be a part of your high performance
music listening system. Since
1970, Audio Research has been
creating some of the world’s nest
audio equipment. Each piece is
handcrafted in Minnesota, and has
been designed to provide many
years of listening enjoyment.
We understand you are eager to
begin listening; however, please
take a few minutes to read through
this guide for useful information
concerning the operation of your
new CD player/DAC. Once installed,
please allow an appropriate breakin period to fully appreciate the
benets this CD player/DAC will
provide to your system.
After reading the user guide, if you
have any further questions regarding
your preamplier, contact your
dealer or Audio Research customer
service – they will be happy to help
you make the most of your new
component.
Do not place objects containing water on top
of this unit.
This unit contains voltages which can cause
serious injury or death. Do not operate with
cover removed. Refer servicing to your
authorized Audio Research dealer or other
qualied personnel.
The detachable power cord on your CD6SE is
equipped with a heavy gauge, 3-conductor
cable and a standard three-prong grounding
plug. For absolute protection, do not defeat
the ground power plug. This provides power
line grounding of the CD6SE chassis to provide
absolute protection from electrical shock.
For continued protection against re hazard,
replace the fuse only with the same type and
rating as specied at the fuse holder.
If the unit is to be operated in an enclosure
such as an equipment rack, make certain that
adequate airow above and to each side of
the unit is provided.
The appliance coupler at the rear of this unit
must be accessible for emergency power
disconnect.
This unit is RoHS compliant.
A note about packaging...
Save all packaging in a dry place away from
fire hazard. Your CD6SE compact disc player is a
precision electronic instrument and should be
properly cartoned any time shipment is made.
You may not have occasion to return your unit
to the factory for service, but if that should
prove necessary, or other occasion requiring
shipment occurs, the original packaging will
protect your CD6SE from unnecessary damage
or delay.
Do not operate the CD6SE player without
the supplied CD6SE clamp installed on the
CD. Gently place clamp on disc to prevent
damaging the spindle mechanism.
Whenever the CD6SE power is on, the door
covering the drive mechanism/tray area
should remain fully closed after inserting
or removing a CD. Following this procedure
will maintain proper ventilation and also
minimize dust intrusion on the lens and
drive mechanism.
5
Page 6
SCAN
SHUF
TIME
A/B
PLAY
STOP
1
PROG
DSP DN
DSP UP
PAUSE
2
3
456
789
0
REPEAT
UPSAMPLE
INPUT
FILTER
Installation
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Illustrations
Front Panel
MODEL CD6 SE HIGH DEFINITION
DIGITAL INPUTS
TOSLINK USB RCA AES/EBU
RIGHTLEFT
BALANCED SESE BALANCED
ANALOG OUTPUTS
CD PLAYER
®
Rear Panel
DIGITAL OUTPUTS
BNC AES/EBU
192
176.4
96
88.2
48
44.1
POWER PREV PLAY NEXT PAUSE STOP INPUT
MODEL CD6 SE
DIGITAL CD PLAYER
TO PREVENT FIRE AND SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
UNIT MUST BE OPERATED IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION.
-DO NOT OPERATE WITH COVERS REMOVED-
UNIT CONTAINS VOLTAGES WHICH MAY BE HAZARDOUS
CD
RCA
USB
AES
TOS
WARNING
.
FAST
SLOW
UPSAMPLE
POWER
CAUTION
FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST
FIRE HAZARD REPLACE FUSE ONLY
WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING
SERIAL
VOLTS
120W MAX
50/60HZ
~
Remote
CD6
6
Page 7
Installation
In your System
While the CD6SE does not dissipate an unusual
amount of heat, it is important that it be
provided with reasonable airow to assure
long, trouble-free operation. In addition, the
following installation guidelines will help
insure maximum sonic performance as well
as reliable service.
Upright and level horizontal mounting is
mandatory, preferably on solid, non-resonant
shelving. Allow sucient space for convection
cooling. Do not block the ventilation holes
when the unit is turned on.
Do not stack the CD6SE on top of another
component: not only could this cause
overheating, but hum may be introduced into
the system.
Do not place any objects on top of the CD6SE;
its suspension feet are tuned for the specic
weight of the CD6SE.
Do not place or operate your CD6SE on a
soft or irregular surface such as a rug. This
can prevent proper leveling and restrict
ventilation.
Do not operate your CD6SE without the top and
bottom covers installed. These are required
both for safety as well as shielding from
interference.
If side-by-side mounting with other
equipment is employed, place the CD6SE to
the left of the other chassis, so as to provide
maximum spacing between the transformers
of the CD6SE and the other component.
7
Page 8
Connections
Digital Connections
The CD6SE offers four digital inputs, and two
standard digital output options. Which option
is best for your system will depend on your
personal listening preference, the nature of
your system installation requirements, and
the options allowed by your external digital
processor, if one is used.
