allow an appropriate breakin period to fully appreciate
the benets this amplier will
provide to your system.
After reading the user guide, if
you have any further questions
regarding your amplier, contact
your dealer or Audio Research
customer service - they will be
Thank You.
happy to help you make the
most of your new component.
Happy Listening!
Page 4
Contents
Warnings
Installation
Illustrations
Before operating the CD9
In Your System
A note about Vacuum Tubes
Connections
Digital Inputs
Digital Outputs
Analog Outputs
5
6
7
8
8
9
9
9
Operation
10
Start-Up
10
Shut-Down
10
Break-in
11
Front Panel Controls
12
Remote Only Functions
13
CD Door Functions/Warnings
Maintenance
Vacuum Tubes
Servicing
Cleaning
Disposal and Recycling Guidelines
About Fuse Replacement
Warranty
FCC Rules
Specications
24
24
24
24
24
25
26
27
Software Installation
Windows PC Software Installation
14
Note to Mac OS Users
14
Removal of Previous Driver Versions
21
4
Page 5
Warnings
To prevent re, or shock hazard, do not
expose your CD9 to rain or moisture.
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 CD9 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 CD9
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.
Do not operate the CD9 player without the
supplied CD9 clamp installed on the CD.
Gently place clamp on disc to prevent
damaging the spindle mechanism.
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, and ensure that
the ventilation fans on the back panel are
not obstructed.
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 re hazard. Your CD9 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 CD9 from unnecessary
damage or delay.
Whenever the CD9 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
Installation
REFERENCE DIGITAL CD PLAYER
MODEL CD9 HIGH DEFINITION
®
WARNING
TO PREVENT FIRE AND SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT
UNIT CONTAINS VOLTAGES WHICH MAY BE HAZARDOUS.
CAUTION
FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST
WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
!
REFERENCE DIGITAL CD PLAYER
PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA
MADE IN U.S.A.
SERIAL
VOLTS
~
Illustrations
Front Panel
DIGITAL INPUTS
RCAUSBAES/EBUTOSLINK
RIGHTLEFT
ANALOG OUTPUTS
192
176.4
96
88.2
48
44.1
CD
RCA
USB
AES
TOS
FAST
SLOW
UPSAMPLE
POWER
INPUTPOWERPAUSESTOPNEXTPREVPLAY
Rear Panel
MODEL CD9
FIRE HAZARD REPLACE FUSE ONLY
DIGITAL OUTPUTS
120W MAX
50/60HZ
BALANCEDSESEBALANCED
AES/EBUBNC
EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
UNIT MUST BE OPERATED IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION.
-DO NOT OPERATE WITH COVERS REMOVED-
Remote
REFERENCE CD9
SCANSHUF
UPSAMPLEINPUT
DSP DNDSP UPPAUSE
TIMEA/B
H I G H D E F I N I T I O N
REPEAT
1
23
456
789
0
PLAY
FILTER
STOP
PROG
6
Page 7
Installation
V1V3
V4V2
V6
V5
Before operating the CD9
Carefully remove each of the six vacuum
tubes (ve 6H30, one 6550WE) from
their protective foam blocks and install
them in their sockets on the circuit board,
matching the “V” number on the tube with
each matching numbered tube socket.
The 6550WE is mounted horizontally in
the socket on the metal bracket. When
installing or removing the 6550WE vacuum
tube in the V5 socket location, grasp
the metal bracket with one hand while
inserting the tube with the other to prevent
exing of the circuit board and possible
damage to it.
Note: double damping rings are installed
at the factory on each 6H30 tube for
maximum sonic performance.
7
Page 8
Installation
In your system
To insure normal component life and safe
operation this unit must be operated
only in an upright position. Adequate
airow and proper cooling can occur
only if there is no restriction above and
behind the unit and on either side.
The special non-marring elastomer feet
provide adequate spacing and stability
only on a smooth, hard surface, and
also assist to isolate the CD player from
spurious vibrations. For upright stability
and best performance, never operate
the unit while it is sitting on a soft
surface such as a thick rug or carpet.
Due to its weight, this CD player must
be supported on a surface specically
rated for such a load. Check with the
manufacturer of your support system to
be sure it is rated to handle this weight.
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 ‘ambient’ operating temperature should
never exceed 120° F or 49° C. Improper
installation will cause premature tube
failure and will aect your warranty,
as well as the service life of the unit.
It is normal for a vacuum tube CD player
to run quite warm, and if used for
prolonged periods, hot to the touch.
All components within are, however,
operated at safe, conservative levels
and will not be improperly aected
thereby, providing the requirements
outlined above are adhered to.
