Sony MHC-GNX90 Operating Instruction

2-547-453-11(2)

Mini Hi-Fi Component System

Operating Instructions Owner’s Record

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

Model No.

Serial No.

MHC-GNX100 MHC-GNX90 MHC-GNX88/GNX80 MHC-GNX77/GNX70/GX9900 MHC-GNX66/GNX60

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 perso nnel only. To prevent fire, do not cover the ve ntilation of the apparatus with newspapers , table-cloths, curtains, etc. And don’t place lighted candles on the apparatus. To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

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

This appliance is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER product. This label is located on the rear exterior.

Don’t throw away the battery wit h general house waste, dispose of it correctly as chemical waste.

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 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.

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 protectio n aga in st harmful interference in a residential ins tallation. 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 co mmuni catio ns. H owev er, th ere is no guarantee that interfe rence 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.

CAUTION

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

Note to 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 sy stem of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

CAUTION

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

ENERGY STAR® is a U.S. registered mark. As an E

NERGY STAR

partner, Sony Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY

TAR

guidelines for energy

efficiency.

]

Table of Contents

About this manual...................................5

Playable discs................ ..........................6

Getting Started

Hooking up the system............................8

Positioning the speakers........................12

Setting the clock....................................13

Disc – Playback

Loading a disc.......................................14

Playing a disc........................................14

— Normal Play/Shuffle Play

Playing repeatedly........................... ......17

— Repeat Play

Creating your own program..................17

— Program Play

Tuner

Presetting radio stations ........................19

Listening to the radio ............................21

— Preset Tuning — Manual Tuning

Tape – Playback

Loading a tape.......................................22

Playing a tape......... ...............................22

Tape – Recording

Recording your favorite tracks on a

disc into a tape ................................24

— CD Synchro Recording — Program Edit

Recording on a tape manually...............25

— Manual Recording

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound.............................. 26

Selecting the preset effect..................... 26

Adjusting the graphic equalizer or

selecting the surround effect .......... 27

Selecting the MP3 Booster effect ......... 28

Selecting the sound system................... 28

(MHC-GNX88/GNX80/GNX77/

GNX70/GX9900 only)

Using the subwoofer............................. 29

(MHC-GNX100/GNX88/GNX80

only)

Flashing sound effect............................ 29

— SOUND FLASH

Creating a party environment............... 30

(MHC-GNX100 only)

Selecting the speaker system ................ 31

(MHC-GNX100 only)

Selecting audio channel........................ 31

— Multiplex Effect

(MHC-GNX88/GNX77/

GNX66 only)

Singing along........................................ 32

Timer

Falling asleep to music ......................... 33

— Sleep Timer

Waking up to music.............................. 33

— Play Timer

Timer recording radio programs........... 35

continued

]

Display

Turning off the display................... .......36

— Power Saving Mode

Changing the spectrum analyzer

display.............................................37

Adjusting the brightness of the

display.............................................37

Changing the power illuminator ...........38

Viewing information about the disc

in the display........ ........................... 38

Optional Components

Hooking up optional components......... 40

Listening to audio from a connected

component ...................................... 41

Recording on a connected component..41

(For MHC-GNX100/GNX90/

GNX88/GNX80/GNX77/

GNX70/GNX66/GNX60)

Connecting external antennas...............42

Troubleshooting

Problems and remedies ......................... 43

Messages...............................................46

Additional Information

Precautions............................................48

Specifications........................................49

List of button locations and reference

pages...............................................54

About this manual

• The instructions in this manual are for models MHC-GNX100, MHC-GNX90, MHC-GNX88, MHC-GNX80, MHCGNX77, MHC-GNX70, MHC-GX9900, MHC-GNX66 and MHC-GNX60. In this manual, the MHC-GNX88 is used for illustration purposes unless stated otherwise.

