop
10 Anti-skating weight with wire *
11 Headshell with finger lift and fitted Ortofon OM 5E cartridge
12 Signal output cable
13 Power supply socket
14 Hinge with hinge fasteners
Power supply (not shown) *
Stylus pressure gauge - white plastic instrument with mN scale (not shown) *
Two hexagonal keys (not shown) *

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Essential / Pro 8.6UP / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 2013.3.15
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Pro-Ject Essential
Dear music lover,
thank you for purchasing a PRO-JECT AUDIO record player.
In order to achieve maximum performance and reliability with this record player you should study these instructions
for use carefully.
!
Warning of a hazard for the user, the unit or possible misuse.
Important notice.
The record player is supplied with a factory fitted and adjusted cartridge.
** The following instructions for adjusting the cartridge are provided in case the cartridge is replaced by a
different model at a later date.
During assembly and adjustment of the deck small parts could be lost if not carefully placed in a suitable
receptacle. Before starting assembly make yourself acquainted with the parts listed above and correspondingly
numbered in the technical drawings above. Separately packed items are marked with an asterisk *.
Set-up
The deck is supplied partially disassembled and carefully packaged for safe transport. Carefully remove all
parts from the transport packaging.
Make sure the surface you wish to use the turntable on is level (use a spirit level) before placing the turntable
on it.
Fit the drive belt (22) around the platter (3) and the smaller diameter part of the motor pulley (2). Avoid
getting sweat or grease on the belt as these will deteriorate the performance and reduce the belt's lifespan. Use
absorbent kitchen paper to remove any oil or grease from the outer edge of the platter and the belt.
Fit the felt mat over the spindle of the platter (3). Remove both transport locks (66) from the tonearm tube.
To remove the transport lock for the arm bearing, lift up the tonearm by the tonearm bearing housing (77)
and pull out the red coloured transport lock (7) towards the right hand side. Put the tonearm back into place.
!
Take special care not to strain or damage the delicate 4-colour wire!
Store the transport locks in the original packaging so they are available for any future transportation.
Cartridge downforce adjustment
The counterweight (4) supplied is suitable for cartridges weighing between 4 - 9g (counterweight no. 37). An
alternative counterweight for cartridges weighing between 8 - 15g (counterweight no. 59) is available as an
accessory part.
Place counterweight (4) halfway along the counterweight support rod (44) at rear of arm, being sure to have
the securing screw uppermost.
Remove the felt matt. With the power off, and the platter static, place the stylus pressure gauge onto the
platter. To set the recommended 17,5mN downforce (1mN = 0,1g / 0,1 Pond), place the tip of the stylus
exactly in-between the two points marked 15mN and 20mN.
If the stylus gauge becomes level, then the correct pressure has been achieved. However if the there is
insufficient or excessive pressure the gauge will either not move or tilt down.
To adjust the amount of pressure, carefully move the counterweight (4) along the support rod (44), until the
stylus pressure is sufficient to raise the pressure gauge to the level position. Moving the counterweight (4)
towards the cartridge will reduce pressure and away will increase pressure.
Finally secure the counterweight (4) using hexagonal key provided.
Please note: Adjust the downforce prior to installing the anti-skating weight.
It is advised to remove stylus tip from gauge whilst making adjustments to avoid damage to stylus.

