MHC-BX2/DX2/DX2B

SERVICE MANUAL
MHC-BX2/DX2/DX2B are composed of following models. As for the service manual, it is issued for each component model, then, please refer to them.
US Model Canadian Model AEP Model UK Model

MHC-BX2

E Model

MHC-DX2/DX2B

COMPONENT MODEL NAME
COMPACT DISC DECK RECEIVER SYSTEM SPEAKER SYSTEM HCD-BX2 SS-BX2 HCD-DX2 SS-DX2 HCD-DX2B SS-DX2B

Australian Model

MHC-DX2

PARTS LIST

Part No. Description ACCESSORIES & PACKING MATERIALS ******************************** 1-476-133-11 1-501-374-51 1-501-594-11 4-227-081-11 4-227-081-21 4-227-081-31 4-227-081-41 4-227-081-51 4-227-081-61 4-227-081-71 4-227-081-81 4-227-081-91 4-227-082-31 4-227-082-41 4-227-083-11 REMOTE COMMANDER (RM-SG8) ANTENNA, LOOP (AM) ANTENNA (FM) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (ENGLISH) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (FRENCH)(CND) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (SPANISH)(MX, AR) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (FRENCH, SPANISH)(AEP, E, MY, SP) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (GERMAN)(AEP, G) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (DUTCH, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE)(AEP) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (DANISH, FINNISH, SWEDISH)(AED) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (RUSSIAN, POLISH)(CIS) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (CHINESE)(E, MY, SP, TW) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (TURKISH)(CIS) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (GREEK)(CIS) MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (KOREAN)(KR) Remark
4-227-083-21 MANUAL, INSTRUCTION (ARABIC)(E) 4-982-031-01 COVER, BATTERY (FOR RM-SG8) Abbreviation AED : North European AR : Argentine CND : Canadian G : German KR : Korean MX : Mexican MY : Malaysia SP : Sinhgapore TW : Taiwan
MINI Hi-Fi COMPONENT SYSTEM

Sony Corporation

9-929-069-11
Home Audio Division Company
2000B001685-1 Printed in Japan 2000.2 Published by Quality Assurance Dept.

4-227-081-11(1)

Mini Hi-Fi Component System
Operating Instructions Owners Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the rear panel. 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. _______________

MHC-BX2/DX2

2000 Sony Corporation

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.

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.
This appliance is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER product. The CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT MARKING is located on the rear exterior.
NOTICE FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN THE U.S.A.

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the products 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.
NOTICE 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.
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. registered
mark. As ENERGY STAR Partner, Sony Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.

Table of Contents

Getting Started
Step 1: Hooking up the system. 4 Step 2: Setting the time.. 6 Step 3: Presetting radio stations.. 7 Saving the power in standby mode.. 9

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound.. 26 Selecting the audio emphasis. 26 Changing the spectrum analyzer display.. 27

Basic Operations

Playing a CD... 10 Recording a CD. 12 Listening to the radio.. 13 Recording from the radio.. 14 Playing a tape.. 15 Recording from a tape.. 17

Other Features

Using the Radio Data System (RDS)* 28 Falling asleep to music. 30 Waking up to music.. 31 Timer-recording radio programs. 32

Optional components

Connecting audio components.. 33 Connecting external antennas. 34

The CD Player

Using the CD display.. 18 Playing the CD tracks repeatedly. 19 Playing the CD tracks in random order... 20 Programming the CD tracks.. 21

Additional Information

Precautions.. 36 Troubleshooting.. 37 Specifications.. 40 Index.. Back cover

* European model only.

The Tape Deck
Recording on a tape manually. 23 Recording a CD by specifying track order.. 24
Step 1: Hooking up the system
Follow steps 1 through 4 of the following procedure to hook up your system using the supplied cords and accessories.

FM antenna

AM loop antenna
Front speaker (Right) Front speaker (Left)

1 Connect the speakers.

Connect the speaker cords of the speakers to the SPEAKER jacks as below.

Step 3: Presetting radio stations
You can store a total of 30 preset stations (20 for FM and 10 for AM).

Press ENTER.

The minute indication flashes.