Digital Inputs
RCA: Connect to a transport or other device
equipped with an RCA digital output. Press
the INPUT button until the ‘RCA’ LED is
illuminated.
USB: Connect to a Windows-based PC or
Mac computer for music playback from your
USB: Connect to a Windows-based PC or
computer. Press the INPUT button until the
Mac computer for music playback from your
‘USB’ LED is illuminated. Note: Software
computer. Press the INPUT button until the
installation is not necessary for Mac or Linux
‘USB’ LED is illumindated. Note: you must
users. Windows users can nd the necessary
install the software on the included CD (also
software drivers at www.audioresearch.com
downloadablefromwww.audioresearch.
under the Download tab.
com/downloads.html) to utilize the USB
connection.
AES/EBU: Connect to a transport or other
device equipped with an AES/EBU digital
output device. Press the INPUT button until
until the AES/EBU LED is illuminated.
Digital Outputs
BNC: Use 75-ohm impedance coaxial cable
with locking BNC-type connectors. An RCA/
BNC adaptor is also supplied.
AES/EBU: For connection to digital processors
having the AES/EBU-Standard interface.
Analog Outputs
Single-Ended (RCA): For connection to
the inputs of a line-level preamplier or
integrated amplier.
Balanced (XLR):For connection to the
balanced inputs of a line-level preamplier.
Warning
The digital outputs supply only a digital signal
and should therefore only be connected to an
input which is suitable for this signal. Never
connect either of these digital outputs to a
non-digital input of a preamplier (such as
those labeled CD, AUX, PHONO, TAPE, etc.)
or to a power amplier. To do so is to risk
damage to your system and may void any or
all warranties involved.
Toslink: Connect to a transport, computer
or other device equipped with Toslink (optical)
digital output. Press the INPUT button until
the ‘Toslink’ LED is illuminated.
8
Page 9
Operation
Front Panel Control Functions
Power: The Power switch turns the CD6
completely on for operation (indicated by theLED being brightly lit), each time preceded by a warm-up interval of about 40 seconds when the LED is dim and the output is automatically muted. Press power switch again to turn CD6
o-indicated by unlit LED.
Selects the previous track to play.
previous tracks. (Track number will appear
during play. (Track number and elapsed track
Next:Selects the next track to play. Continue
pressing to cycle forward through tracks. (Track number will appear on display.)
Pause: Interrupts play (display will read“PAUSE”). Release PAUSE by pressing it a second time to resume playing disc.
Stop: Stops play. (Number of tracks and total disc track time appear on display.)
Input: Selects between the CD player and digital inputs on the rear panel. Pressing the Input button repeatedly will cycle through all the inputs.
Note
Play, Pause, Stop, Previous and Next only
function when using the CD player.
Operation
Front Panel Control Functions
Power: The Power switch turns the CD6
Power: The Power switch completely turns
completely on for operation (indicated by the
on the CD6SE for operation (there is no
LED being brightly lit), each time preceded by
“standby” mode). During the rst 40 seconds,
a warm-up interval of about 40 seconds when
the analog SE and BAL outputs are muted to
the LED is dim and the output is automatically
allow the analog output stage to stabilize.
muted. Press power switch again to turn CD6
The digital BNC and AES/EBU outputs will
o-indicated by unlit LED.
function immediately. After 40 seconds the
analog outputs will unmute.
Prev:Selects the previous track to play. Continue pressing to cycle backward through
Also illuminated will be the LEDs for the last
previous tracks. (Track number will appear
selected settings of the Filter (Fast or Slow),
on display.)
the last input selected, and the sample rate
(if an active digital input is selected, or a CD
Play:Starts play. CD door must rst be
is loaded).
fully closed. Begins to play rst track unless
another is selected. Restarts track if pressed
To turn o the CD6SE, press the power
during play. (Track number and elapsed track
switch again. All LEDs will extinguish.
time appear on display.)
Next: Selects the next track to play. Continue
pressing to cycle forward through tracks.
(Track number will appear on display.)
Pause: Interrupts play (display will read
“PAUSE”). Release PAUSE by pressing it a
second time to resume playing disc.
Stop: Stops play. (Number of tracks and total
disc track time appear on display.)
Input: Selects between the CD player and
digital inputs on the rear panel. Pressing the
Input button repeatedly will cycle through all
the inputs.
Note
Play, Pause, Stop, Previous and Next only
function when using the CD player.
Prev:
Continue pressing to cycle backward through
on display.)
Play: Starts play. CD door must rst be
fully closed. Begins to play rst track unless
another is selected. Restarts track if pressed
time appear on display.)
