Abbingdon Music Research CD Player CD 777 User Manual

CD-777

Compact Disk Processor

Owner’s Manual

DANGER - invisible laser radiation when opened and interlock failed or Do not use this unit near water; for example, near a bath tub, washbowl,

defeated. Avoid direct exposure to beam.

kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool.

Unplug the component from the wall outlet before cleaning. Never use

benzine, thinner or other solvents for cleaning; use only a soft dampcloth.

CAUTION - use of all controls, adjustment or performance of procedures

other than specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

Care should be taken so that objects do not fall, and liquids are not

spilled into the enclosure through any openings.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert

the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance

(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this component.

This component should be serviced only by qualified AMR service

personnel when:

The power cable or the power input socket has been damaged;

Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the component;

The component has been exposed to rain or liquids of any kind;

This component weighs over 10 kilograms. Do not place this

component on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table as the

component may fall causing serious injury to a child or adult and serious

damage to the unit. An appliance and cart combination should be

moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force and uneven surfaces

may cause the component and cart combination to overturn.

The component does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a

marked change in performance;

The component has been dropped or the enclosure has been damaged.

DO NOT ATTEMPT SERVICING OF THIS UNIT YOURSELF.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED AMR SERVICE

PERSONNEL

Upon completion of any servicing or repairs, request the service point’s

assurance that only AMR Authorised Replacement Parts with the same

characteristics as the original parts have been used, and that the routine

safety checks have been performed to guarantee that the component

is in a safe operating condition.

Any mounting of the device on a wall or ceiling should follow the

manufacturer’s instructions and should use a mounting accessory

recommended by the manufacturer.

Read and follow all the safety and operating instructions before

connecting or using this component.

REPLACEMENT WITH UNAUTHORIZED PARTS MAY

RESULT IN FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK OR OTHER

HAZARDS

All warnings on the component and in its operating instructions should

be adhered to.

Retain this Owner’s Manual for future reference.

Precautions

Keep the component and compact discs away from equipment with

strong magnets, such as microwave ovens or large loudspeakers.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits

set out in the EMC Directive using a connection cable shorter than 3

metres.

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place vessels filled with liquids,

such as vases, on the component.

On power sources

Running-In

The mains power cable should be routed so that it is not likely to be

walked on or pinched, especially near the plug or back panel receptacle.

The component should not be disconnected from the AC power source

as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the component itself

has been turned off.

AMR estimates that the CD-777 may take between 300-500 operating

hours for all of the internal components to be fully-broken in. Please

anticipate the sonic performance of the CD-777 to settle only after it

has been used for this approximate length of time.

Transporting/Moving the CD-777

Prior to any transportation/movement, ALWAYS remove the CD Clamp

and transport it seperately.

If this component is not going to be used for a long time, be sure to

disconnect the component from the wall outlet. To disconnect the AC

power cable, grasp the plug itself; never pull the cable.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

ATTENTION

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

NE PAS OUVRIR

On placement

The CD-777 will become warm during normal operation. Given this, it

is imperative that the installation of the CD-777 DOES NOT interfere

with its proper ventilation.

For example, it should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug or similar

surface that may block the top or bottom ventilation openings; or placed

in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet, that may impede

the flow of air through its top and bottom ventilation openings.

Do not place the component in a location near heat sources, or in a

place subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust, or mechanical shock.

Do not place the component in an inclined position. It is designed to be

operated in a horizontal position only. Do not place heavy objects on

the component.

Section 1 - Setup

Thank you for purchasing this AMR component.

We hope you derive as much pleasure from using this component as we have enjoyed making it for

you.

1.1 Unpacking

This section refers to the unpacking of the CD-777 and its subsequent setup.

Upon unpacking, please find:

CD-777 Reference Class Compact Disk Processor.

Aluminium CD puck.

ii.

iii.

iv.

RCD-777 Remote Commander (with 2 x AAA batteries).

Mains power cable.

Please check that

all contents are

present

CD-777 Owner’s Manual.

vi.

AMR Warranty Card.

Please ensure that all items are present. Should an item be missing, please contact yourAMR distributor/

dealer.

1.2 Setup

CD-777 System Setup (CD-777 + AM-777 + Speaker)

i. Unpack the CD-777.

ii. Remove the protective sheet from the acrylic front

panel.

System connec-

tion using RCA

connectors

Speaker R

Speaker L

iii. Ensure the CD-777 is located on a level and solid

surface capable of supporting at least 15 kgs.

iv. Connect the interconnects via the left (black) and

right (red) leads to the respective channels at the

rear of the CD-777.

v. Connect the other end of the interconnect’s left and

right channels to the respective inputs of the ampli-

fier.Ensure that the correct colour-coding is adhered

to.

Speaker Cable

No User Serviceable Components Inside.

For service, contact your Authorised

Dealer or Distributor. Any modifications to

this equipment will void all warranties.

