Pro-Ject The Classic SB Superpack

Turntable Overview

A top-down view of the Pro-Ject Classic SB Superpack turntable shows the main platter, a circular mat (likely Pro-Ject leather), the tonearm assembly with its counterweight and anti-skating mechanism, the tonearm rest with transport lock, and the speed control button. Various parts are labeled: Main Platter (1), Chassis (2), Record Clamp (3), Speed Control (4), Motor with Motor Pulley (5), Drive Belt (6), Sub-Platter (7), Tonearm Counterweight (9), Tonearm Lift (10), Tonearm Rest and Removable Transport Lock (11), Carbon/Aluminium Tonearm Tube (12), Headshell with Finger Lift (13), Tonearm Flange (14), Anti-Skating Stub with Anti-Skating Adjustment Scale (15), Anti-Skating Weight Support (16), Anti-Skating Weight with Thread (17), Lid Hinges (18).

The following components are identified:

• (1) MAIN PLATTER WITH PRO-JECT LEATHER IT
• (2) CHASSIS
• (3) RECORD CLAMP
• (4) SPEED CONTROL
• (5) MOTOR WITH MOTOR PULLEY
• (6) DRIVE BELT
• (7) SUB-PLATTER
• (8) TRANSPORT SCREWS
• (9) TONEARM COUNTERWEIGHT
• (10) TONEARM LIFT
• (11) TONEARM REST AND REMOVABLE TRANSPORT LOCK
• (12) CARBON / ALUMINIUM TONEARM TUBE
• (13) HEADSHELL WITH FINGER LIFT
• (14) TONEARM FLANGE
• (15) ANTI-SKATING STUB WITH ANTI-SKATING ADJUSTMENT SCALE
• (16) ANTI-SKATING WEIGHT SUPPORT
• (17) ANTI-SKATING WEIGHT WITH THREAD
• (18) LID HINGES
• (19) LID
• (20) HINGE FASTENERS
• (21) PHONO OUTPUT SOCKET
• (22) POWER SUPPLY SOCKET

A view of the rear panel shows the Phono Output Socket with Earth Connection (21) and the Power Supply Socket (22).

Turntable Accessories

An illustration displays the turntable accessories. These include: Instruction for use (1), Cartridge alignment protractor (2), White cotton gloves (3), Anti-skating weight (4), Allen keys (5, 6, 7), Counterweight (8), Single adaptor (9), Hook tool (10), Stylus Pressure Gauge (11), Connect IT RCA cable (12), Cloth (13), Power supply (14), and 3x Feet (15). A separate round drive belt for 78 r.p.m. (16) and Pro-Ject Leather IT (17) are also listed.

• (1) Instruction for use
• (2) Cartridge alignment protractor (not shown)
• (3) White cotton gloves
• (4) Anti-skating weight
• (5) Allen key 1.5mm
• (6) Allen key 2mm
• (7) Allen key 3mm
• (8) Counterweight no. 183 for cartridges with weight between 7 - 14g
• (9) Single adaptor
• (10) Hook tool
• (11) Stylus Pressure Gauge
• (12) Connect IT RCA – CC 1,23m (not shown)
• (13) Cloth (not shown)
• (14) Power supply (not shown)
• (15) 3x Feet
• (16) Round drive belt for 78 r.p.m. (not shown)
• (17) Pro-Ject Leather IT (not shown)

Setup and Installation

1. Feet Assembly

Remove the three feet (15) from the grey foam insert. Carefully turn the turntable and screw the feet into the thread insert from the bottom of the turntable. Balance the turntable by using a spirit level before next steps.

An illustration shows the bottom of the turntable chassis. Red arrows indicate that three feet (labeled 15) should be screwed into the thread inserts from the bottom of the chassis.

2. Transport Screws

Remove the three transport screws (8) from the upper part of the chassis before installing the sub-platter (7), the drive belt (6), the platter (1), and record clamp (3).

An illustration shows the top of the turntable chassis with the platter removed. Red arrows indicate that three transport screws (labeled 8) should be removed from the upper part of the chassis.

3. Mounting and Connecting the Cartridge

All cartridges with half inch mounting holes can be mounted. 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 (13). Do not tighten the nuts yet.

Connect the tonearm 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 Systems alignment tool are required to accomplish this job properly. If you are not well acquainted with the adjustment of cartridges, please call for 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.

A diagram illustrates the turntable's platter assembly, showing the Main Platter with Pro-Ject Leather IT, the Drive Belt, and the Sub-Platter. It also depicts the tonearm with its various parts. The text provides a color-coded guide for connecting tonearm wires to cartridge pins: White for Left Channel Positive (L+), Red for Right Channel Positive (R+), Green for Right Channel Return (R-), and Blue for Left Channel Return (L-).

4. Cartridge Downforce Adjustment

The counterweight (9) supplied is suitable for cartridges weighing between 7 - 14g (counterweight no. 183). Adjust the downforce prior to setting the anti-skating force.

