Sony CDX-C90 User Manual

FM/AM Compact Disc Player

Operating Instructions

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom of the unit. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. CDX-C90␣ ␣ Serial No.

For installation and connections, see the supplied installation/connections manual.

CDX-C90

 1998 by Sony Corporation

Warning

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 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.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

CAUTION

The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.

Welcome !

Thank you for purchasing this Sony Compact Disc Player. This unit lets you enjoy a variety of features using either a rotary remote or a wireless remote.

In addition to the CD playback and radio operations, you can expand your system by connecting an optional CD/MD unit*. If you operate this unit or connect an optional CD unit with the CD TEXT function, the CD TEXT information will appear in the display when you play back a CD TEXT disc.

* You can connect to a CD changer and an MD

changer.

About this manual

Conventions

•Instructions in this manual describe the controls on the rotary remote, the wireless remote, and the front panel, depending on the function. If the controls on these devices have the same or similar names, the operation described can be performed on either device.

•The following icons are used in this manual:

Indicates that you can do the task using the rotary remote.

Indicates that you can do the task using the wireless remote.

Indicates that you can do the task using the front panel control.

Resetting the unit

Before operating the unit for the first time or after replacing the car battery, you must reset the unit. Press the reset button with a pointed object, such as a ball-point pen.

Main unit

Notes

• Pressing the reset button will erase the clock data and some memorized functions.

• When you connect the power supply cord to the unit or reset the unit, wait for about 10 seconds before you insert a disc. If you insert a disc within these 10 seconds, the unit will not be reset, and

you will have to press the reset button again.

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Initial settings ....................................................... 4

Setting the clock ................................................... 6

Using the main panel controls ........ 8

Basic operations ............................. 10

Using the rotary remote ................ 12

Using the wireless remote............. 14

Menu display/Lists ........................................... 16

CD/MD

Listening to a CD/MD ......................................17

Playing tracks repeatedly (Repeat play) ........ 19

Playing tracks in random order

(Shuffle Play) ................................................... 20

Creating a program (CD/MD Program

Memory) .......................................................... 21

Labeling a CD – Disc Memo (CD unit with the

custom file function) ...................................... 25

Selecting specific tracks for playback

(Bank) ............................................................... 27

Locating a disc by name ................................... 29

Viewing CD TEXT information ....................... 30

Customizing the CD sound (Digital filter

function) ........................................................... 32

Radio

Listening to radio............................................... 33

Presetting radio stations ................................... 34

Specifying monaural/Stereo mode ................. 37

Receiving only the strongest signals

(Local on/off) .................................................. 38

Labeling radio stations (Station Memo) ......... 40

Selecting a station by name .............................. 42

Other functions

Adjusting the sound characteristics ................ 43

Setting the set up menu .................................... 44

Setting the display menu .................................. 46

Setting the function menu ................................ 48

DSP

Selecting a surround menu .............................. 49

Storing a surround effect for CDs

(DSP custom file) ............................................ 51

Selecting the listening position ........................ 53

Adjusting the cut-off frequency of the

subwoofer(s) .................................................... 55

Adjusting the turn-over frequency of the

bass and treble ................................................ 57

Additional information

Detaching the front panel ................................. 59

Detaching the rotary remote ............................ 59

Precautions ......................................................... 60

Dismounting the unit ........................................ 62

Specifications ......................................................63

Troubleshooting guide ..................................... 64

Getting started

Initial settings

Do the following initial settings before you operate the unit for the first time, after replacing the car battery, or after resetting the unit. Be sure to make these settings, otherwise the front panel is disabled and you will be unable to insert a CD.

Tip

You can reset all of these initial settings (except the ACC position setting) using the set up menu.

1 Press the reset button behind the front panel

(see page 2).

The Contrast indication appears. Press ? or / to adjust the contrast. The contrast is

adjustable to 15 levels.

Cursor

ENTER

Note

You can specify the ACC position settings only in the initial setting procedure. To change these settings afterwards, press the reset button and repeat the procedure.

Contrast

2 Press ENTER.

The ACC Position indication appears. Press ? or / to select “yes” or “no.” Select “yes” if

your car’s ignition switch has an ACC position; select “no” if your car’s ignition switch has no ACC position.

ACC Position

3 Press ENTER.

The Digital out indication appears. Press ? or / to select “on” or “off” depending on

your car audio system. Select “on” when an optional equipment with digital input is connected to the unit.

Digital out

4 Getting started

4 Press ENTER.

The AM step indication appears. Press ? or / to select “10k” or “9k.”

