Abbingdon Music Research CD-777 Premier Class User manual

CD-777 Premier Class
Compact Disk Processor
Owner’s Manual
Ver 1.7.4

2
FCC Declaration of Conformity - United States only
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCCWARNING:
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to op-
erate the equipment.
NOTE:
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 interfer-
ence 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:
- 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.
Canadian Notice (Avis Canadien)
Class B Equipment
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du
Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
This products complies with the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and the
Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) issued by the Commission of the
European Community.
Compliance with these directives implies conformity to the following
European Norms (in parentheses are the equivalent international stand-
ards and regulations):
o EN55022 (CISPR 22) - Electromagnetic Interference
o EN55024 (IEC61000-4-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11) - Electromagnetic Immunity
o EN61000-3-2 (IEC61000-3-2) - Power Line Harmonics
o EN61000-3-3 (IEC61000-3-3) - Power Line Flicker
o EN60950 (IEC60950) - Product Safety
Laser Safety
This CD player has been designed and manufactured according to FDA
regulations "title 21,CFR, chapter 1, subchapter J, based on the Radia-
tion Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968", and is classified as a
Class 1 laser product.

3
DANGER - invisible laser radiation when opened and interlock failed or
defeated. Avoid direct exposure to beam.
CAUTION - use of all controls, adjustment or performance of proce-
dures other than specified herein may result in hazardous radiation
exposure.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (serv-
icing) instructions in the literature accompanying this component.
This component weighs over 10 kilograms. Do not place this compo-
nent on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table as the compo-
nent 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.
Any mounting of the device on a wall or ceiling should follow the man-
ufacturer’s instructions and should use a mounting accessory recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
Read and follow all the safety and operating instructions before con-
necting or using this component.
!
All warnings on the component and in its operating instructions should be
adhered t o. Retain this Owner’s Manual for future reference.
Do not use this unit near water; for example, near a bath tub, washbowl,
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.
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall, and liquids are not spilled
into the enclosure through any openings.
This component should be serviced only by qualified AMR service person-
nel when:
A. The power cable or the power input socket has been damaged;
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the component;
C. The component has been exposed to rain or liquids of any kind;
D. The component does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a
marked change in performance;
E. 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 PERSON-
NEL
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.
REPLACEMENT WITH UNAUTHORIZED PARTS MAY RESULT
IN FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK OR OTHER HAZARDS

4
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 im-
pede 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.
CAUTION ATTENTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
Precautions
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.
On power sources
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 recepta-
cle. The component should not be disconnected from the AC power
source as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the compo-
nent itself has been turned off.
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.
Keep the component and compact discs away from equipment with strong
magnets, such as microwave ovens or large loudspeakers.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place vessels filled with liquids,
such as vases, on the component.
Running-In
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.

5
Contents
WARNINGS 3
Section 1 - Unpacking and Setup
1.1 Unpacking 7
1.2 Setup 8
Section 2 - Component Overview
2.1 CD-777 Front Panel 9
2.2 CD-777 Rear Panel 10
2.3 RCD-777 Remote Control 11
Section 3 - Operation/Functions
3.1 Power ON/OFF 13
3.2 Standby 13
3.3 Loading 14
3.4 Display 14
3.5 Play/Pause 14
3.6 Stop 14
3.7 FWD/Forward 15

6
3.8 REV/Reverse 15
3.9 Numeric Pad (RCD-777 only) 15
3.10 Repeat (RCD-777 only) 16
3.11 A-B (RCD-777 only) 16
3.12 kHz/OptiSample® (RCD-777 only) 17
3.13 Brightness (RCD-777 only) 19
3.14 Time (RCD-777 only) 19
3.15 Scan (RCD-777 only) 19
3.16 Program (RCD-777 only) 20
3.17 Shuffle (RCD-777 only) 21
Section 4 - Transport/DAC
4.1 DAC Input (RCD-777 only) 23
4.2 Transport Output (RCD-777 only) 24
AppendixA - Troubleshooting 25