Place counterweight (9) halfway along the counterweight support rod at the rear of the arm, ensuring the securing screw is uppermost. With the power off, and the platter static, place the stylus pressure gauge (11) onto the platter. To set the recommended 18mN downforce (1mN = 0.1g / 0.1 Pond), place the tip of the stylus exactly between the two points marked 15mN and 20mN.

If the stylus gauge becomes level, then the correct pressure has been achieved. If there is insufficient or excessive pressure, the gauge will either not move or tilt down. To adjust the amount of pressure, carefully move the counterweight (9) along the support rod until the stylus pressure is sufficient to raise the pressure gauge to the level position. Moving the counterweight (9) away from the cartridge will reduce pressure, and moving it towards will increase pressure.

Please note: It is advised to remove the stylus tip from the gauge whilst making adjustments to avoid damage to the stylus.

A diagram of the Stylus Pressure Gauge shows markings at 10mN, 15mN, and 20mN, indicating where to position the stylus tip to set the correct downforce.

5. Anti-Skating Force Adjustment

Put the anti-skating thread hook over the anti-skating adjustment scale. The anti-skating force must be adjusted corresponding to the downforce as follows:

A close-up diagram illustrates the anti-skating mechanism, showing the Anti-Skating Stub with Adjustment Scale (15), the Anti-Skating Weight Support (16), and the Anti-Skating Weight with Thread (17). Another diagram shows the tonearm base with an Azimuth Adjusting Screw.

6. Connection to the Amplifier

The record player has gold-plated female RCA phono sockets (21), allowing substitution with higher quality cables such as Pro-Ject Connect IT Si interconnect cables. Use the Phono input (often labeled 'gram', 'disc', or 'RIAA') on your amplifier. Ensure the phono input offers correct matching and amplification for the cartridge type. Line inputs (like 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, and the LEFT CHANNEL is marked BLACK or WHITE. Consult your amplifier's manual for relevant information. An earthing wire may be connected to the screw terminal between the sockets if humming problems occur.

A diagram shows the rear RCA phono sockets (21) labeled for Left Channel (-), Right Channel (+), and Earth Connection.

If your amplifier does not have a suitable input for phono cartridges, a separate phono amplifier stage for MM or MC cartridges is required. This must be connected between the 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 visit: www.project-audio.com.

7. 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 your household's mains rating.

Connect the low voltage plug from the power supply to the socket (22) on the rear of the record player before connecting the power supply to the mains.

8. Fitting the Lid

Fit the lid (dust cover 19) carefully over the hinge prongs and adjust the screws (20) until the lid stays open where you want it without being too stiff to open or close.

9. Switching On and Off

Press the speed control button (4) to start the turntable.

10. Changing Replay Speed

To play records at 33 r.p.m., press the speed control button (4) to start the motor. Pressing the speed control button twice selects 45 r.p.m. The selected speed is indicated by a flashing LED. When the platter attains full speed, the LEDs stop flashing.

To play 78 r.p.m., the flat drive belt must be removed and the round drive belt fitted around the sub-platter (7) and the larger diameter part of the motor pulley (5). The platter (1) must be removed for this procedure.

After fitting the round drive belt, pressing the speed control button twice selects 78 r.p.m. When full speed is attained, the LED 45 stops flashing.

A long press (more than three seconds) on the speed control button stops the motor.

11. Adjusting the Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA)

Put a record 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.

Retighten the hexagon screws without applying excessive force (which would deform the arm pillar); finger tight is quite sufficient.

A diagram highlights the tonearm base, indicating the VTA Setting Screws used for adjusting the vertical tracking angle.

12. Adjusting the Azimuth

The cartridge needle must be vertical in the record groove to correctly trace the groove wall modulations. A small screw at the bearing end of the arm allows incorrect azimuth to be corrected.

Slacken off the screw just enough to be able to revolve the arm tube without applying force. Note! Do not remove this screw completely!

A diagram focuses on the tonearm headshell area, pointing out the Azimuth Adjusting Screw used to ensure the cartridge needle is vertical.

Useful Tips

The lid serves not only as a dust cover but also as a resonant structure that can be excited by and pass acoustic energy from your loudspeakers into the plinth during replay. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the lid for better sound quality. The record player should be positioned on a low-resonance surface, like wood or a multiple-layer ply board, to avoid structural vibrations disturbing replay.

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, as 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, 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!

Technical Specifications

Pro-Ject THE CLASSIC SB Superpack

Pro-Ject 9" Carbon/Alu sandwich tonearm

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 is not switched on.
• Amplifier or speakers are 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 affected 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 it is 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, counterweight, anti-skating weight, platter, and belt. Fit the cartridge protection cap. Insert the transport screws for the sub-chassis, the transport lock for the tonearm 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 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 © 2017. 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.

Product Assembly Overview

An exploded view diagram shows the main components of the Pro-Ject Classic SB Superpack turntable. From bottom to top, it depicts the box/base, three feet (3x Feet), the Chassis, the Counterweight, the Platter, the Lid, the Tonearm Transport Lock, and the Power Supply. Accessories and Instruction for Use are also indicated.