The MHC-GNX60 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX60

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX60

The MHC-GNX66 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/CDG/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX66

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX66

The MHC-GNX70/GX9900 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX70/

GX9900

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX100

• Surround speakers SS-RSX80

The MHC-GNX77 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/CDG/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX77

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX88

• Surround speakers SS-RSX80

The MHC-GNX80 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX80

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX100

• Surround speakers SS-RSX80

• Subwoofer SS-WG80

The MHC-GNX88 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/CDG/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX88

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX88

• Surround speakers SS-RSX80

• Subwoofer SS-WGV88

The MHC-GNX90 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX90

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX90

The MHC-GNX100 consists of:

– Tuner/CD/MP3 player/

Stereo cassette deck/ Amplifier (main unit) HCD-GNX100

– Speaker system

• Front speakers SS-GNX100

• Surround speakers SS-RSX100

• Subwoofer SS-WG100

• This manual mainly explains operations using the buttons on the unit, but the same operations can also be performed using the buttons on the remote having the same or similar names or symbols.

Playable discs

You can play back the following discs on this system. Other discs cannot be played back.

List of playable discs

Format of discs

Audio CDs Audio

CD-R/CD-RW (Audio CDs/ CD Graphics (CDG)*/Discs with MP3 audio tracks)

CD Graphics (CDG)*

* MHC-GNX88/GNX77/GNX66 only

Disc logo Contents

Audio

Audio + Video

Discs that this system cannot play back

• CD-ROMs other than those has MP3 audio tracks that conforms to ISO 9660 Level 2, Joliet in expansion format.

• CD-Rs/CD-RWs other than those recorded in the following formats: – audio CD format – MP3 audio track format that conforms to

ISO 9660 expansion format or Multi Session

• Data part of CD-Extras

• Data part of Mixed CDs

Level 1, Level 2, Joliet in

• A disc that has a non-standard shape (e.g., card, heart).

• A disc with paper or stickers on it.

• A disc that has the adhesive, cellophane tape, or a sticker still left on it.

• Audio side of a DualDisc.

ISO 9660 Format The most common international standard for the logical format of files and fold ers on a CD-ROM. There are several specification levels. In Level 1, file names must be in the 8.3 format (no more than eight characters in the name, no more than three characters in the extension “.MP3”) and in capital letters. Folder names can be no longer than eight characte rs. There can be no more than eight nested folder levels. Level 2 specifications allow file names and folder names up to 31 characters long. Each folder can have up to 8 trees.

Multi Session This is a recording method that enables adding of data using the Track-At-Onc e method. Conventional discs begin at a disc control area called the Lead-in and end at an area called Lead-out. A Multi Session disc is a disc having multiple sessions, with each segment from Lead-in to Lead-out regarded as a single session.

CD-Extra This format records audio (audio CD data) on the tracks in session 1 and data on the tracks in session 2.

Mixed CD This format records data on the first track an d audio (audio CD data) on the second and subsequent tracks of a session.

Level 1,

Notes on discs

Note on DualDiscs

• This system can play back CD-R/CD-RW discs edited by the user. However, note that playback of some discs may not be possible depending on the recording device used for recording or the disc condition.

• Discs recorded on CD-R/CD-RW drives may not be played back because of scratches, dirt, recording condition or the driver’s characteristics.

• CD-R and CD-RW discs that have not been correctly finalized (processing to allow play back by a normal CD player) cannot be played back.

• CD-R and CD-RW discs recorded in multisession that have not ended by “closing the session” are not supported.

• The system may be unable to play back MP3 format files that do not have the extension “.MP3”.

• Attempting to play back non-MP3 format files that have the extension “.MP3” may result in noise or malfunction.

• The system can play back to a depth of 8 folders only.

• With formats other than ISO 9660 level 1, level 2 or Joliet in expansion format, folder names or file names may not be displayed correctly.

• The following discs take a longer time to start playback.

– a disc recorded with complicated tree

structure. – a disc recorded in Multi Session. – a disc to which data can be added (non-

finalized disc).

• A disc recorded in packet write format cannot be played back.

This product is designed to play back discs that conform to the Compact Disc (CD) standard. A DualDisc is a two sided disc product which mates DVD recorded material on one side with digital audio material on the other side. Please be aware that the audio side of a DualDisc may not be played back on this product because these discs do not conform to the CD standard. “DualDisc” is a trademark of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Music discs encoded with copyright protection technologies

This product is designed to play back discs that conform to the Compact Disc (CD) standard. Recently, various music discs encoded with copyright protection technologies are marketed by some record companies. Please be aware that among those discs, there are some that do not conform to the CD standard and may not be playable by this product.

Cautions when playing a disc that is recorded in Multi Session

• This system can play back Multi Session discs when an MP3 audio track is contained in the first session. Any subsequent MP3 audio tracks recorded in later sessions can also be played back.

