Sony ICF-CD823 Operating Instruction

FM/AM
CD Clock Radio

Operating Instructions

Dream Machine is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

ICF-CD823

Sony Corporation  2000 Printed in Malaysia

LIMITED WARRANTY

(Portable Audio)

3-046-170-21 (1)

Owner’s Record

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

Model No. ICF-CD823
Serial No.

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose the
unit to rain or moisture.

This symbol 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.

This symbol is intended to alert the user
to the presence of important operating
and maintenance (servicing) instruc­tions in the literature accompanying the
appliance.

∗ The graphical symbols are on the bottom of the

enclosure.

INFORMATION

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.

Before You Begin

Thank you for choosing the Sony CD clock radio!
It will give you many hours of reliable service
and listening pleasure.
Before operating the unit, please read these
instructions thoroughly and retain them for
future reference.

Features

• Built-in CD Player with Shuffle/Repeat
function.

• You can wake up to any track of a CD.

• PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Synthesized Tuner
with 5 random memory presets for easy one
button tuning.

• Dual alarm.

• Alarm setting dial—easy to set alarm time and
modes.

• Extendable snooze—snooze time can be
extended from 8 to 60 minutes in maximum
every time you use.

• Summer time (daylight saving time)
calculation.

Precautions

• Operate the unit on the power source
specified in the “Specifications.”

• The nameplate indicating operating voltage,
etc. is located on the bottom of the unit.

• To disconnect the power cord (mains lead),
pull it out by the plug, not the cord.

• Do not leave the unit in a location near a heat
source such as a radiator or airduct, or in a
place subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust,
mechanical vibration, or shock.

• Allow adequate air circulation to prevent
internal heat build-up. Do not place the unit
on a surface (a rug, a blanket, etc.) or near
materials (a curtain) which might block the
ventilation holes.

• Should any solid object or liquid fall into the
unit, unplug the unit and have it checked by a
qualified personnel before operating it any
further.

• When the casing becomes soiled, clean it with
a soft cloth dampened with mild detergent
solution. Never use abrasive cleansers or
chemical solvents, as they may mar the casing.

If you have any questions or problems
concerning your unit, please consult your
nearest Sony dealer.

Troubleshooting

Should any problem occur with the unit, make
the following checks to determine whether or not
servicing is required. If the problem persists,
consult the nearest Sony dealer.

The clock does not show the correct time.

• Has an electrical power outage lasting more
than one minute occurred?

The CD, radio or buzzer alarm does not sound
at the preset alarm time.

• Is the alarm setting dial set to the desired

ALARM MODE?

The radio alarm is activated but no sound
comes on at the preset alarm time.

• Has a station been preset onto preset button
1?

• Has VOLUME been adjusted ?

The CD player does not operate.

• Did you close the CD lid?

• Did you place the disc correctly?
The disc should be placed with the labeled
side up.

• Dusty or defective disc—Clean the disc with
an optional cleaning cloth. Wipe the disc from
the center out.

• Take out the CD and leave the CD
compartment open for about an hour to get
rid of moisture condensation.

Sporadic loss of sound in CD operation.

• Dusty or defective disc—Clean or replace the
disc.

• Volume too high—Reduce the volume.

• Strong vibration.

No sound comes from the speakers.

• Hasn't the alarm setting dial been remained
setting to ALARM TIME SET?

Specifications

CD player section

System: Compact disc digital audio system
Laser diode properties: Material: GaAlAs

Wavelength: 780 nm
Emission duration: Continuous
Laser output: Less than 44.6 µW
(This output is the value measured at a
distance of about 200 mm from the objective
lens surface on the optical pick-up block with
7mm aperture.)

Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz
Wow and flutter: Below measurable limit

Radio section

Frequency range:

FM: 87.5-108 MHz
AM: 530-1,710 kHz

Channel step:

FM: 0.1 MHz (fixed)
AM: 10 kHz (fixed)

General

Time display:

12-hour system

Speaker:

77 mm (3 1/8 inches) dia., 8 Ω

Power outputs:

1.2W + 1.2W (at 10% harmonic distortion)

Power requirements:

120 V AC, 60 Hz

Dimensions:

Approx. 250 × 153 × 207 mm(w/h/d)
(Approx. 9
projecting parts and controls

Mass:

Approx. 1,700 g (3 lb 12 oz)

Design and specifications are subject to change
without notice.

7

/8 × 6 1/8 × 8 1/4 inches) incl.

