Pro-Ject X2 Audio System Instruction Manual
- June 5, 2024
- Pro-Ject
Table of Contents
Pro-Ject X2 Audio System
Dear music lover,
Thank you for purchasing a Pro-Ject Audio Systems record player.
In order to achieve maximum performance and reliability, please study these
instructions carefully.
Warning of a 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 model at a later date.
During assembling and adjustment small parts could be lost if they are not
carefully placed in a suitable receptacle. Before starting assembly make
yourself acquainted with the parts listed above which are correspondingly
numbered in the technical drawings above.
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. Avoid letting liquids enter the device. Never place any item
containing liquid, like a flower vase, on or near the device. Never spill any
liquid on the device. Never place any naked flame sources, like 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. The 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.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PLATTER AND DRIVE BELT ASSEMBLY
Install the drive belt (5) and the main platter (1) as shown in following ilustration.
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 head shell (12).
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.
CARTRIDGE DOWNFORCE ADJUSTMENT
The counterweight (8) supplied is suitable for cartridges weighing between 7 –
12g (counterweight no. 31). Adjust the downforce prior to setting the anti-
skating force.
Place counterweight (8) halfway along the counterweight support rod at rear of
arm, so that the downforce scale shows towards the front of the player. Lower
the armlift and position the cartridge in the space between arm rest and
platter. Carefully rotate the counterweight (8) until the arm tube balances
out. The arm should return to the balanced position if it is moved up or down.
This adjustment must be done carefully. Do not forget to remove the cartridge
protection cap if fitted.
Once the arm is correctly balanced return it to the rest. Hold the
counterweight (8) without moving it, and gently revolve the downforce scale
ring until the zero is in line with the anti-skating prong. Check whether the
arm still balances out. Rotate the counterweight counter clockwise (seen from
the front) to adjust the downforce according to the cartridge manufacturer’s
recommendations.
- The recommended downforce for the factory fitted cartridge is 18mN.
ANTI-SKATING FORCE ADJUSTMENT
Unpack (14) ANTI-SKATING STUB WITH ANTI-SKATING ADJUSTMENT SCALE and screw it into the pre-drilled hole (see image down below). Unpack (13) ANTI-SKATING WEIGHT WITH THREAD and put the anti-skating thread hook over the correct groove for your cartridge’s downforce on the anti-skating adjustment scale. The anti-skating force must be adjusted corresponding to the downforce as follows:
- Downforce Groove in the stub (15)
- 10 – 14mN 1st from bearing rings
- 15 – 19mN 2nd
- 20mN and bigger 3rd
- Screw ANTI-SKATING STUB into the pre-drilled hole here:
- ANTI -SKATING WEIGHT SUPPORT
- ANTI SKATING WEIGHT WITH THREAD
CONNECTION TO THE AMPLIFIER
The record player has gold plated female RCA phono sockets (19) so you can
substitute the interconnect cables supplied with higher quality cables such as
the Pro-Ject Connect IT Si interconnect cables for connection to the amplifier
if you wish. Use the Phono input (sometimes labelled 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 (like CD, Tuner,
Tape or Video) are not suitable.
Take care about connecting the left and right channel correctly. The RIGHT
CHANNEL is usually marked RED, the LEFT CHANNEL BLACK or WHITE. Check the
manual of your amplifier for relevant information. An earthing wire may be
connected to the screw terminal between the sockets if you encounter humming
problems.
If your amplifier does not have an input suitable for phono cartridges, a
separate phono amplifier stage for MM or MC cartridges is required. It has to
be connected between record player and a free line level input of the
amplifier.
- LEFT CHANNEL
- RIGFHT CAHNNEL
- EARTH CONNECTION
For detailed product information regarding Pro-Ject Audio Systems interconnect cables and phono amplifiers please visit our website: www.project- audio.com
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 the
mains rating in your house.
Connect the low voltage plug from the power supply to the socket (20) on the
rear of the record player before connecting the power supply to the mains.
FITTING THE LID
Fit the lid (dust cover 18) carefully over the hinge prongs and adjust the
screws (17) until the lid stays open where you want it to without being too
stiff to open or close.