• When you play back Multi Session discs with different formats for each session, the format of the first session is recognized as the disc type. Tracks in the second and subsequent sessions are played back if they are the same formats as the first session.

Getting Started

Hooking up the system

Do the following procedures 1 to 7 to hook up your system using the supplied cords and accessories (page 53).

AM loop antenna

FM lead antenna

Surround speaker (Right)

Front speaker (Right)

MHC-GNX100/GNX88/GNX80 only

MHC-GNX88/GNX80/GNX77/GNX70/GX9900 only

MHC-GNX100 only

MHC-GNX88/GNX77/GNX66 only

Subwoofer

Unit

Surround speaker (Left)

Front speaker (Left)

1 Connect the front speakers.

Connect the speaker cords of the front speakers to the FRONT SPEAKER terminals as shown below.

FRONT SPEAKER

White

3 Connect the subwoofer.

(MHC-GNX100/GNX88/GNX80 only)

Connect the subwoofer cord of the subwoofer to the SUBWOOFER OUT terminal and the system cord to the SYSTEM CONTROL jack as shown below.

SUBWOOFER OUT terminal

Getting Started

Tip

(MHC-GNX90 (SS-GNX90) only) Connect the speaker cords to the terminals on the speakers.

Black (#)

Red (3)

2 Connect the surround speakers.

Connect the speaker cords of the surround speakers to the SURR SPEAKER terminals as shown below.

MHC-GNX100 only

SURR SPEAKER

Grey

MHC-GNX88/GNX80/GNX77/GNX70/ GX9900 only

Purple

SYSTEM CONTROL jack

To disconnect

Note

Be sure to make this connection before you connect the unit’s power cord to a wall outlet.

4 Connect the video input jack of your TV

to the VIDEO OUT jack with the supplied video cord. (MHC-GNX88/GNX77/GNX66 only)

VIDEO OUT

When using a TV

Turn on the TV and select the video input so that you can view the pictures from this system.

SURR SPEAKER

Grey

continued

5 Connect the FM and AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then connect it.

AM loop antenna

Extend the FM lead antenna horizontally

6 For models equipped with a voltage

selector, set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to the position of your local power line voltage.

Brazil model only

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

220V 127V

220V

7 Connect the power cord to a wall

outlet.

The demonstration appears in the display. When you press

?/1, the system turns on

and the demonstration automatically ends. If the supplied adaptor on the plug does not fit your wall outlet, detach it from the plug (only for models equipped with an adaptor).

Notes

• Keep the speaker cords away from the antennas to prevent noise.

• (Except for MHC-GNX90/GNX66/GNX60) Be sure to connect both left an d right surround speakers.

• Be sure to match the color of the speaker terminals on the unit and the connectors.

• Be sure to connect the speakers securely and correctly. When connecting sp eaker cord s, insert th e connectors straight into the terminals.

To connect optional components

See “Hooking up optional components” on page 40.

Other models

220V 120V

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

230-240V

Inserting two R6 (size AA) batteries into the remote

Note

If you do not use the remote for a long peri od of tim e, remove the batteries to avoid possib le damage from battery leakage and corrosion.

Tip

With normal use, the batteries should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the system, replace both batteries with new ones.

Attaching the speaker pads

Attach the supplied speaker pads to the bottom of the speakers to stabilize the speakers and prevent them from slipping.

When carrying this unit

Do the following procedure to protect the disc mechanism. Use buttons on the unit for the operation.

1 Press ?/1 to turn on the system. 2 Press CD. 3 Make sure that all discs are removed

from the unit.

4 Hold down CD, then press ?/1 until

“LOCK” appears in the display.

5 Release ?/1 first, then release CD. 6 Unplug the AC power cord.

Getting Started

Positioning the speakers

For MHC-GNX90/GNX88/GNX80/GNX77/ GNX70/GNX66/GNX60/GX9900

Place the front speakers at an angle of 45 degrees from your listening position.

Unit

Subwoofer*

Front speaker (L)

0.3m

45°

Front speaker (R)

Example 2

Place the surround speakers beside the front speakers as shown below.