+1

dB

–1.5

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

For your protection, please read these safety instructions completely before operating the
appliance, and keep this manual for future reference.
Carefully observe all warnings, precautions and instructions on the appliance and described in
the operating instructions supplied with the appliance by Sony.

INSTALLATION

Water and Moisture

Do not install the appliance near water: for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink,
laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool.

Heat

Do not install the appliance near sources of heat such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other appliances that produce heat.

Ventilation

Slots and openings in the cabinet and in the back or bottom are provided for necessary ventilation.
To ensure reliable and safe operation of the appliance, and to protect it from overheating, these
slots and openings must never be blocked or covered.
Do not place the appliance on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface which may block the slots
and openings.
Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet, unless
proper ventilation is provided.

Carts and Stands

Do not install the appliance on an unstable table, shelf, cart or stand. Use only a cart or stand
recommended by Sony.
An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and
uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn.

Wall or Ceiling Mounting

If your appliance can be mounted to a wall or ceiling, mount it only as recommended by Sony.

USE

Power Source

Connect the appliance to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions
or as marked on the appliance.

Grounding or Polarization

Do not defeat the grounding or polarization feature of the AC power cord. If your AC receptacle
will not accept the power cord plug, contact your electrician to install a proper AC receptacle.

AC Receptacle

Check to make sure that the AC receptacle holds the power cord plug firmly and securely. If the
power cord plug is loose, contact your electrician to replace the defective and unsafe AC
receptacle.

Power-Cord Protection

Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on or pinched by having objects placed
on it, paying particular attention to the plugs, receptacles, and the point where the cord exits from
the appliance.

When not in use

Unplug the power cord of the appliance from the outlet when left unused for a long period of
time.
To disconnect the cord, pull it out by grasping the plug. Never pull the plug out by the cord.

Foreign Objects

Be careful that foreign objects and liquids do not enter the enclosure through openings.

Cleaning

Clean the appliance only as recommended by Sony.

ANTENNAS

Outdoor Antenna Grounding

If an outdoor antenna or cable system is installed, follow the precautions below.
An outdoor antenna system should not be located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other
electric light or power circuits, or where it can come in contact with such power lines or circuits.
WHEN INSTALLING AN OUTDOOR ANTENNA SYSTEM, EXTREME CARE SHOULD BE
TAKEN TO KEEP FROM CONTACTING SUCH POWER LINES OR CIRCUITS AS CONTACT
WITH THEM IS ALMOST INVARIABLY FATAL.

Be sure the antenna system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges
and built-up static charges. Section 810 of the National Electrical Code provides information with
respect to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to
an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit,
connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode.

Antenna Grounding According to the National
Electrical Code

Antenna Lead-in Wire

Ground Clamps

Electric Service
Equipment

—NEC National Electrical Code—

Power Service Grounding
Electrode System
(NEC* Art 250 Part H)

SERVICE

Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet and consult qualified service personnel when:

-the power cord or the plug has been damaged.

-a solid object or liquid has fallen into the cabinet.

-the appliance has been exposed to rain or moisture.

-the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance.

-the appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

Antenna Discharge Unit
(NEC* Section 810-20)

Grounding Conductors
(NEC* Section 810-21)

Ground Clamps

Do not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. For
all other servicing refer to qualified service personnel only.

Alarm setting dial

FM wire antenna

AC power cord

Setting the Clock
and Date

1 Set the alarm setting dial to ALARM

MODE OFF.

2 Plug in the clock radio.

The display will flash “AM 12:00”.

3 Press CLOCK for a few seconds.

You will hear a beep and the year will start to
flash in the display.

4 Press CLOCK + or – until the correct

year appears in the display.

5 Press CLOCK once.
6 Repeat steps 4 and 5 to set the month,

day, hour, and minute.

After setting the minute, press CLOCK to start
the counting of the seconds, and you will
hear two short beeps.

• To display the year and date, press SNOOZE/
DATE/SLEEP OFF once for the date, and within
2 seconds press it again for the year. The
display shows the date or year for a few
seconds and then changes back to the current
time.

• To set the current time rapidly, hold down
CLOCK + or –.

• In step 6, when you press CLOCK after the
minute setting to activate the clock, the seconds
start counting from zero.

• When the alarm setting dial is set to ALARM
TIME SET A or B, the clock cannot be set.

To change the display to the
daylight saving time (summer time)
indication

Press D.S.T./SUMMER T.
“

” is displayed and the time indication
changes to summer time.
To deactivate the summer time function, press
D.S.T./SUMMER T. again.