A Note about Vacuum Tubes
The vacuum tubes in your Reference 6 have
been burned in, tested and electrically
matched to provide the best performance
and reliability of your preamplier. That
said, vacuum tubes must be replaced
from time to time. The 6H30 tubes in
the Reference 6 should have an expected
life of approximately 4,000 hours,
while the 6550WE tube in the power
supply should have a life expectancy of
approximately 2,000 hours. These life
expectancies are only approximate.
8
Page 9
Connections
Digital Connections
The CD9 oers 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
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.
USB: Connect to a Windows-based PC or
Mac computer for music playback from
your computer. Press the INPUT button
until the ‘USB’ LED is illumindated. Note:
you must install the software on the
included CD (also downloadable from
www.audioresearch.com/downloads.html)
to utilize the USB connection.
RCA: Connect to a transport or other device
equipped with an RCA digital output. Press
the INPUT button until the ‘RCA’ 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.
Caution
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.
AES/EBU: Connect to a transport or other
device equipped with an AES/EBU digital
output. Press the INPUT button until the
‘AES/EBU’ LED is illuminated.
9
Page 10
Operation
Start-Up
Once plugged into the power receptacle,
after the tubes have been installed (see
above), push the front panel Power switch
to turn on the CD9. The central green front
panel power LED will glow dimly for about
a 40 second circuit warm-up interval with
the output automatically muted. When
the LED glows brightly, the CD9 is ready for
operation.
Once powered up and operational, with the
CD door fully closed, the unit will default
to the operate setting (display, transport
and front panel controls are activated).
Because the CD9 reaches its full sonic
potential from “cold” in a shorter warm-up
time period than a solid state CD player, it’s
recommended that it be powered o for
any extended time it is not in use. This will
save on tube life.
Shut-Down
Set preamplier Mute switch to “Mute”
position.
Note
The CD9 should be the rst component
turned on in your system (along with
any additional sources). If the CD9
is turned on after the amplier, and
the preamplier is also powered, it
will amplify any extraneous turn-on
noises the preamplier or other source
components might generate, which could
potentially damage the loudspeakers.
Good operating practice dictates that
the amplier should be turned on last,
and turned o rst in an audio system.
Break-in
All quality stereo equipment benets from
a break-in period; during this time, the
various components, wiring and solder
connections change as electrical signals
pass through them. While your CD9
will sound fantastic out of the box, it
will only improve with continued use.
Press CD9 front panel Power switch to turn
unit o.
10
Page 11
Operation
Front Panel Control Functions
Power: The Power switch turns the CD9
completely on for operation (indicated
by the LED 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 CD9 o-
indicated by unlit LED.
Prev: Selects the previous track to play.
Continue pressing to cycle backward
through previous tracks. (Track number
will appear 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 during play. (Track number and
elapsed track time 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.
Next: Selects the next track to play.
Continue pressing to cycle forward through
tracks. (Track number will appear on
display.)
11
Page 12
Operation
Remote Only Functions
The remote control unit includes all of the
above described CD9 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).
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.
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.
Display Down/Display Up: [DSPDN/
DSPUP]: Decreases/Increases display
intensity, oering four levels of brightness
as well as display o.
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.
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.
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.
Input: Select between CD playback and the
digital inputs on the rear panel (Toslink,
USB, RCA, AES/EBU). Pressing INPUT
toggles through the dierent inputs, and
the selected input will be indicated by an
LED next to the input name. Note: display
window is illuminated only during CD
playback.
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.
12
Page 13
Operation
Remote Control Functions continued
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.
CD Door Functions/Warnings
Do not attempt to play a CD without rst
installing the supplied CD9 magnetic disc
clamp on the CD. Use only the supplied
CD9 clamp in your CD9 player.
CD door must be fully closed for the CD9 to
operate.
If the CD door is closed without a CD in the
player and the CD9 is powered up, the
display will read “NO DISC”.
If a CD is inserted (label side up) in the CD9,
the CD door is fully closed and the CD9
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 CD9 is
turned o and not in use to keep dust out
of the lens and drive area.
Note
When the CD9 power is on, keep the CD
door fully closed (except to change CDs) to
allow heat to escape through all of the top
cover holes and prevent over-heating of the
unit.
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.
13
Page 14
Software Installation
Windows PC Software Installation Instructions
Installation of the DAC USB Audio Device drivers is only necessary when using the USB 2.0
HS input on the CD9. Software installation is not necessary if only using the two Toslink or
RCA inputs.
Note to Mac OS users
No driver installation is necessary when using a Mac computer in conjunction with the CD9.
Before starting, make certain the CD9 is disconnected from the PC system. You will be
prompted to connectthe CD player at the proper time during the update/installation
procedure.
Perform the following operations with theCD9 disconnected from the PC.
