Pro-Ject Audio Systems Pro-Ject Debut III E User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Pro-Ject Debut III E

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Debut III E / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 1.3.08/1.5.08
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© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Debut III E / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 1.3.08/1.5.08
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PRO-JECT DEBUT III E
Controls, features and connections
1 Motor transportation screw (marked red)
2 Stepped drive pulley
3 Drive belt * 3a Hook *
4 Hub
5 Platter with felt mat *
6 Tonearm counterweight * 6a Downforce scale
7 Tonearm lift lever
8/18 Tonearm rest and removable transport lock
9 Tonearm tube 9a Tonearm base
10 Lid *
11 Lid hinges
12 Hinge fasteners
13 Power supply socket
14 Signal output cable
15 Anti-skating weight adjustment scale
16 Anti-skating weight *
17 Anti-skating weight support hoop
20 On/off switch
21 Headshell with finger lift and fitted Ortofon OM 5E cartridge
22 Motor
23 Single adapter *
Power supply (not shown) *
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.
** Your turntable has been delivered with a factory fitted and adjusted cartridge, please ignore the
cartridge set up instructions unless changing the cartridge 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
Make sure the surface you wish to use the turntable on is level (use a spirit level) before placing the turntable on it.
Remove the two red transport screws (1) which secure the motor (22) during transportation.
Remove the transport lock (18) from the tonearm. Store it together with the two red motor transport screws
(1) in the original packaging so they are available for any future transportation.

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Debut III E / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 1.3.08/1.5.08
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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 (13) on the rear of the record player before
connecting the power supply to the mains.
Switching on and off
Pressing the power switch (20) alternately starts or stops the motor.
Cartridge downforce adjustment
The counterweight (6) supplied is suitable for cartridges weighing between 3,5 - 5,5g. Alternative
counterweights for cartridges weighing between 6 - 9g or 1,5 - 3g are available as accessory parts.
Downforce adjustment must be completed with the anti-skating weight and the drive belt removed, and the
motor running.
Pushing carefully, turn the counterweight (6) onto the rear end of the tonearm tube (9), and so that the
downforce scale (6a) shows towards the front of the player. the armlift and position the cartridge in the space
between arm rest and platter. Carefully rotate the counterweight (6) until the armtube balances out. The arm
should return to the balanced position if it is moved up or down. This adjustment must be done carefully. Do
not forget to remove the cartridge protection cap if fitted.
Once the arm is correctly balanced return it to the rest. Hold the counterweight (6) without moving it, and gently
revolve the downforce scale ring (6a) until the zero is in line with the anti-skating prong (15). Check whether the
arm still balances out.
Rotate the counterweight counter clockwise (seen from the front) to adjust the downforce according to the
cartridge manufacturer's recommendations. One mark on the scale represents 1 mN (= 0,1g / 0,1 Pond) of
downforce.
Whilst adjusting the downforce the drive belt must be removed and the motor must be switched on,
otherwise the arm lift cannot be lowered.
The recommended downforce for the factory fitted cartridge is 17,5mN.
Fitting the drive belt and the platter
Fit the drive belt (3) around the hub (4) 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 hub and the belt.
Fit the platter (5) and felt mat over the spindle of the hub (4).
Anti-skating force adjustment
The anti-skating force must be adjusted according to the mass of the cartridge
as follows:
Downforce Groove in the stub (15)
10 - 14mN 1st from bearing rings
15 - 19mN 2nd " " "
20mN and bigger 3rd " " "
Slip the loop of the anti-skating weight's thread over the third groove of the stub to set the correct anti-skating
force for the factory-fitted cartridge. Feed the thread through the loop of the wire support (17).

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Debut III E / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 1.3.08/1.5.08
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Connection to the amplifier
The record player has a captive tonearm signal lead (14) 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 such as the PRO-JECT PHONO BOX or the PRO-JECT TUBE BOX
which is then connected between the record player and a free line level input of the amplifier.
For detailed product information please refer to the Pro-Ject web site www.project-audio.com.
The recommended load resistance for the factory fitted cartridge is: 47kohms/MM-input
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.
Using the automatic start & stop facility
Before starting record replay, lower the tonearm lift lever until it is about horizontal. By switching the power
on/off switch (20) record replay can be started and stopped at any position across the record. The tonearm
lift is raised or lowered accordingly when the power is turned on or off.
The tonearm cannot be lowered manually whilst the turntable is turned off, as it is held in position by
an electromagnetic switch.
The manual lift function is only available when the turntable is turned on and the platter is revolving.
Changing replay speed
To play records at 45 r.p.m. first remove the platter (5). Using the accessory tool provided (3a), hook the belt
(3) over the larger diameter part of the motor pulley (2). Refit the platter. To revert to 33,33 r.p.m. repeat the
proceedings using the smaller step on the pulley.
Automatic switch-off
When the needle reaches the runout groove the motor is turned off by the electronic circuit, which also
controls a mechanical link to activate the tonearm lift.
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!
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.

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Debut III E / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 1.3.08/1.5.08
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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 using the screws supplied with the cartridge by passing one screw through each
slot in the headshell (21). 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 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.
Whilst adjusting the cartridge alignment with an alignment protractor the drive belt must be removed
and the motor must be switched on, otherwise the arm lift cannot be lowered.
Adjusting the azimuth
** The cartridge needle must be vertical in the record groove in order to trace
the groove wall modulations correctly.
A small screw at the bearing end of the arm allows incorrect azimuth to be
corrected if your needle is not mounted exactly perpendicular to the cartridge
body (which is often the case).
Slacken off the screw just enough to be able to revolve the arm tube without
applying force. Note! Do not remove the screw completely!
Screw
With the aid of a good magnifying glass adjust the needle until it is vertical in the groove (i.e. perpendicular
to the record's surface). Ideally this should correspond to the top surface of the cartridge body being parallel
to the record surface. When you are satisfied that the needle is vertical retighten the screw carefully.
Under no circumstances should the arm tube be adjusted with the needle still in the record groove!
Irreparable damage may be caused to the cantilever suspension! The arm must be lifted to make
each adjustment and lowered afterwards to check it.
Technical specifications PRO-JECT DEBUT III E
Automatic switch-off opto-electronically controlled
Nominal speeds 33,33/45,11 r.p.m..
Speed variance ±0,8 %
Wow and flutter ±0,12 %
Signal to noise -65dB
Downforce range 10-30mN
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 118 x 320mm, dust cover open 415 x 365 x 405mm
Weight 5,5kg

© Audio Trade GmbH · Pro-Ject Debut III E / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 1.3.08/1.5.08
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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. Please remove these parts
and pack them separately: lid (10), counterweight (6), anti-skating weight (16) platter (5), cartridge and belt
(3). Fit the cartridge protection cap. Insert the transport screws for the motor (1) and the transport lock for the
tonearm (18) 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 © 2006. 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 Debut III E / Ortofon OM 5E · Revision 1.3.08/1.5.08
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Tomearm
transport look
2 motor transport screws
(marked red)
Lid
Platter
Accessories
Tonearm
counterweight
Power supply