Front speaker (L)

Surround speaker (L)

Subwoofer

Unit

0.3m

Listener

Front speaker (R)

Surround speaker (R)

Surround speaker** (L)

Surround speaker** (R)

* MHC-GNX88/GNX80 only **Except for MHC-GNX90/GNX66/GNX60

For MHC-GNX100

There are 2 different ways to place the speakers. We recommend you to place the subwoofer on solid floor where resonance is unlikely to occur so that a better bass reproduction could be obtained. To enjoy and to create a party environment, we recommend that you place your speakers as shown in Example 1.

Example 1

Place the speakers at an equal distance from your listening position as shown below.

Subwoofer

Front speaker (L)

Unit

0.3m

Listener

Front speaker (R)

Note

(MHC-GNX100/GNX88/GNX80 only) Place the subwoofer at least 0.3 meters (1 feet) away from the unit.

Surround speaker (L)

Surround speaker (R)

Setting the clock

Use buttons on the remote for the operation.

1 Press ?/1 to turn on the system. 2 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

“CLOCK” appears in the display. Then, the hour indication flashes in the display.

3 Press –. or >+ repeatedly to set

the hour.

4 Press ENTER.

The minute indication flashes in the display.

5 Press –. or >+ repeatedly to set

the minute.

6 Press ENTER.

The clock starts functioning.

To adjust the clock

1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

“SET” appears in the display, then “PLAY SET?” flashes in the display.

2 Press –. or >+ repeatedly to select

“CLOCK SET?”, then press ENTER. The hour indication flashes in the display.

3 Do the same procedures as step 3 to 6

above.

Notes

• The clock settings are canceled when you disconnect the power cord or if a power failure occurs.

• You cannot set the clock in Power Saving Mode (page 36).

Getting Started

Disc – Playback

Loading a disc

1 Press Z OPEN/CLOSE.

The disc tray slides out.

2 Load a disc with the label side facing

up on the disc tray.

When you play back a 8 cm disc such as CD single, place it on the inner circle of the tray

To load additional discs, press EX-CHANGE/DISC SKIP to rotate the disc tray.

3 Press Z OPEN/CLOSE to close the disc

tray.

Notes

• Do not push the disc tray when closing it as this may

cause malfunction. Press Z OPEN/CLOSE to close the disc tray.

• Do not use a disc with tape, seals or pas te on it as this may cause malfunction.

Playing a disc

— Normal Play/Shuffle Play

This system lets you play back CDGs*, audio CDs and discs with MP3 audio tracks in different play modes. Before playing a CDG*, turn on your TV and select the video input.

* MHC-GNX88/GNX77/GNX66 only

When playing an audio CD

Disc tray number

Disc playing indicator

When playing an MP3 audio track

Disc tray number

Track number

Disc presence indicator

Track number

Elapsed playing time

Disc playing indicator

Disc presence indicator

When playing a CDG (MHC-GNX88/GNX77/ GNX66 only)

Disc tray number

Disc playing indicator

Track number

Disc presence indicator

Elapsed playing time

1 Press CD. 2 When playback is stopped, press PLAY

MODE on the remote repeatedly until the indication of the play mode you want lights up in the display.

Select To play back

ALL DISCS (Normal Play)

1DISC (Normal Play)

ALBM (Normal Play)

The tracks on all discs in the disc tray continuously.

The tracks on the disc you have selected in original order.

The MP3 audio tracks in the album on the disc you have selected in original order.

For discs other than discs with MP3 audio tracks, “ALBM” play mode performs the same operation as “1DISC” play mode.

Select To play back

ALL DISCS SHUF (Shuffle Play)

1DISC SHUF (Shuffle Play)

ALBM SHUF (Shuffle Play)

PROGRAM (Program Play)

The tracks on all discs in random order.

The tracks on the disc you have selected in random order.

The MP3 audio tracks in the album on the disc you have selected in random order.

For discs other than discs with MP3 audio tracks, “ALBM SHUF” play mode performs the same operation as “1DISC SHUF” play mode.

The tracks on all discs in the order you want them to be played back (see “Creating your own program” on page 17).

3 Press nN (or N on the remote).

Disc – Playback

continued

Other operations

To Do this

Stop playback Press x. Pause playback Press X. Press X again to resume

Select a track Turn . > clockwise or

Select an album of MP3 audio tracks

Find a point in a

1)2)

track

Select a disc when playback is stopped

Switch to CD function from another source and start playback automatically when there is a disc

Exchange other discs while playing

Remove a disc Press Z OPEN/CLOSE.

