Sony MHC-GRX8 User Manual

Mini Hi-Fi Component System

Operating Instructions

3-862-015-11(1)

MHC-GRX8 / RX88 / RX99 / R800

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*. * Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. DOLBY and the double-D symbol a are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

Table of Contents

Getting Started

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

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

Step 3: Presetting radio stations .......... 7

Connecting optional AV components . 9

Basic Operations

Playing a CD ......................................... 12

Recording a CD .................................... 14

Listening to the radio........................... 15

Recording from the radio .................... 16

Playing a tape........................................ 17

Recording from a tape ......................... 19

The CD Player

Using the CD display........................... 20

Playing the CD tracks repeatedly ...... 21

Playing the CD tracks in random

order ................................................ 22

Programming the CD tracks ............... 23

Playing CDs without interruption ..... 24

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound ............................ 32

Selecting the audio emphasis ............. 33

Selecting surround effects ................... 34

Adjusting the graphic equalizer......... 34

Making a personal audio emphasis

file .................................................... 35

Switching the speaker formation*...... 36

Other Features

Using the Radio Data System

(RDS)** ............................................ 38

Singing along: Karaoke ...................... 40

Falling asleep to music ........................ 42

Waking up to music ............................. 42

Timer-recording radio programs ....... 44

Additional Information

Precautions ............................................ 45

Troubleshooting ................................... 46

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

Index....................................................... 51

The Tape Deck

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

Recording a CD by specifying track

order ................................................ 26

DJ Effects

Looping part of a CD ........................... 28

Flashing part of a CD ........................... 28

Using the drum pads ........................... 29

Using the beat functions...................... 30

* MHC-GRX8/RX99/R800 only **European model only

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.

Surround speaker* (Left)Surround speaker* (Right)

FM antenna

* MHC-GRX8/RX99/R800 only

Connect the speakers.

1 Connect the speaker cords of front

speakers to the SPEAKER jacks of the same color .

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

Insert only the stripped portion.

AM loop antenna

Front speaker (Left)Front speaker (Right)

Note

The type of speakers supplied vary according to the model you purchased (see “Specifications” on page 49).

2 (MHC-GRX8/RX99/R800 only)

Connect the speaker cords from the surround speakers to the appropriate SURROUND SPEAKER jacks. Connect

the solid cords to the red jacks and connect the striped cords to the black jacks.

Red (‘)

Black (’)

–

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

Insert only the stripped portion.

Solid (‘)

Stripe (’)

Notes

• Do not place the surround speakers on top of a TV. This may cause distortion of the colors in the TV screen.

• Be sure to connect both left and right surround speakers. Otherwise, the sound will not be heard.

Connect the FM/AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then connect it.

Jack type A

Extend the FM lead

AM loop antenna

antenna horizontally.

Jack type B

Extend the FM lead antenna horizontally.

–

AM loop antenna

Set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to

FM75 COAXIAL

position of your local power line voltage (for models with a voltage selector).

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

240V

230

120V

220V

FM75

Connect the power cord to a wall

outlet.

Demo mode appears in the display.

Deactivate the demo mode by

pressing DEMO when the system power is turned off.

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

continued

Step 1: Hooking up the system (continued)

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.

Step 2: Setting the time

You must set the time before using the timer functions.

The clock is on a 24-hour system for the European and Russian models, and a 12-hour system for other models.

The 12-hour system model is used for illustration purposes.

Inserting two size AA (R6) batteries into the remote

]

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]

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 LOOP and press so that

“LOCK” appears in the display.

3,52,4

1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

The hour indication flashes.

2 Turn the jog dial to set the hour.

3 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The minute indication flashes.

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 DEMO when the power is off.

Note

The previous explanation shows you how to set the time while the power is off. To change the time while the power is on, do the following: 1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET. 2 Turn the jog dial to select SET CLOCK. 3 Press ENTER/NEXT. 4 Perform steps 2 through 5 above.

Step 3: Presetting radio stations

You can preset the following number of stations:

– 2 band model: 20 for FM, 10 for AM. – 3 band model: 20 for FM, 10 for MW, and

10 for SW (or LW, depending on the model you purchased).

– 4 band model: 20 for FM, 10 for MW, 10 for

LW, and 5 for UKV.

(Power)

continued

Step 3: Presetting radio stations (continued)

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in the display.

The bands you can receive vary depending on the model you purchased. Be sure to check which bands you can receive.

Every time you press this button, the band changes as follows: 2 band model:

FM ˜ AM 3 band model: FM n MW n SW

FM n MW n LW

4 band model: FM n MW n LW n UKV*

* “STEREO PLUS” is displayed when

you select UKV.

