Pro-Ject Audio Systems Pro-Ject RPM 5 SuperPack User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon
Controls, features and connections
1 Separate motor unit (motor and motor base) *
2 Stepped drive pulley
3 Drive belt * 3a Hook
4 Operation indicator
5 Platter *
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 Power supply socket
11 Phono output sockets and earth connection
12 Anti-skating weight adjustment scale
13 Anti-skating weight *
14 Anti-skating weight wire support
15 Power switch
16 Headshell with finger lift
17 Adjustable tip-toe feet with anti-scratch cups *
Screw-down record clamp (not shown) *
Universal power supply (not shown) *
Single adapter (not shown) *
Connection cable (not shown) *
Template (not shown) *

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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Dear music lover,
Thank you for purchasing a Pro-Ject Audio System’s record player.
In order to achieve maximum performance and reliability, please study these instructions carefully.
!
Warning of a hazard for the user, the unit or possible misuse
Important notice
The record player is supplied without cartridge or with a factory fitted and adjusted cartridge Ortofon
QUINTET RED.
** The following instructions for adjusting the cartridge are provided in case the cartridge is replaced by a
different model at a later date.
During assembling and adjusting, small parts could be lost if they are not carefully placed in a suitable
receptacle. Before starting assembly make yourself acquainted with the parts listed above which are
correspondingly numbered in the technical drawings above. Separately packed items are marked with an
asterisk *.
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.
Set-up
The deck is supplied partially disassembled and carefully packed for a safe transport. Remove all parts from
the transport packaging carefully.
Screw the three tip-toe feet (17) onto the threaded bolts located on the underside of the plinth. Make sure
the surface you wish to use the turntable on is levelled (use a spirit level) before placing the turntable on it.
For assembling the motor and the motor base, place the motor unit on the left side of the turntable.
Assemble motor and motor base. Position the motor unit with the aid of the supplied template. Fit the drive
belt (3) around the platter (5) 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.
Remove the transport lock (18) from the tonearm. Store it in the original packaging so they are available for
any future transportation.
We recommend using the record player without a mat on the platter.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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Fitting and connecting the cartridge
All cartridges with half inch mounting holes can be fitted. Leave the needle's protection cover on, fit the
cartridge to the headshell by using the supplied screws by passing one screw through each slot into the
headshell (16). Do not tighten the nuts yet.
Connect the tonearm wires with the cartridge pins as following:
white left channel positive (L+)
red right channel positive (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 adjusted correctly. Particular
tools like the Pro-Ject Audio Systems alignment tool are required to accomplish this job properly. If you are not
well acquainted with the adjustment of cartridges, please call upon the willing help of your Pro-Ject Audio
Systems dealer.
Please note: adjusting a cartridge and tonearm calls for the greatest care in order to avoid damaging
the cartridge or tonearm bearings. Ask your local dealer for help if you are unsure in any of the
necessary steps and precautions which must be taken!
Cartridge downforce adjustment
The supplied counterweights (6) are suitable for cartridges weighing between 5 - 7,5g (counterweight no. 28), 7
- 10g (counterweight no. 46), 9 - 11g (counterweight no. 43) or 10 - 14g (counterweight no. 29). Adjust
the downforce before installing the anti-skating weight.
Following adjustments has to be done very carefully! Remove cartridge protection cap. Push and turn the
counterweight (6) carefully onto the rear end of the tonearm tube (9), so that the downforce scale (6a) shows
towards the front of the player. Lower the armlift and position the cartridge in the space between arm rest and
platter. Rotate the counterweight (6) until the arm tube is balanced. The arm should return to the balanced
position if it is moved up or down.
Once the arm is balanced correctly 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 stub (12). 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.
Adjusting the vertical tracking angle (vta)
Put a record and the record weight on the platter. When the needle is lowered into the record groove and the
tonearm is not resting on the lift arm, the tube of the tonearm should be parallel to the surface of the record.
If it is not, loosen both hexagon screws in the tonearm base just enough to allow vertical movement of the
arm pillar without force and slide the arm up or down until it is parallel.
Carefully retighten the hexagon screws without applying excessive force (which would deform the arm pillar) –
finger tight is quite sufficient.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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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 the needle is not mounted exactly perpendicular to the cartridge
body.
