Pro-Ject Essential II

Controls, Features, and Connections

Diagram of the Pro-Ject Essential II turntable showing numbered components. Key components include: 1. Power switch, 2. Stepped drive pulley, 3. Platter with felt mat, 4/4a. Tonearm counterweight with downforce scale, 5. Tonearm lift lever, 6/66. Tonearm rest with transport lock, 7. Tonearm tube, 8. Anti-skating stub with adjustment scale, 9. Anti-skating weight support hoop, 10. Anti-skating weight with wire, 11. Headshell with finger lift and Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, 12. Signal output cable, 13. Power supply socket, 14. Hinge.

• 1 Power switch
• 2/22 Stepped drive pulley and drive belt *
• 3 Platter with felt mat *
• 4/4a Tonearm counterweight *
• 4a Downforce scale
• 5 Tonearm lift lever
• 6/66 Tonearm rest and removable transport lock
• 7 Tonearm tube
• 8 Anti-skating stub with 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) *

Introduction and Safety

Dear music lover,

Thank you for purchasing a Pro-Ject Audio Systems' record player. To achieve maximum performance and reliability, please study these instructions for use carefully.

? Warning of a hazard for the user, the unit or possible misuse.

ℹ️ Important notice.

** Your turntable has been delivered with a factory fitted and adjusted cartridge. Please ignore cartridge set-up instructions unless changing the cartridge later. During assembly and adjustment, small parts could be lost if not carefully placed. Familiarize yourself with the parts listed and numbered in the technical drawings. Separately packed items are marked with an asterisk (*).

Safety Instructions

AC outlet voltages vary by country. Before connecting to the mains, ensure your area's voltage meets the requirements printed on the power supply. The power supply disconnects the unit from the mains; ensure it is easily accessible. Never handle the device or power supply with wet hands.

? Avoid letting liquids enter the device or power supply. Never place items containing liquid, such as flower vases, on or near the device. Never spill liquid on the device or power supply. Never place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, on or near the device. The product should not be used in damp or wet locations, next to a bathtub, sink, swimming pool, or similar conditions. Keep plastic bags away from children to prevent suffocation.

Setup and Operation

Set-up

The deck is supplied partially disassembled and carefully packaged for safe transport. Carefully remove all parts from the packaging. Ensure the surface you wish to use the turntable on is level (use a spirit level). 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 this will deteriorate performance and reduce lifespan. Use absorbent kitchen paper to remove any oil or grease from the platter's outer edge and the belt. Fit the felt mat over the platter spindle (3). Remove the transport lock (66) from the tonearm tube and store it in the original packaging for future transportation.

Cartridge Downforce Adjustment

The supplied counterweight (6) is suitable for cartridges weighing between 3.5 - 5.5g (weight no. 00). An alternative counterweight for cartridges weighing between 6 - 9g (weight no. 01) is available as an accessory. Carefully push the counterweight (4) onto the rear end of the tonearm tube (7), ensuring the downforce scale (4a) faces forward. Lower the armlift and position the cartridge between the tonearm rest and the platter. Carefully rotate the counterweight (4) until the tonearm tube balances out; the arm should return to the balanced position if moved up or down. This adjustment requires care. Do not forget to remove the cartridge protection cap if fitted.

Once balanced, return the arm to the rest (6). Hold the counterweight (4) steady and gently rotate the downforce scale ring (4a) until zero aligns with the anti-skating stub (8). Check if the arm still balances. Rotate the counterweight counter-clockwise (from the front) to adjust downforce according to the cartridge manufacturer's recommendations. One mark on the scale represents 1 mN (= 0.1g / 0.1 Pond) of downforce. Adjust downforce before installing the anti-skating weight. The recommended downforce for the factory-fitted cartridge is 17.5mN.

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 applied downforce, 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:

Connection to the Amplifier

The record player has a captive tonearm signal lead (12) for connection to your amplifier. Use the Phono input (often labelled 'gram', 'disc', or 'RIAA') on your amplifier, ensuring it offers correct matching and amplification for the cartridge type. Line inputs (CD, Tuner, Tape, Video) are not suitable. Connect left and right channels correctly (right channel usually red, left channel black or white). Consult your amplifier's manual for details. Connect the tonearm's earthing wire to the amplifier's earth terminal if provided.