System operation note: The CD6SE should be
the rst component turned on in your system,
followed by other source components,
the preamp, and last the power amp. This
will prevent any extraneous turn-on noise
an upstream component might generate
from reaching the power amp, which could
amplify the noise, which might potentially
damage the loudspeakers. When powering
down the system, reverse the order: Mute
the preamp, turn o the power amp rst,
then the preamp, then the CD6SE and other
source components. If the above is followed,
it will help to avoid accidental loudspeaker
damage.
9
Page 10
Operation
Remote Only Functions
The remote control unit includes all of
the above described CD6SE front panel
control functions plus the following
additional functions. (Functions in [ ]
indicate labeling abbreviations appearing
on remote control unit.)
0-9 Buttons: Pressing numbered button(s)
corresponding to the disc track number will
advance disc to desired track. Also used to
select tracks when compiling a custom disc
playback program (see PROGRAM function
description below).
Scan: With a stopped CD and the CD door
closed, press SCAN and the rst 10 seconds
of each track will be played in sequence.
(“SCAN” will light up on display, then 10
seconds are counted out next to each track
number.) To hear a track in full that the player
is presently scanning, press SCAN button
again which will cancel SCAN function.
Shue [SHUF]: Toggles between Shue
play (random playback order) and normal
play (sequential playback). SHUFFLE appears
in the display window when random playback
is selected.
Repeat [REP]: Press REPEAT once to repeat the
entire disc continuously (“REPEAT” appears in
display window). Press REPEAT once more to
continuously repeat the track now playing
(“REPEAT 1” appears in display window).
Press REPEAT once again to discontinue
repeat mode.
Upsample: Select between native sampling
rate playback and integer upsampling. 44.1
kHz and 88.2 kHz sampling frequencies are
upsampled to 176.4 kHz, whereas 48 kHz
and 96 kHz frequencies are upsampled to
192 kHz. An LED will indicate which sampling
frequency is selected. Note: When using the
USB input, upsampling is available only to
88.2 kHz or 96 kHz.
Filter: Select between Fast and Slow digital
lters. Pressing FILTER will toggle between
the two options, and will be indicated by an
LED next to the selected lter name.
10
Page 11
Operation
Remote Only Functions, continued
Input:Select between CD playback and the
Input: Select between CD playback and the
digital inputs on the rear panel (2 Toslink,
digital inputs on the rear panel (RCA, USB,
USB, RCA). Pressing INPUT toggles through
AES/EBU, Toslink). Pressing INPUT toggles
the dierent inputs, and the selected input
through the dierent inputs, and the selected
will be indicated by an LED next to the input
input will be indicated by an LED next to
name. Note: display window is illuminated
the input name. Note: display window is
only during CD playback.
illuminated only during CD playback.
Time: Pressing and releasing TIME repeatedly
will cycle through the following information
on the display: current track time elapsed
(default setting initially seen on display),
total disc time elapsed, and total disc time
remaining.
Display Down/Display Up [DISP DN/DISP
UP]: Decreases/Increases display intensity,
oering four levels of brightness as well as
display o.
A/B: Press the A/B button once while music
is playing, then press it again; the musical
passage in the interval between pressing the
button is then repeated in a loop until pressing
the A/B button once again to discontinue
it. Display reads “A—B” to show activation.
Note: you must discontinue the A/B loop
before pressing PLAY to resume normal
playback. Pressing and holding this button
down will fast search backward through the
track that is playing until it is released. Rate
of search accelerates as button is held down.
Program [PROG]: Allows compiling a custom
track selection and playback order of up to
20 tracks on a disc. With the player in STOP
mode, enter the desired rst track number and
then press the PROGRAM button. The word
“PROGRAM” will light and the display will
show the total number of tracks programmed
and total programmed time. If a second track
selection is entered, the word “PROGRAM”
ashes, indicating that other track(s) have
already been stored in the program memory.
Press the PROGRAM button to save the
second track selection. Repeat procedure to
program additional tracks as desired. This
programming procedure, with readout of the
cumulative total number of programmed
tracks and total programming time (including
time between tracks), works for any of the
rst 13 numbered tracks on a disc. You may
program track numbers higher than 13, but
from then on no track time information will
appear on the display. To preview a program
before playing it, press PLAY and then use
the NEXT and PREV buttons to cycle through
track selections. Pressing PLAY will begin
playing program. Pressing STOP once will
stop program play. Pressing PLAY again will
resume play from beginning of program. To
cancel program, press STOP twice.
11
Page 12
Operation
CD Door Functions/Warnings
Do not attempt to play a CD without rst
installing the supplied CD6SE magnetic disc
clamp on the CD. Use only the supplied CD6SE
clamp in your CD6SE player.
CD door must be fully closed for the CD6SE
to operate.
If the CD door is closed without a CD in the
player and the CD6SE is powered up, the display
will read “NO DISC”.