Power

Off

CLASS 1

LASER PRODUCT

Speaker

Outputs

Pre-Main Amplifier AM-777

Great Britain

Inputs

Pre

Out

～

CAUTION ATTENTION

USB

Input

Link

Input

SERIAL NO.

AM-777

Interconnect Cable

vi. Connect the IEC end of the mains power cable to

the mains receptacle of the CD-777 and connect the

mains plug into a mains socket power source.

Optional IC-777

(RCA or XLR-

type)

Power

Off

No User Serviceable Components Inside.

For service,contact your Authorised

Dealer or Distributor.Any modifications to

this equipment will void all warranties.

Compact Disk Processor CD 777

Great Britain

Digital

～

Outputs

CLASS

LASER PRODUCT

USB

Input

Link

CAUTION ATTENTION

Output

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

NE PAS OUVRIR

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

interconnect

may be

purchased

separately

SERIAL NO.

CD-777

Section 2 - Component Overview

2.1 CD-777 Front Fascia

F1. STANDBY: to place the CD-777 in active or standby mode.

F2. REV/REVERSE: to select the previous track/fast reverse.

F3. PLAY/PAUSE: to initiate playback/pause once a compact disk has been correctly loaded.

F4. FWD/NEXT: to select the following track/fast forward.

F5. STOP: to halt/stop play.

2.2 CD-777 Rear Panel

R1. XLR outputs: for the connection of XLR interconnects.

R2. RCA outputs: for the connection RCA interconnects.

R3. USB input: for the connection of a USB input signal.

R4/5. S/P-DIF input & output: for the connection of an S/P-DIF source & of an external DAC.

R6. INFRA-RED link: for the connection of a wireline remote control.

R7. 115V/230V: to switch to the correct local mains voltage.

R8. IEC power connector: for the connection of mains power cable to the CD-777.

R9. POWER: to switch on mains electricity to the CD-777.

2.3 RCD-777 Remote Control

RC1. Numeric Pad: to enter track selections.

RC2. REPEAT: to select a repeat mode.

RC3. A-B: to select an excerpt from a track for repeat.

RC4. DAC: with a USB or S/P-DIF input connection made, to

bypass the transport and enter DAC mode.

RC1

RC2

RC15

RC5. STANDBY: to place the CD-777 in active or standby mode.

RC6. REV/REVERSE: to fast reverse or select the previous track.

RC7. STOP: to halt/stop play.

RC8. PLAY/Pause: to commence playback or to pause playback.

RC9. FWD/NEXT: to fast forward or select the following track.

RC10. SAMPLING: to cycle through the 6 different Optisample® modes.

RC11. BRIGHTNESS : to switch between 4 different brightness

levels including display off.

RC12. TIME: to alternate between the display of current track or

time remaining.

RC13. PROGRAM: to program an order of playback.

RC14. SCAN: to commence a 10 second or 30 second scan of

each track.

RC3

RC5

RC14

RC12

RC4

RC13

RC11

RC6

RC10

RC8

RC9

RC7

RC15. SHUFFLE: to select random shuffle of music tracks.

Section 3 - Notes on Operation

3.1 Operation

3.1.1 Power On/Off

Press the ‘POWER’ (R9) at the rear of the CD-777 to switch mains power ON to the CD-777.

To switch the mains power OFF, press again and release. Always wait at least 20 seconds before

switching on again. This is to enable the circuits in the CD-777 to shutdown properly.

The display will light up to indicate the unit is switched on and ready for use. This should take just

under 1 minute as the CD processor is warming up.

3.1.2 Standby

Put the CD-777 into STANDBY mode.

3.1.3 Play/Pause

During playback, at anytime, pressing PLAY/PAUSE again, on either the front fascia or the RC-777,

playback will be paused. To resume playback, press PLAY/PAUSE once more.

3.1.4 FWD/Next

At any time, pressing FWD (F4) once on either the front fascia or the RC-77, the next track will be

selected. By holding down FWD (F4) or (RC9), playback will fast forward until the button is released.

3.1.5 REV/Reverse

At any time, pressing REV (F2) once on either the front fascia or the RC-77 (RC6), the previous track

will be selected. By holding down REV (F2) or (RC6), playback will reverse until the button is released.

3.1.6 Numeric Pad (RCD-777 only)

This encapsulates the numbers 0-9 on the numeric pad. By pressing any combination of the

numeric keys, a desired track may be selected directly.

For example, to select Track 2, press 2; to select Track 21, press 2 and then 1.

3.1.7 DAC Input (RCD-777 only)

The DAC button (RC4) is for the replay of music on the CD-777 from music stored on a computer

hard-drive via a USB-to-USB cable connection or any external digital source equipped with an

electrical S/P-DIF output.

To establish the connection between the CD-777 and an S/P-DIF source:

To use the S/P-

DIF connection

the USB

connection

must be

Power ON the CD-777.

ii.

iii.

iv.

On the RCD-777 press the DAC button (RC4) to place the CD-777 in DAC mode.

Power ON the S/P-DIF source.

disconnected

Connect the S/P-DIF cable between the CD-777 and the source.

