Sony MHC-S7AV User Manual

4-233-737-15(1)

Mini Hi-Fi

Component

System

Operating Instructions

MHC-S7AV

© 2001 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.

The following caution label is located inside the apparatus.

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

To prevent fire, do not Cover the ventilation of the apparatus with news papers, 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.

Don’t throw a battery, dispose it as the injurious wastes.

This system incorporates Dolby* Digital, Pro Logic Surround, DTS**, and the DTS Digital Surround System.

*Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.

“Dolby”, “Pro Logic” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

Confidential unpublished works. © 1992-1997 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved.

**Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US Pat. No. 5,451,942, 5,956,674, 5,974,380, 5,978,762 and other world-wide patents issued and pending. “DTS” and “DTS Digital Surround” are registered trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. © 1996, 2000 Digital

Theater Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

The MHC-S7AV consists of the following components:

– A/V amplifier	TA-S7AV
– Tuner	ST-S5
– CD player	CDP-S3
– Cassette deck	TC-S3
– Speaker system
• Front speakers	SS-S9
• Center speaker	SS-CT270
• Rear speakers	SS-RS270

2

Table of Contents
Parts Identification
Main unit ...............................................	4
Remote Control .....................................	6
Getting Started
Hooking up the system ..........................	7
Inserting two size AA (R6) batteries into
the remote ........................................	9
Multi channel surround
setup ..............................................	10
Setting the time ....................................	13
Saving the power in
standby mode ................................	13
CD
Loading a CD ......................................	14
Playing a CD
—Normal Play/Repeat Play/Shuffle
Play ................................................	14
Programming the CD tracks
— Program Play ............................	15
Using the CD display ..........................	16
Tuner
Presetting radio stations .......................	17
Listening to the radio
— Preset Tuning ...........................	17
Using the Radio Data System (RDS)* .......	18
Tape
Loading a tape .....................................	19
Playing a tape ......................................	19
Recording to a tape
— CD Synchro Recording/
High-Speed Dubbing/Recording
Manually/Program Edit .................	20
Timer-recording radio programs .........	21

Sound Adjustment
Adjusting the sound .............................	23
Selecting a sound field ........................	23
Understanding the multi
channel surround displays .............	25
Customizing sound fields ....................	25
Other Features
Changing the spectrum analyzer
display ...........................................	29
To adjust the brightness of the display ......	29
Falling asleep to music
— Sleep Timer ..............................	29
Waking up to music
— Daily Timer ..............................	29
Hooking Up the Optional
Components
Connecting audio components ............	31
Additional Information
Precautions ..........................................	32
Troubleshooting ...................................	33
Specifications ......................................	35
Table for the settings using SUR, EQ,
and SET UP buttons ......................	38
Adjustable parameters for each sound
field ...............................................	39
* European model only.

3

Parts Identification

The items are arranged in alphabetical order.

Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details.

Main unit

A/V amplifier

1	2	3	4	5	6 7
	A	B	C
	O
	P p
	o

qg qf qdqsqaq;

98

CINEMA STUDIO A–C3 (24) DIGITAL 7 (31, 35) ENTER/O/o/P/p 2 (10, 12,

13, 15, 21, 22, 26–30) EQ qa (27)

EQ ON/OFF qs (10, 27) FILE SELECT q; (23, 28)

FUNCTION 6 (10, 14, 15, 20, 21, 31)

MIC jack (Except for European model) 9 (31)

MIC LEVEL (Except for European model) 8 (31)

MULTI CHANNEL DECODING indicator 4 (25)

PHONES jack qg

SET UP qd (10, 12, 26, 28, 29) SUR qf (25)

VOLUME 5

@/1 (power) 1 (9, 10, 17, 35)

Tuner

qh	qjqk ql		w;
	–	+
	–	+
wh wgwf	wd ws		wa

CLOCK/TIMER wg (13, 21, 29) DISPLAY qh (13, 16, 18, 29, 35) ENTER w; (17, 18)

IR receptor wh

PRESET +/–ws (17, 18)

PTY (European model only) wa (18)