2 Press and hold + or – until the

frequency indication starts to change, then release.

Scanning stops when the system tunes in a station. “TUNED” and “STEREO” (for a stereo program) appear.

TUNED

MONO

STEREO

ALL DISCS

kHz

MHz

VOLUME

3 Press TUNER MEMORY.

A preset number appears in the display.

Preset number

ALL DISCS

4 Turn the jog dial to select the preset

number you want.

5 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The station is stored.

6 Repeat steps 1 to 5 to store other

stations.

To tune in a station with a weak signal

Press + or – repeatedly in step 2 to tune in the station manually.

To change the preset number

Start over from step 1.

To change the AM tuning interval

(Except for the European, Russian and Middle Eastern models)

The AM tuning interval is factory set 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.

VOLUME

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

Tip

When you connect a Sony MD deck, you can use the MD (, P, and p buttons on this unit’s remote to perform play, pause, and stop operations.

To the audio input of the MD deck

Connecting a super woofer speaker

You can connect an optional super woofer speaker.

To super woofer

continued

Connecting optional AV components (continued)

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

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.

Jack type A

Screw clamp

75-ohm coaxial cable (not supplied)

FM75

Ground wire (not supplied)

Jack type B

IEC standard socket connector (not supplied)

Screw clamp

FM75 COAXIAL

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.

Jack type A

Screw clamp

Insulated wire (not supplied)

FM75

Ground wire (not supplied)

Jack type B

Insulated wire (not supplied)

Screw clamp

FM75 COAXIAL

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.

Basic Operations

Playing a CD

— Normal play

You can play up to three CDs in a row.

(Power)

DISC SKIP/

EX-CHANGE

VOLUME0 )= +

CD (

P p

= + 0 )

PLAY

MODE

1 Press § 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 CD (P (or CD ( 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

SYNC

ALL1 DISCS PROGRAM

SHUFFLE REPEAT1

Track number

Playing time

STEP

VOLUME

◊

√

◊

√

VOL +/–

To Do this

Stop play Press p. Pause Press CD (P (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 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 PLAY MODE CD you have repeatedly until “1 DISC” selected appears.

Play all CDs Press PLAY MODE repeatedly

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

CDs while EX-CHANGE. playing

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

Tips

• Pressing CD (P 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 CD (P 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 holding a CD is selected (or playing), the DISC 1~3 button for that tray lights green. When a disc tray holding a CD is not selected, the DISC 1~3 button for that tray lights orange. When all disc trays are empty, the DISC 1~3 buttons all light green.

Basic Operations

Recording a CD

— CD Synchro Recording

The CD SYNC 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)

DISC SKIP/

EX-CHANGE

DOLBY NR

1 Press § and insert a blank tape into

deck B.

With the side you want to record facing forward

2Press § 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 SYNC.

Deck B stands by for recording and the CD player stands by for playback. The indicator on TAPE B ( (for front side) lights up.

4 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

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

5 Press P PAUSE.

Recording starts.

To stop recording

Press p.

Tips

• If you want to record from the reverse side, press TAPE B 9 to light its indicator after pressing CD SYNC.

• 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” appears after pressing CD SYNC.

Note

You cannot listen to other sources while recording.

Listening to the radio

–– Preset Tuning

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

(Power)

VOLUME STEREO/

MONO

TUNER/BAND

= +

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in the display.

The bands you can receive vary depending on the model you purchased. Be sure to check which bands you can receive.

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

2 band model: FM ˜ AM 3 band model: FM n MW n SW

FM n MW n LW

4 band model: FM n MW n LW n UKV*

* “STEREO PLUS” is displayed when

you select UKV.

2 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

Turn clockwise (or press + on the remote) for higher preset numbers.

Frequency

Basic Operations

ALL DISCS

To Do this

Turn off the radio Press .

◊

√

◊

√

VOL +/–

Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press

VOL +/– on the remote).

VOLUME

kHz

MHz

continued

Listening to the radio (continued)

VOLUME

MHz

kHz

ALL DISCS

To listen to non-preset radio stations

Use manual or automatic tuning in step 2. For manual tuning, press + or – repeatedly. For automatic tuning, press and hold + or –.

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)

DOLBY NRp

1 Press TUNER/BAND to select the

band you want.

2 Turn the jog dial to tune in a preset

station.

Turn counterclockwise for lower preset numbers.

Preset number

Turn clockwise for higher preset numbers.

Frequency

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