© Pro-Ject Audio Systems · Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon · Revision 2016.02.23
5
Fitting and connecting the cartridge
All cartridges with half inch mounting holes can be fitted. 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 into the
headshell (16). Do not tighten the nuts yet.
Connect the tonearm wires with the cartridge pins as following:
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 upon 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 supplied counterweights (6) are suitable for cartridges weighing between 5 - 7,5g (counterweight no. 28), 7
- 10g (counterweight no. 46), 9 - 11g (counterweight no. 43) or 10 - 14g (counterweight no. 29). Adjust
the downforce before installing the anti-skating weight.
Following adjustments has to be done very carefully! Remove cartridge protection cap. Push and turn the
counterweight (6) carefully 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. Rotate the counterweight (6) until the arm tube is balanced. The arm should return to the balanced
position if it is moved up or down.
Once the arm is balanced correctly 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 stub (12). 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.
Adjusting the vertical tracking angle (vta)
Put a record and the record weight 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.
Carefully retighten the hexagon screws without applying excessive force (which would deform the arm pillar) –
finger tight is quite sufficient.