Select “10k” if you’re using your system in North or South America, the Hawaiian Islands, or Guam; select “9k” for all other countries.

AM step

Tip

You can also complete the initial settings by pressing > or . to select “Exit,” then press ENTER.

10k

5 Press ENTER.

The Initial setting menu appears.

Initial

Exit

To change any of the initial settings at this time, press the cursor buttons to select the item you want to change and press ENTER.

”

Contrast ACC Position Digital out AM step

yes off 10k

6 To complete the initial settings, press MENU.

Getting started

Setting the clock

Set the clock with the wireless remote. Turn the unit on before setting the clock. The clock uses a 12-hour digital indication.

Note

If the ACC position is set to “no”, turn the power on first, then set the clock.

1 Press MENU.

Cursor

ENTER

The menu display appears.

Set up

P.Mode Display Name

Clock Beep Rotary Remote norm SEEK/AMS Direct Volume off

off

SEEK/AMS

Select “Set up” and press / to move to the sub menu, then select “Clock” pressing > or ..

Set up

P.Mode Display Name

Clock on

Beep on Rotary Remote norm SEEK/AMS SEEK/AMS Direct Volume off

Time Set on off

3 Press / then > or . to select “Time Set,”

then press ENTER.

The Time Set indication appears.

Time Set

:05AM

1 Press > or . to set the hour. 2 Press / to move to minutes and press > or . to

set the minutes. Pressing . lowers the number and > raises the

number. The “AM” and “PM” indicators are automatically

switched depending on the set hour.

Getting started6

Tip

You can press ENTER or BACK instead of MENU to set a value.

4 After setting the time, press MENU.

The time is stored and the menu display reappears.

To display the current time during operation

The current time can be set to appear in the upper-left corner of the display (except when a menu is displayed). For details, see “Setting the set up menu” on page 44.

Getting started

Using the main panel controls

You can use the main panel controls for all operations except menu operations.

Sensor for the wireless remote

Display window

MODE LIST

SOUND

SOURCE

12345678910

RELEASE

OFF

OFF buttonRELEASE button

(see page 59)

When the front panel is open

OPEN button

OPENDSPL

Reset button (see page 2)

Getting started8

CD slot

1 SOURCE (source select) button

Each time you press the button, the source switches as follows:

”Tuner ” CD ” MD*

*Only when an optional unit is connected

2 Dial (volume/subwoofer volume/

bass/treble/left-right/rear-front control)

Rotate to adjust the volume or sound characteristics.

3 MODE (band/unit select) button

Each time you press the button, the band or unit switches as follows:

When the tuner is selected

” FM1 ” FM2 ” AM

When CD/MD is selected

” CD/MD1 ” CD/MD2

CD/MD3… “

4 SOUND button

Press to switch to the sound characteristics adjustment mode (see page 43).

When an optional DSP (digital signal processor) is connected, press and hold for two seconds to switch to the DSP Sound Tuning Mode (see page 49). To return to the previous mode, press and hold the button again.

5 LIST button

When CD or MD is selected, press to display the disc name list. While the list appears in the display, press again to display the track name list of the current disc (see page 29).

When FM1, FM2, or AM is selected, press to display the preset name list (see page 42).

To change the current selection, use the cursor buttons to select another disc, track, or station, then press ENTER.

6 DSPL (display mode change) button

When playing a CD or MD, press to display the disc title or track title. When the current disc or track has no title, “NO Disc Name (NO Track Name)” appears in the display.

Press and hold for two seconds to switch to the function menu which appears, depending on the current source or setting mode (see “9 Function buttons”). To return to the previous function menu, press and hold the button again.

7 SEEK/AMS (seek/Automatic Music

Sensor/manual search) control

Push the control up or down to locate a track or receive a station.

Push the control up or down and hold until the desired station or track is located.

8 Number buttons

Press to search for the preset stations, or to switch to the desired disc in the CD/MD unit which corresponds to the number button.

9 Function buttons

Press to switch the mode setting manually. The function menu which appears depends on the current source.

Each time you press DSPL for two seconds, the function menu switches as follows:

When the tuner is selected

BTM MONO ˜ DVOL LCL EL

When CD/MD is selected

REP VC* SHUF ˜ DVOL PGM EL

When labeling a CD or station

/ VC* ENT ˜ DVOL ? EL

When Edit mode is selected

UP VC* ENT ˜ DVOL DOWN EL

* Only when the CD player of the unit (CD1) is

selected.

