Sony TC-WR545 Primary User manual

S O NY. 3-758-385-22(1)
Stereo
Cassette Deck
Operating Instructions
TC-WR545/WR741
¢.
© 1994 by Sony Corporation

WARNING
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located on 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. Serial No.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose the unit to rain or moisture.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
00 NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
OO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
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:
— 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 modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your authority
to operate this equipment.
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.
This apparatus complies with the Class B limits for radio
noise emissions set out in Radio Interference Regulations.
NOTICE FOR CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
A moulded plug complying with BS 1363 is fitted to this
equipment for your safety and convenience.
Should the fuse in the plug supplied need to be replaced, a
5 AMP fuse approved by ASTA or BSI to BS 1362, (i.e.
marked with © or Y mark) must be used.
If the plug supplied with this equipment has a detachable
fuse cover, be sure to attach the fuse cover after you
change the fuse. Never use the plug without the fuse
cover. If you should lose the fuse cover, please contact
your nearest Sony service station.
IMPORTANT
If the plug supplied is not suitable for the socket outlets in
your home, it should be cut off and an appropriate plug
fitted in accordance with the following instructions.
The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance
with the following code:
Blue: Neutral
Brown: Live
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this
apparatus may not correspond with the coloured markings
identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the
terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured
black. The wire which is coloured brown must be
connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter
Lor coloured red. Do not connect either wire to the earth
terminal in the plug which is marked by the letter E or by
the safety earth symbol + or coloured green or green-and-
yellow.
WARNING
To prevent shock hazard, do not insert the plug cut off from
the mains lead into a socket outlet. This plug cannot be used
and should be destroyed.

IFlel(=meyi Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started
FO Atu resis ssicsacscustcssssoacosncocesideosessasucesedesessscsisouscesdedeiaselca teres cntsbasatee
Unpacking
Checking the supplied accessories ..........
Notes on installation .........sssssssssssssssssessecsssoses
Checking the operating voltage ...
Hooking up the system
Before you Degim..........sssssrsseeess
Hooking up an amplifier ............ssssssssssssssssees
Identifying the parts on the front panel
Chapter 2 Playback
Playing back .....s.ccsssesssseroscssssessessssesssrsceersenssssesasscsssssssssesesessnvesvees 7
Playing back both decks in succession — Relay Play ............. 8
Locating a selection — Multi-AMS
(Automatic Music Sensor) ........ssssssssssssseecssessesssesseceneecneesse 9
Playing back automatically after rewinding — Auto Play ...10
Playing back selections in a specified order
— RMS playback (TC-WR545 Only) ......sccssessesssesessesseeens 10
RMS programming using a Sony stereo receiver
FEMOL! COMMANET ..........ssssecesssrecsseessonvenssesssseeressecssosscenscees 11
Chapter 3 Recording
Recording (only on deck B) .......cssssessssesees Sksboedesovsossseseobsssaians 12
Adjusting the recording level........ sdesgenssancasscutsoncebnscusssnssto 13
Recording FM broadcasts with the Dolby NR system
CTC-WRSA4S Only) crssrecsosscccssosissasssoessoonssercessiaeossnsecnscasnepebatte 13
What is the Dolby HX PRO system? (TC-WR545 only).. =
Protecting a recording ...........cccsseseseerssssssseessreseescsesensesnesese
Automatic bias current and recording level calibration
(TC-WR545 only) ...esosecsoscsssscrssesssessseccssnscssersssssenosessvssnesessses 14
Inserting a blank space during recording
— Record Mutting .........ssecssscsesseeesescresssscsssssencenscesnseneesecesseees 15
Chapter 4 Other Operations
Dubbing a tape .........sssscsssssssserseerssesesvessnrsssssssesssesesensessessenssssoes 16
Dubbing only specific portions ............scssssssssssssssssssesecencennesse 17
Dubbing selections in a specified order
— RMS dubbing (TC-WR545 only) ........ssssessssssssesessseneseses 18
Chapter 5 Additional information
Maintenance ........ccecsserosserscsnecsessnessnecensesssssssesssssecssscsssssecenesenceees
Cleaning the heads and tape path ...
Demagnetizing the heads..........sssessssssssssesesvees
Cleaning the cabinet
Specifications .........cseccsservees
Troubleshooting guide ..........-sssssssrssrsssssssessesssssesssoesecsescessneees
ad
-_— =
Chapter 1 Getting Started
For higher quality recording/playback
¢B and C type Dolby* NR systems which reduce tape noise.
¢ Dolby HX PRO* system for higher linearity in the tape’s
high-range response during recording (TC-WR545 only).
¢ Automatic calibration to obtain the best recording
conditions for every tape (TC-WR545 only).
For your convenience
¢ Automatic tape type detection during playback and
recording.
A relay function for long playback.
¢ Synchronized dubbing at normal or high speed.
‘e Multi-AMS function for easy access to specific selections.
¢RMS function for playing back or recording specific
selections in the order you want (TC-WR545 only).
For easier operation
¢Twin easy-to-read digital counters showing the elapsed
recording or playing time on each deck.
Differences between the models
This instruction manual covers the TC-WR545 and TC-
WR741. The TC-WR545 has the following features which
are not found in the TC-WR741.
e Automatic calibration function
¢RMS function
¢MPX FILTER switch
¢Dolby HX PRO* system
e PHONES jack
Note: All illustrations in this manual show the TC-WR545.
* Dolby noise reduction and HX Pro headroom extension
manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation. HX Pro originated by Bang & Olufsen.
“DOLBY”, the double-D symbol 00 and “HX PRO” are trademarks
of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
FR ee mem wae le eet, Sa AEROS TPB em ete ee ce

