Debut III Esprit - DJ Equipment PRO-JECT - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Belt-drive turntable
Dimensions (W x H x D)	415 x 118 x 320 mm (16.3 x 4.6 x 12.6 in)
Weight	5.5 kg (12.1 lbs)
Power Consumption	2 W standby, 5 W operation
Motor	DC motor with electronic speed control
Speeds	33 1/3 and 45 RPM (electronic switch)
Platter	Aluminum, 300 mm diameter, 3.5 kg mass
Wow and Flutter	±0.10% (33 RPM), ±0.08% (45 RPM)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	65 dB
Tonearm	8.6" aluminum, gimbal bearing, adjustable anti-skate
Effective Tonearm Mass	16 g
Overhang	18 mm
Cartridge and Stylus	Pre-mounted Ortofon OM 5E (replaceable stylus)
Output Voltage	2.5 mV
Channel Separation	>20 dB at 1 kHz
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz (±2 dB)
Tracking Force Range	10-20 mN (1.0-2.0 g)
Maintenance	Clean stylus with brush; replace stylus after 500-1000 hours; dust platter with microfiber cloth
Safety	Disconnect power before cleaning; keep away from moisture; use on stable surface
Spare Parts Availability	Replaceable stylus (Ortofon OM 5E); belt; platter mat; counterweight; feet

Frequently Asked Questions - Debut III Esprit PRO-JECT

How do I set up the Pro-Ject Debut III Esprit?

Unpack the turntable carefully. Place it on a stable, level surface. Remove the transit screw (located on the underside) and the twist tie securing the tonearm. Install the platter and belt: loop the belt around the motor pulley and platter. Attach the counterweight and set tracking force using the included gauge. Connect the turntable to your amplifier's phono input (or a separate phono preamp).

How do I change the speed from 33 to 45 RPM?

Locate the speed selector switch on the front or side of the turntable. Simply toggle between 33 and 45 RPM while the platter is rotating. The motor will adjust electronically.

Why is my turntable producing a hum or buzzing noise?

Hum is often caused by a poor ground connection. Ensure the ground wire (attached to the tonearm base) is connected to the grounding terminal on your amplifier or phono preamp. Also check that all cables are securely connected and that the turntable is not near large transformers or motors.

How do I replace the stylus on my Debut III Esprit?

The stylus is on an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge. To replace, gently pull the stylus forward and downward. Align the new stylus with the cartridge body and push upward until it clicks into place. Always handle the stylus carefully to avoid damage.

How often should I clean the stylus?

Clean the stylus every 10-15 hours of playtime using a stylus brush (dry or with a special cleaning fluid). Brush gently from back to front to remove dust and debris. Regular cleaning extends stylus life and preserves sound quality.

What is anti-skate and how do I adjust it?

Anti-skate compensates for the inward force that pulls the tonearm toward the center of the record. Adjust the anti-skate dial (usually near the tonearm base) to match the tracking force: for 1.5g tracking force, set anti-skate to 1.5. Proper adjustment reduces distortion and record wear.

Can I connect the Debut III Esprit directly to speakers without a preamp?

No, the Debut III Esprit does not have a built-in phono preamp. You must connect it to a phono input on your amplifier/receiver or use an external phono preamp before connecting to line-level inputs or active speakers.

How do I replace the drive belt?

Remove the platter. Take off the old belt and loop the new belt around the motor pulley and the inner rim of the platter. Stretch the belt gently over the platter and reposition it. Replace the platter. The belt should have slight tension.

What should I do if the turntable is skipping?

Skipping may be due to incorrect tracking force, uneven surface, or dirty stylus. Check the tracking force (use a gauge), ensure the turntable is level, and clean the stylus. Also inspect the record for warps or debris.

How do I store the turntable when not in use?

Replace the dust cover. If storing for extended periods, remove the belt and platter, secure the tonearm with the included tie, and store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

USER MANUAL Debut III Esprit PRO-JECT

Pro-Ject AUDIO SYSTEMS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Pro-Ject Debut III Esprit

PRO-JECT DEBUT III ESPRIT

Controls, features and connections

1 Motor transportation screw (marked red)
2 Stepped drive pulley
3 Drive belt * 3a Hook *
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 9a Tonearm base
10 Lid *
11 Lid hinges
12 Hinge fasteners
13 Power supply socket
14 Signal output cable
15 Anti-skating weight adjustment scale
16 Anti-skating weight *
17 Anti-skating weight support hoop
20 Power switch
21 Headshell with finger lift and fitted Ortofon Alpha cartridge
22 Motor
23 Single adapter *
Power supply (not shown) *

Dear music lover,

thank you for purchasing a PRO-JECT AUDIO 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.

