Pro-Ject Audio Systems Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
2

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
3
Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon
Controls, features and connections
1 Separate otor unit ( otor and otor base) *
2 Drive pulley
3 Drive belt *
4 Speed control button
5 Platter *
6 Tonear counterweight * 6a Downforce scale
7 Tonear lift lever
8/18 Tonear rest and re ovable transport lock
9 Tonear tube 9a Tonear base
10 Power supply socket
11 Phono output through 5-PIN connector
12 Anti-skating weight adjust ent scale
13 Anti-skating weight *
14 Anti-skating weight wire support
15 Headshell with finger lift
16 Height-adjustable, agnet supported feet *
17 Record weight
Signal cable Connect IT 5P-CC, 123c (not shown) *
Universal power supply (not shown) *
Single adapter (not shown) *
Spirit level (not shown) *
Te plate (not shown) *

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
4
Dear usic lover,
thank you for purchasing a Pro-Ject Audio Syste s record player.
In order to achieve axi u perfor ance and reliability, please study these instructions carefully.
!
Warning of hazard for the user, the unit or possible misuse.
Important notice.
** The following instructions for adjusting the cartridge are provided in case the cartridge is replaced
by a different odel at a later date.
During asse bling and adjust ent s all parts could be lost if they are not carefully placed in a
suitable receptacle. Before starting asse bly ake yourself acquainted with the parts listed above which
are correspondingly nu bered in the technical drawings above. Separately packed ite s are arked
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. Ne er
handle the power cord while your hands are wet or damp.
A oid letting liquids enter the de ice. Ne er place any item containing liquid, like a flower ase,
on or near the de ice. Ne er spill any liquid on the de ice. Ne er place any naked flame sources,
like lighted candles, on or near the de ice. 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 pre ent any risk of suffocation.
Set-up
The deck is supplied partially disasse bled and carefully packed for a safe transport. Re ove all parts
fro the transport packaging carefully.
Screw the agnetic field feet (16) 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 the supplied spirit level) before
placing the turntable on it.
Put the platter bearing housing carefully over the bearing axle. Put the record weight on the platter
and level the plinth using the supplied spirit level and the adjustable feet (16).
For asse bling the otor and the otor base, place the otor unit on the left side of the turntable.
Position the otor unit with the aid of the supplied te plate. Fit the drive belt (3) around the platter
(5) and the otor pulley (2).
Avoid getting sweat or grease on the belt as these will deteriorate the perfor ance and reduce the belt's
lifespan. Use absorbent kitchen paper to re ove any oil or grease fro the outer edge of the hub and the
belt.
Re ove the transport lock (18) fro the tonear . 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 Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
5
Mounting and connecting the cartridge
All cartridges with half inch ounting holes can be ounted. 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
in the headshell (15). Do not tighten the nuts yet.
Connect the tonear wires with the cartridge pins as follows:
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 Syste s align ent tool are required to acco plish this job properly.
If you are not well acquainted with the adjust ent of cartridges, please call for the willing help of your
Pro-Ject Audio Syste s dealer.
Please note: adjusting a cartridge and tonearm calls for the greatest care in order to a oid
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 adjust ents have to be done very carefully Re ove cartridge protection cap. Push and turn
the counterweight (6) carefully on the rear end of the tonear tube (9), so that the downforce scale
(6a) shows towards the front of the player. Lower the ar lift and position the cartridge in the space
between ar rest and platter. Rotate the counterweight (6) until the ar tube is balanced. The ar
should return to the balanced position if it is oved up or down.
Once the ar is balanced correctly return it to the rest. Hold the counterweight (6) without oving it and
gently revolve the downforce scale ring (6a) until the zero is in line with the anti-skating stub (12). Check
whether the ar still balances out.
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.
djusting 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 tonear is not resting on the lift ar , the tube of the tonear should be parallel to the surface of the
record.
If it is not, loosen both hexagon screws in the tonear base just enough to allow vertical ove ent of
the ar pillar without force and slide the ar up or down until it is parallel.
Retighten the hexagon screws without applying excessive force (which would defor the ar pillar) –
finger tight is quite sufficient.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
6
djusting the azimuth
The cartridge needle ust be vertical in the record groove in order to trace
the groove wall odulations correctly.
A s all screw at the bearing end of the ar allows incorrect azi uth to be