STEREO/MONO qj (17) TIMER SELECT wf (22, 30) TUNER/BAND wd (17) TUNER MEMORY qk (17) TUNING +/–ql (17)

4

CD player

wjwkwl		e; ea			DISC 1–3ek (14, 15, 21)
					DISC 1–3 indicatorsej
					DISC 1–3Z (eject) wl (14)
					PLAY MODE wj (14, 15, 21)
		m	M		REPEAT wk (14)
		.	>	es	N (play) eh (14, 15)
1	2 3	H	S x	ed	X (pause) eg (14)
					x (stop) ef (14, 20)
					. (go back) ed (14, 15, 21)
					> (go forward) es (14, 15, 21)
ek	ej	ehegef			m (rewind) e; (14)
					M (fast forward) ea (14)

Cassette deck

						CD SYNC rh (20, 21)
th	> M			M >	el	DIRECTION t; (19, 20, 21)
tg	. m			m .	r;	DOLBY NR rl (19, 20)
tf	H	hAUTO REVERSE H	hAUTO REVERSE H	H	ra	EDIT rk (21)
td	h			h	rs	HI-DUB rj (20)
ts	x			x	rd	REC PAUSE/START rg (20, 21)
ta	A			A	rf	– Deck A –
						N (forward play) tf (19, 35)
						n (reverse play) td (19, 35)
		t;rl	rkrjrhrg			x (stop) ts (19)
						M/> (fast forward/go
						forward) th (19)
						m/. (rewind/go back) tg
						(19)
						Z (eject) ta (19)
						– Deck B –
						N (forward play) ra (19, 20, 35)
						n (reverse play) rs (19, 20, 35)
						x (stop) rd (19, 20)
						M/> (fast forward/go
						forward) el (19)
						m/. (rewind/go back) r;
						(19)
						Z (eject) rf (19)

Identification Parts

5

Remote Control

1 2 3

es ea e; wl wk wj wh

wg

H

hH

hH

.> x

m M X

O

P p

o

4

5

6

7

8

9

q;

qa

	wf	qs
		qd
	wd
		qf
	ws
		qg
	wa

w;	qh
ql
qk	qj

CD H es (14, 15) CHECK 5 (15) CLEAR 6 (15)

CLOCK/TIMER SELECT qj (30)

CLOCK/TIMER SET qk (13, 21, 29)

DBFB qg (23)

DISPLAY ws (13, 16, 18, 29, 35) D.SKIP 4 (14)

ENTER wg (10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26–30)

EQ qd (27)

EQ ON/OFF qf (10, 28) FUNCTION wf (10, 14, 15, 20,

21, 31) GROOVE wa (23)

SET UP qs (10, 12, 26, 28, 29) SLEEP 7 (29)

SUR wd (25)

TAPE A hH ea (19, 35) TAPE B hH e; (19, 20, 35) TUNER/BAND wl (17) TUNING + 9 (17)

TUNING –wh (17) TV CH +/–ql

TV VOL +/–w;

TV @/1 2

TV/VIDEO 1 VOL +/–qh

BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS

@/1 (power) 3 X (pause) q; x (stop) 8

. (go back) wk > (go forward) wj m (rewind) wh M (fast forward) 9

O/o/P/p qa

6

Getting Started

Hooking up the system

Do the following procedure 1 to 8 to hook up your system using the supplied cords and accessories.

Before connecting, place the system as described below.

	FM antenna
	AM loop antenna
Rear speaker	Center speaker
(Right)

4

5

Rear speaker (Left)

4

	Tuner
6	1 2D

2A

2B

A/V amplifier

3 7

8

4 5

CD player

2C

Cassette deck

	2E
3	3

Front speaker	Front speaker
(Right)	(Left)

continued

Started Getting

7

Hooking up the system (continued)

1Connect the CD player and the tuner with the optical cable.

Connect from the OPTICAL OUT jack on the CD player to the OPTICAL IN jack on the tuner.

