Esoteric SZ-1 Owners manual

D00905600B

Super Audio CD Player

Owner’s Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1) Read these instructions.

2) Keep these instructions.

3) Heed all warnings.

4) Follow all instructions.

5) Do not use this apparatus near water.

6) Clean only with dry cloth.

7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.

9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with
one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug
does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10)Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.

11)Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.

12)Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.

13)Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time.

14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has
been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.

2

CAUTION

<

DO NOT REMOVE THE EXTERNAL CASES OR CABINETS TO
EXPOSE THE ELECTRONICS. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS
ARE WITHIN!

<

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PRODUCT,
CONTACT TEAC FOR A SERVICE REFERRAL. DO NOT USE THE
PRODUCT UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED.

<

USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE OF
PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY
RESULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER­SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

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 off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Reorient or relocate the equipment and/or the receiving
antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.

CAUTION

Changes or modifications to this equipments not expressly
approved by TEAC CORPORATION for compliance will void the
user’s warranty.

For U.S.A.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within
the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the appliance.

<

Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.

<

Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on
the apparatus.

<

Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a
book case or similar unit.

<

The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the
AC outlet with its STANDBY switch in the standby position.

<

The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC
outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at
any time.

<

An apparatus with Class !construction shall be connected to
an AC outlet with a protective grounding connection.

<

Batteries (battery pack or batteries installed) shall not be
exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.

3

This product has been designed and manufactured according to
FDA regulations “title 21, CFR, chapter 1, subchapter J, based on
the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968“, and is
classified as class 1 laser product. There is not hazardous invisible
laser radiation during operation because invisible laser radiation
emitted inside of this product is completely confined in the
protective housings.
The label required in this regulation is shown

①.

Contents

Thank you for choosing Esoteric. Read this manual
carefully to get the best performance from this unit.

Before Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Discs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Front panel features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Understanding the remote control unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Remote Control Unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Restoring factory settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Skipping playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Selecting a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Fast scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Selecting the playback area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Repeat mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Display dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Changing the display mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Word sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

i.LINK (AUDIO) Output Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Output Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

i.LINK (IEEE 1394) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

For U.S.A.

①

For U.S.A.

For Canada

(bottom of the unit)

For Europe/Asia/others

Optical pickup :

Type : SLD6163RL-G
Manufacturer : SONY CORPORATION
Laser output : Less than 1mW on the objective lens
Wavelength : 785±15 nm

4

What’s in the box

Please confirm that the following accessories are in the box
when you open it.

Remote control unit x 1
Batteries (AA, R6, SUM-3) x 2
Felt sheet x 4
Power cord x 1
Owner’s manual x 1
Warranty card x 1

Conventions about this manual

< Instructions in this manual describe the controls on the

remote control. You can also use the buttons on the front
panel if they have the same or similar names as those on the
remote.

<

The types of functions and operations that can be used for a
particular disc vary depending on the features of that disc. In
some cases, these functions and operations may differ from
the descriptions given in this Owner’s Manual.

<

The drawings about the front panel display used in this
Owner’s Manual are purely for the purposes of explanation.
The actual displays may differ slightly from what are shown
here.

Read this before operation

< Be careful to avoid injury when moving the unit, on account

of its weight. Get someone to help you if necessary.

<

To protect easily scratched furniture, you may stick the felt
supplied with the unit to the feet.

<

As the unit may become warm during operation, always leave
sufficient space around the unit for ventilation.

<

The voltage supplied to the unit should match the voltage as
printed on the rear panel. If you are in any doubt regarding
this matter, consult an electrician.

<

Choose the installation location of your unit carefully. Avoid
placing it in direct sunlight or close to a source of heat. Also
avoid locations subject to vibrations and excessive dust, heat,
cold or moisture.

<

Do not place the unit on the amplifier/receiver.

<

Do not open the cabinet as this might result in damage to the
circuitry or electrical shock. If a foreign object should get into
the unit, contact your dealer or service company.

<

When removing the power plug from the wall outlet, always
pull directly on the plug, never yank the cord.

<

To keep the laser pickup clean, do not touch it, and always
close the disc tray.

<

Do not attempt to clean the unit with chemical solvents as
this might damage the finish. Use a clean, dry cloth.

<

Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.

Before Use

DO NOT MOVE THE UNIT DURING PLAYBACK

During playback, the disc rotates at high speed. Do NOT lift or
move the unit during playback. Doing so may damage the
disc or the unit.

WHEN MOVING THIS UNIT

When changing places of installation or packing the unit for
moving, be sure to remove the disc and return the disc tray to
its closed position in the player. Then, press the power switch
to turn the power off, and disconnect the power cord.
Moving this unit with the disc loaded may result in damage to
this unit.

