Pro-Ject Audio Systems 12 User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

PRO-JECT 1.2

Controls, features and connections

1 Motor transportation screw (marked red)

2 Stepped drive pulley

3 Drive belt *

4 Hub

5 Platter with felt mat *

6 Tonearm counterweight * 6a Downforce scale

7 Tonearm lift lever

8/18 Tonearm rest and removable transport lock

9 Tonearm tube

10 Lid *

11 Lid hinges

12 Hinge fasteners

13 Mains cable

14 Signal output cable

15 Anti-skating weight adjustment scale

16 Anti-skating weight *

17 Anti-skating weight support hoop

20 Mains switch

21 Headshell with optional finger lift *

22 Motor

23 Feet

Dear music lover,

thank you for purchasing a PRO-JECT AUDIO record player.

Our turntables set new standards and show how audiophile quality analogue reproduction may be achieved with

simple and very cost effective means. The success of PRO-JECT record players and many customer's comments

have lead us to develop a better model based on the PRO-JECT 1. The PRO-JECT 1.2 is characterized by the

use of a higher quality tonearm.

In order to achieve maximum performance and reliability with this record player you should study these

instructions for use carefully.

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 above and correspondingly numbered

in the technical drawings above. Separately packed items are marked with an asterisk *.

Set-up

The deck is supplied partially disassembled and carefully packaged for safe transport. Carefully remove all

parts from the transport packaging. Make sure the surface you wish to use the turntable on is level (use a

spirit level) before placing the turntable on it. Remove the two red transport screws (1) which secure the

motor (22) during transportation.

Fit the drive belt (3) around the hub (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 hub and the belt. Fit the platter and felt mat over the spindle of the hub.

Remove the transport lock (18) from the tonearm and the tonearm bearing. Store it together with the two red

motor transport screws (1) in the original packaging so they are available for any future transportation.

Fitting and connecting the cartridge

All cartridges with half inch mounting holes can be fitted. Leaving the needle's protection cover on, fit the

cartridge to the headshell using the screws supplied with the cartridge by passing one screw through each

slot in the headshell (21). Do not tighten the nuts yet.

Connect the tonearm wires to the cartridge pins as follows:

white Left channel positive (L+)

red right channel pos. (R+)

green right channel return (R -)

blue left channel return (L -)

The full sound quality of the PRO-JECT 1.2 can only be achieved if the cartridge is correctly adjusted. Particular

tools are required to accomplish this job properly. If you are not well acquainted with the adjustment of cartridges

you are advised to call upon the willing help of your PRO-JECT dealer to accomplish this task for you.

Please note: adjusting a cartridge and tonearm calls for the greatest care in order to avoid damaging

the cartridge or tonearm bearings. Leave this work to your dealer if you are in any way unsure of the

necessary steps and precautions to be taken.

Cartridge downforce adjustment

The counterweight (6) supplied is suitable for cartridges up to 7g weight. A heavier counterweight is available

as an extra for cartridges with a heavier weight. Pushing carefully turn the counterweight (6) onto the rear

end of the tonearm tube (9), and so that the downforce scale (6a) shows towards the front of the player.

Remove the anti-skating weight and needle cover (e.g. PRO-JECT K4 or K6) if fitted. Move the tonearm into

the area between the armrest and the platter's edge and lower the tonearm lift. Now turn the counterweight (6)

back and forth until the tonearm balances out level when released. Repeat the adjustment until you are sure

that the arm is balanced, and then return the arm to the armrest. Holding the counterweight (6) to prevent it

moving, rotate the downforce scale (6a) until the zero on the scale lines up with the anti-skating thread stub (15).

Check that the arm is still balanced correctly. By rotating the arm together with the scale the downforce

recommended by the manufacturer for the cartridge can be set. This procedure must be repeated once the

cartridge has been correctly aligned.

Tonearm height adjustment

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

allen 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 allen screws without applying excessive

force (which would deform the arm pillar) – finger tight is quite sufficient.

Adjusting the vertical tracing angle (vta)

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, which is covered by the outer

bearing ring, allows incorrect vta to be corrected if your needle is not mounted

exactly perpendicular to the cartridge body (which is often the case).

In order to access this screw, the stub for the anti-skating weight thread (15)

must be removed by gently unscrewing it with flat nosed pliers or a strong pair

of tweezers. Keep the stub in a safe place until you are ready to reinsert it.

Now tilt the front of the tonearm up, and slacken off the screw just enough to be able to revolve the arm tube

without applying force. Note! Do not remove the screw completely!

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, but in practice this is often not the case.

When you are satisfied that the needle is vertical retighten the screw carefully and replace the anti-skating stub.

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 according to the mass of the cartridge

as follows:

Downforce Groove in the stub (15)

10 - 15 mN 1st from bearing rings

15 - 20 mN 2nd " " "

20 - 25 mN 3rd " " "

Hang the loop of the thread of the anti-skating weight in the groove of the anti-skating stub (15) corresponding

to the downforce applied to your cartridge and feed the thread through the loop of the wire support (17). By

applying gentle pressure to the wire support (17) bend it until the anti-skating weight hangs exactly over the

spot shown on page 2.