1 Remove the cover of the jack.

OPTICAL

IN

FROM

CDP-S3

2 Connect the optical cable.

OPTICAL

IN

FROM

CDP-S3

2Connect the flat system control cables to the SYSTEM CONTROL connectors until it clicks.

Connect to the same colored jack in the order indicated on the rear panel.

A SYSTEM CONTROL 1 (Red)

Connect from the tuner to the A/V amplifier.

B SYSTEM CONTROL 2 (Blue)

Connect from the tuner to the A/V amplifier.

C SYSTEM CONTROL 3 (Black)

Connect from the CD player to the tuner.

D SYSTEM CONTROL 4 (Black)

Connect from the tuner to the cassette deck.

E SYSTEM CONTROL 5 (White)

Connect from the cassette deck to the CD player.

To disconnect

SYSTEM CONTROL 3

FROM CDP-S3

3 Connect the front speakers.

Connect the speaker cords to the FRONT SPEAKER jacks.

Insert only the stripped portion.

R	L
+
–

Red/Solid (3)

Black/Stripe (#)

4Connect the rear speakers.

Connect the speaker cords to the REAR

SPEAKER jacks.

Insert only the stripped portion.

+	R	L
+
–
Gray/Solid (3)
Black/Stripe (#)

5Connect the center speaker.

Connect the speaker cords to the CENTER

SPEAKER jacks.

Insert only the stripped portion.

+	R	L
+
–

Gray/Solid (3)

Black/Stripe (#)

8

6Connect the FM/AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then connect it.

Jack type A

AM loop antenna

AM

FM75

Extend the FM lead

antenna horizontally.

Jack type B

AM loop antenna	AM

FM75

COAXIAL

Extend the FM lead antenna horizontally.

7For models with a voltage selector, set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to the position of your local power line voltage.

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

230-240V 220V 120V

8Connect 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).

Tip

You can place the components as described below. In this case, place the components first, then connect the components.

Tuner

CD player

A/V amplifier

Cassette deck

To attack the center and rear speaker pads

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

Notes

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

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

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

Inserting two size AA (R6)

batteries into the remote

		]
	}	}
		]

Tip

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.

continued

Started Getting

9

Inserting two size AA (R6) batteries into the remote (continued)

Notice for carrying this system

Do the following to protect the CD mechanism.

1Turn on the system, then turn FUNCTION to select “CD”.

Make sure that all discs are removed from the unit.

2While holding down EQ ON/OFF, press ?/1 until “LOCK” appears.

3Release ?/1 first, then release EQ ON/ OFF.

4Unplug the AC power cord.

Multi channel surround

setup

For the best possible surround sound, all speakers should be the same distance from the listening position (A). However, this unit lets you to place the center speaker up to 1.5 meters closer (B) and the rear speakers up to

4.5 meters closer (C) to the listening position. The front speakers can be placed from 1.0 to 12.0 meters from the listening position (A).

You can place the rear speakers either behind you or to the side, depending on the shape of your room (etc.).

When placing rear speakers to your side

B

A A

45°

C

C

90°

20°

When placing rear speakers behind you

B

A A

45°

C

C

90°

20°

Note

Do not place the center speaker farther away from the listening position than the front speakers.

Specifying the speaker parameters

1 Press SET UP.

2 Press P or p repeatedly to select “SP. SETUP”.

3 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

4 Press P or p repeatedly to select the parameter you want to adjust.

See the table on page 38 for the speaker parameters.

5 Press O or o repeatedly to select the setting you want.

The setting is stored.

6 Repeat steps 4 and 5 to set the speaker parameters.

7 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

x Center speaker selection (CENTER)

•If you connect a center speaker, select “YES”.

•If you do not connect a center speaker, select “NO”. The sound of the center channel will be output from the front speakers.

x Rear speaker selection (REAR)

•If you connect rear speakers, select “YES”.

•If you do not connect rear speakers, select “NO”.

10

x Rear speaker position (R.PL.)*

This parameter lets you specify the location of your rear speakers for proper implementation of the Digital Cinema Sound surround modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields. Refer to the illustration below.

•Select “SIDE” if the location of your rear speakers corresponds to section A.

