XR-C353 - Car stereo SONY - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL XR-C353 SONY

Welcome! Thank you for purchasing the Sony Cassette Car Stereo. This unit lets you enjoy a variety of features by using a rotary remote. In addition to the tape playback and the radio operation you can expand your system by connecting an optional CD/MD changer (XR-C353 only).

Table of contents This Unit Only

With Optional Equipment

Getting Started Resetting the unit Detaching the front panel Preparing the rotary remote Setting the clock

CD/MD Changer (XR-C353 only) 4 4 4 5

Cassette Player Listening to a tape 5 Playing a tape in various modes 6

Playing a CD/MD Scanning the tracks — Intro scan Playing tracks repeatedly — Repeat play Playing tracks in random order — Shuffle play

Radio Memorising stations automatically — Best Tuning Memory (BTM) 7 Memorising only the desired stations 7 Receiving the memorised stations 7

Other Functions Using the rotary remote Adjusting the sound characteristics Muting the sound Changing the sound and beep tone

Additional Information Precautions Maintenance Dismounting the unit Location of controls Specifications Troubleshooting guide Index

Attaching the front panel

Attach part A of the front panel to part B of the unit as illustrated and push until it clicks.

Resetting the unit Before operating the unit for the first time or after replacing the car battery, you must reset the unit. Press the reset button with a pointed object, such as a ballpoint pen.

EN Note Pressing the reset button will erase all the memorised programme and memory functions.

Detaching the front panel The front panel of this unit can be detached to prevent the unit from being stolen.

Press (OFF). Press (RELEASE) to open up the front panel, and detach the panel by pulling it towards you. (RELEASE)

B A Notes • Make sure the front panel is the right way up when attaching it to the unit as it cannot be attached upside down. • Do not press the front panel hard against the unit when attaching it to the unit. It can easily be attached by pressing it lightly against the unit. • When you carry the front panel with you, put it in the supplied front panel case. • Do not press hard or give excessive pressure to the display windows of the front panel. • Do not expose the front panel to direct sunlight, heat sources such as hot air ducts or leave it in a humid place. Never leave it on the dashboard etc. of a car parked in direct sunlight where there may be a considerable rise in temperature inside the car.

Caution alarm If you turn the ignition key to the OFF position without removing the front panel, the caution alarm will beep for a few seconds (only when the POWER SELECT switch is set to the A position). If you connect an optional power amplifier and do not use the built-in amplifier, the beep tone will be disabled.

Preparing the rotary remote Notes • Be sure not to drop the panel when detaching it from the unit. • If you press (RELEASE) to detach the panel while the unit is still turned on, the power will automatically turn off to protect the speakers from being damaged.

When you mount the rotary remote, attach the label in the illustration below.

DSPL MODE SEL Setting the clock The clock has a 24-hour digital indication.

For example, setting it to 10:08

Press (OFF) or (DSPL) during operation.

Press (DSPL) for two seconds.

Playback will start automatically. If a cassette is already inserted, press (SOURCE) repeatedly until “TAPE” is displayed.

2 Press (SEL) momentarily.

The side facing up is being played.

Press (DSPL) momentarily.

The side facing down is being played. Tip To change the tape transport direction, press (MODE) (*) during tape playback.

To Stop playback Eject the cassette

Getting Started/Cassette Player

1000 The minutes digits flashes.

1008 The clock starts.

Note If the POWER SELECT switch on the bottom of the unit is set to the B position, the clock cannot be set unless the power is turned on. Set the clock after you have turned on the radio.

Fast-winding the tape During playback, press either side of (SEEK/AMS) for two seconds.

SEEK AMS Fast-forward Rewind

To start playback during fast-forwarding or rewinding, press (MODE) (*).

Locating the beginning of a track — Automatic Music Sensor (AMS) You can skip up to nine tracks at one time. During playback, press either side of (SEEK/AMS) momentarily. To locate the succeeding tracks

SEEK AMS To locate the preceding tracks Note The AMS function may not work when : • the blanks between tracks are shorter than 4 seconds • there is noise between tracks • there are long sections of low volume or quiet sections.

Changing the displayed items Each time you press (DSPL) momentarily during tape playback, the displayed item changes as follows: z Tape playback

EN * While the ATA function is activated.

