Parasound CDC1500 User Manual

O W N E R ' S M A N U A L

C/DC-1500 Compact Disc Changer-Transpor t

Thank you for your purchase of this Parasound component. It is among the finest compact disc
changers available. Its advanced 4th-generation digital technology and sophisticated analog circuits
bring digital music to life. A hybrid 1 bit/18 bit D-A converter, 8x oversampling, independent power
supply regulation and premium parts assure natural reproduction at any listening level. Its unique
digital output options offer the ultimate flexibility for CD transport operation with an external D-A
converter in the future, so your C/DC-1500 will never be out of date.

The C/DC-1500 has numerous convenience features which may not be obvious unless you take the time
to learn about them. Please take a few moments now to read these instructions completely before you
proceed. Whenever you are in doubt, refer to this instruction manual.

Power

C/DC-1500 Compact Disc Changer-Transport

Track SkipTrack Skip

Search

StopStop

PausePause

Open/CloseOpen/Close

Disc SkipDisc Skip

Play

Unpacking and Placement

Save your carton and the packing inserts for future safe transport in case you move or your unit ever
requires shipping for repair. Note, the white printed carton is not itself strong enough for safe shipping,
so you absolutely must place it into an additional outer “overcarton” before shipment.

The AC cord, remote control, and audio cable are packed separately in the carton. This is a specially
selected audiophile grade cord and is the only cord we recommend for use with your C/DC-1500. Please
don’t lose it. Before you proceed, find the serial number which is located on the rear panel of your unit
and record it here for future reference or in case of casualty loss or theft: _____________________

Your C/DC-1500 should be placed on a level and sturdy surface, out of direct sunlight. It should be in a
well-ventilated area, away from heating ducts or radiators. The area must be free of dust or excessive
humidity.

The location should be stable and isolated from speakers or foot steps to minimize vibrations that could
interfere with the sensitive optical laser, this could cause the error correction circuits to operate
excessively for other than defects in the CDs themselves. The unit should not be placed near any
component which generates a strong magnetic field, such as a power amplifier. Do not place your
C/DC-1500 directly on top of an amplifier that may generate excessive heat.

Do not place your CD changer nearby your radio or TV tuner since digital circuitry uses very high
frequency signals which could cause interference with clear broadcast reception; radiations from the
radio or TV tuners oscillator could pollute the clarity of CD reproduction.

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A Note on Moisture Condensation and Dew

If your C/DC-1500 is brought directly from a cold location to a warm room or if it is placed in a very
damp room, moisture may condense on the laser lens within the unit. If this occurs, the changer will not
operate. Remove the disc and leave the changer in a warm, dry place for about an hour so the moisture
can evaporate.

Connecting Your C/DC-1500

Before making any connections, turn off the power to your power amplifier. This will avoid an
accidental “blast” of sound which could damage your speakers.

Use the cables supplied between the ANALOG LINE OUT jacks on your C/DC-1500 and any high
level input jacks on your preamplifier, amplifier or receiver marked CD, AUX or TAPE PLAY.
Connect the RIGHT and LEFT channels according to their markings on both units. Make certain that
all your connections are secure and that there is no tension on the cables which could cause them to pull
loose in the future.

You may connect the output of your C/DC-1500 directly to a power amplifier which has input level
controls, however you may require the additional gain of a preamplifier to reach adequate listening
levels.

You may prefer to try premium audio interconnect cables which are available from your Parasound
dealer. The benefits of these are debated among audio hobbyists, and we cannot guarantee you will
always hear an audible improvement to justify their cost.

Once the inputs have been connected, plug the AC cord into any convenient outlet or into an outlet on
the rear panel of your preamplifier or receiver. Try to run the AC cord in a perpendicular direction to
the audio cables to minimize hum.

External Remote Control Connector

Your C/DC-1500 accepts the input of any popular infrared repeater system to facilitate remote control
operation from another room or when your changer is installed within a closed cabinet. This connector
is a popular 3.5 mm mini jack and its center conductor is +, the outer is - . For further details contact
your Parasound dealer or custom installer.

Digital Connections

Your C/DC-1500 is equipped with an RCA jack for 75 Ω coaxial connection to an external D-A
converter. You must use a digital cable which will minimize data reflections within the cable. A
standard audio interconnect cable will not produce optimum results. We recommend the Parasound
Data Bridge digital cable for this purpose.

Advanced Digital Adapter Module (ADAM)

An optional Advanced Digital Adapter Module (ADAM) is available from your Parasound dealer or
custom installer. The ADAM features both an AT&T standard glass fiber ST module and an AES/EBU
standard 3 pin XLR connector. Either of these will provide superior sound if your D-A converter is
equipped to accept them. The advantage of the AT&T glass fiber optic connection is that it electrically
isolates your changer-transport from the rest of your system, potentially improving overall signal to
noise ratio. The AES/EBU output offers a balanced digital output with a separate ground.

It's very easy to install the ADAM yourself. First, insure that the C/DC-1500 is unplugged before
attempting to install the ADAM. Remove the two phillips head screws at either side of the cover plate
near the left side of the rear panel on your C/DC-1500. The ADAM is attached to a plate which
replaces the one you just removed.

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There is a small 4 pin connector socket on the top of the main printed circuit board, just inside the exposed
opening of your C/DC-1500's rear panel. Attach the connector on the wire coming from the ADAM to this
connector; there is only one direction you can fit the plug onto the socket. Make sure it is firmly connected,
but if there is resistance, don’t force it! Try the other direction first, so you don’t break the connector or
damage the circuit board. Secure the ADAM with the two screws. Your C/DC-1500 is now a highly
sophisticated CD Transport.

ST Optical

Digital Output

Figure 1: ADAM-Advanced Digital Adapter Module

AES/EBU

+

3

G

1

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Front Panel Functions

Power Switch

Use this to turn your changer on and off. This control is not duplicated on its remote control handset.

Open/Close

Press once to open the carousel drawer; press again to close. You can change up to two discs while the
currently selected disc is playing. Never interfere with the carousel drawer while it's opening or closing,
or try to force it with your hand.

Play

Press PLAY to listen to the disc whose number is shown in the display panel. You can press this button
while the disc loading tray is open and it will automatically close the tray and start normal play. If your
changer is in PAUSE, pressing the PLAY button again will resume play.

Pause

Press PAUSE to termorarily interrupt play of the disc shown in the display panel. Press again to resume
play.

Track Skip

These buttons skip to the preceeding or next track each time they are pressed. If you are listening to a
track, pressing the button once will return play to the beginning of that same track.

Disc Skip

This button selects the next disc for play and rotates the carousel each time it is pressed whether the carousel
drawer is open or closed. Use this button to load discs in the STOP or PLAY mode.

Search

This is an audible fast review or fast forward cue to assist you in finding a specific segment within a given
track.

Stop

This stops the disc and disengages the laser operation. Once you’ve pressed STOP, when you press PLAY
again, the changer will start current track again a few seconds after the changer "reads" the disc.

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