Sony MHC-DX8 User manual

Mini Hi-Fi
Component
System
© 2000 Sony Corporation
Operating Instructions
4-226-943-11 (1)
MHC-DX8

2
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.
Do not install the appliance in a confined space,
such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.
This appliance is classified
as a CLASS 1 LASER
product. The CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT
MARKING is located on
the rear exterior.
The MHC-DX8 consists of the following
components:
– Tuner/CD player/Stereo cassette deck/
Amplifier (main unit) HCD-DX8
– Satellite Amplifier TA-DX8
– Speaker system
• Front speaker SS-DX8/
SS-DX8B
• Satellite speaker SS-RS158/
SS-RS158B
Caution
Be sure to make all connections to the main
unit before you connect the main unit's power
cord to a wall outlet.
This stereo system is equipped with the Dolby B-
type noise reduction system*.
* Manufactured under license from Dolby
Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
DOLBY and the double-D symbol ;are
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation.

3
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Step 1: Hooking up the system............ 4
Step 2: Setting up the speakers ............ 7
Step 3: Setting the time ......................... 8
Step 4: Presetting radio stations .......... 9
Basic Operations
Playing a CD ......................................... 11
Recording a CD .................................... 13
Listening to the radio........................... 14
Recording from the radio .................... 15
Playing a tape........................................ 16
Recording from a tape ......................... 18
The CD Player
Using the CD display........................... 19
Playing the CD tracks repeatedly ...... 20
Playing the CD tracks in random order
.......................................................... 21
Programming the CD tracks ............... 22
The Tape Deck
Recording on a tape manually ........... 24
Recording a CD by specifying track
order ................................................ 25
DJ Effects
Looping part of a CD ........................... 27
Flashing part of a CD ........................... 27
Sound Adjustment
Adjusting the sound ............................ 28
Selecting the audio emphasis ............. 29
Changing the spectrum analyzer
display ............................................. 30
Selecting the surround effect .............. 30
Adjusting the graphic equalizer......... 31
Other Features
Singing along: Karaoke ...................... 32
Falling asleep to music ........................ 33
Waking up to music ............................. 34
Timer-recording radio programs ....... 35
Optional Components
Connecting audio components .......... 37
Connecting a VCR ................................ 38
Connecting external antennas ............ 39
Additional Information
Precautions ............................................ 40
Troubleshooting ................................... 41
Specifications ........................................ 44
Index....................................... Back Cover

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7
3
3
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66
2
5
2
1
3
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1
Step 1: Hooking up the system
Do the following procedure 1to 7to hook up your system using the supplied cords and
accessories.
Getting Started
AM loop antenna
Front
speaker (L)
Front
speaker (R)
FM antenna
Satellite
speaker (R) Satellite speaker (L)
Satellite Amplifier Main Unit

5
1Connect the flat cord to the SYSTEM
CONTROL connectors until it clicks.
To disconnect
2Connect the power cord of satellite
amplifier to the AC OUTLET of the
main unit.
Be sure to make this connection before
you connect the main unit's power cord
to a wall outlet.
3Connect the front speakers.
Connect the speaker cords of front
speakers to the SPEAKER jacks of main
unit.
R
+
L
+
–
5Connect the FM/AM antennas.
Set up the AM loop antenna, then
connect it.
Jack type A
Jack type B
Insert only the stripped portion.
Black/Stripe (#)Red/Solid (3)
FM75
AM
COAXIAL
AM loop antenna Extend the FM lead
antenna horizontally.
AM
FM75
COAXIAL
Extend the FM lead
antenna horizontally.
AM loop antenna
continued
4Connect the satellite speakers.
Connect the satellite speaker cords to the
SPEAKER jacks of the satellite amplifier.
Note
Keep the speaker cords away from the antennas to
prevent noise.
R
+
L
+
–
Insert only the stripped portion.
Grey with black line (#)Solid grey (3)