For European customers
Disposal of your old appliance

1.When this crossed-out wheeled bin
symbol is attached to a product it means
the product is covered by the European
Directive 2002/96/EC.

2. All electrical and electronic products should be disposed of
separately from the municipal waste stream via designated
collection facilities appointed by the government or the
local authorities.

3. The correct disposal of your old appliance will help prevent
potential negative consequences for the environment and
human health.

4. For more detailed information about disposal of your old
appliance, please contact your city office, waste disposal
service or the shop where you purchased the product.

CAUTION

Ensure this product is not exposed to dripping or splashing
and that no object filled with liquids, such as vases, is placed
on the product.

Do not install this equipment in a confined space such as a
book case or similar unit. Allow adequate air circulation
around this product.

“Super Audio CD” is a registered trademark.
“DSD” is a registered trademark.
The i.LINK logo is a trademark of Sony Corporation, registered in
the U.S. and other countries.

5

Discs

Audio CD:

• 12cm or 8cm discs

• Linear PCM digital audio

Audio CDs are divided into tracks.

Super Audio CD:

• Single layer, dual layer or Hybrid layer

• 12cm or 8cm discs

• Digital audio (DSD)

Super Audio CDs are divided into tracks.

Type of discs that can be played on this
system

This player can playback discs bearing any of the following logos:

About CD-R/CD-RW

CD-R/RW discs recorded in Audio CD format and finalized
correctly are playable. But depending on the quality of the
disc and/or the condition of the recording, some CD-R & CD­RW discs may not be playable.

Caution:

<

If you record a disc using a personal computer, even if it is
recorded in a compatible format, there are cases in which it
may not play because of the settings of the application
software used to create the disc. (Check with the software
publisher for more detailed information.)

<

Unfinalized CD-R/CD-RW discs cannot be played.

Following discs cannot be played with this
unit:

• DVD, CD-G, Data part of CD-EXTRA, PHOTO CD, CD-ROM
and DVD-ROM discs

• illegally produced discs

• scratched or damaged discs

• discs that are dusty, soiled or marked with fingerprints

Warning:

If you attempt to play back such discs, there is a risk that sudden
loud noise can blast over the speakers at full volume and cause
damage to the speakers and your hearing.

Copy-protected discs, DualDiscs and other discs that do not
conform to the CD standard may not play back correctly in this
player. If you use such discs in this unit, TEAC ESOTERIC
COMPANY cannot be responsible for any consequences or
guarantee the quality of reproduction. If you experience
problems with such non-standard discs, you should contact the
producers of the disc.

How to remove the disc How to hold the disc

< Always place the disc on the disc tray with the label side up.

(Compact discs can be played or recorded only on one side.)

<

To remove a disc from its storage case, press down on the
center of the case and lift the disc out, holding it carefully by
the edges.

<

Should the disc become dirty, wipe the surface radially (from
the center hole outward towards the outer edge) with a soft,
dry cloth:

<

Never use such chemicals as record sprays, antistatic sprays or
fluid, benzine or thinner to clean the discs. Such chemicals
will do irreparable damage to the disc’s plastic surface.

<

Discs should be returned to their cases after use to avoid dust
and scratches that could cause the laser pickup to “skip.”

<

Do not expose discs to direct sunlight or high humidity and
temperature for extended periods. Long exposure to high
temperatures will warp the disc.

<

Do not play any disc that is warped, deformed or damaged.
Playing such discs may cause irreparable harm to the playing
mechanisms.

<

CD-R and CD-RW discs are more sensitive to the effects of
heat and ultraviolet rays than ordinary CDs. It is important
that they are not stored in a location where direct sunlight
will fall on them, and which is away from sources of heat
such as radiators or heat-generating electrical devices.

<

Printable CD-R and CD-RW discs aren’t recommended, as the
label side might be sticky and damage the unit.

<

Do not stick papers or protective sheets on the discs and do
not use any protective coating spray.

<

Use a soft oil-based felt-tipped pen to write the information
on the label side. Never use a ball-point or hard-tipped pen,
as this may cause damage to the recorded side.

<

Never use a stabilizer. Using commercially available CD
stabilizers with this unit will damage the mechanisms and
cause them to malfunction.

<

Do not use irregular shape CDs (octagonal, heart shaped,
business card size, etc.). CDs of this sort can damage the unit:

<

If you are in any doubt as to the care and handling of a CD­R/CD-RW disc, read the precautions supplied with the disc, or
contact the disc manufacturer directly.

6

Connections

CAUTION:

<

Switch off the power to all equipment before making connections.

<

Read the instructions of each component you intend to use with this unit.