The elapsed playing time may not be displayed correctly depending on the MP3 audio tracks.

(MHC-GNX88/GNX77/GNX66 only) You cannot find a point in a track when playing a CDG.

playback.

counterclockwise (or press –. or >+ on the remote repeatedly).

Turn and hold ALBUM +/– clockwise or counterclockwise and release it at the album you want (or press ALBUM +/– on the remote repeatedly).

For audio CD, turn and hold m M clockwise or counterclockwise and release it at the point you want (or press m or M repeatedly on the remote). For MP3 audio track, press m or M repeatedly on the remote.

Press one of the DISC 1 ~ 3 buttons or EX-CHANGE/DISC SKIP (or DISC SKIP on the remote).

Press one of the DISC 1 ~ 3 buttons (Automatic Source Selection).

Press EX-CHANGE/DISC SKIP.

Notes

• You cannot change the play mode during play back.

• Some time may be needed to start playback of discs recorded in complex configurations su ch as many layers.

• When the disc is loaded, the system reads all the tracks on that disc. If there are many albums or nonMP3 audio tracks on the disc, it may take a longer time for playback to begin or for the next MP3 audio tracks to start playback.

• You are recommended not to save other types of tracks or unnecessary albums on a disc that has MP3 audio tracks.

• When naming the MP3 audio tracks, be sure to add the file extension “.MP3” to the file name.

• An album that does not include an MP3 audio track is skipped.

• If you save up the extension “.MP3” to a track other than MP3 audio tracks, the system cannot recognize the track properly and will generate a random noise which could damage your speaker.

• This system can play back MP3 audio tracks in the format of MPEG 1 Audio Layer 3, MPEG 2 Audio Layer 3 and MPEG 2.5 Audio Layer 3.

• The maximum number of albums on a disc which can be recognize by this system is 150 (including root album).

• The maximum number of MP3 audio tracks and albums on a disc which can be recognize by this system is 300.

• Depending on the encoding/writing software, recording device, or the recording media used at the time an MP3 audio track is recorded, you may encounter problems such as cannot play back, sound interruptions and noise.

Tips

• When you press CD or one of the DI SC 1 ~ 3 butt ons to switch to “CD” function from “TUNER” function, you may require a longer time to access the disc. In the case, set the CD power manage function to “CD POWER ON” (page 20).

• If you press CD while the system is turned off, the system turns on automatically and “CD” is selected as the function.

• You can also press FUNCTION on the remote repeatedly to select “CD”.

• (MHC-GNX88/GNX77/GNX66 only) When you play back a CDG, some operation may cause image distortion on the video output.

• During Shuffle Play, some tracks may be played back repeatedly.

Playing repeatedly

Creating your own

— Repeat Play

You can play back all the tracks or a single track on a disc repeatedly.

Press REPEAT on the remote repeatedly during playback until “REPEAT” or “REPEAT1” lights up in the display.

REPEAT: All the tracks on the disc(s), or all the tracks in the album* are played back repeatedly up to five times. REPEAT1: A single track is played back repeatedly until “REPEAT1” is cancelled.

* When “ALBM” or “ALBM SHUF” is selected for

MP3 audio tracks.

To cancel Repeat Play

Press REPEAT repeatedly until both “REPEAT” and “REPEAT1” disappear from the display.

Note

You cannot select “REPEAT” and “ALL DISCS SHUF” at the same time.

Tip

You can change the Repeat Play setting when the playback is stopped.

program

—Program Play

You can make a program of up to 25 steps from all the discs in the order you want to play back. You can synchro record the programmed tracks onto a tape (page 24).

1 Press CD. 2 When playback is stopped, press PLAY

MODE on the remote repeatedly until “PROGRAM” lights up in the display.

3 Press one of DISC 1 ~ 3 buttons or

EX-CHANGE/DISC SKIP (or DISC SKIP on the remote) to select a disc.

To program all the tracks on a disc at once, proceed to step 5 while “AL” appears in the display.

To program all the MP3 audio tracks on an album at once, turn and hold ALBUM +/– clockwise or counterclockwise and release it at the album you want (or press ALBUM +/– on the remote repeatedly until the album you want appears in the display), then proceed to step 5.

Disc – Playback

continued

+ 39 hidden pages