6
Step 1: Hooking up the system
(continued) To attach the front and satellite
speaker pads
Attach the supplied front and satellite
speaker pads to the bottom of the speakers to
stabilize the speakers and prevent them from
slipping.
Inserting two size AA (R6)
batteries into the remote
Tip
With normal use, the batteries should last for about
six months. When the remote no longer operates
the system, replace both batteries with new ones.
Note
If you do not use the remote for a long period of
time, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage
from battery leakage.
When carrying this system
Do the following to protect the CD
mechanism.
1Make sure that all discs are removed from
the unit.
2Hold down CD and then press ?/1 so that
“LOCK” appears in the display.
3Unplug the AC power cord.
E
e
eE
6Set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to the
position of your local power line
voltage.
Set the same voltage range for the
satellite amplifier and main unit.
7Connect the power cord to a wall
outlet.
The demonstration appears in the
display. When you press ?/1, the
system turns on and the demonstration
automatically ends.
If the supplied adaptor on the plug does
not fit your wall outlet, detach it from
the plug (only for the model equipped
with an adaptor).
To disconnect the system
Make sure you disconnect the AC power cord
from the wall outlet before you disconnect
the system.
To connect optional components
See page 37.
To deactivate the demonstration
When you set the time (see “Step 3: Setting
the time”), the demonstration is deactivated.
To activate/deactivate the demonstration
again, press DISPLAY while the system is
off.
VOLTAGE SELECTOR
120V 220V
230 - 240V

7
Satellite
speaker
60 to 90 cm
Step 2: Setting up the
speakers
Connecting the supplied satellite speakers
enables you to fully enjoy the sound system.
Positioning the speakers
Before you connect them, determine the best
location for your speakers.
1Place the front speakers at an angle
of 45 degrees from your listening
position.
2Place the satellite speakers facing
each other at about 60 to 90 cm
above your listening position.
Front
speaker
(L)
Front
speaker
(R)
Satellite
speaker
(L)
Satellite
speaker
(R)
45º
Selecting the sound
system
You can enjoy different sound modes by
selecting the sound mode you want using the
satellite mode function.
1Set the satellite amplifier to ON to
activate the satellite speakers
system.
2Turn SATELLITE MODE to select
the sound mode you want.
LINK: Reproduces the same sound with
the different output level.
HI-CUT: Reproduces the low bass
frequencies sound.
SURROUND: Reproduces a wide range
of sound that actually can sense the size
of the room.
321
continued
Indicator
Main Unit Satellite
Amplifier

8
1Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.
The hour indication flashes.
2Press .or >repeatedly to set
the hour.
Step 3: Setting the
time
You must set the time before using the timer
functions.
jJ
lL
hH S s
HS s
1
3,5
2,4
3Turn SATELLITE LEVEL to adjust
the satellite speakers volume.
Notes
• If you turn VOLUME (or press VOL +/– on the
remote) all the speaker volumes change.
• If you set the satellite amplifier to OFF, no sound
will come out from the satellite speakers.
• The indicator on the satellite amplifier will light
green when the main unit is powered on and will
light red when the main unit is on stanby mode.
Step 2: Setting up the speakers
(continued)

9
3Press ENTER.
The minute indication flashes.
4Press .or >repeatedly to set
the minute.
5Press ENTER.
The clock starts working.
Tip
If you’ve made a mistake, start over from step 1.
To change the time
The previous explanation shows you how to set the
time while the power is off. To change the time
while the power is on, do the following:
1Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.
2Press .or >repeatedly to select
SET CLOCK.
3Press ENTER.
4Perform steps 2 through 5 above.
Note
The clock settings are canceled when you disconnect
the power cord or if a power failure occurs. 1Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly
until the band you want appears in
the display.
Every time you press this button, the
band changes as follows:
FM yAM
SHUTTLE
42
13
Step 4: Presetting
radio stations
You can preset 20 stations for FM and 10
stations for AM.
?/1
(Power)
continued

10
To tune in a station with a weak
signal
Press + or – (TUNING +/– on the remote)
repeatedly to tune in the station manually.
To set another station to the
existing preset number
Start over from step 1. After step 3, turn
SHUTTLE until it clicks to select the preset
number you want to store the other station.
You can add a new preset number after the
last preset number.
To erase the preset station
1Hold down TUNER MEMORY until a
preset number appears in the display.
2Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks to select the
preset number you want to erase.
Select “ALL ERASE” when you want to
erase all the preset stations.
3Press ENTER.
“COMPLETE” appears.
When you erase a preset number, the preset
number decreases by one and all preset
numbers following the erased one are
renumbered.
To change the AM tuning interval
(Except for the Middle Eastern models)
The AM tuning interval is factory set to 9 kHz (10
kHz in some areas). To change the AM tuning
interval, tune in any AM station first, then turn off
the power. While holding down the ENTER button,
turn the power back on. When you change the
interval, AM preset stations will be erased. To reset
the interval, repeat the same procedure.
Tip
The preset stations are retained for half a day even if
you unplug the power cord or if a power failure
occurs.
TUNED STEREO
MHz
TUNED STEREO
Preset number
2Press and hold + or – (or TUNING
+/– on the remote) until the
frequency indication starts to
change, then release.
Scanning stops when the system tunes in
a station. “TUNED” and “STEREO” (for
a stereo program) appear.
3Press TUNER MEMORY.
A preset number appears in the display.
The stations are stored from preset
number 1.
4Press ENTER.
“COMPLETE” appears in the display.
The station is stored.
5Repeat steps 1 to 4 to store other
stations.
Step 4: Presetting radio stations
(continued)

