Sony MHC-GR8000 Users guide

3-861-185-11(1)

Mini Hi-Fi
Component
System

Operating Instructions

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. Serial No.

f

MHC-GR8000

©1997 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.

Laser component in this product is capable of
emitting radiation exceeding the limit for Class 1.

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

This caution label is located inside the unit.

This stereo system is equipped with the Dolby* B­type noise reduction system.
* Dolby noise reduction manufactured under licence
from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
“DOLBY” and the double-D symbol d are
trademarks of the Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation.

2

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Step 1: Hooking up the system ........... 4

Step 2: Setting the time......................... 6

Step 3: Presetting radio stations .......... 6

Connecting optional AV components. 8

Basic Operations

Playing a CD..........................................10

Recording a CD ..................................... 12

Listening to the radio ...........................13

Recording from the radio ................... 14

Playing a tape ........................................ 15

Recording from a tape..........................17

The CD Player

Using the CD display ...........................18

Playing the CD tracks repeatedly ...... 18

Playing the CD tracks in random

order.................................................19

Programming the CD tracks............... 20

Playing CDs without interruption..... 21

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound ............................. 27

Selecting the audio emphasis ............. 28

Adjusting the audio emphasis ........... 29

Making a personal audio emphasis

file..................................................... 31

Other Features

Singing along: Karaoke ...................... 32

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

Waking up to music .............................34

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

Additional Information

Precautions ............................................37

Troubleshooting ....................................38

Specifications.........................................41

Index ....................................................... 43

EN

The Tape Deck

Recording on a tape manually ........... 22

Recording a CD by specifying track

order.................................................23

DJ Effects

Looping part of a CD............................25

Flashing part of a CD ...........................25

Waving the equalizer ...........................26

3

Getting Started

Step 1: Hooking up the system

Do the following procedure 1 to 5 to hook up your system using the supplied cords and
accessories.

AM loop antenna

FM antenna

5

Right speaker

2

1

3

Left speaker

1

Connect the speakers.

1

Connect the speaker cords to the
SPEAKER jacks of the same color.

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

Insert only the stripped portion.

R

+

Red (‘)

Black (’)

1

L

+
–

Connect the FM/AM antennas.

2

Set up the AM loop antenna, then
connect it.

AM loop antenna

4

Extend the FM lead
antenna horizontally.

FM75

AM

4

Set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to

}

}

]

]

3

position of your local power line
voltage.

Singaporean and Malaysian models

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

220-230V

110-120V 240V

Other models

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

110-120V 220-240V

Connect the power cord to a wall

4

outlet.

Demo mode appears in the display.
If the plug on this unit does not fit
your wall outlet, detach the supplied
adapter from the plug.

Inserting two size AA (R6)
batteries into the remote

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.

Note

If you do not use the remote for a long period of
time, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage
from battery leakage.

When carrying this system

Do the following to protect the CD
mechanism.

1 Press FUNCTION repeatedly until “CD”

appears in the display.

2 Hold down PLAY MODE and press

POWER so that “LOCK” appears in the
display.

Deactivate the demo mode by

5

pressing DISPLAY/DEMO when
the system power is turned off.

The demo mode is also deactivated
when you set the time.

To attach the front speaker pads

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

5

Step 2: Setting the

·∏

§

π

0)

POWER

Step 3: Presetting

time

You must set the time before using the timer
functions.

1

0)

1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

The hour indication flashes.

2 Turn the jog dial to set the hour.

The clock is on a 12-hour system.

3 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The minute indication flashes.

3,52,4

π

·∏

§

radio stations

You can preset up to 40 stations, 20 for FM, 10
for MW and 10 for SW. For Latin American
models, you can preset up to 30 stations, 20
for FM and 10 for AM.

214

3,5

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in
the display.

Every time you press this button, the
band changes as follows:

Latin American models:
FM ˜ AM
Other models:
FM n MW n SW

n

6

4 Turn the jog dial to set the minute.
5 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The clock starts working.

Tips

• If you’ve made a mistake, start over from step 1.

• Setting the time deactivates the demo mode .

If you want to display the demo mode, press
DISPLAY/DEMO when the power is off.

Note

When setting the time, set the equalizer display to
anything other than Spectrum analyzer pattern 3.
(See “To change the equalizer display” on page 29.)

6

2 Press TUNING MODE repeatedly to

select “AUTO”.

3 Turn the jog dial.

The frequency indication changes and
scanning stops when the system tunes in
a station. “TUNED” and “STEREO” (for
a stereo program) appear.