On safety
*Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet,
unplug the unit and have it checked by qualified personnel
before operating it any further.
*Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if it will not be used
for a long time. To disconnect the cord, pull it out by
grasping the plug. Never pull the cord itself.
The unit is not disconnected from the AC power source
(mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if
the unit itself has been turned off.
On operation
¢ When the unit is not used, turn the power off to conserve
energy and to extend the useful life of your unit.
* Because of a safety mechanism, the function buttons will
not operate if the cassette holder is not completely closed, if
there is no cassette in the cassette holder, or if a cassette has
been incorrectly inserted into the cassette holder.
On head cleaning
The head and tape path should be cleaned after every ten
hours of operation. Dirty heads and a dirty tape path may
cause:
— loss of high-frequency response
— loss of sound volume
— sound drop-out
If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit,
please contact your nearest Sony dealer.
For the customers in the U. S. A.
For detailed safety precautions, see the leaflet “IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS”.
Unpacking
~
Checking the Supplied Accessories
Make sure that the following supplied accessories are
included with your unit.
* Audio connecting cords (2)
Koy Cormel aM laryeclitcvete) a)
Place the unit with the front panel facing you in a location
with adequate air circulation to prevent overheating of the
unit.
*Do not place the unit:
— near heat sources such as radiators or air ducts.
— in places subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust,
mechanical vibration or shock.
— in an inclined position.
— on a rug or other soft surfaces that would block the
ventilation holes on the bottom of the unit.
Do not throw away the carton and the packing material
They will come in handy when transporting the unit or
shipping it for servicing.
Checking the Operating Voltage
Operate the unit only on 120 V AC, 60 Hz (U.S.A. and
Canada model), 240 V AC, 50 Hz (U.K. model) or 240 V
AC, 50/60 Hz (Australia model).
*Before connecting the unit to an AC outlet, be sure that the
operating voltage of your unit is identical with that of your
local power supply.

Hooking Up the System
Before You Begin la fote) dlalomesom-lam-Vssleliia(cia
¢Turn off the power to all equipment to be connected before
making any connection.
¢Note that the red plug of the supplied connecting cord is
for right-channel (R) connection and the white plug for left-
channel (L) connection.
©The connecting cords should be fully inserted into the jacks.
A loose connection may cause hum pickup.
2 Signal flow
LINE
IN
SL
=
TC.WRS45/WR741
to an AC outlet
ST
iz
Amplifier
REC
OUT
TAPE
INPUT
to
a
wall
outlet

Identifying
the
Parts
on
the
Front
Panel
Remote control sensor*
For details, refer to the page number(s) indicated in
parentheses.
[7] POWER switch
[2] Deck A
[3] COUNTER RESET button (deck A)
[4] RMS** operation buttons (TC-WR545 only) (pages 10, 11
and 18)
RMS/START button
SET button
CHECK button
DISPLAY button
(5) Display panel
[6] AUTO CAL button (TC-WR545 only) (page 14)
COUNTER RESET button (deck B)
SYNCHRO DUBBING buttons (page 16)
HIGH button
NORMAL button
[9] REC (recording) LEVEL control (pages 12 and 13)
(10 Deck B
({] BALANCE control (page 12)
(13 & (eject) button (deck B)
Se ree eee
(The illustration shows the TC-WR545.)
Tape operation buttons
<< (leftward fast-winding)/AMS***/RMS*— button
PP (rightward fast-winding)/ AMS***/RMS**+ button
@ (stop)/(RMS**) CLEAR button
J (reverse play)/(RMS**) BACK button
[> (forward play)/(RMS**) FRONT button
8 PAUSE button (deck B only)
O REC MUTE (record muting) button (deck B only)
(page 15)
@ REC (recording) button (deck B only)
{14 MPX FILTER switch (TC-WR545 only) (pages 13)
DOLBY NR (Dolby noise reduction) switch (pages 7 and
12)
DIR (direction) MODE switch (pages 7, 8, 12 and 16)
{{7] PHONES jack (stereo phone jack) (TC-WR545 only)
& (eject) button (deck A)
* Remote control sensor ;
You can remotely control this cassette deck with:
— A remote commander that came with a Sony amplifier
or receiver if it has the & mark and cassette deck control
capability.
— Any optional Sony remote commander with the & mark
and cassette deck control capability.
** Random Music Sensor (TC-WR545 only)
*** Automatic Music Sensor