Slacken off the screw just enough to be able to revolve the arm tube without
applying force. Note: Do not remove this 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 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.
Anti-skating force adjustment
The anti-skating force must be adjusted corresponding to the downforce as
followed:
Downforce Groove in the stub (15)
10 - 14mN 1st from bearing rings
15 - 19mN 2nd " " "
20mN and bigger 3rd " " "
Hang the loop of the thread of the anti-skating weight into the groove of the anti-skating stub (12)
corresponding to the downforce applied to your cartridge and hang the thread in the groove of the wire
support (14).
Connection to the amplifier
The record player has gold plated female RCA phono sockets (10) so you can substitute the supplied
interconnect cables to higher quality cables such as the Pro-Ject Audio Systems Connect IT interconnect cables
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 (like CD, Tuner,
Tape or Video) are not suitable.
Take care about connecting the left and right channels correctly. The right channel is usually marked red, the
left channel black or white. Check the manual of your amplifier for relevant information. An earthing wire
may be connected to the screw terminal between the sockets if you encounter humming problems.
If your amplifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges, a separate phono amplifier stage for
MM or MC cartridges is required. It has to be connected between record player and a free line level input of
the amplifier.
For detailed product information regarding Pro-Ject Audio Systems interconnect cables and phono amplifiers
please refer to the Pro-Ject Audio Systems website www.project-audio.com.
Mains power connection
A universal power supply with 3 exchangeable sockets adapters suitable for all countries is supplied. Select
the correct adapter for your country and insert the adapter to the exchangeable part of the power supply.
Connect the low voltage plug from the power supply to the socket (10) on the rear side of the record player
before connecting the power supply to the mains.
Switching on and off
Pressing the power switch (15) alternately starts or stops the motor.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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Changing replay speed
Use the accessory tool provided (3a), hook the belt (3) 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.
Fitting the optional lid (separately available)
Place the lid carefully over the record player from above.
For detailed product information please refer to the Pro-Ject website www.project-audio.com.
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 attracts even more dust! Antistatic
cleaning fluids are available at specialized stores but must be applied sparingly to avoid damage to rubber
parts. It is recommended to fit the needle cover before cleaning or maintenance to avoid damage.
If the player is not used over a long period of time, the drive belt should be removed to prevent unequal
stretching.
!
Always disconnect the record player from the mains power supply as a precaution before maintenance!
Useful tips
The lid (optional) is not only a dust cover but also a resonant structure likely to be excited by, and to pass into
the plinth, the acoustic energy emanating from your loudspeakers during replay. Therefore it is
recommended to remove the lid for a better sound quality.
The record player should be positioned on a low-resonance surface, like wood or multiple layer ply board to
avoid structural vibrations disturbing replay.
Technical specifications PRO-JECT RPM 5 Carbon / Pro-Ject 9cc Evolution
Nominal speeds
33/45 r.p.m.
Speed variance
33: 0,12% 45: 0,10%
Wow and flutter
33: 0,17% 45: 0,08%
Signal to noise
73dB
Effective tonearm mass
8g
Effective tonearm length
9 " (230mm)
Overhang
18mm
Power consumption
5 W max / <0,3W standby
Outboard power supply
15V DC / 800 mA AC, 90-264V AC, 47 –63Hz
Dimensions (W x H x D)
430 x 150 x 323mm
Weight
8 kg

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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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 does not 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 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 if the problem cannot be solved there the unit should be
sent to the responsible distributor in your country.
Guarantee repairs will only be affected if the unit is returned correctly packed in the original package. Therefore
we strongly recommend to keep the original packaging.
Never return a record player without making sure that it is safely disassembled and correctly packed in the
original packaging according to the diagrams on the last page of this user guide. Please remove the following
parts from the turntable and pack them separately: motor with motor base (1), counterweight (6), anti-skating
weight (13) platter (5) and belt (3). Fit the cartridge protection cap. Insert the transport lock for the tonearm
(18).
Warranty
The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for damage caused by not adhering these instructions for
use and/or by transportation without the original packaging. Modification or change to any part of
the product by unauthorized persons releases 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 ©2015. 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.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
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