Playing a CD

An 8 cm (3-inch) CD can be played without an
adaptor.

1 Push OPEN/CLOSE to open the CD

compartment lid and place a disc.

2 Close the CD compartment lid.

Push

Labeled surface up

Close the lid

3 Press CD u.

“CD N” and “01” appear on the display to
indicate that track 1 of the CD is playing.

4 Turn VOLUME to adjust the volume.

To Press

Pause CD u
Resume play after CD u again

pause
Locate the beginning .**

of the current
track (AMS*)

Locate the next >**
track (AMS)

Go back at high speed Hold down .**
Go forward at high Hold down >**

speed
Locate the previous . repeatedly**

track (AMS)
Locate the succeeding > repeatedly**

track (AMS)
Stop play OFF•ALARM RESET

* AMS = Automatic Music Sensor
**These operations are possible during both play

and pause.

•To handle compact discs

Correct

Handle the disc
by its edge.

Incorrect

Do not touch the
surface.

Do not stick paper or
tape nor write
anything on the
surface.

Note

If you press CD u when there is no disc in the
CD compartment, “00” flashes for about 5
seconds on the display and the unit turns off
automatically.

Various Modes of CD
Playback

You can play tracks repeatedly or in random
order.

Press CD PLAY MODE.
Each press changes the play mode as
follows:

Display Play
indication mode

none (normal play)

All the tracks are played once.

m

<

“REP 1” (single repeat)

A single track is played repeatedly.

m

“REP ALL” (all repeat)

All the tracks are played repeatedly.

m

“SHUFFLE” (shuffle play)

All the tracks are played once
in random order.

m

“SHUFFLE REP” (shuffle repeat)

All the tracks are played repeatedly
in random order.

Playing the Radio
Manual Tuning

1 Press RADIO•SLEEP to turn on the

radio.

“RADIO” appears in the display.
The display shows the band and frequency
for a few seconds and then changes back to
the current time.

2 Press BAND repeatedly to select the

desired band.

3 Use TUNING + or – to tune in to the

desired station.

The FM frequency advances or reverses in

0.1MHz channel steps and the AM frequency
in 10kHz channel steps.
Two short beeps sound when the minimum
frequency of each band is received during
tuning.

4 Adjust volume using VOLUME.

• To turn off the radio, press OFF•ALARM
RESET.

• To improve radio reception
FM: Extend the FM wire antenna fully to

increase reception sensitivity.

AM: Rotate the unit horizontally for optimum

reception. A ferrite bar antenna is built
into the unit.

Do not operate the unit over a steel desk
or metal surface, as this may lead to
interference of reception.

• To check the station being received, press

TUNING + or – lightly. The display shows the
band and frequency for a few seconds and
then changes back to the current time.

• If the radio alarm comes on while the radio is

on, the unit switches to the station on preset
button 1 (WAKE UP STATION).

Preset Tuning

You can preset up to 5 stations; one station for
each preset buttons 1 to 5, for one-touch tuning.

Presetting a station

Example: To preset AM 1260 kHz onto preset

1 Press RADIO•SLEEP to turn on the
2 Tune in to the station on AM 1260 kHz
3 Hold down the desired

button 2.

radio.

(See “Manual Tuning”).

STATION•SELECT/PRESET button (in
this case, 2) until you hear two short
beeps.

The display shows the frequency for a few
seconds and then changes back to the current
time.

For the radio alarm, preset the station to be used
as the alarm onto preset button 1.

To change a preset station

Tune in manually to the station you want to store
and hold down the preset button until you hear
two short beeps. The previously stored station
will be replaced by the new one.

Tuning in to a preset station

1 Press RADIO•SLEEP to turn on the

radio.

2 Press the STATION•SELECT/PRESET

button where the desired station is
stored.

3 Adjust the volume using VOLUME.

After a few seconds, the display returns to
the current time but the preset button
number remains.

Setting the Alarm

This radio is equipped with 3 alarm modes —
CD, radio and buzzer. Before setting the alarm,
make sure to set the clock (see “Setting the
Clock”).

To Set the Alarm Time

To set the alarm:

1 Set the alarm setting dial to ALARM

TIME SET A (CD).

After one beep, “ ” and the alarm time
set in the previous time will flash in the
display.

2 Press CLOCK + or – until the desired

time appears.

When CLOCK + or – is held down, the
displayed time initially changes in one­minute steps, and after a few seconds,
switches to ten-minute steps.

3 Set the alarm setting dial to ALARM

MODE OFF. Two short beeps will

confirm the setting.