7
Thank you for purchasing this AMR Premier Class 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:
i. CD-777 Premier Class Compact Disk Processor.
ii. Aluminium CD puck.
iii. RCD-777 Remote Commander.
iv. Mains power cable.
v. CD-777 Owner’s Manual.
vi. AMR Warranty Card.
vii. AMR System Test Disk.
viii. USB cable.
Please ensure that all items are present. Should an item be missing, please contact yourAMR distributor/dealer.
Please check that all
contents are present
Section 1 - Unpacking and Setup

8
Optional IC-777
(RCAorXLR-type)
interconnect may
be purchased
separately
i. Unpackthe CD-777.
ii. Removethe protective sheetfromthe acrylic front
panel.
iii.Ensurethe CD-777islocatedonalevel and solid
surface capable of supporting at least 15 kgs.
iv. Connectthe interconnects via the left (black) and
right(red)leads to the respective channels at the
rearof theCD-777.
v. Connecttheotherend of the interconnect’s left
and right channels to the respective inputs of the
amplifier.Adhereto thecorrectcolour-coding.
vi. Connect the IEC end of the mains power cable to
themainsreceptacle of the CD-777 and connect
the mains plug into a mains socket power
source.
1.2 Setup
CD-777 System Setup (CD-777 + AM-777 + Speaker)
The following diagram graphically illustrates the standard connection of the CD-777 in a two-channel system.
Outputs
R
Great Britain
Compact Disk Processor CD 777
-
Outputs
L
Digital
Input
Output
CAUTION ATTENTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
No User Serviceable Components Inside.
,
.
.
For service contact your Authorised
Dealer or Distributor Any modifications to
this equipment will void all warranties
CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT
～
AC
SERIAL NO.
!
USB
Input IR
Link
Power
On Off
RL
～
AC
Power
On Off
LR
M
MM
SERIALNO.
!
14
3
2
Pre
Out
USB
Input
IR
Link
L
R
Speaker
Outputs
Inputs
R
L
No User Serviceable Components Inside.
,
.
.
For service contact your Authorised
Dealer or Distributor Any modifications to
this equipment will void all warranties
CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT
CAUTION ATTENTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
8R
4R
Input 1
Great Britain
Pre Main Amplifier AM 777
--
RL
～
AC
Power
On Off
LR
M
MM
SERIALNO.
!
14
3
2
Pre
Out
USB
Input
IR
Link
L
R
Speaker
Outputs
Inputs
R
L
No User Serviceable Components Inside.
,
.
.
For service contact your Authorised
Dealer or Distributor Any modifications to
this equipment will void all warranties
CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT
CAUTION ATTENTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
8R
4R
Input 1
Interconnect Cable Interconnect Cable
Speaker R
HF
LF
HF
LF
Speaker L
CD 777-
CD 777-
AM 777-
AM 777-
Speaker CableSpeaker Cable

9
2.1 CD-777 Front Panel
Section 2 - Component Overview
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/FORWARD: to select the following track/fast forward.
F5. STOP: to halt/stop play.
F5
F4
F3
F2
F1

10
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/off mains electricity to the CD-777.
R4
R3
R2
R1 R6
R5 R8
R7 R9

11
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 to repeat.
RC4. DAC: to alternate between transport, integrated and DAC modes.
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/FORWARD: to fast forward or select the following track.
RC10. kHz/SAMPLING: to cycle through the 6 Optisample® modes.
RC11. BRIGHTNESS: 4 different brightness levels including display off.
RC12. TIME: to alternate between 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.
RC15. SHUFFLE: to select random shuffle of music tracks.
RC4
RC3
RC1
RC6
RC2
RC5
RC7
RC11
RC10
RC14
RC13
RC12
RC9
RC8
RC15

12
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13
3.1 Power On/Off
Use the rocker switch ‘POWER’ (R9) at the rear of the CD-777 to switch mains power ON/OFF to the CD-777.
Always wait at least 30 seconds before switching on again. This is to enable the circuits in the CD-777 to
shutdownproperly.
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.
3.2 Standby
After start-up, pressing the STANDBY button on either the front panel (F1) or the RCD-777 (RC5), the CD-777
will switch to STANDBY mode:
Standby
By pressing either of these buttons button again, the CD-777 will commence warm-up to prepare for operation.
Under STANDBY mode, power to CD-777’s digital circuit is kept active in order to provide the optimum perform-
ance for the next listening session. However, power to the valves will be switched off to preserve valve life.
Standby will
maintain power to
the non-valve
circuitry
OncepoweredOFF:
always wait 30
seconds before
switching on again
Section 3 - Operation/Functions