Getting started

Basic operations

Listening to a CD

2 Insert a CD.

The panel closes and playback starts automatically.

CD insert guide

∗

Adjusts the volume level.

To locate a specific point in a track (Manual searching)

Push the SEEK/AMS control up or down and hold.

To search forward

To search backward

Release the control when you have found the desired point.

To locate a specific track (Automatic music sensor (AMS))

Push the SEEK/AMS control up or down momentarily.

To locate a succeeding track To locate a preceding track

or the beginning point of the current track

Getting started10

1Opens the front panel.

After 15 seconds, the panel closes automatically.

Switches the display indication.

Labeled side up

When a CD is already inserted

Press SOURCE repeatedly until “CD” appears, playback starts automatically.

To stop playback

Press OFF.

To eject the CD

Press OPEN, the CD is automatically ejected.

Note

To play back an 8 cm (3 in.) CD, use the optional Sony compact disc single adapter (CSA-8).

∗ Do not put any foreign objects between

the front panel and the unit. The front panel cannot close and possible damage may occur to the unit.

Listening to the radio

2 Selects FM1,

FM2, or AM.

1 Selects tuner.

Turns the power off.

Adjusts the volume level.

To receive a station automatically (Automatic tuning)

Push the SEEK/AMS control up or down momentarily.

To search for succeeding stations

To search for preceding stations

Scanning stops when the unit receives a station.

Switches the display indication.

Getting started

3 Selects the

desired station.

You can select the buttons only when a memorized station is assigned to the number button (see page 34).

To receive the desired frequency (Manual tuning)

Push the SEEK/AMS control up or down and hold until the desired frequency is received.

To search for a higher frequency

To search for a lower frequency

To switch the band

Press MODE repeatedly to select the desired band.

To stop listening to the radio

Press OFF.

Getting started

Using the rotary remote

You can use the rotary remote for all operations except menu operations.

Basic operations

By pressing buttons SOURCE button

Each time you press SOURCE, the source changes as follows:

TUNER n CD n MD*

* When an MD unit is connected.

MODE button

By rotating the control SEEK/AMS control

Pressing MODE changes the operation as follows:

• Tuner: FM1 n FM2 n AM

• CD unit: CD1 n CD2 n …

• MD unit: MD1 n MD2 n …

Rotate the control momentarily and release it to:

•Locate the beginning of tracks when CD or MD is selected.

•Automatically tune in a station when FM1, FM2, or AM is selected. When a station is detected, the unit stops searching.

Keep the control rotated to:

•Locate a specific point on a track when CD or MD is selected. Playback at normal speed resumes when you release the control.

•Manually tune in a station when FM1, FM2, or AM is selected. Release the control when the desired station is located.

Tip

If the SEEK/AMS mode is set to “Item sel,” you can select the desired station or disc with SEEK/AMS when the list appears in the display (see page 45).

Getting started12

VOL control

Rotate the control to:

Adjust the volume level.

By pushing in and rotating the control DISC/PRESET control

Push in and rotate the control to:

• Receive the stations memorized on the number buttons when FM1, FM2 or AM is selected.

• Change the disc when CD or MD is selected.

Push in and release the control to:

Display the list of discs (when CD or MD is selected) or preset stations (when FM1, FM2, or AM is selected) for a few seconds. The previous display will reappear after a moment.

Other operations

OFF button

Press this button to turn off the unit.

To turn on the unit again, press SOURCE.

Getting started

ATT button

Press this button to attenuate the sound.

To cancel the attenuation (ATT), press the button again.

Changing the operative direction

If you need to mount the rotary remote on the left side of the steering column, you can reverse the operative direction. See “Setting the set up menu” on page 44.

Getting started

Using the wireless remote

Use the wireless remote to make the various menu settings. For your safety, unit operations with the wireless remote should be done by a passenger. If you (the driver) want to use the wireless remote, park your car in a safe location first before performing any operations.

SOURCE (Source select) button

Each time you press the button, the source switches as follows:

”Tuner ” CD ” MD*

* Only when an optional unit is

connected

SCRL button

Press to scroll the track or disc title when playing a CD TEXT disc or an MD.

MENU button

Press to switch to a menu display. The menu which appears depends on the current program source. To return to the previous display, press the button again.