TUNED
STEREO

AUTO

VOLUME

MHz

4 Press TUNER MEMORY.

A preset number appears in the display.

Preset number

TUNED
STEREO

AUTO

VOLUME

5 Turn the jog dial to select the preset

number you want.

6 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The station is stored.

7 Repeat steps 1 to 6 to store other

stations.

To tune in a station with a weak
signal

Press TUNING MODE repeatedly to select
“MANUAL” in step 2, then turn the jog dial
to tune in the station.

To change the preset number

Start over from step 1.

To change the AM tuning interval

(Except for the Middle Eastern model)

The AM tuning interval is factory-preset to 9 kHz
(10 kHz in some areas). To change the AM tuning
interval, tune in any AM station first, then turn off
the power. While holding down the ENTER/NEXT
button, turn the power back on. When you change
the interval, AM preset stations will be erased. To
reset the interval, repeat the same procedure.

Tip

The preset stations are retained for half a day even if
you unplug the power cord or if a power failure
occurs.

7

Connecting optional
AV components

To enhance your system, you can connect
optional components. Refer to the
instructions of each component.

Connecting audio
components

Select one of the following two connections,
depending on the equipment to be connected
and method of connecting.

Connecting an MD deck for digital
recording

You can record from CD into the MD deck
digitally by connecting an optical cable.

To the DIGITAL IN jack of the MD deck

Connecting an MD deck for analog
recording

Make sure to match the color of the plugs and
the connectors. To listen to the sound of the
connected MD deck, press FUNCTION
repeatedly until “MD” appears.

To the audio output
of the MD deck

Note

If you cannot select “MD” even when you have
pressed FUNCTION, press POWER while pressing
FUNCTION when the power is turned off.
“VIDEO” will be switched to “MD”. To return to
“VIDEO” do the same procedure.

To the audio input
of the MD deck

Tip

If you connect a turntable with MM cartridge,
connect it to VIDEO/MD IN using the optional MM
cartridge equalizer EQ-2 and an audio connecting
cord. To listen to the sound, press FUNCTION
repeatedly until “VIDEO” appears.

8

Connecting a VCR

Make sure to match the color of the plugs and
the connectors. To listen to the sound of the
connected VCR, press FUNCTION repeatedly
until “VIDEO” appears.

To the audio output of the VCR

Note

If the sound is distorted when selecting “VIDEO”,
switch to “MD” (see “Note” on page 8).

Connecting outdoor
antennas

Connect the outdoor antenna to improve the
reception.

FM antenna

Connect the optional FM outdoor antenna.
You can also use the TV antenna instead.

Screw clamp

75-ohm coaxial cable
(not supplied)

FM75

y

AM

Ground wire (not supplied)

AM antenna

Connect a 6- to 15- meter (20- to 50- feet)
insulated wire to the AM antenna terminal.
Leave the supplied AM loop antenna
connected.

Insulated wire (not supplied)

Screw clamp

FM75

AM

Ground wire (not supplied)

Important

If you connect an outdoor antenna, ground
from y terminal with the screw clamp. To
prevent a gas explosion, do not connect the
ground wire to a gas pipe.

y

9

Basic Operations

·∏

§

π

0)

+=

Playing a CD

— Normal play

You can play up to three CDs in a row.

POWER

0 )

0)

‚º

π

ª·

§ §

1/ALL DISCS VOLUME

EX-CHANGE

21

π

§

‚º

π

ª·

πDISC SKIP

CD (

·∏

·∏

1 Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place

up to two CDs on the disc tray.

If a disc is not placed properly it will not
be recognized.

With the label
side up. When
you play a single
CD, place it on
the inner circle
of the tray.

To insert a third disc, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc tray.

2 Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons.

The disc tray closes and play starts.
If you press ·∏ (or · on the remote)

when the disc tray is closed, play starts
from the CD loaded on the tray whose
button is lit green.

Disc tray number

ALL1DISCS

Track number

Playing time

VOLUME

10

P

p

= +

0 )

V

bB

v

VOL +/–

To Do this

Stop play Press π (p on the remote).
Pause Press ·∏ (P on the remote).

Press again to resume play.

Select a track During play or pause, turn the

jog dial clockwise (to go
forward) or counterclockwise
(to go back) and release it
when you reach the desired
track. Or press + (to go
forward) or = (to go back)
on the remote.

Find a point in Press and hold down ) or
a track 0 (or )/0 on the

remote) during play and
release it at the desired point.

Select a CD Press a DISC 1~3 button or
in stop mode DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE.

Play only the Press 1/ALL DISCS
CD you have repeatedly until “1 DISC”
selected appears.