14
3.3 Loading
To play a compact disc, slide back the top-loading CD door. Remove the CD puck and place the compact disc in the
large circular recess in the well, with its transparent playing surface facing down. The label side of the compact disc
MUST face UP.
Replace the CD puck in the centre and close the lid. Make sure the CD puck is correctly centred and positively
engaged.
Close the CD door so that the CD-777 is able to scan the compact disc’s TOC (Table of Contents) and display the
total number of tracks and playing time.
NOTE: The CD-777 has been designed to play all types of compact discs including the CD layer of hybrid SACDs.
However, as such discs are thicker, please ensure the CD puck is positively engaged with the spindle. We do not
recommend the placement of any type of ‘damping disc’ on top of a compact disc.
3.4 Display
The display provides information about playback status and the optical pickup’s location on the compact disc.
3.5 Play/Pause
During playback, at anytime, pressing PLAY/PAUSE again, on either the front panel (F3) or the RCD-777 (RC8),
playback will be paused.
3.6 Stop
At any time, pressing the STOP button once on either the front panel (F5) or the RCD-777 (RC7) will halt playback.
Always use the CD
puck

15
3.7 FWD/Forward
At any time, pressing FWD/Forward once on either the front panel (F4) or the RCD-777 (RC9), the next track will
be selected. By holding down FWD/Forward playback will fast forward until the button is released.
3.8 REV/Reverse
At any time, pressing REV/Reverse once on either the front panel (F2) or the RCD-777 (RC6), the previous track
will be selected. By holding down REV/Reverse, playback will reverse until the button is released.
3.9 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’.

16
3.10 Repeat (RCD-777 only)
If the REPEAT button (RC2) is pressed once:
Repeat One
will be displayed and the current track will be repeated.
If the REPEAT button (RC2) is pressed AGAIN:
Repeat All
will be displayed: once the last track of the compact disc has been played, instead of stopping, the CD-777 will
revert to Track 1.
3.11 A-B (RCD-777 only)
The A-B button (RC3) is for the manual selection of a chosen piece of music within a track for repetition.
When the A-B button (RC3) is pressed once;
Repeat One

17
will be displayed with the letter ‘B’ flashing. This means that it has commenced the selection of that passage of
music. By pressing theA-B button (RC3) again:
Repeat All
will be displayed with the letter ‘B’ no longer flashing. This is to confirm the particular passage of music has been
identified and repeat will commence.
To cancel this program, press the A-B button (RC3) again.
3.12 kHz/OptiSample® (RCD-777 only)
The CD-777 Compact Disk Processor offers 6 user-selectable methods of Sampling that can be cycled through
during playback by pressing the kHz/Sampling button (RC10). The sampling options are:
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.
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
DigitalMasterIIis
thebenchmarkfor
playback

18
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.
OptiSamplemodesc
throughtofoffer
moretypicalver-
sionsof digital
playback

19
3.13 Brightness (RCD-777 only)
The BRIGHTNESS button (RC11) allows for the adjustment of the display on the front panel of the CD-777.
There are 4 different brightness settings including display off. Unlike other CD machines, with a separate power
supply, the CD-777’s display has no impact upon the sonic performance.
3.14 Time (RCD-777 only)
Normally the display will show the time elapsed since the beginning of the current track but pressing the TIME
button (RC12), the display will show and cycle through:
Elapsed Track Time > Track Remaining
> Total Remaining
3.15 Scan (RCD-777 only)
Press the SCAN button (RC14) once:
Intro Scan 10s
will be displayed and the first 10 seconds of every track will be played before moving onto the next track until all
tracks have been played.

20
By pressing the SCAN button again:
Intro Scan 30s
will be displayed and the first 30 seconds of every track will be played until all tracks have been played.
3.16 Program (RCD-777 only)
Press the PROGRAM button (RC13) and:
Program No: 01
willbe displayed.
Thereafter select the track via the Numeric Pad (RC1).
Program No: 02
will then be displayed and the same routine is repeated. To commence playback, press PLAY/PAUSE (RC8).