Basic Operations
11
Playing a CD
— Normal play
You can play up to three CDs in a row.
1Press ZOPEN/CLOSE and place a
CD on the disc tray.
If a disc is not placed properly, it will not
be recognized.
To insert additional discs, press DISC
SKIP EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc
tray.
2Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons.
The disc tray closes and play starts.
If you press nN when CD is selected
as the function and the disc tray is
closed, play starts from the CD loaded
on the tray whose disc pointer indicator
is lit.
With the label
side up. When
you play a CD
single, place it
on the inner
circle of the
tray.
Basic Operations
jJ
lL
hH S s
HS s
nN
CD

x
.>
mM
VOL +/–
X
SHUTTLE
2
PLAY
MODE
1
DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE
.VOLUME
CD X
xnN
>
?/1
(Power)
Disc pointer
indicator Track number Playing time
Disc presence
indicator Disc tray number
continued

12
To Do this
Stop play Press x.
Pause Press X.
Press again to resume play.
Select a track During play or pause, press
>(to go forward) or .
(to go back).
Find a point in Turn SHUTTLE clockwise (to
a track go forward) or
counterclockwise (to go back)
until it clicks and hold. Release
it when you reach the desired
point (or press and hold down
Mor mon the remote).
Select a CD Press a DISC 1~3 button or
in stop mode DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE (or
D. SKIP on the remote).
Play only the Press PLAY MODE
CD you have repeatedly until “CONTINUE
selected 1 DISC” or “SHUFFLE 1
DISC” appears.
Play all CDs Press PLAY MODE repeatedly
until “CONTINUE ALL
DISCS” or “SHUFFLE ALL
DISCS” appears.
Remove the CD Press Z OPEN/CLOSE.
Exchange other Press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE.
CDs while
playing
Adjust the Turn VOLUME (or press
volume VOL +/– on the remote).
Tips
• You can switch from another source to the CD
player and start playing a CD just by pressing the
DISC 1~3 buttons (Automatic Source Selection).
• If there is no CD in the player, “CD NO DISC”
appears in the display.
• When a disc tray holding a CD is selected (or the
CD in the disc tray is playing) the disc pointer
indicator lights. When a disc tray holding a CD is
not selected, the disc presence indicator lights, but
the disc pointer indicator does not light. When all
disc trays are empty, both the disc presence
indicator and disc pointer indicator light.
Note
When a tray has not been detected by the unit, the
disc pointer indicator may light even though there is
no disc on the tray.
Playing a CD (continued)

Basic Operations
13
Recording a CD
— CD Synchro Recording
The CD SYNC HI-DUB button lets you record
from a CD to a tape easily. You can use TYPE
I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes. The
recording level is adjusted automatically.
1Press Zand insert a recordable tape
into deck B.
2Press CD.
3Press ZOPEN/CLOSE and place a
CD.
Then, press ZOPEN/CLOSE again to
close the disc tray.
When the CD you want to record is not
selected, press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE
repeatedly to select the CD you want.
4Press CD SYNC HI-DUB.
Deck B stands by for recording and the
CD player stands by for playback. The
REC PAUSE/START button flashes.
5Press DIRECTION repeatedly to
select gto record on one side.
Select j(or RELAY) to record on
both sides.
6Press REC PAUSE/START.
Recording starts.
To stop recording
Press x.
Tips
• If you want to record from the reverse side, press
TAPE A/B repeatedly to select deck B after step 1.
Press nN to start playback of the reverse side,
then press xwhere you want to start recording.
TAPE B reverse side indicator lights up (see page
17).
• When you record on both sides, be sure to start
from the front side. If you start from the reverse
side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.
• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in low-
level high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so
that “DOLBY NR” appears after pressing CD
SYNC HI-DUB.
Note
You cannot listen to other sources while recording.
With the label
side up. When
you play a CD
single, place it
on the inner
circle of the
tray.
With the side
you want to
record facing
forward
14
35
DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE
6
x
2
DOLBY NR
?/1
(Power)

