Pro-Ject Audio Systems SIGNATURE 10 User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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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 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.
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 on page 5 and
correspondingly numbered in the technical drawings on next pages. Separately packed items are marked with an
asterisk *.
Your turntable was shipped partially disassembled in order to avoid damage to sensitive parts. Please
check immediately to make sure that neither the packaging nor the device was damaged in transit.
If damaged, please do not operate and contact your dealer.
Disposal of packaging material:
Pro-Ject packaging is carefully designed to protect your component from damage 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 materials were chosen to be environmentally friendly, so if you must discard the
packaging, please recycle.
Disposal of old equipment:
If you’re disposing of old electronic equipment, please use a local waste facility designated for that purpose.
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.
Av
oid letting liquids enter the device. Never place any item containing liquid, such as a flower vase on
or near the device. Never spill any liquid on the device. Never place any naked flame sources,
such as
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.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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Contents
Product illustrations 4
Control, features, connections 5
Turntable accessories 5
Set-up
1. Platter installation 6
2. Drive belt installation 7
3. Tonearm assembly 8
a) Assembly of the main tonearm part on the uni-pivot tip 8
b) Tonearm output connector 8
c) Headshell installation 9
d) Counterweight installation 9
Operating and calibration
1. Cartridge setting 10-11
2. Vertical tracking force adjustment (VTF) 12
3. Setting range of the counterweight 13
4. Vertical tracking angle adjustment (VTA) 14
5. Anti-skating assembly and adjustment 15-16
6. Azimuth adjustment 17
7. Mounting distance adjustment 18
8. Leveling the turntable 19
9. Connecting the turntable, starting the motor, changing the speed 20
10. Technical specifications 21
11. Troubleshooting, warranty, service 22
12. Dimensions, exploded view of the packaging 23

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10
Controls, features and connections
1 Power supply socket
2 Motor pulley
3 Drive belt*
4 Sandwich platter*
5 Signature Record Clamp*
6 ON/OFF switch, speed selector
7 Tonearm counterweight*
8 Anti-skating mechanism*
9 Tonearm connector
10 Tonearm lift lever
11 Tonearm rest position
12 Tonearm tube*
13 Detachable Signature headshell*
14 Transport screws 3x
15 Magnetic adjustable feet
Turntable accessories
1 2 pieces of anti-skating thread
2 Single adapter
3 Allen key 1,5mm
4 Allen key 2mm
5 Allen key 5mm
6 Signal cable Connect IT 5P-CC (123cm, already connected to the tonearm)
7 White cotton gloves
8 Cloth
9 Additional counterweight Ø15mm, length 30mm
(Together with basic counterweight it balances cartridge with weights from 7,5 to 20 grams)
10 Spirit level
11 Tool for correct cartridge assembly
12 Signature record puck
13 Cartridge alignment protractor
14 Universal power supply
15 Instructions for use

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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Set-up
1. Platter installation
Unscrew the three transport screws (14) from the aluminium sub-chassis before installing the sandwich platter
(4). Remove the protective covers from the bearing shaft and from the platter housing.
These covers shield against dust and dirt and keep the bearing shaft and housing sufficiently lubricated. If
necessary, lubricate the shaft with grease from the enclosed accessories. Maximum amount is 0,5 ml. Use the
scale on the supplied syringe to measure the desired quantity and distribute the lubricant evenly.
The platter is floating on magnets. Take care not to damage the magnet when putting
the platter on the shaft.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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2. Drive belt installation
Fit the drive belt (3) around the platter (4) and 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.
Do not stretch the belt too much.
Please note: We recommend to use the record player without a mat on the platter.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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3. Tonearm assembly
a) Assembly of the main tonearm part on the uni-pivot tip
Carefully remove the main tonearm part from the packaging and put this part onto the tonearm uni-pivot tip.
b) Tonearm output connector
Insert the connector (9) carefully into the socket on the top of the tonearm. Positioning pin must be directed to
the counterweight. When the connector is inserted, secure it by screwing the locknut clockwise.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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c) Headshell installation
Insert the headshell (13) into the front of the tonearm tube. Connector pin must be oriented into the groove in
the tonearm tube. Secure the headshell by screwing the locknut clockwise.
d) Counterweight installation
Put the counterweight (7) on the support rod. Tighten the locking screw gradually and put the shaft entry into
thread groove. Tighten the locking screw. A correction of counterweight’s weight is possible by the additional
counterweight which is tightened by the set screw.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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Operating and calibration
1. Cartridge setting
Install the cartridge into the aluminium headshell, using the appropriate hardware included with your
cartridge.
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 alignment, use the two-point cartridge alignment protractor provided with SIGNATURE 10
accessories. If unfamiliar with two-point setup, please refer to your dealer.
Tonearm details:
•Effective length = 254mm (10”)
(Distance between cartridge needle and the vertical rotation axis of the tonearm)
•Mounting distance = 238mm
(Distance between spindle and the vertical rotation axis of the tonearm)
•Outer null point: r = 63,4mm

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Setting the position of cartridge in the headshell
For correct position of the cartridge in headshell grooves, use the small tool made out of transparent plexiglass.
Please note that this tool is only useable for Pro-Ject Audio Systems‘ Signature tonearm headshells.
Step 1: Place the tool with groove to the headshell as shown.
Step 2: Move the cartridge to the correct position. Correct position is, if the top of the needle is in the same
plane like as comparative plane of tool. This is illustrated in the following picture.

