Chord Red Reference User Manual

Red Reference CD Player

Contents

Red Reference CD Player .............................................................3

Product Description.......................................................................3

Inventory .......................................................................................3

When setting up.............................................................................4

Safety Warnings ............................................................................5

AC Power connection....................................................................6

AC Connector and Switch.............................................................6

Powering up...................................................................................6

Powering down - long-term...........................................................6

Powering down - short-term..........................................................6

Connecting your equipment ..........................................................7

Coaxial digital output....................................................................8

AES/EBU digital outputs ..............................................................9

Optical digital output...................................................................10

Wordclock input..........................................................................11

Digital inputs...............................................................................11

Balanced analogue outputs..........................................................11

Balanced analogue outputs..........................................................12

Unbalanced outputs.....................................................................12

Everyday use of your Red Reference..........................................13

Basic operation............................................................................14

Status display and function .........................................................15

CD Operation ..............................................................................17

Advanced functions.....................................................................18

Trigger Outputs ...........................................................................19

Product Specification ..................................................................20

Red Reference CD Player

Thank you for buying a Chord Electronics product.

Before you start to enjoy your CD player, please take a couple of minutes to read how to

connect your audio equipment and loudspeakers and how to maximise your listening

experience.

Product Description

Building on the success of the Blu and the DAC64 the Red Reference CD player has been

designed as the ultimate source component. With stunning looks and state of the art design

the Red Reference utilises ground breaking technology to give the most accurate

reproduction of compact disc that can be obtained. With internal 176.4KHz upsampling data

transfer, selectable RAM buffer clock retiming and both 1024 and 4096 tap length filtering

the Red Reference earns its reference status in the Chord range.

The Red Reference is a truly unique product. As a standalone CD player it is able to deliver

the best reference CD playback. The addition of digital inputs and outputs also gives it the

ability to act as both a CD transport and DAC for other audio components making it

completely versatile.

Inventory

As well as your Red Reference and this user manual, you should also have received the following items.

1. Red Reference remote control (or Chord touchscreen remote where specified*)

2. Power cord

3. Chord guarantee registration card

*for details please refer to your Authorised Chord Retailer or Distributor

When setting up

To ensure that your Red Reference works efficiently and safely, please pay particular

attention to the following issues.

ventilation

Your Red Reference should have at least 5cm of clear space all around it to ensure a free

flow of air at all times. We do not recommend that you place Red Reference directly on a

carpet.

AC lead and plug

All Chord equipment comes supplied with the correct power lead and plug. This should be

used at all times.

if you need to fit a plug for UK/Europe

Connect the blue wire to the neutral terminal

Connect the brown wire to the live terminal

Connect the yellow/green wire to the earth terminal

if you need to fit a plug for US/Canada

Connect the white wire to the neutral terminal

Connect the black wire to the live terminal

Connect the green to the earth terminal

earthing issues in Europe

In some European countries a hum may occur if your Red Reference is connected to mains

sockets that do not have an earth. If this is the case please ensure that:

1. Your transport is connected via a multi-way mains block, which contains an earth point

at each socket outlet. This is to ensure that the chassis metalwork of each item is

connected together.

2. We recommend that an earthing method for your building be implemented.

3. Use the connecting points on your Chord unit and connect to an available earth point.

Safety Warnings

It is important that your Red Reference is earthed at all times via its own mains lead. Failure

to do this may be hazardous. The power supply components within the transport are

designed to operate at lethal voltages and energy levels. Circuit designs that embody these

components conform to applicable safety requirements. Precautions must be taken to prevent

accidental contact with power-line potentials. Do not connect grounded test equipment.

Caution: This product employs a laser that emits both visible and invisible radiation.

Removal of the top cover or tampering with any of the enclosed electronics may result in

exposure to hazardous levels of laser radiation that could cause eye damage. To prevent

injury this product should be returned for qualified service to Chord Electronics Ltd.

There are no user serviceable parts within the Red Reference CD player.

Unauthorised tampering or dismantling of this product will invalidate the

warranty and could cause injury.

AC Power connection

The AC power connector of Red Reference is at the back of the unit. Plug the female end

(socket) of the power cord into the power connector of the transport, and the male end(plug)

of the power cord into AC wall socket or AC extension socket. The Red Reference CD

player features a universal voltage high frequency power supply and will operate

automatically from 65V to 260V AC, 50 or 60Hz.

For optimum operation it is recommended that the Red Reference is connected directly

to the wall socket via the power cord provided.

AC Connector and Switch

Powering up

Press the top of the power switch labelled ‘I’. Red Reference will now power up.

The Red Reference features a dual display system showing both system status and disc information.

The red multi function display will read ‘CHORD’ followed by the status information showing input, buffer, frequency settings and lock information.

If Red Reference has no disc loaded, the top panel display with read “NO DISC”; if a disc has been loaded then the number of tracks and length of the CD will be shown. Please allow a short time for Red Reference to read the disc’s Table of Contents (TOC). During this time the display will indicate “-- ----“

Powering down - long-term

1. Press the STANDBY button on the remote to put Red Reference into STANDBY.

2. Press the right-hand side of the power switch labelled ‘O’.

Powering down - short-term

For everyday use there is no need to power Red Reference down completely.

Press the STANDBY button on remote to put Red Reference into its Standby mode. The

audio circuits remain active in this mode.

Connector

IEC 10A

AC Power Switch

EARTH

+ 14 hidden pages

Chord Red Reference User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual