Sony MHC-331 User Manual

3-810-947-11(1)

Mini Hi-Fi

Component System

Operating Instructions

oiomt AUDIO

MHC-331

©1996 by Sony Corporation

WARNING

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

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only.

Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase
or built-in cabinet.

Note on CATV system installer:

This reminder is provided to call CATV system installer's attention
to Article 820--40 of the NEC that provides guidelines for proper
grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be
connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the
point of cable entry as practical.

CAUTION

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

NOTICE FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN THE U. S. A.

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 corrstitute 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.

Owner's Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the rear panel.
Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to them
whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. MHC-331 Serial No. ____________________________

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 d\e receiving antenna.
— Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
— Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different firom

that to which the receiver is cormected.

— Consult the dealer or an cxp>erienc:ed radio/TV technician for

help.

CAUTION

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

NOTICE FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN CANADA

CAUTION:

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS
POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD,
RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN
BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the Sony Mini Hi-Fi Component System.
This series is packed with fun features. Here are just a few;

•DBFB (Dynamic Bass Feedback) system that boosts low frequency
range audio provide deep, powerful bass sound

• A preset feature that lets you store and recall up to 30 of your
favorite radio statiorxs

• An amplifier that lets you adjust the audio quality to fit a variety of
music types and envirorunents

• A timer that lets you set the CD player or radio to turn on and off
whenever you want

• A dual tape deck that lets you record from the radio, CD player or
from the other tape deck and relay play from both decks

• A CD player that lets you play up to three CDs in a row and
seamlessly advance (or reverse) through all the tracks on all the
discs on the CD tray

• A music dip feature that lets you create groups of favorite tracks
from your CDs

• A remote that lets you control your system from your seat

• A loop edit feature that lets you play a CD with sound effect like
sampler play

• The MHC-331 consists of following things;
— Main unit: HCD-H331
— Speaker system: SS-H551

Table of
Contents

Chapter 1: Setting Up

Connecting the Stereo 4
Inserting the Batteries 6
Setting the Clock 6

Chapter 2: the CD Player

Playing CDs (normal play) 7
Playing Tracks in Random Order (shuffle play) 8
Playing Tracks in the Desired Order (program play) 9
Playing Tracks Repeatedly (repeat play) 9
Grouping Tracks (music clip) 10
Playing Tracks: Repeating a Specified Portion (loop play) 10

Chapter 3: the Radio

Listening tp the Radio 12
Presetting Radio Stations 13
Playing Preset Radio Stations 13

Chapter 4: the Tape Player

Playing a Tape 14
Recording a CD 15
Recording a CD: Selecting Tape Length Automatically (tape select edit) 15
Recording a CD: Specifying Tape Length (time edit) 16
Recording a CD: Specifying Track Order (program edit) 17
Recording From the Radio 17
Recording From Another Tape (dubbing) 18

Chapter 5: Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the Sound 19
Selecting the Audio Emphasis 19
Adjusting the Audio Emphasis 20
Making a Personal Audio Emphasis File (personal file) 20

Chapter 6: Additional Features

" Falling Asleep to Music 21

Waking Up to Music 21
Connecting Optional Equipment 22

For Your Information

Precautions 24
Troubleshooting Guide 24
Maintenance 25
Specifications 26
Index to Parts and Controls 26

Index back (

Chapter 1:

Setting

Up

Connecting the Stereo

Use the illustrations below to connect your
stereo.
If you want to connect any optional
components to the stereo, see "Connecting
Optional Equipment" in Chapter 6.

AM loop antenna connection

Cormect the supplied loop antenna to the
AM and the rh terminals.

Connecting the Stereo
Inserting the Batteries
Setting the Clock

STEP 1

Connecting the

Speakers

After arranging both ends of the speaker
cables, connect all speakers to the ui\it.

Before connecting the speakers

Twist the speaker cable coating and strip it
from the end of the cable.

To connect the front speakers

Connect the right front speaker to the
SPEAKER R connectors and the left front
speaker to the SPEAKER L connectors with
the red cords to ® and the black cords to

e.

STEP 2

Antennas

Connecting the

FM lead antenna* (supplied)

To improve the FM reception

Connect an external FM antenna to the
FM 750. and fh terminals, using a 75-ohm
coaxial cable.

Important

Ground the external antenna from rh
terminal against lightning with the screw
clamp. To prevent a gas explosion, do not
connect the ground wire to a gas pipe.

To improve the AM reception

After you connect the AM antenna, connect
a 6- to 15-meter (20- to 50-feet) insulated
wire to the AM terminal. Connect the /h
terminal to earth.

Important

Ground the external antenna against
lightning from the rh terminal. To prevent a
gas explosion, do not connect the ground
wire to a gas pipe.

^ I Chapter 1: Setting Up

* Note: Extend it horizontally

(not supplied)

FM lead antenna
(supplied)

to a wall
outlet

AM loop antenna
(supplied)

Left speaker

!Do this connection last!

STEP 3

Connecting the

Power

Connect the AC power cord to a wall outlet
after you have made all the above
connections.

Demo mode

The demo mode appears in the display
when you connect the AC power cord to
a wall outlet.

To deactivate the demo mode, press

DISPLAY/DEMO with the system

power turned off.

Chapter 1: Setting Up I ^

Inserting the Batteries

Install two R6 (size AA) batteries in the

supplied remote for remote control.

1 Open the lid.

2 Insert two R6 (size AA) batteries.

Match the and - indications to the
diagram in the battery compartment.

3 Close the lid.

Buttery life

You can expect the remote to operate for

about six months (using Sony SUM-3 (NS)
batteries) before the batteries run down.
When th^e batteries no longer operate the
remote, replace all the batteries with new
ones.

To evoid battery leekage
If you are not going to use the remote for a
long time, remove the batteries to avoid
damage caused by corrosion from battery
leakage.

Setting the Clock

The built-in clock shows the time in the
display even if the power is off. You need
to set the dock to utilize the timer-activated
features of your stereo system.
Use the buttons on the unit to do this
operation.

DISPLAY/DEMO

4,6

3,5

Press TIMER.

2 Press CLOCK SET.

The “AM" and hour indication begin
flashing.

V_* 4

-44"

flashing

3 Set the current hour by press and hold

down or ^ on MULTI
CONTROLLER until the correct hour
appears.

-4

flashing

4 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The minutes indication begins flashing.

nr,

6 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The clock starts running and the upper
dot flashes. Use the time signal to set the
dock accurately.
The upper dot flashes for the first half of
a minute (0 to 29 seconds), and the
lower dot flashes for the last half of a
minute (30 to 59 seconds).

5

flashing

To check the time

Press DISPLAY/DEMO a few times.
The current time is displayed for eight
seconds.

To correct the clock setting

Repeat steps 1 through 6.

0 I Chapter 1: Setting Up

flashing

5 Set the current minute by press and hold

down or >> on MULTI
CONTROLLER until tìre correct minute
appears.

flashing

Chapter 2:

the CD

Player

Playing CDs (normal play)
Playing Tracks in Random

Order (shuffle play)

Playing Tracks in the

Desired Order (program
play)

Playing Tracks Repeatedly

(repeat play)

Grouping Tracks

(music clip)

Playing Tracks: Repeating a

Specified Portion (loop
play)

Playing CDs (normal play)

You can play all the tracks on up to three
discs consecutively in their original order
(normal play).
You can play 12 cm and 8 cm CDs. If the

CD is supplied with an adaptor, remove it
before playing the CD.
Before you play the CD, decrease the sound
level by turning the VOLUME control to
counterclockwise, to prevent damage to the
speakers.
Use the button on the unit or the remote to
do this operation.

>00

2,4

1

3 Press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE (or

D.SKIP on the remote) to insert a third
disc, if necessary.
The disc tray rotates so that you can
place another CD.

4 Press â OPEN/CLOSE again to close

the disc tray.

Press I / ALL DKCS to choose "1 DISC"
or "ALL DISCS".

Choose

IDISC.

ALL DISCS

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To play

Only the CD you have
selected.

All CDs consecutively
in order of disc number.
Empty disc trays are
skipped.

j?

6 Press one of the DISC 3-3 buttons to

select the disc tray.
Play starts from the CD loaded on the
tray whose button is lit green.

Music calendar

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Track number Playing time

^ 3.

1 Press FUNCTION repeatedly until "CD"

appears in the display.

2 Press — OPEN / CLOSE and place up to

two CDs (with the label side facing up)
on the disc tray.

continue to next page ->

Chapter 2: the CD Player

-* continued

To

Stop play
Pause
Resume play OHO (CD D»*' or II*')
Go forward to

another track

Go back to a
previous track

Select a CD
directly

Remove the CD
Exchange other DISC SKIP

CDs while playing EX-CHANGE

Remote
You can use the MULTI CONTROLLER
to search quickly through tracks on
different discs (seamless feature).
Automatic Music Sensor
If no disc is loaded at that number, the
tray will emerge.

DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE functions differently
depending on a different situation

To select a particular CD, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE while you stop playing a CD.
To remove or exchange CDs while playing
or pause playing a CD, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE.

To find a point in a track

You can find a particular point in a track
while the track is playing or while it's in
pause mode. Use the buttons on the remote
to operate this feature.

To Press

Go forward
quickly in a track

Go backwards
quickly in a track

Seardi quickly
without listening

Press

■ (■•')
MB(ir')

During play or pause,

^ on MULTI
CONTROLLER.
Release when you
reach the track you
desire.**
Or use AMS*^ bW on
the remote.

During play or pause,

on MULTI
CONTROLLER.
Release when you
reach the track you
desire.*-

Or use AMS*^ on
the remote.

Corresponding DISC
1-3 button*^ or press
DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE
repeatedly in stop
mode

S OPEN/CLOSE

►► on the remote and
release it at the desired
point.

on the remote and
release it at the desired
point.

II, then press or
►► on ^e remote. Press
CD O or II again at
the desired point.