If your amplifier lacks a phono input, a separate phono amplifier stage (for MM or MC cartridges) is required, connected between the record player and a free line-level input. For Pro-Ject Audio phono amplifiers, refer to www.project-audio.com.

The recommended load impedance for the factory-fitted cartridge is: 47kohms/MM-input.

Mains Power Connection

The turntable includes a power supply suitable for your country's mains. Check the label before connecting to ensure compliance with your house's mains rating. Connect the low-voltage plug from the power supply to socket (13) on the player's rear before connecting the power supply to the mains.

Fitting the Lid

Carefully fit the lid (dust cover) over the hinge prongs. Adjust the screws (14) until the lid stays open where desired 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

To change speed from 33 to 45 r.p.m., move the belt (22) to the larger diameter part of the motor pulley (2). To revert to 33 r.p.m., use the smaller step on the pulley. If using the Pro-Ject Speed Box, speed changes are electronic (33/45 r.p.m.) and do not require manual belt adjustment. For more information, visit www.project-audio.com.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Your record player requires minimal regular maintenance. Remove dust with a slightly moistened antistatic cloth. Never use a dry cloth, as it creates static electricity that attracts more dust. Antistatic cleaning fluids are available from specialist stores but should be applied sparingly to avoid damaging rubber parts. It is recommended to fit the needle cover before cleaning or maintenance to prevent damage. If the player is unused for a long period, remove the drive belt to prevent unequal stretching.

? Always disconnect the record player from the mains power supply before maintenance as a precaution!

Cartridge, Tips, and Specifications

Fitting and Connecting the Cartridge

** All cartridges with half-inch mounting holes can be fitted. With the needle's protection cover on, fit the cartridge to the headshell (11) using the supplied screws, 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 positive (R+)
• green: right channel return (R -)
• blue: left channel return (L -)

Full sound quality is achieved only if the cartridge is correctly adjusted. Tools like the Pro-Ject alignment tool “Align it” are required for proper adjustment. If you are not familiar with cartridge adjustment, seek assistance from your Pro-Ject dealer. Adjusting a cartridge and tonearm requires great care to avoid damaging the cartridge or tonearm bearings. If unsure, leave this work to your dealer.

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 II / Pro-Ject 8.6

MM-Cartridge Ortofon OM 5E

Potential Incorrect Use and Fault Conditions

Pro-Ject turntables are manufactured to high standards. Faults may arise from incorrect use or circumstances, not necessarily production faults. Common fault symptoms include:

The platter doesn't turn although the unit is switched on:

• Unit not connected to mains power supply.
• No power at the socket.
• Drive belt not fitted or has slipped off.

No signal through one or other channel or both channels:

• No signal contact from cartridge to tonearm wiring, or tonearm lead, or phono box, or between player and amplifier. Possible causes: faulty plug, broken wire, solder joint, or loose plug/socket connection.
• Phono input not selected at amplifier.
• Amplifier not switched on.
• Amplifier or speakers defective or muted.
• No connection to loudspeakers.

Strong hum on phono input:

• No earth connection from cartridge, arm, or arm cable to amplifier, or earth loop.

Distorted or inconsistent sound from one or both channels:

• Record player connected to wrong amplifier input, 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

If a problem cannot be resolved with the above information, contact your dealer for advice. If unresolved, send the unit to the responsible distributor in your country. Guarantee repairs require the unit to be returned correctly packaged. Keep original packaging. Before returning, safely disassemble and package the player according to diagrams. Remove and pack separately: lid, counterweight (4), anti-skating weight (10), and belt (22). Fit the cartridge protection cap and transport lock (66) before packaging.

Warranty

The manufacturer is not responsible for damage caused by not adhering to these instructions or by transportation without original packaging. Modifications by unauthorized persons release the manufacturer from liability beyond lawful customer rights.

PRO-JECT is a Registered Trademark of H. Lichtenegger. This guide was produced by Pro-Ject Audio Systems. Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. Information was correct at time of printing; manufacturer reserves the right to make technical changes without prior notice for development purposes.

Accessories

Diagram showing accessories included with the turntable: Lid, Tonearm transport lock, Tonearm counterweight, Power supply.