MODE

SOURCE

SCRL DSPL

LIST

BACK

ENTER

–+

VOL

ATT

SOUND

MODE (band/unit select) button

Each time you press the button, the band or unit switches as follows:

When the tuner is selected

” FM1 ” FM2 ” AM

When CD/MD is selected

” CD/MD1 ” CD/MD2

CD/MD3… “

DSPL (display mode change) button

When playing a CD or MD, press to display the disc title or track title. When the current disc or track has no title, “NO Disc Name (NO Track Name) ” appears in the display.

OFF

Press and hold for two seconds to switch to the function menu which appears, depending on the current source or setting mode (see “9 Function buttons” page 9). To return to the previous function menu, press and hold the button again.

When the ACC position is set to “no,” the unit cannot be operated with the wireless remote unless SOURCE on the rotary remote or front panel is pressed, or a CD is inserted to activate the unit first.

Getting started14

Cursor buttons

While the menu display appears, press to move the cursor within a menu display. When CD or MD is selected, press > or . to change the disc and ? and / to locate a track. When FM1, FM2, or AM is selected, press > or . to select a preset station, or ? and / to perform automatic tuning.

BACK button

Press to return to the normal display during a menu operation.

ATT button

Press to attenuate the volume. To return to the previous volume level, press the button again.

VOL +/– buttons

Press + or – to adjust the volume or sound characteristics.

OFF button

Press to turn off the unit.

MODE

SOURCE

SCRL DSPL

LIST

BACK

ENTER

–+

VOL

ATT

SOUND

LIST button

When CD or MD is selected, press to display the disc name list. While the list appears in the display, press again to display the track name list of the current disc (see page 29).

When FM1, FM2, or AM is selected, press to display the preset name list (see page 42).

To change the current selection, use the cursor buttons to select another disc, track, or station, then press ENTER.

ENTER button

Getting started

Press to carry out the selected function.

OFF

SOUND button

Press to adjust the sound characteristics (see page 43).

When an optional DSP (digital signal processor) is connected, press and hold for more than two seconds to switch to the DSP Sound Tuning Mode (see page 49). To return to the previous mode, press and hold the button again.

Getting started

Menu display/Lists

The following menu and lists appear in the display when you press MENU or LIST.

Menu display (appears when you press MENU )

Cursor

LIST

ENTER

Set up

P.Mode

Display Name

Clock on

Beep on Rotary Remote norm SEEK/AMS SEEK/AMS Direct Volume off

Time Set on off

1 Press MENU to make various settings and adjustments. 2 Press the cursor buttons to select the item and its

setting, then press ENTER.

3 Press MENU to cancel the menu mode and return to

normal display.

Lists (appears when you press LIST)

Disc CD2 SONYPOPS

1.28

1.MY BEST

2.POPS HIT

3.FUSION

4.JAZZ

5.GREAT HIT

Press LIST to display the disc name list or track name list when CD or MD is selected. The preset name list will appear when FM1, FM2, or AM is selected.

6.EURO BEAT

7.DRIVING

8.SONYPOPS

9.SUNSET.M

10.HIGHWAY

To select the disc or station by name

When the disc name list or preset name list appears in the display, press the cursor buttons to select the disc or radio station you want to listen to, then press ENTER.

To return to the previous display without changing the setting, press LIST again.

Tip

If the SEEK/AMS mode is set to “Item sel,” you can select the desired station or disc with SEEK/AMS when the list appears in the display (see page 45).

Getting started16

CD/MD

Listening to a CD/MD

If an optional CD or MD unit is connected to this unit, you can locate and listen to discs in the optional CD or MD unit in the same way as you can with those in this unit.

To select the desired CD or MD unit

1 Press SOURCE repeatedly to select “CD” or

“MD.”

CD/MD unit number

Track number

Function menu

To increase

To decrease

Disc Name

Source indication

* The disc number appears when the CD/MD unit is

connected.

SCHUBERT

25CD2 0.06

Disc number*

Playing time of the current track

DVOL

2 Press MODE repeatedly to select the desired

CD or MD unit.

When optional CD units are connected

CD1(CDX-C90) n CD2(optional CD unit 1) n CD3(optional CD unit 2)

When optional MD units are connected

MD1(optional MD unit 1) n MD2(optional MD unit 2)

3 Rotate VOL to adjust the volume level.

The volume is adjustable between 0 dB to – ∞ dB.

Caution

For your safety, set the volume low enough so that you can hear the sound in the street around you.

Getting Started/CD/MD

To stop play back

Press OFF.

continue to next page n

CD/MD

To the next disc

To the previous disc

To select the disc to be played

Push in and rotate DISC/PRESET.