Playing a tape in various modes Searching for the desired track — Intro scan Press (1) during playback. “INTRO” appears on the display. The first 10 seconds of all the tracks are played. When you find the desired track, press again. The unit returns to the normal playback mode.

Playing tracks repeatedly — Repeat play Press (2) during playback. “REP” appears on the display. When the current played track is over, it will be played again from the beginning. To cancel this mode, press again.

Playing a CrO2 or metal tape Press (4) when you want to listen to a CrO2 (TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape. “MTL” appears on the display. To cancel this function, press (4).

Switching to the radio while fastwinding a tape — Automatic Tuner Activation (ATA) Press (5) during playback. “ATA” appears on the display. When fast-forwarding or rewinding with (SEEK/AMS), the tuner will turn on automatically. To cancel this mode, press (5).

Skipping blanks during tape playback — Blank skip Press (6) during playback. “BL.SKIP” appears on the display. Blanks longer than eight seconds will automatically be skipped during tape playback. To cancel this mode, press (6).

Radio Memorising stations automatically — Best Tuning Memory (BTM) This function selects from the currently received band the stations with the strongest signals and memorises them in order of their frequency. PREVENTING ACCIDENTS! When tuning in while driving, use the automatic tuning or memory preset search function instead of manual tuning.

Up to 6 stations on each band (FM1, FM2, FM3, MW and LW) can be stored on the preset number buttons in the order of your choice. Therefore, 18 FM stations can be memorised. If you try to store another station on the same preset number button, the previously stored station will be erased.

Press (SOURCE) repeatedly to select the tuner.

Press (MODE) repeatedly to select the band.

Press (SEEK/AMS) to search for the station you wish to store on a preset number button.

Press the desired preset number button ((1) to (6)) for two seconds.

EN TAPE n TUNER n CD/MD (XR-C353 only)

Press (MODE) repeatedly to select the band. Each time you press (MODE), the band changes as follows: FM1 n FM2 n FM3 n MW n LW

Press (BTM) for two seconds.

Notes • The unit will not store stations with weak signals on the preset number buttons. If there are only a few stations received, some preset number buttons will remain empty. • When there is a preset number indicated on the display, the unit will store stations on all preset number buttons from the one currently displayed.

The number of the selected preset number button appears on the display.

Receiving the memorised stations 1

Press (SOURCE) repeatedly to select the tuner.

Press (MODE) repeatedly to select the band.

Press the preset number button ((1) to (6)) momentarily on which the desired station is stored.

Cassette Player/Radio

Press (SOURCE) repeatedly to select the tuner. Each time you press (SOURCE), the source changes as follows:

Memorising only the desired stations

Tip Press either side of (PRESET/DISC) to receive in order the stations stored in the memory (Preset Search Function) (XR-C353 only).

Changing the displayed items Each time you press (DSPL), the display changes between the frequency and the clock.

If you cannot tune in a preset station Press either side of (SEEK/AMS) momentarily to search for the station (automatic tuning). Scanning stops when a station is received. Press either side of the button repeatedly until the desired station is received. Note If the automatic tuning stops too frequently, press (LCL) momentarily to lights up “LCL” on the display (local seek mode). Only the stations with relatively strong signals can be tuned in. Tip If you know the frequency, press and hold either side of (SEEK/AMS) until the desired station is received (manual tuning).

EN Using the rotary remote The rotary remote works by pressing buttons and/or rotating controls. You can control the optional CD and MD changer by the rotary remote.

By pressing buttons (the SOURCE and the MODE buttons)

Every time you press (SOURCE), the source changes as follows: TAPE n TUNER n CD/MD (XR-C353 only) Pressing (MODE) changes the operation in the following ways: • the tape transport direction. • the band, FM1 n FM2 n FM3 n MW n LW. • the CD/MD changer. (XR-C353 only) Tip You can turn on this unit by pressing (SOURCE) on the rotary remote.

By rotating the control (the SEEK/ AMS control)

Rotate the control momentarily and release it to: • Locate the beginnings of the tracks on the tape. Rotate and hold the control, and release it to fast-wind the tape. To playback, rotate and hold the control again, and release it. • Locate a specific track on a disc. Rotate and hold the control until you locate the specific point in a track, then release it to start playback. (XR-C353 only) • Tune in the stations automatically. Rotate and hold the control to tune in the specific station.