Play all CDs Press 1/ALL DISCS repeatedly

until “ALL DISCS” appears.
Remove the CD Press § OPEN/CLOSE.
Exchange other Press DISC SKIP

CDs while EX-CHANGE.
playing

Adjust the Turn VOLUME (or press VOL
volume +/– on the remote).

Tips

• Pressing ·∏ when the power is off
automatically turns the power on and starts CD
playback if there is a CD in the tray (One Touch
Play).

• You can switch from another source to the CD
player and start playing a CD just by pressing

·∏ or the DISC 1~3 buttons (Automatic Source
Selection).

• If there is no CD in the player, “CD NO DISC”
appears in the display.

• When a disc tray is selected or the CD placed on
that tray is playing, the DISC 1~3 button for the
respective tray lights green.

Basic Operations

11

·∏

§

π

0)

+=

Recording a CD

— CD Synchro Recording

The CD SYNCHRO button lets you record
from a CD to a tape easily. You can use TYPE
I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes. The
recording level is adjusted automatically.

POWER

1 Press § EJECT and insert a blank

DISC SKIP

EX-CHANGE

0)

‚º

π

ª·

§ §

DOLBY NR

4

53

2

§

π

tape into deck B.

With the side
you want to
record facing
forward

π

·∏

‚º

π

ª·

1

‚º

π

ª·

§

2 Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place a

CD.

Then press again to close the disc tray.
If the indicator for the tray you want to

record is not lit green, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE repeatedly so that it lights
green.

With the label
side up. When
you play a single
CD, place it on
the inner circle
of the tray.

3 Press CD SYNCHRO.

Deck B stands by for recording and the
CD player stands by for playback. ·
(for front side) lights up.

4 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select A to record on one side.
Select a (or RELAY) to record on
both sides.

5 Press ∏ on deck B.

Recording starts.

To stop recording

Press π on deck B or on the CD player.

Tips

• If you want to record from the reverse side, press
ª so that ª (for reverse side) lights up.

• When you record on both sides, be sure to start
from the front side. If you start from the reverse
side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in low­level high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so
that “DOLBY NR B” appears after pressing CD
SYNCHRO.

Note

You cannot listen to other sources while recording.

12

Listening to the radio

–– Preset Tuning

Preset radio stations in the tuner's memory
first (see “Step 3: Presetting radio stations”).

2 Press TUNING MODE repeatedly

so that “PRESET” appears in the
display.

MANUAL n AUTO n PRESET

n

0)

‚º

π

bB

3

POWER

ª·

§ §

V

v

1

2

π

·∏

§

‚º

π

ª·

VOLUME

STEREO/MONO

= +
TUNER BAND

VOL +/–

3 Turn the jog dial (or press = or

+ on the remote) to tune in the

desired preset station.

Turn counter­clockwise
(or press =
on the remote)
for lower preset
numbers.

Preset number

PRESET

To Do this

Turn off the radio Press POWER.
Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press

VOL +/– on the remote).

Turn clockwise
(or press +

+–

on the remote)
for higher
preset numbers.

Frequency

TUNED
STEREO

MHz

continued

VOLUME

Basic Operations

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in
the display.

Every time you press the button, the
band changes as follows:

Latin American models:
FM ˜ AM
Other models:
FM n MW n SW

n

13

Listening to the radio (continued)

To listen to non-preset radio
stations

Press TUNING MODE repeatedly so that
“MANUAL” appears in step 2, then tune in
the station by turning the jog dial.

Tips

• Pressing TUNER/BAND when the power is off
automatically turns the power on and tunes to the
last received station (One Touch Play).

• You can switch from another source to the radio
just by pressing TUNER/BAND (Automatic
Source Selection).

• When an FM program is noisy, press
STEREO/MONO so that “MONO” appears in the
display. There will be no stereo effect, but the
reception will improve. Press the button again to
restore the stereo effect.

• To improve broadcast reception, reorient the
supplied antennas.

Recording from the
radio

You can record the radio program on a tape
by calling up a preset station. You can use
TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes. The
recording level is automatically adjusted.

POWER

6

0)

3

2

1

π

·∏

§

‚º

π

ª·

§ §

DOLBY NR

5

‚º

π

ª·

π

74

1 Press TUNER/BAND to select the

band you want.

2 Press TUNING MODE so that

“PRESET” appears in the display.

3 Turn the jog dial to tune in a preset

station.

Turn counter­clockwise for
lower preset
numbers.

Preset number

PRESET

Turn clockwise
for higher

+–

preset numbers.

Frequency

TUNED
STEREO

MHz

VOLUME

14