<

Be sure to insert each plug securely. To prevent hum and noise, avoid bundling the
signal interconnection cables together with the AC power cord or speaker cables.

i.LINK cable

RCA coaxial cable

optical digital cable

BNC coaxial cable

XLR cable

Balanced XLR

pin assignment

Stereo amplifier

Amplifier (AZ-1, etc.)

Digital audio device
(CD recorder, MD deck, etc.)

Supplied power cord

Wall socket

RCA cable

Connect either the
XLR or RCA cables.

Connect either one.

Master clock generator
(G-0s, AZ-1, etc.)

AUDIO IN (CD IN, etc.) WORD SYNC OUT

RL R L

A

E

B

D

F

C

DIGITAL IN

(OPTICAL)

DIGITAL IN
(COAXIAL)

i.LINK(AUDIO)

7

Analog audio output terminals

Use either the XLR or RCA (pin) terminals for analog stereo
output.

XLR: Use balanced XLR audio cable
RCA: Use RCA (pin) audio cable

< When using these terminals, set the Analog Out setting to

“2ch” to downmix the multi-channel material to two
channels (see page 19).
Note that if the Analog Out setting is set to “Multi ch”, only
the front L/R sound of the multi-channel material will be
output from these terminals.

Digital audio output terminals

Digital audio from CD is output from these terminals.
The unit may be connected using either coaxial or optical
(TOS) commercially available cables to amplifiers, or to
digital audio devices such as CD recorders, etc.

COAXIAL: Use RCA (pin) digital audio cable
OPTICAL: Use optical digital audio cable (TOS)

<

The optical terminal is covered by a shutter. Make sure that
the cable is firmly inserted, but do not force the cable when
connecting it or removing it, in order not to cause damage
to the unit.

<

The DIGITAL OUT terminals cannot output the digital audio
from Super Audio CDs.

i.LINK (AUDIO) terminal

In addition to the digital audio from CD, the digital surround
audio from Super Audio CDs can be output from this
terminal.

Use a commercially available S400 compatible i.LINK
(IEEE1394) 6pin cable to connect the unit to an amplifier.

<

When using this terminal, set the i.LINK output setting to
“60958” or “PCM” (see page 14).

<

See page 16 for further details on i.LINK.

<

To enjoy surround sound from a Super Audio CD, connect
the i.LINK (AUDIO) terminal to a suitably equipped surround
sound amplifier.

C

B

A

Word sync connector

This allows the use of an externally-generated word clock
connection, using a commercially available BNC coaxial
cable.

Devices producing such a suitable clock signal include
external D-A converters, or dedicated word clock
generators. Connect the SYNC OUT (or WORD OUT) of such
a device to the unit.

SIGNAL GND connection

Use a commercially available PVC-covered cord to connect
the signal ground terminal on the unit to the amplifier signal
ground.

<

Note that this is NOT an electrical safety ground (earth).

Power cord receptacle

After all other connections have been made, insert the
supplied AC power cord into this receptacle, then connect
the other end of the power cord into the wall socket. Ensure
that your AC voltage corresponds to the voltage marked on
the rear panel of the unit. Consult a qualified electrician if
you are in doubt.

<

In order to avoid the risk of electric shock, fire, and so on,
only use the supplied power cord.

<

If you are not going to use the unit for some time,
disconnect the power cord from the wall socket.

F

E

D

8

Front panel features

Display

Front Panel

STANDBY

Use this button to turn the unit on and standby.
The indicator is red in the standby mode. It turns blue when
the unit is turned on.

PLAY AREA

When playback is stopped, use this with Super Audio CDs to
select the playback area.
Hold down this for more than two seconds to enter the setup
mode.

OPEN/CLOSE/STOP

When playback is stopped, use this to open and close the disc
tray.
During playback, use this to stop playback.

Remote control sensor

Receives signals from the remote control unit. Point the
remote control unit at this sensor when operating the remote
control unit.

Display

Disc tray

PLAY/PAUSE

Use this to start or pause playback.

SKIP (.//)

Use these for skip operations. Pressing and holding these
buttons for more than a second changes the scanning speed.

H

G

F

E

D

C

B

The equipment draws nominal non-operating power from
the AC outlet with its STANDBY in the standby position.

A

Display

REPEAT indicator

Lights when repeat play is selected.

Disc type indicator

Shows the type of disc currently loaded.

Message area

Alphanumeric display to show times, status messages, etc.

DOWN MIX indicator

Lights to show that a multi-channel source has been
downmixed to 2 channels.

MULTI indicator

Lights when the Analog Out setting is set to “Multi Channel”.

Channel indicators

Light to show which surround channels are currently in use.

i.LINK indicator

Lights when i.LINK output is enabled.

g

f

e

d

c

b

a

Front Panel

a

BA C D E GF H

b

c

d

e

g

f