•Select “MIDDLE” if the location of your rear speakers corresponds to section B.

•Select “BEHIND” if the location of your rear speakers corresponds to section C.

This setting only effects the surround modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields (“VIRTUAL” indicator in the display lights up).

The bass frequencies are effectively reproduced from the speakers.

	90°
A	60°	A
B	30° B

CC

20°

x Rear speaker height (R.HGT.)*

This parameter lets you specify the height of your rear speakers for proper implementation of the Digital Cinema Sound surround modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields. Refer to the illustration below.

•Select “LOW” if the location of your rear speakers corresponds to section A.

•Select “HIGH” if the location of your rear speakers corresponds to section B.

This setting only effects the surround modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields (“VIRTUAL” indicator in the display lights up).

B B

60

AA

30

*These parameters are not available when “Rear speaker selection (REAR)” is set to “NO”.

Tip

The rear speaker position parameter is designed specifically for implementation of the Digital Cinema Sound modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields.

With the Digital Cinema Sound modes, speaker position is not as critical as other modes. All of the modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields were designed under the premise that the rear speaker would be located behind the listening position, but presentation remains fairly consistent even with the rear speakers positioned at a rather wide angle. However, if the speakers are pointing toward the listener from the immediate left and right of the listening position, the “VIRTUAL” sound fields will not be effective unless the rear speaker position parameter is set to “SIDE”.

Nevertheless, each listening environment has many variables, like wall reflections, and you may obtain better results using “BEHIND” or “MIDDLE” if your speakers are located high above the listening position, even if they are to the immediate left and right. Therefore, although it may result in a setting contrary to the “Rear speaker position” explanation, we recommend that you playback multi channel surround encoded software and listen to the effect each setting has on your listening environment. Choose the setting that provides a good sense of spaciousness and that best succeeds in forming a cohesive space between the surround sound from the rear speakers and the sound of the front speakers. If you are not sure which sounds best, select “BEHIND” and then use the speaker distance parameter and speaker level adjustments to obtain proper balance.

continued

Started Getting

11

Multi channel surround setup (continued)

x Subwoofer selection (SUB W.)

•If you connect a subwoofer, select “YES”.

•If you do not connect a subwoofer, select “NO”.

•In order to take full advantage of the Dolby Digital bass redirection circuitry, we recommend setting the subwoofer’s cut off frequency as high as possible.

x Front speaker distance (F.DIST.)

Set the distance from your listening position to the front (left or right) speaker (A on page 10).

x Center speaker distance (C.DIST.)

Set the distance from your listening position to the center speaker (B on page 10).

x Rear speaker distance (R.DIST.)

Set the distance from your listening position to the rear (left or right) speaker (C on page 10).

Tip

This unit allows you to input the speaker position in terms of distance. However, it is not possible to set the center speaker further than the front speakers.

Also, the center speaker cannot be set more that 1.5 meters closer than the front speakers. Likewise, the rear speakers can not be set farther away from the listening position than the front speakers. And they can be no more than 4.5 meters closer.

This is because incorrect speaker placement is not conducive to the enjoyment of surround sound. Please note that, setting the speaker distance closer than the actual location of the speakers will cause a delay in the output of the sound from that speaker. In other words, the speaker will sound like it is farther away.

For example, setting the center speaker distance 1–2 m closer than the actual speaker position will create a fairly realistic sensation of being “inside” the screen. If you cannot obtain a satisfactory surround effect because the rear speakers are too close, setting the rear speaker distance closer (shorter) than the actual distance will create a larger soundstage. Adjusting these parameter while listening to the sound often results in much better surround sound. Give it a try!

x Distance unit (DIST.UNIT)

Lets you select either feet or meters as the unit of measure for setting distances.

To reset the speaker settings

1 Press SET UP.

2 Press P or p repeatedly to select “RESET MENU”.

3 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

4 Press P or p repeatedly to select “SP. SET. RESET”.

5 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

All the speaker settings are reset to the factory settings.

To cancel

Press SET UP.