To set the or alarm:

1 Set the alarm setting dial to ALARM

TIME SET B (radio or buzzer).

After one beep, “ ” or “ ”
and the alarm time set in the previous time
will flash in the display.

2 Press CLOCK + or – until the desired

time appears.

When CLOCK + or – is held down, the
displayed time initially changes in one­minute steps, and after a few seconds,
switches to ten-minute steps.

3 Set the alarm setting dial to ALARM

MODE OFF. Two short beeps will

confirm the setting.

• When the alarm setting dial is set to ALARM
TIME SET A or B, the sound of the CD or the
radio will be interrupted.

To Set the Alarm Mode

Before setting the alarm mode, be sure to set the
alarm time. (See “To Set the Alarm Time”.)

Set the alarm setting dial to the desired alarm
mode (A, B, or A+B). When the alarm setting
dial is set to ALARM MODE B or A+B, you can
choose
modes in ALARM B.
According to the alarm mode that you set,

, , or will appear in

the display.

Alarm

CD

Radio

Buzzer

CD and
Radio A + B

CD and
Buzzer A + B

When the radio alarm is activated, the radio
station that is preset on the preset button 1
(WAKE UP STATION) turns on at the preset time.
For the radio alarm, make sure you have preset a
radio station onto preset button 1 (See “Preset
Tuning”).

or by switching the

Set the alarm Set

setting dial to ALARM B to

ALARM

MODE A

ALARM

MODE B

ALARM

MODE B

ALARM MODE

ALARM MODE

––––––

RADIO

BUZZER

RADIO

BUZZER

Display

To Set the Wake Up
Track

1 Press WAKE UP TRACK for a few

seconds until you hear a beep.

The track number flashes on the display.

2 Press TUNING + or – to select the

desired track number.

The track number can be set up to 99.

3 Press WAKE UP TRACK again.

Two short beeps sound to confirm the
setting.

To Check the Alarm
Time

Press ALARM TIME CHECK.
The display shows the alarm time for a
few seconds and then returns to show the
current time.
When the alarm setting dial is set to either

ALARM MODE OFF or ALARM MODE
A+B, the alarm time in ALARM MODE A

and then ALARM MODE B appears in
the display.

• Alarm time in ALARM MODE A and ALARM
MODE B is set at AM 12:00 when you
purchased the unit.

ALARM ON—

When the alarm comes on at the preset time,
“

”, “ ”, or “ ” flashes

in the display.
For the buzzer alarm, the beeping of the alarm

becomes more rapid after every few seconds in
five progressive stages.

• When CD and radio, or buzzer alarms are set
for the same time, and you choose ALARM
MODE A + B, the CD alarm takes precedence.

Note

If you set the CD alarm and there is no disc in
the CD player, the buzzer alarm will sound in its
place at the time set.

To Doze for a Few More
Minutes

Press SNOOZE/DATE/SLEEP OFF.

The CD, radio or buzzer alarm turns off but will
be automatically activated again after about 8
minutes. Every time you press SNOOZE/DATE/
SLEEP OFF, the snooze time changes as follows:

24 32

16

8

56

40

48

The display shows the snooze time for a few
seconds and returns to show the current time.
When you press SNOOZE/DATE/SLEEP OFF
after the current time appeared, the snooze time
starts from 8 minutes again.

• The maximum length of the snooze time is 60
minutes.

60

ALARM OFF—

The alarm is turned off automatically after 60
minutes.

To Stop the Alarm

Press OFF•ALARM RESET to turn off the
alarm.

The alarm will come on again at the same time
the next day.

To Cancel the Alarm

Set the alarm setting dial to ALARM
MODE OFF.

Setting the Sleep
Timer

You can enjoy falling asleep to the radio using
the built-in sleep timer that turns off the radio
automatically after a preset duration.

Press RADIO•SLEEP.

The radio turns on. You can set the sleep timer
to durations of 90, 60, 30, or 15 minutes. Every
push changes the display as follows:

On

Two short beeps sound when the display returns
to “On”.
“SLEEP” will appear in the display when the
duration time is set.
The radio will play for the time you set, then
shut off.

• To turn off the radio before the preset time,
press SNOOZE/DATE/SLEEP OFF.

To Use Both the Sleep
Timer and the Alarm

You can enjoy falling asleep to the radio and be
awakened by the CD, radio or buzzer alarm.

1 Set the alarm. (See “Setting the

Alarm”.)

2 Set the sleep timer. (See “Setting the

Sleep Timer”.)

90

15

60

30