Sony SCD-1 Operating Instruction

Super Audio CD Player

3-865-537-11(1)

Operating Instructions Mode d’emploi

GB FR

SCD-1

 1999 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.

For the customers in the United States

– 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.

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the Sony Super Audio CD Player. Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

About This Manual

The instructions in this manual are for model SCD-1.

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.

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:

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located at 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. SCD-1 Serial No. _________________________

The following caution label is located inside of the unit.

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.

For the customers in Europe

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

Conventions

• Instructions in this manual describe the controls on the player. You can also use the controls on the remote if they have the same or similar names as those on the player.

• The following icons are used in this manual:

Indicates that you can do the task using the remote.

Indicates hints and tips for making the task easier.

Features

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Playback of the Super Audio CD recorded in the DSD format

The DSD (Direct Stream Digital) format is the core technology of a Super Audio CD, allowing music reproduction that is extremely faithful to the original sound. The DSD format, using a 2.8224 MHz sampling frequency 64 times higher than that of a conventional CD, and the 1bit quantization, makes possible recording of more than four times the data information of the PCM format which is used for a conventional CD. Different from the PCM format which performs data decimation and interpolation via digital filters, the DSD format adopts the simple playback process. In other words, the A/D converted 1-bit digital signal only passes through an analog low-pass filter before playback. As a whole, the DSD format achieves both a wide frequency range of theoretically over 100 kHz, and a wide dynamic range across the audible frequency range at the same time, and results in high-quality music reproduction faithful to the original sound. To play back a Super Audio CD recorded in the DSD format with exceptional quality, the SCD-1 employs a newly developed DSD decoder and D/A converter system, as well as a chassis and loading mechanism especially designed for this unit.

Playback of a conventional CD with higher quality

The SCD-1 can also play back a conventional CD with higher quality than a conventional CD player. To provide enhanced quality, the SCD-1 employs various advanced technologies. For example, two independent optical pickups are incorporated; one is for Super Audio CDs, and the other for conventional CDs. In addition, a 24-bit precision variable coefficient (V.C.) digital filter is provided for CD playback (see page 19). By selecting one of five filters which have different cutoff characteristics, you can adjust the tone quality in accordance with the music source or your audio system.

Others

Getting Started 4

Before You Start the Hookup 4 Hooking Up the Audio Components 5 About the Switch Marked “STANDARD” on the

rear panel of the player 6 Hooking Up the Power 6 Compatible Disc Types 7

Location and Functions of Parts 8

Front Panel Parts Descriptions 8 Rear Panel Parts Descriptions 10 Remote Parts Descriptions 11

Playing Discs 12

Playing a Disc 12 Using the Display 13 Locating a Specific Track 15 Locating a Particular Point in a Track 16 Playing Tracks Repeatedly 16 Playing Tracks in Random Order (Shuffle Play) 17 Creating Your Own Programme (Programme

Play) 18 Listening to a CD Using a Filter (Digital Filter

Function) 19

Additional Information 20

Precautions 20 Notes on Discs 21 Cleaning the Turntable 21 Troubleshooting 22 Specifications 22 Index 23

• A Super Audio CD can mark up to 255 track/index numbers. Corresponding to that format, the SCD-1 incorporates a large 3-digit display.

• The supplied remote is capable of controlling either the SCD-1 and a conventional Sony CD player. (See D COMMAND MODE selector on page 10 and A CD1/ CD2 selector on page 11.)

Getting

Before You Start the Hookup

Started

This chapter provides information on the supplied accessories and how to connect various audio components to the Super Audio CD player. Be sure to read this chapter thoroughly before you actually connect anything to the player.

Checking the supplied accessories

This player comes with the following items:

• Audio connecting cord

(phono jack × 2 y phono jack × 2) (1)

• Mains lead (1)

• Plug adapter (U.S.A. and Canadian models only) (1)

• Stabilizer (1)

• Remote commander (remote) RM-DS1 (1)

• R03 (size-AAA) batteries (2)

Inserting batteries into the remote

Insert two R03 (size-AAA) batteries into the battery compartment with the + and – correctly oriented to the markings. When using the remote, point it at the remote sensor

on the player.

When to replace the batteries

Under normal conditions, the batteries should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the player, replace both batteries with new ones.

Notes

• Do not leave the remote in an extremely hot or humid place.

• Do not drop any foreign object into the remote casing, particularly when replacing the batteries.

• Do not use a new battery with an old one.

• Do not expose the remote sensor to direct sunlight or lighting apparatus. Doing so may cause a malfunction.

• If you do not intend use the remote for an extended period of time, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage and corrosion.

Hooking Up the Audio Components

Connect the Super Audio CD player to an audio component. Be sure to turn off the power of all components before making connections and connect securely to prevent noise.

Connecting via LINE OUT UNBALANCED jacks

Use an audio connecting cord for this connection. Be sure to match the colour-coded pin to the appropriate jacks: white (left) to white and red (right) to red.

Audio connecting cord (supplied)

White (L)

Red (R)

White (L)

Red (R)

Connecting via LINE OUT BALANCED connectors

Use an XLR (balanced) cord for this connection. When connecting an XLR (balanced) cord to the LINE OUT BALANCED connectors, set the BALANCED OUT ON/OFF switch on the rear panel of the player to ON.