** Your turntable has been delivered with a factory fitted and adjusted cartridge, please ignore the cartridge set up instructions unless changing the cartridge at a later date.

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

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.

Remove the transport lock (18) from the tonearm. Store it together with the two red motor transport screws (1) in the original packaging so they are available for any future transportation.

Fit the drive belt (3) around the hub (4) and the smaller diameter part of 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 (5) and felt mat over the spindle of the hub (4).

Cartridge downforce adjustment

The counterweight (6) supplied is suitable for cartridges weighing between 3,5 - 5,5g (counterweight no. 0). Alternative counterweights for cartridges weighing between 6 - 9g (counterweight no. 1) or 1,5 - 3g (counterweight no. 8) are available as accessory parts. Adjust the downforce prior to installing the anti-skating weight.

Pushing carefully, turn the counterweight (6) onto the rear end of the tonearm tube (9), so that the downforce scale (6a) 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 (6) until the armtube 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 (6) without moving it, and gently revolve the downforce scale ring (6a) until the zero is in line with the anti-skating prong (15). 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. One mark on the scale represents 1 mN (= 0,1g / 0,1 Pond) of downforce.

The recommended downforce for the factory fitted cartridge is 15mN.

Anti-skating force adjustment

The anti-skating force must be adjusted corresponding to the downforce as follows:

Downforce	Groove in the stub (15)
10 - 14mN	1	^st from bearing rings
15 - 19mN	2	^nd	"	"
20mN and bigger	3	^rd	"	"

Slip the loop of the anti-skating weight's thread over the second groove of the stub to set the correct anti-skating force for the factory-fitted cartridge. Feed the thread through the loop of the wire support (17).

Connection to the amplifier

The record player has a captive tonearm signal lead (14) for connection to the amplifier. 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 (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 or the Pro-Ject Tube Box which is then connected between the record player and a free line level input of the amplifier.

For detailed product information please refer to the Pro-Ject web site www.project-audio.com.

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

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 (13) on the rear of the record player before connecting the power supply to the mains.

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.

Switching on and off

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

Changing replay speed

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

When the Pro-Ject Speed Box ore the Speed Box SE are used speed change between 33 and 45 r.p.m. is electronic. There is no need to move the belt manually.

*** In addition, 78 r.p.m. is available after fitting a special pulley, which may be purchased as an optional extra.

For detailed product information please refer to the Pro-Ject web site www.project-audio.com.

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 record player should be positioned on a low-resonance surface such as wood or multiple layer ply board to avoid structural vibrations disturbing replay.

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 record player can only be achieved if the cartridge is correctly adjusted. Particular tools like the PRO-JECT alignment tool 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.

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 if your needle is not mounted exactly perpendicular to the cartridge body (which is often the case).

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. When you are satisfied that the needle is vertical retighten the screw carefully.

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.

Technical specifications Pro-Ject Debut III Esprit / Pro-Ject 8.6

Nominal speeds 33,33/45,11 r.p.m. *** 78 r.p.m. optional

Speed variance ±0,8 %

Wow and flutter ±0,12 %

Signal to noise -65dB

Downforce range 10-30mN

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

Overhang 18,5mm

Power consumption 2W

Outboard power supply 16V/500mA AC, suitable for your country's mains supply

Dimensions (W x H x D) 415 x 118 x 320mm, dust cover open 415 x 365 x 405mm

Weight 5,1kg

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 not switched on.

Amplifier or speakers 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 effected 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 (10), counterweight (6), anti-skating weight (16) platter (5), cartridge and belt (3). Fit the cartridge protection cap. Insert the transport screws for the motor (1) and the transport lock for the tonearm (18) 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 is a Registered Trademark of H. Lichtenegger.

This guide was produced by: Audio Trade GmbH Copyright © 2008. 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.