By rotating the control while pushing in (the PRESET/DISC control)

Push in and rotate the control: • Receive the stations memorised on the preset button. • Change the disc. (XR-C353 only)

Select the item you want to adjust by pressing (SEL) repeatedly. VOL (volume) n BAS (bass) n TRE (treble) n BAL (balance) n FAD (fader)

Adjust the selected item by pressing either (+) or (–).

Adjust within three seconds after selecting. (After three seconds the button will again serve as the volume control button.)

Press (MUTE)to mute the sound.

OFF Rotate the VOL control to adjust the volume.

Adjusting the sound characteristics

Press (SEL) to adjust and select.

Press (DSPL) to change the display items.

Changing the operative direction The operative direction of controls is factory preset as in the illustration below. To increase

Press (MUTE). The “MUTE” indication flashes. To restore the previous volume level, press again. Tip The unit decreases the volume automatically when a telephone call comes in (Telephone-mute function) (XRC353 only).

EN Radio/Other Functions

Press(OFF) to turn off the unit.

Changing the sound and beep tone Boosting the bass sound — D-Bass

If you need to mount the rotary remote on the right side of the steering column, you can reverse the controls' operative direction.

Press (SEL) for two seconds while pushing in the VOL control.

You can enjoy clear and powerful bass sound. The D-bass function boosts the low frequency singal with a sharper curve than conventional bass boost. You can hear the bass line more clearly even if the vocal sound is the same volume. You can emphasize and adjust the bass sound easily with the D-bass control. This effect is similar to the one you get when you use an optional subwoofer system. Moreover, the Digital D-bass* function creates even sharper and more powerful bass sound than Analog D-bass.

continue to next page n

0dB With Optional Equipment D-BASS 3

Adjusting the bass curve Turn the D-BASS control to adjust the bass level (1, 2 or 3). “D-BASS”* appears in the display. To cancel, turn the control to the OFF position. * If an optional CD changer has the Digital D-BASS function, “DIGITAL D-BASS” appears on the display during CD playback (XR-C353 only).

Muting the beep tone

EN Press (6) while pressing (SEL). To obtain the beep tone again, press these buttons once more. Note If you connect an optional power amplifier and do not use the built-in amplifier, the beep tone will be disabled (XRC353 only).

CD/MD Changer (XR-C353 only) You can control up to two CD or MD changers with this unit.

Playing a CD/MD Press (SOURCE) until the desired changer indication appears on the display. CD/MD playback starts. When a CD/MD changer is connected, all the tracks play from the beginning. Note Even if you select an MD changer, “CD” appears in the display.

Selecting CD/MD changers (when several CD/MD changers are connected) Press (MODE) repeatedly to select the desired CD/MD changer.

Changing the displayed items Each time you press (DSPL) during CD/MD playback, the item changes as follows: $ Elapsed playback time $ Disc and track number $ Clock

Locating a specific track — Automatic Music Sensor (AMS) During playback, press either side of (SEEK/AMS) once for each track you wish to skip. To locate the succeeding tracks

SEEK AMS To locate the preceding tracks

Locating a specific point in a track — Manual search During playback, press and hold either side of (SEEK/AMS). Release the button when you have found the desired part. To search forward

SEEK AMS To search backword

To repeat all the discs in the current changer Press (2) repeatedly during CD/MD playback until “REP 3” is displayed. Each time you press (2) the display changes as follows: REP 2 REP 1 (Track repeat) (Disc repeat)

Switching to other discs During playback, press either side of (PRESET/DISC).

Cancel (Normal disc playback mode)

REP 3 (Changer repeat)

PRESET DISC To return to the previous disc

To advance to the next disc

— Intro scan The first 10 seconds of all the tracks on the current disc are played in order. After the first disc is over, the next disc is played. Press (1) during playback. “INTRO” appears on the display. When you find the desired track, press again . The unit returns to the normal CD/MD playback mode.

To play the tracks on the current disc in random order Press (3) repeatedly during CD/MD playback until “SHUF 1” is displayed.