XLR (balanced) cord (not supplied)

Connecting via DIGITAL OUT OPTICAL connector

Use an optical digital cable for this connection. When connecting the optical digital cable to the DIGITAL OUT OPTICAL connector, take the cap off the connectors and push the cable plugs in until they click into place. Be sure to show “16 bit” in the display by pressing DIGITAL OUT on the upper side of the player. Be careful not to bend or twist the optical cable.

Optical digital cable (not supplied)

Note

Only the audio signals of the CD can be output from the DIGITAL OUT connectors. Those of the Super Audio CD cannot be output through DIGITAL OUT.

Connecting via DIGITAL OUT COAXIAL connector

Use a coaxial digital cable to connect the audio components equipped with coaxial digital input connectors. When connecting the coaxial digital cable, be sure to show “16 bit” in the display by pressing DIGITAL OUT on the upper side of the player.

Coaxial digital cable (not supplied)

Getting Started

Polarity of LINE OUT BALANCED connector

1: GROUND 2: HOT (+) 3: COLD (–)

1 3 2

LINE OUT (ANALOG)

BALANCED

1:GROUND 2:HOT (+) 3:COLD ( )

UNBALANCED

BALANCED

OUT

OFF

Stereo amplifier, etc.

INPUT

COMMAND

MODE

CD1 CD2

Note

Only the audio signals of the CD can be output from the DIGITAL OUT connectors. Those of the Super Audio CD cannot be output through DIGITAL OUT.

DIGITAL OUT

STANDARD CUSTOM

TA - E1 / N1

COAXIAL

OPTICAL

~AC IN

About the Switch Marked “STANDARD” on the rear

Getting Started

panel of the player

The Super Audio CD includes high frequencies beyond the audible range, although the design of normal amplifiers and speakers is based on characteristics corresponding to the audible range. Therefore, if you increase the volume or treble excessively during Super Audio CD playback, noise may occur or the amplifier’s protect circuit may be activated. To prevent these problems, set the switch at the rear of this player in accordance with the connected amplifier. This enables you to match the output signal to the amplifier characteristics.

Hooking Up the Power

Connect the supplied mains lead to the AC IN terminal on the player.

About the mains lead

European models only

Connect the supplied mains lead to the mains.

Connecting to a normal amplifier

This switch is set to “STANDARD” at the factory. When you connect this player to a normal amplifier, leave the switch as it is. Never set it to “CUSTOM,” otherwise noise may be produced or the speakers and the amplifier may be damaged.

Connecting to the Preamplifier TA-E1 (not supplied) and the Power Amplifier TA-N1 (not supplied)

When you connect this player to the Preamplifier TA-E1 (not supplied) and the Power Amplifier TA-N1 (not supplied), remove the cover as illustrated below, and set the switch to “CUSTOM.” The “CUSTOM” mode enables you to enjoy wider range of frequencies.

U.S.A. and Canadian models only

The supplied mains lead has a 3-pronged grounded plug. If you are using 3-pronged grounded mains, the plug can be inserted directly into the mains. However, if the socket is a 2-pronged grounded mains, use the supplied plug adapter or a commercially available plug adapter.

3-pronged grounded mains

2-pronged polarized mains

• When the width of the mains are a different size

Use the supplied plug adapter.

3 to 2-prong polarized plug adapter

N pole

Note

When you record the audio signals of a Super Audio CD to a tape deck (Cassette deck etc.), set the switch to “STANDARD” even if the player is connected to the Preamplifier TA-E1 and the Power Amplifier TA-N1.

• When the width of the mains are the same size

Use a commercially available plug adapter. In this case, you can check the polarity of the mains with a commercially available spark-testing screwdriver. It is the pronged ground that does not light the neon grow lamp even if you insert the spark-testing screwdriver into the mains. Insert the blades so that the “N pole” can be inserted to the ground on the plug.

If noise (hum) is produced

Noise may be caused by an electric potential difference on the ground circuit.* In this case, use the supplied plug adapter and be careful not to connect the ground lead to anything.

* Although the ground of the domestic mains is normally a

safety ground, a few electrical potential differences may be produced, depending on the mains. Therefore, use of the supplied 3-pronged mains lead may lessen the quality of the audio signal or may produce humming noise.

Compatible Disc Types

You can play the following discs with this player. Depending on the type of disc to be played, select the appropriate indicator by pressing SACD/CD (pages 8,

12).

Super Audio CD (single layer disc)

This disc consists of a single HD layer*. Press SACD/CD repeatedly so that the SACD indicator on the upper side of the player lights. *High density signal layer for the Super Audio CD

HD (high density) layer

Super Audio CD (dual layer disc)

This disc consists of dual HD layers and is capable of extended play over long periods. Press SACD/CD repeatedly so that the SACD indicator on the upper side of the player lights. Also, as the dual layer disc consists of dual HD layers on one side only, it is not necessary to turn the disc over.

Super Audio CD + CD (Hybrid disc)

This disc consists of an HD layer and a CD layer. Press SACD/CD to select the layer you want to listen to. Also, as the dual layers are on one side, it is not necessary to turn the disc over. You can play the CD layer using a conventional CD player.

CD layer

HD layer

Incompatible Discs

This player cannot play the following discs. If you try to play them, the error message “TOC Error” will appear or there will be no sound.

• CD-ROM

• DVD etc.

Getting Started

HD layer

Conventional CD

This disc is the current format. Press SACD/CD repeatedly so that the CD indicator on the upper side of the player lights.

CD layer

+ 16 hidden pages