If a CD is inserted (label side up) in the
CD6SE, the CD door is fully closed and the
CD6SE is powered up, the CD will spin for a
few seconds while the track information is
accessed. The number of tracks and total
disc time will then be displayed, indicating
the CD is ready to play.
Keep the CD door closed when the CD6SE is
turned o and not in use to keep dust out of
the lens and drive area.
When the CD6SE power is on, keep the CD
door fully closed (except to change CDs) to
to prevent dust from collecting on the tray
and lens.
12
Page 13
Software Installation
Software installation is not necessary for Mac or Linux users. Windows PC users can nd the
necessary software drivers at www.audioresearch.com under the Download tab.
Removal of previous driver versions
Uninstall any prior/existing Audio Research Corp. Drivers for Windows OS by opening the
Windows “Control Panel” for your computer. Find and open the “Uninstall Programs” for
your particular computer. This may be named “Programs” or “Programs and Features.”
If you experience diculty, please contact your selling dealer or Audio Research Customer
Support at service@audioresearch.com or call 763-577-9700 between 8AM – 5PM CST.
13
Page 14
Maintenance
Servicing
Because of its careful design and exacting
standards of manufacture, your CD6SE
CD player should normally require only
minimal service to maintain its high level of
performance.
About Fuse Replacement
About Fuse Replacement
The CD6 has two fuses; both are located
The CD6SE has two internal fuses. Under
towards the back of the chassis on the left.
normal operation these should never
One fuse is accessible with the removal of
blow. If you experience an operational
the top cover, and the other with the removal
problem and suspect a blown fuse, please
of the bottom panel. See specications for
contact your dealer or Audio Research
information on fuse types.
Customer Support for assistance.
Disposal and Recycling Guidelines
To dispose of this electronic product, do
not place in landll. In accordance with
the European Union Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive
eective August 2005, this product may
contain regulated materials which upon
disposal require special reuse and recycling
processing. Please contact your dealer or
importing distributor for instructions on
proper disposal of this product in your country.
Or, contact Audio Research Corporation at
service@audioresearch.com or 763-577-9700
for the name of your importing distributor
and how to contact them. Packing and
shipping materials may be disposed of in a
normal manner.
Cleaning
To maintain the visual appearance of your
CD6SE, occasionally wipe the front panel and
top cover surfaces with a soft damp (not
wet) cloth to remove dust. A mild, nonalkaline soap solution may be used to remove
ngerprints or similar smudges. Cleaners
containing abrasives should not be used as
they will damage the brushed grain of the
front panel nish, as well as the LED display
window. A dry 2-inch pure bristle paint brush
works well to remove dust from bevels, reliefs
and switches. The CD6SE CD compartment
may be gently dusted: carefully avoid
touching the laser assembly area to prevent
possible damage.
Caution
Your CD6SE contains sufficient levels of voltage
and current to be lethal. Do not tamper with
a component or parts inside the unit. Refer
any needed service to your authorized Audio
Research dealer or other qualied technician.
Should service be necessary, please contact
your Audio Research dealer, or Audio Research
Customer Service at service@audioresearch.com
or 763-577-970.
14
Page 15
Limited Warranty
Audio Research Corporation products are
covered by a 3-Year Limited Warranty, or a
90-Day Limited Warranty on vacuum tubes.
This Limited Warranty initiates from the date
of purchase, and is limited to the original
purchaser, or in the case of demonstration
equipment, limited to the balance of
warranty remaining after original shipment
to the retailer or importer.
In the United States, the specic terms,
conditions and remedies for fulllment
of this Limited Warranty are listed on the
warranty card accompanying the product in
its shipping carton, or may be obtained from
the authorized retailer or from the Audio
Research Customer Service Department.
Outside the United States, the authorized
importing retailer or distributor has accepted
the responsibility for warranty of Audio
Research products sold by them. The specic
terms and remedies for fulllment of the
Limited Warranty may vary from country to
country. Warranty service should normally
be obtained from the importing retailer or
distributor from whom the product was
purchased.
In the unlikely event that technical service
beyond the ability of the importer is required,
Audio Research will fulll the terms and
conditions of the Limited Warranty. Such
product must be returned at the purchaser’s
expense to the Audio Research factory,
along with a photocopy of the dated
purchase receipt for the product, a written
description of the problem(s) encountered,
and any information necessary for return
shipment. The cost of return shipment is the
responsibility of the purchaser.
15
Page 16
FCC Rules
Note
This equipment has been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment o and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following
measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Use interconnect cables of no more then one
meter in length.
Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on
a circuit dierent from that to which the
receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/
TV technician for help.
16
Page 17
Specications
Frequency Response: +0-3dB, 3Hz to 96kHz at rated output. 0.15dB 20Hz to 20kHz. (Balanced, 200k ohms load)@ 192kHz
sample rate.
Distortion: THD+N Less than .004% at 2V RMS BAL output.