14
Listening to the radio
–– Preset Tuning
Preset radio stations in the tuner's memory
first (see “Step 4: Presetting radio stations” on
page 9).
1Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly
until the band you want appears in
the display.
Every time you press the button, the
band changes as follows:
FM yAM
2Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks (or
press PRESET +/– on the remote) to
tune in the preset station you want.
* When only one station is preset, “ONE
PRESET” appears in the display.
To Do this
Turn off the radio Press ?/1.
Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press
VOL +/– on the remote).
jJ
lL
hH S s
HS s
TUNER
BAND
VOL +/–
PRESET +/–
TUNING +/–
1
STEREO/
MONO
VOLUME+/–
2
MHz
TUNED STEREO
Turn counter-
clockwise (or
press PRESET –
on the remote)
for lower preset
numbers.
Turn clockwise
(or press PRESET
+ on the remote)
for higher preset
numbers.
Preset number* Frequency
j
J
?/1
(Power)

Basic Operations
15
Recording from the radio
You can record the radio program on a tape
by calling up a preset station. You can use
TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes. The
recording level is adjusted automatically.
1Press TUNER/BAND to select the
band you want.
2Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks (or
press PRESET +/– on the remote) to
tune in a preset station.
Turn clockwise
(or press PRESET
+ on the remote)
for higher preset
numbers.
Turn counter-
clockwise (or
press PRESET –
on the remote)
for lower preset
numbers.
To listen to non-preset radio
stations
Use manual or automatic tuning in step 2.
For manual tuning, press + or – (or TUNING
+/– on the remote) repeatedly. For automatic
tuning, press and hold + or – (or TUNING
+/– on the remote).
Tips
• You can switch from another source to the radio
just by pressing TUNER/BAND (Automatic
source selection).
• When an FM program is noisy, press
STEREO/MONO so that “MONO” appears in the
display. There will be no stereo effect, but the
reception will improve. Press the button again to
restore the stereo effect.
• To improve broadcast reception, reorient the
supplied antennas.
Preset number Frequency
j
J
15
34,6
2
x
DOLBY NR
MHz
TUNED STEREO
?/1
(Power)
continued

16
Playing a tape
You can use TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II
(CrO2) tapes. You can also use the ./>
(AMS* function) button to quickly search for
songs you want to hear. To select either deck
A or B, press TAPE A/B repeatedly.
* AMS (Automatic Music Sensor)
3Press Zand insert a recordable tape
into deck B.
4Press REC PAUSE/START.
Deck B stands by for recording.
5Press DIRECTION repeatedly to
select gto record on one side.
Select j(or RELAY) to record on
both sides.
6Press REC PAUSE/START.
Recording starts.
To stop recording
Press x.
Tips
• If you want to record from the reverse side, press
TAPE A/B repeatedly to select deck B after step 1.
Press nN to start playback of the reverse side,
then press xwhere you want to start recording.
TAPE B reverse side indicator lights up (see page
17).
• When you record on both sides, be sure to start
from the front side. If you start from the reverse
side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.
• To record non-preset stations, use + and – (or
TUNING +/– on the remote) in step 2 to tune in
the desired station manually.
• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in low-
level high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so
that “DOLBY NR” appears after pressing REC
PAUSE/START in step 4.
• If noise is heard while recording from the radio,
move the respective antenna to reduce the noise.
With the side
you want to
record facing
forward
jJ
lL
hH S s
HS s
VOL +/–
nN
x
.>
mM
1
3
22
1
.
X
x
>
4
DOLBY NR
?/1
(Power)
Recording from the radio
(continued)