To establish the connection between the CD-777 and a computer USB source:

Power on the CD-77.

ii.

iii.

iv.

On the RCD-777, press the DAC button (RC4) to place the CD-777 in DAC mode.

Power ON the personal computer.

Connect the USB cable between the CD-777 and the personal computer.

Go to Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager. In Device Manager

wait until the personal computer has recognised the CD-777 as a USB Audio Device.

This is found under the Sound, video and game controllers category.

Go to Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Audio. Make sure USB Audio

Device is selected as the default device under the Sound playback box.

vi.

vii. Select and playback music on the personal computer using suitable software (Apple

iTunes®, Foobar®, Winamp®, Windows Media Player®, Windows Media Center®

et al).

3.1.8 OptiSample® (RCD-777 only)

The CD-77 Compact Disk Processor offers 6 user-selectable methods of Sampling that can be cycled

through during playback by pressing the OptiSample® button (RC10) on the RCD-777. The sampling

options are:

Digital Master II

is the

benchmark for

playback

a. Digital Master I – this mode directly takes the data extracted from the CD and re-clocked to

generate the music signal. Due to the complete lack of digital or analogue filtering, the treble frequencies

are slightly rolled off, making the sound somewhat soft and laid-back. For the same reason, the mid-

range and below is very natural and realistic. The reproduction of impulses is undistorted. This mode

often helps to tame overly-bright recordings.

b. Digital Master II (default) – this mode is identical to Digital Master I but complements this with a

special analogue filter which corrects the roll-off in the treble frequencies. As a result, the tonality is

more accurate in the treble. We therefore recommend this mode as the benchmark with which to

enjoy music.

OptiSample

modes c to f

offer more

typical versions

of digital

playback

c. Oversampling 2x – this mode engages the Digital Filter with an oversampling factor of 2, thus

performing the least digital processing possible (except for no digital processing). The original data

from the CD is in effect discarded and re-placed with a re-computed version. This new version of the

music is mainly linearly scaled up using a whole number as scaling factor and resolution/edge enhanced.

The sonic result of oversampling mirrors those of resolution enhancement in digital photographs:

more apparent detail is noticeable. However, impulse reproduction is slightly distorted, leading often to

a slight perception of an edginess or graininess.

d. Oversampling 4x – this mode engages the Digital Filter with an oversampling factor of 4, performing

quite a large degree of digital manipulation. The original data from the CD is in effect discarded and re-

placed with a re-calculated version. This new version of the music is mainly linearly scaled up using a

whole number as scaling factor and resolution/edge enhanced. The sonic result of Oversampling 4x

is similar to that of Oversampling 2x; except more accentuated.

e. Upsampling at 96kHz – this mode engages the Upsampler with a sampling frequency of 96kHz,

performing quite a large degree of digital manipulation. The original data from the CD is in effect

discarded and re-placed with a re-calculated version. This new version of the music is non-linearly

scaled up using a complex number as scaling factor and resolution/edge enhanced. The sonic result

of upsampling is similar to oversampling; however there are subtle degrees of change in the tonality

due to a shift in the harmonic spectrum as a result of the complex number which underlies the scaling.

f. Upsampling at 192kHz – this mode engages the Upsampler with a sampling frequency of 192kHz,

performing a very large degree of digital manipulation. The original data from the CD is in effect discarded

and re-placed with a re-calculated version. This new version of the music is non-linearly scaled-up

using a complex number as scaling factor and resolution/edge enhanced. The sonic result of 192kHz

upsampling is similar to 96kHz upsampling. However, as the complex numbers that underlie the

upsamplings are different to oversampling, the shift in the harmonic spectrum is not the same: hence

tonality is somewhat different.

3.1.9 Program (RCD-777 only)

Press the PROGRAM button (RC13) and:

Program No: 01

will be displayed.

Thereafter select the track via the numeric keypad (RC1).

Program No: 02

will then be displayed and the same routine is repeated. To commence playback, press PLAY/PAUSE

(RC8).

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Symptom

Possible cause

Solution

“Disc Error” or “No

Disc” is shown

• dirty or heavily scratched CD disc

• wrong disc type

• clean the CD disc

• replace with a proper CD disc

Disc spinning

erratically

• dirty or heavily scratched CD disc

• CD puck improperly attached

• clean the CD disc

• replace CD puck properly

No power when the

power button is set

to ON

• poor or no power plug connection

at power point

• blown fuse at mains plug

• insert the power plug firmly into the AC

• change mains plug fuse

No sound

• incorrect audio cable connections

• incorrect operation of Amplifier

• ensure the CD-777 is correctly connected

• ensure input selector on the amplifier is set to

CD-777

Remote control

does not work

• batteries in remote control handset

have expired

• replace batteries

• object obscuring remote sensor

on the CD-777, no “line of sight”

• Interference from fluorescent lights

• remove any objects directly in front of the

CD-777

• turn off fluorescent lights or redirect the

light away from the CD-777

A “humming” sound

can be heard

• loose cable connections

• re-attach the loose cables correctly