Adjusting the speaker volume

1 Press SET UP.

2 Press P or p repeatedly to select “TEST TONE”.

3 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

4 Press O or o repeatedly to select “ON”.

You will hear the test tone from each speaker in sequence.

5 Adjust the LEVEL parameters so that the volume of the test tone from each speaker sounds the same when you are in your main listening position (see page 26).

6 To turn off the test tone, repeat steps 1 to 3 and press O or o repeatedly to select “OFF”.

Notes

•The adjustments are shown in the display during adjustment.

•Although these adjustments can be made via the front panel, we recommend you follow the procedure described above and adjust the speaker levels from your listening position using SET UP button on the remote.

12

Setting the time

1 Turn on the system.

2 Press CLOCK/TIMER (or CLOCK/TIMER SET on the remote).

When you set the time for the first time, proceed to step 5.

3 Press O or o repeatedly to select “CLOCK SET”.

4 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

5 Press O or o repeatedly to set the hour.

6 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

7 Press O or o repeatedly to set the minutes.

8 Press ENTER (A/V amplifier or remote).

Tip

If you have made a mistake or want to change the time, start over from step 2.

Note

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

Saving the power in

standby mode

Press DISPLAY repeatedly when the power is off.

Each time you press the button, the system switches cyclically as follows:

Demonstration t Clock t Power Saving

Mode

To cancel the Power Saving Mode

Press DISPLAY once to show the demonstration, twice to show the clock display.

Tips

•?/1indicator lights up even in the Power Saving Mode.

•The timer functions during the Power Saving Mode.

Note

During the Power Saving Mode, the following functions do not work:

–Setting the time.

–Changing the AM tuning interval (except for European and Middle Eastern models).

–One Touch Play function.

Started Getting

13

CD

Loading a CD

1 Press one of the DISC 1–3Z buttons.

The disc tray slides out.

2 Place a CD with the label side up on the disc tray.

When you play a
CD single, place it
on the inner circle	1	2	3	H	S	x
of the tray.

To insert additional discs, press Z of the other numbers to open the disc tray.

3 Press the same button to close the disc tray.

Playing a CD

— Normal Play/Repeat Play/Shuffle

Play

This unit lets you play the CD in different play modes.

Disc tray number Track number		Playing time

1 Turn FUNCTION to select “CD”.

2 When playback is stopped, press PLAY MODE repeatedly until the mode you want appears in the display.

Select	To play
ALL DISCS	All CDs in the disc tray
	continuously.
1 DISC	The CD you have selected in the
	original order.
ALL DISCS	The tracks on all CDs in random
SHUFFLE	order.
1 DISC	The tracks on the CD you have
SHUFFLE	selected in random
	order.
PROGRAM	The tracks on all CDs in the
	order you want them to be played
	(see “Programming the CD
	tracks” on page 15).

3 Press N (CD) (or CD H on the remote).

Tip

You cannot change the play mode during playback.

Other operations

To	Do this
Stop playback	Press x (CD).
Pause playback	Press X.
	Press again to resume playback.
Select a track	During playback or pause, press
	> (CD) (to go forward) or
	. (CD) (to go back).
Find a point in a	Press and hold M or m
track	(CD) during playback and
	release it at the desired point.
Select a CD when	Press one of the DISC 1–3
playback is	buttons (or D.SKIP on the
stopped	remote).
Switch to CD	Press one of the DISC 1–3
function from	buttons (Automatic Source
another source	Selection).
Play repeatedly	Press REPEAT during playback
(Repeat Play)	until “REPEAT” or “REPEAT
	1” appears.
	REPEAT*: For all the tracks on
	the CD up to 5 times.
	REPEAT 1: For a single track
	only.
	To cancel Repeat Play, press
	REPEAT until “REPEAT” and
	“REPEAT 1” disappears.
Remove the CD	Press one of the DISC 1–3Z
	buttons.

*You cannot use this function during ALL DISCS SHUFFLE.

Note

Do not use force to close the disc tray, as this may cause the CD player trouble. Always close the disc tray by pressing one of the DISC 1–3Z buttons.

14