To play all the tracks in the current changer in a random order Press (3) repeatedly during CD/MD playback until “SHUF 2” is displayed. Each time you press (3) the display changes as follows: $ SHUF 1 (Disc shuffle)

EN Other Functions/CD/MD Changer

Playing tracks in random order — Shuffle play

$ SHUF 2 (Changer shuffle)

Playing tracks repeatedly

$ Cancel (Normal disc playback mode)

— Repeat play To repeat a track Press (2) repeatedly during CD/MD playback until “REP 1” is displayed.

If you press (1) during shuffle play, the first 10 seconds of all tracks will be played in random order.

To repeat a disc Press (2) repeatedly during CD/MD playback until “REP 2” is displayed.

Additional Information Precautions • If your car was parked in direct sunlight resulting in a considerable rise in temperature inside the car, allow the unit to cool off before operating it. • If no power is being supplied to the unit, check the connections first. If everything is in order, check the fuse. • If no sound comes from the speakers of a 2-speaker system, set the fader control to the centre position. • When the tape is played back for a long period, the cassette may become warm because of the built-in power amplifier. However, this is not a sign of malfunction.

EN If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit that are not covered in this manual, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Notes on Cassettes Cassette care • Do not touch the tape surface of a cassette, as any dirt or dust will contaminate the heads. • Keep cassettes away from equipment with built-in magnets such as speakers and amplifiers, as erasure or distortion on the recorded tape could occur. • Do not expose cassettes to direct sunlight, extremely cold temperatures or moisture. • Slack in the tape may cause the tape to be caught in the machine. Before you insert the tape, use a pencil or similar object to turn the reel and take up any slack.

• Distorted cassettes and loose labels can cause problems when inserting or ejecting tapes. Remove or replace loose labels.

To maintain high quality sound If you have drink holders near your audio equipment, be careful not to splash juice or other soft drinks onto the car audio. Sugary residues on this unit or cassette tapes may contaminate the playback heads, reduce the sound quality, or prevent sound reproduction altogether. Cassette cleaning kits cannot remove sugar from the tape heads.

Cassettes longer than 90 minutes The use of cassettes longer than 90 minutes is not recommended except for long continuous play. The tapes used for these cassettes are very thin and tend to be stretched easily. Frequent playing and stopping of these tapes may cause them to be pulled into the cassette deck mechanism.

Dismounting the unit

Fuse Replacement When replacing the fuse, be sure to use one matching the amperage rating stated on the fuse. If the fuse blows, check the power connection and replace the fuse. If the fuse blows again after replacement, there may be an internal malfunction. In such a case, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Warning Never use a fuse with an amperage rating exceeding the one supplied with the unit as this could damage the unit.

The unit may not function properly if the connectors between the unit and the front panel are not clean. In order to prevent this, open the front panel by pressing (RELEASE), then detach it and clean the connectors with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Do not apply too much force. Otherwise, the connectors may be damaged.

Release key (supplied)

EN Additional Information

Cleaning the Connectors

Back of the front panel

Location of controls

INTRO MODE SOURCE OFF DSPL SEEK AMS REPEAT

MTL LCL D-BASS OFF 1 2

PRESET RELEASE EN MUTE Refer to the pages for further details. 1 SEEK/AMS button 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11

9 RELEASE (front panel release) button 4, 13

2 SOURCE button (TAPE/TUNER/CD*/MD*) 5, 7, 10

!º Reset button (located on the front side of the unit hidden by the front panel) Press this button when you use this unit for the first time, when you have changed the car battery, or when the buttons of this unit do not function properly.

!¡ MUTE button 9 !™ SEL (control mode select) button 5, 9, 10 !£ POWER SELECT switch (located on the bottom of the unit) See “POWER SELECT Switch” in the Installation/Connections manual. !¢ Display window !∞ BTM (Best tuning memory) button 7 !§ PRESET/DISC button* 7, 11 During tuner reception: Preset station select 7 During CD/MD playback: Disc select 11 !¶ LCL button 8 !• D-BASS control 9 * XR-C353 only

The illustration of the front panel in the manual is of the XR-C353.