To check the remaining time during playback

Press DISPLAY/DEMO repeatedly.
Each time you press the button, the
display char\ges as follows;

Playing time on the current track
Remaining time on the current track

Remaining time on the current CD*’ or

"PLAY" display*^

Clock display (for eight seconds)

Effea (or P FILE) name or "EFFEa ON

(OFF)" I

*’ 1 DISC mode

ALL DISCS mode

To check the total playing time and the total number of tracks

Press DISPLAY / DEMO a few times in stop
mode.

Notes

•You cannot check the total playing time
during program play.

•The disc number, total playing time and
number of tracks also appear in the
display when you press « OPEN / CLOSE
to close the disc tray.

•"—.—" appears in the display when the
total playing time is 100 minutes or more.

One Touch Piay feature

Press >0Q on the CD player (or CD on
the remote) when the power is off. When a
CD is in the player, you will be able to start
listening to the CD without pressing any
other buttons.

The Music Cafendar Oispfay

This display lights according to the number
of tracks on the CD. As each track is played,
the corresponding number disappears.
Tracks numbered in excess of 20 are not
displayed.

What the green and orange DISC 1-3
button indicators indicate

Indicators are provided on the DISC
buttons for each of the respective disc trays
(DISC 1-3).

• A green indicator shows that the tray is

selected (either during playback or

standby, or when the tray is open) no
matter if there is a CD inside or not.

• An orange indicator shows that there is a
CD on the tray but the tray is not selected.

• When the indicator is off, there is no CD
on the tray and the tray is not selected.

O'

Automatic Source Selection

If the CD player has been in the normal
play mode, you can select the CD player
just by pressing CHU or the DISC 1-3
buttons.
If the CD player has been in the program
play or the shuffle play mode, only MO can
be used for this function.

If there is no CD in the player

"CD no disc" appears in the display.
Press MO (or CD O- on the remote) while
the indication is on, then the disc tray will
open automatically.

Playing Tracks in Random Order (shuffle play)

You can play all the tracks on one CD or all
CDs in random order.
Use the buttons on the unit to do this
operation.

1 Press FUNCTION repeatedly until "CD"

appears in the display.

2 Press ^ OPEN / CLOSE and place the

CDs on the disc tray. Then, press
* OPEN / CLOSE again to close the disc
tray.

3 Press 1 / ALL DISCS to choose "1 DISC"

or "ALL DISCS".

4 Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until

"SHUFFLE" appears in the display.

^ 9 S>

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i- JJ I и

5 Press MD.

" ti, " appears and then all thé tracks
play in random order.

Chapter 2: the CD Player

To stop shuffle play

Press ■ on the CD player.

To cancel shuffle play

Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until
"SHUFFLE" disappears from the display.
The tracks continue playing in their original
order.

To select a desired CD

Press DISC 1-3 during shuffle play.

To skip an undesired track

Press > on MULTI CONTROLLER (or
press on the remote).

Playing Tracks in the
Desired Order
(program play)

You can make a program of up to
32 tracks from all the CDs in the order you
want them to be played.

8

2

3 Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until

"PROGRAM" and "DISC" appear in the
display.

r 71 /.

L II I

Press DISC 1 - 3 to choose a CD.

^ ^

5 Press or ^ on MULTI

CONTROLLER to choose a track.
The track number and the total playing
time appear.

jp a? ,3?

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__________

L t

Track number

8 .3.WS. ii

Total playing time

6 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The chosen track number lights up in
the music calendar. If the track number
and the total playing time disappear
before you press ENTER/NEXT, go
back to step 5.

7 Repeat steps 5 and 6 to program

additional tracks from the same CD.
Repeat steps 4 to 6 to program
additional tracks from another CD.

8 Press >HS.

All the tracks play in the order you

choose.
To Press
Check the

program
Program a pause
Stop play
Cancel program

play

Erase a track
from the end

Erase a specific
track

Erase the entire
program

CHECK on the remote
repeatedly*’

>011*- (II on the remote)

■ (■ on the remote)

PLAY MODE*'’
repeatedly until
"PROGRAM" or
"SHUFFLE" disappear

CLEAR on the remote in
stop mode

CHECK on the remote
repeatedly so that the
number of the track
lights up, and press
CXEAR on the remote

■ (■ on the remote)
once in stop mode or
twice while playing

To change the order of programmed tracks

To change the order, erase the entire
program and create a new one.

Notes

• The program you made remains in the CD

player even after it has been played back.
Press >110 to play the same program again.

• If appears instead of the total
playing time during programming, this
means:

- you have programmed a track number

which exceeds 20, or

- the total playing time has exceeded 100
minutes.

Playing Tracks
Repeatedly
(repeat play)

The repeat play function repeats a single
CD or all CDs in normal play, shuffle play
and program play.
Use the buttons on the unit to do this
operation.

1/ALL DISCS

Repeating alt the tracks

1 Press REPEAT a few times until

"REPEAT" appears in the display.

S>9 3>

continue to next page -»

1 Press FUNCTION repeatedly until "CD"

appears in the display.

2 Press OPEN / CLOSE and place the

CDs on the disc tray. Then, press
& OPEN / CLOSE again to close the disc
trav.

After the last track appeared "CHECK
END" appears in the display.
"F' appears and the total playing time is
reset to 0.00.
The program is erased.

Chapter 2: the CD Player I 0