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2. Vertical tracking force adjustment (VTF)
Place counterweight halfway along the counterweight support rod, being sure to have the locking screw
uppermost. With the power off, platter static, place the stylus pressure gauge onto the platter. To set the
required VTF place the tip of the stylus on the pressure gauge. Moving the counterweight towards the cartridge
will increase VTF, away will reduce VTF. In order to avoid damage of the cartridge, all cartridge movements
must be done in upper tonearm lift position. Repeat the measuring procedure until you achieved the correct
VTF.

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3. Setting range of the counterweight
1. Counterweight without additional weight (103g)
This setting balances cartridges with weight from 4,5 to 8 grams.
2. Counterweight with additional weight. Dimensions of additional counterweight: Ø15mm, length 30mm,
weight 42 grams.
a) If additional counterweight is placed symmetrically (6mm out from both sides), it can balance
cartridges with weight from 7,5 to 17 grams.
b) If the additional weight is placed unsymmetrically (as shown in the picture bellow, 12mm visible part
from the rear side), it can balance cartridges with weight of 17 to 20 grams.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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4. Vertical tracking angle adjustment (VTA)
Put a record on the platter. When the needle is lowered into the record groove and the tonearm is not resting
on the tonearm rest, the tube of the tonearm should be parallel to the surface of the record. If it is not, loosen
both VTA locking screws in the tonearm base just enough to allow vertical movement of the arm pillar without
force. By turning VTA adjustment screw set the correct vertical tracing angle. Carefully retighten VTA locking
screws without applying excessive force which would deform the arm pillar.

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5. Anti-skating assembly and adjustment
The anti-skating mechanism is shipped partially disassembled to avoid damage during transport. For correct
installation, please follow the steps below.
Step 1:
Prepare anti-skating sliding mechanism from the accessories bag.
The anti-skating sliding mechanism is supplied with a pre-mounted anti-skating weight and thread for
mounting on the tonearm.
Step 2:
Put the eye of the anti-skating thread around the hole for the HOOK SCREW and screw the HOOK SCREW into
the tonearm through the eye of the anti-skating thread as shown in the illustration below.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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Step 3:
Put the anti-skating sliding mechanism on the end of the anti-skating support rod. The anti-skating thread
should fit into the groove in the tonearm.
Be careful when handing the anti-skating thread in order to avoid damaging it.
Step 5:
Anti-skating force adjustment:
Adjust the anti-skating force by positioning the weight on the appropriate groove of the anti-skating sliding
mechanism. Anti-skating downforce should be adjusted in correspondence with the tonearm downforce as
follows:
Tonearm downforce: Anti-skating groove:
Lower than 13 mN or 1.3 grams 1st groove from bearing
13–18 mN or 1.3–1.8 grams 2ndgroove from bearing
18–25 mN or 1.8–2.5 grams 3rd groove from bearing

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6. Azimuth adjustment
The cartridge needle must be vertical in the record groove in order to trace the groove wall modulations
correctly. A small azimuth adjusting screw on the headshell allows to set the azimuth.
Correct position can be checked from the front view, preferably with needle placed on a mirror which is placed
on platter.
Examples of incorrect azimuth setup
Too much left angle: Too much right angle:
The correct position is 100% perpendicular to the record.

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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7. Mounting distance adjustment
Loosen the locking nut allows a linear move of the tonearm. Adjust correct distance by using the scale.
The correct mounting distance of 238 mm on the scale is valid only if the cartridge is in correct position in the
headshell.
There are very special and different cartridge types existing which make a correct mounting distance
impossible. In this case you can change the distance of the arm easily which allows you to use all available
cartridge types.
Additional this feature opens the possibility to use different alignment tools. There are different versions of
alignment tools for setting and optimization of null points. With different settings, you can achieve small sound
variations.

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8. Leveling the turntable
Three precision adjustable damped feet are mounted under the turntable for leveling the turntable. Once the
turntable is in final position, put the supplied spirit level on the chassis, and then level the turntable by
screwing or unscrewing the feet as needed. It is advisable to check level from several positions on the
subchassis.
To achieve a perfect balance is supplied Pro-Ject Audio Systems Level It

© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject SIGNATURE 10 · Revision 2015.07.07
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9. Connecting the turntable, starting the motor, changing the speed
The turntable is supplied with the universal power supply (90-246V AC) with 3 exchangeable sockets adapters
suitable for all countries. 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 on the rear of the record player (with sticker
15V DC) before connecting the power supply to the mains.
Connect the signal cable with your phono preamplifier:
Red – right channel
White – left channel
To start rotation of the platter, press either the button labeled 33 or 45, depending on the speed of the record
to be played, 33 rpm or 45 rpm.
When you want to stop the turntable, or when it is not in use, switch it to STANDBY mode by pressing the
button labeled Stby.