Note
If you have had another Audio Research driver installed on your PC, please see page 21 for
instructions to uninstall any previous driver versions before installing the new version.
Load the new Audio Research “dacusb_v1.36.1_setup” driver folder onto your PC, via internet
download or contact your sales representative (downloadable from: www.audioresearch.
com/downloads.html). This may initially be a zip folder.
14
Page 15
Software Installation
Open (unzip) the new USB DAC driver folder and install the new driver, using the
“setup.exe” program, highlighted in the previous illustration.
Follow the installation steps when prompted.
15
Page 16
Software Installation
16
Page 17
Software Installation
You will have the option to complete the process by connecting the CD9 at a later time if
you choose. If so, click nish.
Otherwise, when prompted during the install, connect the CD9 to a USB 2.0 H.S. or USB 3.0
port on your PC system. Prior to connecting the CD player, make certain the system is
powered o. Next, connect to the USB port, and power on the CD9. The PC system will
acknowledge the presence of the CD player, and complete installation of the DAC USB
device driver. This driver attachment can be found in the Windows Control Panel under:/
Hardware and Sound/Devices and Printers.
The device should be shown as “USB DAC 2.0”, or, depending upon the operating system,
it may appear as “USB DAC 2.0 192”. (Please note that you will only see this device in the
control panel if the source player is attached to the USB port and power is on for the CD9).
17
Page 18
Software Installation
When the device driver is successfully installed, power down the CD9 momentarily, and
power it up again (while remaining connected to the USB port on your PC). At this time,
the system will automatically search for and complete installation of the audio output
driver that is needed to format the audio output for CD9.
The system will prompt when completed “DAC USB WDM AUDIO device driver software
installed successfully”. After the audio output driver is installed, your system drivers are
congured and ready to play audio source les.
Also, when the CD9 is connected and powered up, within the Windows: Control Panel/
Device Manager, you will be able to see the presence of the “DAC USB DEVICE”:
18
Page 19
Software Installation
If you open the window for that device, you will see the DAC USB device properties. Click on
the “DRIVER” tab to see the current revision of the driver software installed.
19
Page 20
Software Installation
Next, You will need to direct your PC System music software player (e.g. JRiver, Foobar2000,
Signalyst HQPlayer, etc.) to connect and play your audio tracks through the CD9. With the
CD player connected and powered up:
Set your software preferences to the DAC USB output path.
There is also a separate application control panel available for the CD9. When attached and
powered, the ARC icon will be located in the pop-up window in the bottom right corner of
the PC master window:
Finally, verify in the Windows Control Panel, under (Devices and Printers) that your Windows
Speaker/Volume option is able to see and select the external Audio Research “USB DAC
1/2” audio output path. (Alternatively, you may need to select this path in the “Windows
Speaker/Mixer” popup.) Select the “MIXER” and then choose the USB DAC 1/2 in order
to set the audio output path to be directed to the DAC input. (Please remember that this
output path will not show up or be selectable unless the CD9 is attached and powered up).
20
Page 21
Software Installation
Removal of previous driver versions
Uninstall any prior/existing Audio Research Corp. system Drivers (Windows OS). Using your
PC system, nd and open the Windows “Control Panel” features.
Find and open the “Uninstall Programs” for your particular computer. This may be named:
“Programs” or “Programs and Features”.
21
Page 22
Software Installation
Find and select all programs named “DAC USB Driver” or similar, whose Publisher name is
“AudioResearch”, “AudioResearchCorp” or “RigiSystems AG” or similar.
Select Uninstall for each program found with this identity, and follow the directions to
complete this process.
22
Page 23
Software Installation
After you click “Finish” you should see an updated Program listing with the driver(s)
removed:
23
Page 24
Maintenance
Vacuum Tubes
It is recommended that you replace the
vacuum tubes of your CD9 in sets. All
of the tubes in your CD player have
been matched to have similar operating
characteristics, to provide the best sound
quality and reliability.
Servicing
Because of its careful design and exacting
standards of manufacture, your CD9
CD player should normally require
only minimal service to maintain
its high level of performance.
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 (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
CD9, occasionally wipe the front panel
and top cover surfaces with a soft damp
(not wet) cloth to remove dust. A mild,
non-alkaline 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 CD9 CD compartment may be gently
dusted: carefully avoid touching the laser
assembly area to prevent possible damage.
About Fuse Replacement
The CD9 has two fuses; both are located
towards the back of the chassis on the
left. One fuse is accessible with the
removal of the top cover, and the other
with the removal of the bottom panel.
See specications for information on fuse
types.
Caution
Your CD9 contains sucient 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 (763)
577-9700.
24
Page 25
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.
25
Page 26
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.
26
Page 27
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 .003% at 2V RMS BAL output.