With very heavy cartridges it is possible that the anti-skating force will not be sufficient even in the third

groove. A heavier anti-skating weight can then be ordered through your PRO-JECT dealer.

Changing replay speed

To play records at 45 r.p.m. first remove the platter (5). Using the accessory tool provided hook the belt (3)

over the larger diameter part of the motor pulley (2). Refit the platter. To revert to 33,33 r.p.m. repeat the

proceedings using the smaller step on the pulley.

Connection to the amplifier

The PRO-JECT 1.2 has a captive tonearm signal lead (14) for connection to the amplifier. Use the Phono input

(sometimes labeled 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 (such as 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, the left

channel black or white. Check the manual supplied with your amplifier for relevant information. The earthing

wire of the tonearm lead should be connected to the earth terminal on your amplifier (if provided).

If your amplifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges you will require a separate phono amplifier

stage for MM or MC cartridges such as the PRO-JECT PHONO BOX, which is then connected between the

record player and a free line level input of the amplifier. For further information see the last page.

Mains power connection, switching on and off

The turntable is supplied with a captive mains lead (13) which allows connection to your country's mains

supply. Check the label before plugging into the mains to ensure compliance with the mains rating in your

house. Pressing the power switch (20) alternately starts or stops the motor.

Fitting the lid

Fit the lid (dust cover 10) carefully over the hinge prongs and adjust the screws (12) until the lid stays open

where you want it to without being too stiff to open or close.

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 attract more dust! Antistatic

cleaning fluids are available at specialist stores but must be applied sparingly to avoid damage to rubber

parts. It is recommended to fit the needle cover before cleaning or maintenance is carried out to avoid

damage.

If the player is not used over a long period of time the drive belt can 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 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. It is therefore recommended

that the lid be removed for optimum sound quality.

The finger lift (21) may be fitted on top of the headshell under the cartridge fixing bolts or nuts - not between

headshell and cartridge body - but may impair the sound quality by adding resonances. It is supplied to ease

placement of the arm over the record and may be omitted. The use of the lift (7) considerably facilitates use

of the arm without the finger lift.

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 data PRO-JECT 1.2

Mains power supply 220-240V, 50 cycles

Power consumption 2VA

Nominal speeds * 33,33/45,11 r.p.m.

Speed variance > ± 0,5 %

Wow and flutter > ± 0,1 %

Signal to noise > -70dB

Downforce range 10 - 30mN

Effective tonearm length 8,6 " (218,5mm)

Overhang 18,5mm

Dimensions (H x W x D) 133 x 415 x 325mm

Weight 6,2kg

*(pulley for 78 r.p.m. available extra)

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 on one or both channels:

No connection between player and amplifier.

Phono input not selected at amplifier.

Poor contact in connection.

Amplifier not switched on.

Amplifier or speakers defective or muted.

No connection to the cartridge pins or 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 de resolved there should the

unit be sent to the responsible distributor in your country.

Never return a record player without making sure that is it safely disassembled and correctly packaged in the

original packaging according to the diagrams on the last page of this booklet. Guarantee repairs will only be

effected if the unit is returned correctly packaged. For this reason we recommend keeping the original packaging.

Please remove these parts and pack them separately: lid (10), counterweight (6), anti-skating weight (16) platter

(5), cartridge, belt (3). Insert the transport screws for the motor (1), the transport lock for the tonearm (18) and

the tonearm bearing prior to carefully packaging the record player.

Warranty

Warranty 6 Months, on receipt of warranty registration documents 2 Years.

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 release the manufacturer from any liability over and above

the lawful rights of the customer.

PRO-JECT is a Registered Trademark of H. Lichtenegger.

This guide was produced by: ATR-Audio Trade GmbH

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 Phono Box

MM/MC Phono Pre-amplifier

Good sound from sound technology

Good sound from sound technologyGood sound from sound technology

Good sound from sound technology

Metal case shields the electronics from vibrational and electromagnetic interference

Small size allows installation close to record player

Outboard power supply included

ACTI-DAMP-Circuit for automatic impedance matching for most cartridges

Optimal channel separation through dual-mono circuitry

Special low-noise ICs used

Gold plated RCA connection sockets

Technical specifications

Input sensitivity, MM 5mV/1kHz

Input sensitivity, MC 0,45mV/1kHz

Input impedance, MM 47kΩ/100pF

Input impedance, MC 100Ω/100pF

Output voltage 200mV/1kHz

Noise floor, MM -88dB

Noise floor, MC -79dB

THD 0,005%

RIAA-equalisation curve accuracy 20Hz - 20kHz / max. 0,5dB

Power supply type

Output voltage

Mains-fed outboard power supply

15-16V/50mA AC

Dimension W x D x H 112 x 115 x 30mm

Weight 280g without power supply

The manufacturer reserves the right to alter the technical specifications without notice.

Warranty: 6 months, 24 months upon registration of warranty using the supplied warranty card.

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