SWITCHING ON AND OFF
Press the main power button (21) to start the turntable.
CHANGING REPLAY SPEED
To play records at 33 r.p.m. press the speed control button (3). Pressing the
speed control button one more time selects 45 r.p.m. The selected speed is
shown respectively by the flashing LED. When the platter has attained full
speed, the LEDs stop flashing. To be able to play 78 r.p.m. the flat drive
belt has to be removed and the round drive belt has to be fitted around the
sub-platter (6) and the larger diameter part of the motor pulley (4). To do so
the main platter (1) has to be removed. After the round drive belt has been
fitted, pressing the speed control button two times selects 78 r.p.m.. When
full speed is attained the LED 45 stops flashing.
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.
ADJUSTING THE AZIMUTH
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 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!
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. Therefore it is recommended to remove the lid for
achieving a better sound quality. The record player should be positioned on a
low-resonance surface, like wood or 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 because 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 of time, 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
X2
Pro-Ject 9’’ Carbon/Alu sandwich tonearm
Nominal speeds | 33/45/78 r.p.m. |
---|---|
Speed variance | 33: ±0.25 % 45: ±0.20 % |
Wow and flutter | 33: ±0.12 % 45: ±0.10 % |
Signal to noise | -70dB |
Effective tonearm mass | 13.5g |
Effective tonearm length | 9 ” (230mm) |
Overhang | 18mm |
Power consumption | 5W/ 0.3W standby mode |
Outboard power supply | 15V/ 0.8 A DC, universal power supply |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | 460 x 150 x 340mm, dust cover open 460 x 415 x 435mm |
Weight | 10 kg |
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 is it 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 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, release 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 © 2019. 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.
- LID
- TURN TABLE
- POWER SUPPLY
- COUNTER WEIGHTH
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
- ACCESSORIES IN PLASTIC BAG
- TONEARM TRANSPORT LOCK
- PLATTER AND SUB PLATTER
Getting started:
Make sure you have enough space to unpack your turntable. Always unpack and
setup in a clean enviroment
Important for warranty:
Do not throw packaging away.
-
Unpack all items from accessory box.
-
Remove dust cover carton from the box.
-
Lift the wrapped turntable out of the box.
-
Unpack the acrylic platter and sub platter.
-
Unpack the power supply.
-
Carefully remove the protection covering.
-
Put the drive belt on the pulley and sub-platter
-
Put the platter on the turntable.
-
Remove tonearm twist tie.
-
Unpack the Antiskating stub and screw it 10 into the pre-drilled hole.
-
Put the counterweight in place.
-
Remove the needle protection cover.
-
Lower the tonearm lift and place the ton arm between platter & armrest.
-
Balance the tonearm by turning the counterweight until it stays level.
-
Turn the front scale of the counter weight to Zero without moving the weight itself.
-
Turn the counterweight counterclockwise 16 until the scale reads roughly 18.
-
Put the needle protection cover back 17 on the cartridge.
-
Put the loop of the Antiskating Weight in the second groove on the tonearm post.
-
Unpack Dust Cover and put it on the turntable.
-
Connect to your sound system and you are ready to enjoy your records
Technical Data
Speed : 33, 45, 78 (electronic speed
change)
Principle : belt drive
Speed cariance : 33: +/-0,25%; 45: +/-0,20%
Wow and flutter : 33: +/-0,12%; 45: +/-0,10%
Platter : 30mm thick acryl, 2 kg heavy
acryl
Main bearing : Stainless steel
Tonearm : 9” carbon/aluminium sandwich
tonearm
Effective arm length : 9“/230 mm
Overhang : 18 mm
Effective tonearm mass : 13,5 g
Tracking force range : 0 – 30mN
Power consumption : 4.5 W max / 0.3 W standby
Dimensions : 460 x 150 x 340 mm (WxHxD) lid
closed
Weight : 10 kg net
References
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems – Turntables and hifi stereo components since 1991 | Handmade in Europe
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems – Turntables and hifi stereo components since 1991 | Handmade in Europe
- X2 – Pro-Ject Audio Systems
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>