The unit changes to the next or previous disc. If you keep the control rotated, the discs will continue to change.

Push in and release the control to display the disc name list.

Disc

CD2

SONYPOPS

1.28

1.MY BEST

2.POPS HIT

3.FUSION

4.JAZZ

5.GREAT HIT

For details on naming a disc, see “Labeling a CD” on page 25.

Tips

•You can also use the number buttons on the front panel that correspond to the desired disc number.

•If the SEEK/AMS mode is set to “Item sel,” you can select the desired disc with SEEK/AMS when the list appears in the display (see page 45).

6.EURO BEAT

7.DRIVING

8.SONYPOPS

9.SUNSET.M

10.HIGHWAY

To the previous track or beginning point of the current track

To search backward

18 CD/MD

To the next track

To search forward

To locate a track

Rotate, then release SEEK/AMS.

The unit locates the beginning of the current track or the next or previous track.

To locate a specific point on a track

Rotate and hold SEEK/AMS.

The unit plays the track at high speed. When you reach the point you want, release the control.

Playing tracks repeatedly

(Repeat play)

The repeat play function allows you to play back a track, a disc, or all the discs in this unit or any connected CD/MD unit repeatedly.

1 While playing a CD or an MD, press and hold

DSPL for two seconds.

Tip

If the Select mode in the Func. menu is set to “Source,” the function menu automatically appears on the right side of the display, depending on the source you select. (see page 48)

2 Press REP repeatedly to select the mode.

Each time you press REP, the mode changes as follows:

” REP 1 ” REP 2 ” REP 3

Indication

REP 1 (1:track)

REP 2 (2:disc)

REP 3 (3:changer)

off

Operation

Repeats the current track only.

Repeats all tracks on the current disc (in case one or more optional CD/MD units are connected).

Repeats all the discs in the current CD/MD unit (in case one or more optional CD/MD units are connected).

Normal playback.

DSPL

OPENDSPL

REP

891076

CD/MD

off “

Selecting the mode with the wireless remote

While playing a CD or an MD, press MENU and set the Repeat mode to “1:track,”“2:disc,” or “3:changer.”

CD/MD

Playing tracks in random order

(Shuffle Play)

Shuffle Play plays back all tracks on the current disc or all discs in this unit or any connected CD/MD unit in random order.

1 While playing a CD or an MD, press and hold

DSPL for two seconds.

Tip

If the Select mode in the Func. menu is set to “Source,” the function menu automatically appears on the right side of the display, depending on the source you select. (see page 48)

2 Press SHUF repeatedly to select the mode.

Each time you press SHUF, the mode changes as follows:

” SHUF 1 ” SHUF 2 ” SHUF 3

Indication

SHUF 1 (1:disc)

SHUF 2 (2:changer)

SHUF 3 (3:all)

off

DSPL

OPENDSPL

SHUF

891076

off “

Operation

Plays all the tracks on the current disc in random order.

Plays all the discs in the current CD/MD unit in random order (in case one or more optional CD/MD units are connected).

Plays all the discs in all the CD/MD units in random order (in case one or more optional CD/MD units are connected).

Normal playback

20 CD/MD

Selecting the mode with the wireless remote

While playing a CD or an MD, press MENU and set the Shuffle mode to “1:disc,”“2:changer,” or “3:all.”

Creating a program

(CD/MD program memory)

You can play tracks from this unit or any optional CD/MD unit in any order you want by creating and storing programs in the unit’s memory. Two programs with up to 12 tracks each can be stored.

Tips

• In step 2, to move the cursor back to the previous column (one at a time), press ?.

• To cancel the current display and return to the previous display, press BACK.

1 While playing a CD or an MD, press MENU. 2

Select “P. Mode” and press / to move to the sub menu, then select “PGM” by pressing > or ..

Set up

P.Mode

Display Name

3 Press / to select “edit,” then press ENTER.

The PGM Edit Mode appears.

P2- 1

SOURCE

BACK

Repeat Shuffle

PGM

Bank

MY BEST CD1PGM Edit Mode 2 0.27

--- -- --P1- 1

--- -- -- --------

--------

off

ENTER

edit

MODE

LIST

Cursor

CD/MD

4 Select the track you want to program.

1 Press SOURCE repeatedly to select CD or

MD.

2 Press MODE repeatedly to select the desired

CD or MD unit.

3 Press LIST and select the desired disc by pressing

cursor, then press ENTER.

4 Press ? or / to select the track you want to

program.

continue to next page n

CD/MD

+ 47 hidden pages