corrected.
Slacken off the screw just enough to be able to revolve the ar tube
without applying force. Note! Do not re ove this screw co pletely!
Screw
With the aid of a good agnifying 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
groo e! Irreparable damage may be caused to the cantile er suspension! The arm must be lifted
to make each adjustment and lowered afterwards to check it.
nti-skating force adjustment
The anti-skating force ust be adjusted corresponding to the downforce as
follows:
Downforce Groove in the stub (15)
10 - 14 N 1
st
fro bearing rings
15 - 19 N 2
nd
" " "
20 N and bigger
3
rd
" " "
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 into the groove of the
wire support (14).
Connection to the amplifier
The record player uses an output through a 5 PIN connector (11). Use supplied Pro-Ject Connect IT 5P-
CC cable to connect the turntable to the a plifier.
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. Line inputs (like
CD, Tuner, Tape or Video) are not suitable.
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.
If your a plifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges, a separate phono a plifier
stage for MM or MC cartridges is required. It has to be connected between record player and a free
line level input of the a plifier.
For detailed product infor ation regarding Pro-Ject Audio Syste s interconnect cables and phono
a plifiers please visit our 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 fro the power supply to the socket (10) on the rear side of the record
player before connecting the power supply to the ains.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
7
Switching on and off
Pressing the speed control button (4) alternately starts and stops the otor.
Changing replay speed
Press the speed control button STBY (4) for starting the turntable. To change the speed fro 33 r.p. .
to 45 r.p. ., press the STBY (4) button again. Speed is correct, when the LED diode stops blinking. To
switch the turntable into STAND BY ode, hold the button STBY (4) for 3 seconds.
Mounting the optional lid (separately available)
Place the lid carefully over the record player fro above.
For detailed product information please refer to the Pro-Ject web site www.project-audio.com.
Maintenance and cleaning
Your record player requires little or no regular aintenance. Re ove dust with a slightly oistened
antistatic cloth. Never use a dry cloth because this will create static electricity which attracts even ore
dust! Antistatic cleaning fluids are available at specialized stores but ust be applied sparingly to
avoid da age to rubber parts. It is reco ended to fit the needle cover before cleaning or aintenance
to avoid da age.
If the player is not used over a long period of ti e, the drive belt should be re oved 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 e anating fro your loudspeakers during replay. Therefore it is
reco ended to re ove the lid for achieving a better sound quality.
The record player should be positioned on a low-resonance surface such as wood or ultiple layer ply
board to avoid structural vibrations disturbing replay.
Technical specifications PRO-JECT RPM 9 Carbon / Pro-Ject 9cc Evolution
No inal speeds 33/45 r.p. .
Speed variance ±0,1 %
Wow and flutter ±0,06 %
Signal to noise 73dB
Effective tonear ass 8g
Effective tonear length 9 " (230 )
Overhang 18
Power consu ption 12W ax / <0,3W stanby
Outboard power supply 15V DC / 1,6A AC, 90-264V AC, 47 – 63Hz
Di ensions (W x H x D) 440 x 180 x 325
Weight 16,5kg

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
8
Potential incorrect use and fault conditions
Pro-Ject Audio Syste s 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.
The platter does not turn although the unit is switched 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 through one or other channel or both channels:
•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 not switched on.
•A plifier or speakers defective or uted.
•No connection to the loudspeakers.
Strong hum on phono input:
•No earth connection fro cartridge or ar or ar cable to a plifier, or earth loop.
Distorted or inconsistent sound from one or both channels:
•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 if the proble cannot be solved there
the unit should be sent to the responsible distributor in your country.
Guarantee repairs will be accepted only if the unit is returned correctly packed in the original package.
Therefore we strongly reco end keeping the original packaging.
Never return a record player without aking sure that it is safely disasse bled and correctly packed in
the original packaging according to the diagra s on the last page of this user guide. Please re ove the
following parts fro the turntable and pack the separately: power supply socket (10), counterweight
(6), anti-skating weight (16) platter (5) and belt (3). Mount the cartridge protection cap. Insert the
transport lock for the tonear (18).
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 releases the manufacturer from any
liability o er and abo e 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
©
2015. 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.

© Pro-Ject Audio Syste s · Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon · Revision 2015.07.10
9