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sare Walalem stele
Follow the procedure below to play back a cassette on deck A or B.
1 Turn on the amplifier and select the tape
function.
3 Set DOLBY NR to the same position that
was used when the cassette was
recorded.
DOLBY NR
4 Set DIR MODE.
To play back to the
end of one side only
To play back both
sides continuously*
* After playing back five times, the deck
automatically stops.
5 Press <] or > to start playback.
To play back from the front side, press [> .
To play back from the reverse side, press <<] .
The tape direction lights up to show the side you
are listening.
To stop playback, press the IB button.
To stop playback momentarily, press the 11 button
(only on deck B).
To restart play, press the 18 , <J or > button.
To fastwind a tape rightward, press the PP button in
stop mode.
To fastwind a tape leftward, press the 44 button in
stop mode.
Specifying the tape type is unnecessary
The deck has an automatic tape-type detection system.
To begin recording during playback
While holding down the <I or [= button, press the @
button.
The unit immediately begins recording without stopping the
tape. This function is useful when editing previously
recorded material.
When both decks A and B are in playback mode
Only playback from deck A will be audible.
What is the Dolby NR system?
The Dolby NR (noise reduction) system reduces tape hiss
noise in low-level, high-frequency signals by boosting the
signals during recording and lowering them during
playback.
Note
The Dolby HX PRO system works only during recording, not
during playback (TC-WR545 only).

— Relay Play
Playing Back Both Decks in Succession
The Relay Play function plays back cassettes in deck A and deck B continuously and
in consecutive order.
2 Set DIR MODE to RELAY.
DIR MODE
= co
3 Press <J or [> to start playback of the
cassette to be listened to first.
To play back from the front side, press [> .
To play back from the reverse side, press <J .
To stop Relay Play
Press the button of the deck playing.
Playback sequence of Relay Play
Relay Play always follows the sequence below regardless of
where playback starts.
After playing back five times, Relay Play automatically
stops.
Deck A > Deck A
(Reverse side)
Deck B - Deck B
(Front side)
Playing back more than two cassettes in succession
Replacing cassettes that have finished playing with new ones
allows you to play back two or more cassettes alternately on
each deck.

Locating a Selection — Multi-AMS (Automatic |
WU yremelabiele)
Through its ability to detect the blank space between selections, the Multi-AMS
function allows you to skip up to 30 selections while fast-forwarding or reversing to
the beginning of a specific selection.
During playback, press <4 or >> as many
times as the number of selections to be
skipped.
Playback To locate a
direction selection after
indicator
* Pressing << or PP once locates the beginning of
the current selection.
Tape direction indicator: >=
+ : Beginning of selection
<«[e] <«<[i) [i] >» [ec]
Previous Current Next
selection selection selection
Each time the unit detects a
blank space, the indicated ae aad
Multi-AMS number decreases
by one.
©The PLAY indicator flashes
during Multi-AMS operation.
When the beginning of the
specified selection is reached,
the counter indication appears
again and playback
automatically restarts.
Changing the indicated number of selections to be
skipped
Press the <4 or P> button at any time, even during Multi-
AMS operation.
The Multi-AMS number may change as you are
setting it
due to the detection of blank spaces as the unit begins to
fastwind.
The Multi-AMS may skip a selection in the
following cases:
elf you press the PP (or 44 ) button immediately before
the selection.
elf there is noise in the space before the selection.
elf the space before the selection is less than four seconds
long.
The Multi-AMS will treat the following as blanks:
A long pause in the music
A passage of low frequencies or very low volume
¢A gradual increase or decrease in volume
The Multi-AMS does not function on both decks
simultaneously
The Multi-AMS is disabled on one deck whenever the other
deck is in playback, recording or pause mode.
Note
Even if the DIR MODE switch is set to > , the Multi-AMS
function does not extend to the other side, but stops when
the first side comes to an end.

Playing Back Automatically
Playing Back Selections in a
Specified Order
— RMS Playback (TC-WR545 Only)
After Rewinding — Auto Play
The Auto Play function automatically starts playing back a
cassette after fastwinding it to the beginning.
While holding down [> or <1, press <<
or p>.
From the
beginning
of...
While
pressing...
10
The RMS (Random Music Sensor) function allows you to
determine the playback order of specific selections. You can
choose from selections 1 to 14 on each side of a tape in deck
A to create a program of up to 28 selections.
1 While the tape is stopped, press RMS/
START.
The RMS indicator and a flashing cursor
appear in the display window and the unit
enters RMS mode.
Program No.
Selection No.
wt 6,
samc
12 3 4 § 6 7 8 9M 1011 12 13 14
2 Press [> or <1 to select the front or back
side of the tape, and << or PP to specify
the selection.