Basic Operations
17
1Press TAPE A/B repeatedly to select
deck A or B.
2Press Zand insert a recorded tape
in deck A or B.
3Press DIRECTION repeatedly to
select gto play one side. Select
jto play both sides.
To play both decks in succession, select
RELAY (relay play).*
4Press nN.
Press nN again to play the reverse
side. The tape starts playing.
With the side
you want to
play facing
forward
To Do this
Stop play Press x .
Pause Press X . Press again to
resume play.
Fast-forward Turn SHUTTLE clockwise until
it clicks (or press M on the
remote) while playing the front
side or counterclockwise until
it clicks (or press m on the
remote) while playing the
reverse side.
Rewind Turn SHUTTLE
counterclockwise until it clicks
(or press m on the remote)
while playing the front side or
clockwise until it clicks (or
press M on the remote)
while playing the reverse side.
Remove the cassette Press Z .
Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press
VOL +/– on the remote).
Forward
indicator
Reverse
indicator Tape presence
indicator
Tips
• When no tapes are inserted, all indicators light.
When a tape (tapes) is (are) inserted,
corresponding presence and forward/reverse
indicators light.
• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in low-
level high frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so
that “DOLBY NR” appears.
Searching for the beginning of a
track (AMS*)
During playback, press .or >
repeatedly for the number of songs you want
to skip forward (or backward).
The search direction, + (forward) or – (back),
and number of songs being skipped (1~9)
appear in the display.
Example: searching forward 2 songs
* AMS (Automatic Music Sensor)
Notes
• The deck stops automatically after repeating the
sequence five times.
• The AMS function may not operate correctly
under the following circumstances:
– When the unrecorded space between songs is
less than 4 seconds long.
– If completely different information is recorded
on the left and right channels.
– When there are continuous sections of
extremely low level or low frequency sound
(like those of a baritone sax).
– When the unit is placed near a television. (In
this case, we recommend moving the unit
farther away from the television or turning off
the television.)
* Relay Play always follows the following sequence:
tDeck A (front side) tDeck A (reverse side)
Deck B (reverse side) TDeck B (front side) T

18
Recording from a
tape
— High-speed Dubbing
You can use TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II
(CrO2) tapes. The recording level is adjusted
automatically.
4Press DIRECTION repeatedly to
select gto record on one side.
Select j(or RELAY) to record on
both sides.
5Press REC PAUSE/START.
Dubbing starts.
To stop dubbing
Press x.
Tips
• When you dub on both sides, start recording from
the front side. If you record from the reverse side,
recording stops at the end of the reverse side.
• If you set DIRECTION to jwhen the tapes you
use have different lengths, the tape in each deck
reverses independently. If you select RELAY, the
tapes in both decks reverse together.
• You don't have to set DOLBY NR, since the tape in
deck B is automatically recorded in the same state
as the tape in deck A.
With the side
you want to
play/record
facing forward
1Press TAPE A/B.
2Press Zand insert a recorded tape
in deck A and a recordable tape in
deck B.
3Press CD SYNC HI-DUB.
Deck B stands by for recording.
DOLBY NR
4
x
22 35
1
?/1
(Power)

19
,Press DISPLAY.
Each time you press the button during
normal playback or in the stop mode, the
display changes as follows:
During normal playback
In the stop mode
tPlaying time on the current track
x
Remaining time on the current track
x
Remaining time on current CD (1 DISC
mode) or “--.-- ” display (ALL DISCS
mode)
x
Title name of the current track*
x
Clock display (for eight seconds)
x
Effect status
Using the CD display
You can check the remaining time of the
current track or that of the CD.
When a CD TEXT disc is loaded, you can
check the information stored on the disc, such
as the titles or artist names. When the unit
detects CD TEXT discs, the “CD-TEXT”
indication appears in the display.
The CD Player
* With CD TEXT discs only (certain
characters cannot be displayed).
Depending on the disc, some CD TEXT
information may not appear.
DISPLAY
?/1
(Power)
tThe last track number of the program and
the total playing time
x
Total number of programmed track (for
eight seconds)
x
Title name and the artist name of the CD*
x
Clock display (for eight seconds)
x
Effect status
In the program mode and when there is a
program
In other conditions
tTotal number of tracks and total playing
time
x
Title name and the artist name of the CD*
x
Clock display (for eight seconds)
x
Effect status

20
Playing the CD tracks
repeatedly
–– Repeat Play
This function lets you repeat a single CD or
all CDs in Normal Play, Shuffle Play and
Program Play.
1
2
?/1
(Power)
1Press CD, then place a CD.
2Press REPEAT during playback
until “REPEAT” appears in the
display.
“REPEAT ALL” scrolls in the display
and Repeat Play starts. Do the following
procedure to change the repeat mode.
To cancel Repeat Play
Press REPEAT until “REPEAT OFF” scrolls
and “REPEAT” or “REPEAT 1” disappears
from the display.
Notes
• REPEAT (ALL) mode is canceled if you press
PLAY MODE repeatedly until “SHUFFLE ALL
DISCS” appears.
• During Program Play, the program is also
repeated up to 5 times.
To repeat Press
All the tracks on PLAY MODE repeatedly
the current CD up until “CONTINUE 1 DISC”
to 5 times or “SHUFFLE 1 DISC”
appears in the display.
All the tracks on PLAY MODE repeatedly
all CDs up to until “CONTINUE ALL
5 times DISCS” appears in the
display.
Only one track REPEAT repeatedly until
“REPEAT 1” appears in the
display while playing the
track you want to repeat.