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Essential / Pro 8.6UP / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 2013.3.15
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Anti-skating force adjustment
Hang the loop of the thread of the anti-skating weight in the groove of the anti-skating stub (8) corresponding
to the downforce applied to your cartridge and feed the thread through the loop of the wire support (9).
The anti-skating force must be adjusted corresponding to the downforce as follows:
Downforce Groove in the stub (8)
10 - 14mN 1st from bearing rings
15 - 19mN 2nd " " "
20mN and bigger 3rd " " "
8
Connection to the amplifier
The record player has a captive tonearm signal lead (12) for connection to the amplifier. Use the Phono input
(sometimes labelled gram, disc or RIAA) on your amplifier. Make sure that the phono input offers correct matching
and amplification 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 marked red, the left
channel black or white. Check the manual supplied with your amplifier for relevant information. The earthing
wire of the tonearm lead should be connected to the earth terminal on your amplifier (if provided).
If your amplifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges you will require a separate phono
amplifier stage for MM or MC cartridges which is then connected between the record player and a free line
level input of the amplifier.
For detailed product information regarding Pro-Ject Audio phono amplifiers please refer to the Pro-Ject web
site www.project-audio.com.
The recommended load impedance for the factory fitted cartridge is: 47kohms/MM-input
Mains power connection
The turntable is supplied with a power supply suitable for your country's mains supply. Check the label before
connecting to ensure compliance with the mains rating in your house.
Connect the low voltage plug from the power supply to the socket (8) on the rear of the record player before
connecting the power supply to the mains.
Fitting the lid
Fit the lid (dust cover 10) carefully over the hinge prongs and adjust the screws (12) until the lid stays open
where you want it to without being too stiff to open or close.
Switching on and off
Pressing the power switch (1) alternately starts or stops the motor.
Changing replay speed
Put the belt (22) over the larger diameter part of the motor pulley (2). To revert to 33 r.p.m. repeat the
proceedings using the smaller step on the pulley.
When the Pro-Ject Speed Box is used speed change between 33 and 45 r.p.m. is electronic. There is
no need to move the belt manually.
For detailed product information please refer to the Pro-Ject web site www.project-audio.com.

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Essential / Pro 8.6UP / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 2013.3.15
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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.
If the player is not used over a long period of time the drive belt can be removed to prevent unequal stretching.
!
Always disconnect the record player from the mains power supply as a precaution before maintenance!
Fitting and connecting the cartridge
** All cartridges with half inch mounting holes can be fitted. Leaving the needle's protection cover on, fit the
cartridge to the headshell (11) using the screws supplied with the cartridge by passing one screw through
each slot in the headshell (11). Do not tighten the nuts yet.
Connect the tonearm wires to the cartridge pins as follows:
white left channel positive (L+)
red right channel pos. (R+)
green right channel return (R -)
blue left channel return (L -)
The full sound quality of the record player can only be achieved if the cartridge is correctly adjusted. Particular
tools like the Pro-Ject alignment tool “Align it” are required to accomplish this job properly.
If you are not well acquainted with the adjustment of cartridges you are advised to call upon the willing help of
your Pro-Ject dealer to accomplish this task for you.
Please note: Adjusting a cartridge and tonearm calls for the greatest care in order to avoid damaging
the cartridge or tonearm bearings. Leave this work to your dealer if you are in any way unsure of the
necessary steps and precautions to be taken.
Useful tips
The record player should be positioned on a low-resonance surface such as wood or multiple layer ply board
to avoid structural vibrations disturbing replay.
Technical specifications Pro-Ject Essential / Pro-Ject 8.6 UniPivot
Nominal speeds 33/45 r.p.m.
Speed variance ±1,5%
Wow and flutter ±0,25%
Signal to noise 65dB
Effective tonearm mass 8,9g
Effective tonearm length 8,6" (218,5mm)
Overhang 18,5mm
Power consumption 2W
Outboard power supply 16V/500mA AC, suitable for your country's mains supply
Dimensions (W x H x D) 415 x 112 x 335mm
Weight 3,7kg
Technical specifications MM-Cartridge Ortofon OM 5E
Frequency range 20-25.000Hz
Channel separation 22dB/1kHz
Output voltage 4mV
Recommended load impedance 47kohms/ amplifier connection – MM-input
Compliance/stylus type 20μm/mN – elliptical
Recommended tracking force 17,5mN
Weight 5g

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Essential / Pro 8.6UP / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 2013.3.15
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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 not switched on.
Amplifier or speakers 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 r.p.m., 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 effected 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.
Fit the cartridge protection cap. Insert the transport locks for the tonearm tube (66) and the red coloured
transport lock (77) for the tonearm bearing housing, 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 is a Registered Trademark of H. Lichtenegger.
This guide was produced by: Audio Trade GmbH
Copyright ©2010. 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.

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Essential / Pro 8.6UP / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 2013.3.15
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Accessories
Lid
Tonearm
counterweight Power supply
Two tonearme
transport locks
Red coloured
transport lock