Specifications Cassette player section

Tape track Wow and flutter Frequency response Signal-to-noise ratio

Power requirements Dimensions Mounting dimensions Mass Supplied accessories

Optional accessories

MW/LW Tuning range Aerial terminal Intermediate frequency Sensitivity

MW: 531 – 1,602 kHz LW: 153 – 281 kHz External aerial connector 10.71 MHz/450kHz

MW: 30 µV LW: 50 µV Optional equipment

Power amplifier section Outputs

Speaker outputs (sure seal connectors) Speaker impedance 4 – 8 ohms Maximum power output 35 W × 4 (at 4 ohms)

EN Additional Information

65.0 – 74.0 MHz (at 30 kHz step) 87.5 – 108.0 MHz (at 50 kHz step) Aerial terminal External aerial connector Intermediate frequency 10.7 MHz Usable sensitivity 8 dBf Selectivity 75 dB at 400 kHz Signal-to-noise ratio 65 dB (stereo), 68 dB (mono) Harmonic distortion at 1 kHz 0.5 % (stereo), 0.3 % (mono) Separation 35 dB at 1 kHz Frequency response 30 – 15,000 Hz Capture ratio

2 dB Power aerial control lead Power amplifier control lead (XR-C353 only) Telephone mute control lead (XR-C353 only) Line out (XR-C353 only) Bass ±8 dB at 100 Hz Treble ±8 dB at 10 kHz 12 V DC car battery (negative ground) Approx. 188 × 58 × 181 mm (w/h/d) Approx. 182 × 53 × 164 mm (w/h/d) Approx. 1.2 kg Parts for installation and connections (1 set) Front panel case (1) Rotary commander RM-X2S Bus cable (supplied with an RCA pin cord) RC-61 (1 m), RC-62 (2 m) RCA pin cord RC-63 (1 m), RC-64 (2 m), RC-65 (5 m) CD changer CDX-705 (10 discs), CDX-T60 (6 discs), CDX-T62 (6 discs), MD changer MDX-60, MDX-61 Source selector XA-C30

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Troubleshooting guide The following checklist will assist in the correction of most problems you may encounter with your unit. Before going through the checklist below, refer to the operating procedures.

• Adjust the volume with (+). • Set the fader control to the center position for 2-speaker systems.

Indications do not appear on the display.

Remove the front panel and clean the connectors. See “Cleaning the Connectors” in “Maintenance” for details.

• An optional power amplifier is connected and you are not using the built-in amplifier (XR-C353 only). • The beep tone is muted.

Playback sound is distorted.

Contamination of the tape head. n Clean the head.

The AMS does not operate correctly.

• There is noise in the space between tracks. • A blank space is too short (less than four seconds). • + on (SEEK/AMS) is pressed immediately before the following track. • = on (SEEK/AMS) is pressed immediately after the track starts. • A long pause, or a passage of low frequencies or very low sound level is treated as a blank space.

Radio reception Problem

Preset tuning is not possible.

• Store the correct frequency. • The broadcast is too weak.

Automatic tuning is not possible.

The broadcast is too weak. n Use manual tuning.

Disc play (XR-C353 only)

Playback sound skips.

A dusty or defective disc.

Error displays (XR-C353 only) (when the optional CD/MD changer(s) is connected) The following indications will flash for about five seconds and an alarm sound will be heard. Display

The disc magazine is not inserted in the CD/MD changer.

Insert the disc magazine with discs into the CD/MD changer.

No disc is inserted in the disc magazine.

Take out the magazine and insert a disc.

The disc is inserted upside down.

Insert the disc correctly.

TEMP The CD/MD changer cannot be operated because of some problem.

Press the reset button on the unit.

The ambient temperature is more than 50° C.

Wait until the temperature goes below 50° C.

If the above-mentioned solutions do not help to improve the situation, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

EN Additional Information

D, E DIGITAL D-BASS (D-Bass) Display 6, 10

L Local seek mode (LCL)

R Radio 7 Repeat play 6, 11 Reset 4 Rewind 5 Rotary remote 4, 8, 9

SOURCE MODE OFF DSPL SEEK AMS SEL INTRO REPEAT

SOURCE MODE OFF DSPL SEEK AMS INTRO REPEAT

SOURCE MODE OFF DSPL SEEK AMS INTRO REPEAT

D-BASS 3 D-BASS 2 D-BASS 1

SOURCE MODE OFF DSPL SEEK AMS SEL INTRO REPEAT

Sony Corporation Printed in Japan