?/1 (Power)

Press. or > repeatedly to set the minute. Press ENTER.
The clock starts working.
If you make a mistake, start over from step 1.

To change the time

The previous explanation shows how to set the time while the power is off. To change the time while the power is on, do the following: 1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET. 2 Press. or > repeatedly to select SET CLOCK. 3 Press ENTER. 4 Perform steps 2 through 5 above. Note
The clock settings are canceled when you disconnect the power cord or if a power failure occurs.

Shuttle

Step 3: Presetting radio stations (continued)

The station is stored.

Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly to select FM or AM. Press and hold + or (or TUNING +/ on the remote) until the frequency indication starts to change, then release.
Scanning stops automatically when a station is tuned in. TUNED and STEREO (for a stereo program) appear in the display.

MONO TUNED STEREO

Repeat steps 1 through 4 to store other stations.
To tune in a station with a weak signal
Press + or (or TUNING +/ on the remote) repeatedly in step 2 to tune in the station manually.
To set another station to an existing preset number
Start over from step 1. After step 3, turn the shuttle until it clicks to select the preset number where you want to store the other station. You can preset a station in the selected preset number.

VOLUME

ALL DISCS

kHz MHz

Press TUNER MEMORY.
A preset number appears in the display. The stations are stored from preset number 1.

ALL DISCS

Preset number
To erase a preset station
1 Keep pressing TUNER MEMORY until a preset number appears in the display.
Saving the power in standby mode

(MHC-BX2 only)

You can lower the power consumption to a minimum (Power Saving Mode) and save energy in the standby mode.

DISPLAY

2 Turn the 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. 3 Press ENTER. COMPLETE appears in the display. 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 European and Middle Eastern models)
The AM tuning interval is factory-preset to 9 kHz (10 kHz in some areas). To switch the AM tuning interval, tune in any AM station first, then turn off the power. While holding down TUNER/BAND, turn the power back on. When you change the interval, AM preset stations are erased. To switch back to the original interval, repeat the same procedure.
The preset stations are retained for half a day even if you unplug the power cord or a power failure occurs.
, Press DISPLAY repeatedly when the power is off. Every time you press the button, the system switches as follows:
t Demonstration t Clock Power Saving Mode T The system is turned on/off by pressing ?/1.
?/1 indicator and timer indicator (when the timer is set) light even in the Power Saving Mode. The timer functions in the Power Saving Mode.
You cannot set the time in the Power Saving Mode.
To cancel the Power Saving Mode
Press DISPLAY once to show the demonstration, twice to show the clock display.

Playing a CD

Normal Play
You can play up to three CDs in a row.

DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE hH

Press Z OPEN/CLOSE and place up to two CDs on the disc tray.
If a disc is not placed properly, it will not be recognized.

PLAY MODE

Place with the label side up. When you play a CD single (8 cm CD), place it on the inner circle of the tray.
To insert a third disc, press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc tray.
Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons.
The disc tray closes and playback starts. If you press hH when CD is selected as the function and the disc tray is closed, playback starts from the CD loaded on the tray whose number is displayed.

Disc tray number

Playing time
ALL 1 DISCS PROGRAM SHUFFLE REPEAT 1

VOLUME Shuttle

Track number

DISC SKIP

X x.> mM

VOL +/

To Stop playback Pause Select a track

Do this Press x. Press X. Press again to resume playback. During play or pause, press > (to go forward) or. (to go back). Turn the shuttle clockwise (to go forward) or counterclockwise (to go back) until it clicks and hold (or press and hold down M or m on the remote). Release it when you find the desired point. Press a DISC 1~3 button or DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE (or DISC SKIP on the remote). Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until 1 DISC appears. Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until ALL DISCS appears. Press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE. Turn VOLUME (or press VOL +/ on the remote).
You can switch from another source to the CD player and start playing a CD just by pressing one of the DISC 1~3 buttons (Automatic Source Selection). If there is no CD in the player, CD NO DISC appears in the display.

Find a point in a track

Select a CD in stop mode Play only the CD you have selected Play all CDs
Remove the CD Press Z OPEN/CLOSE. Exchange other CDs while playing Adjust the volume

Recording a CD

CD Synchro Recording
The CD SYNC button lets you record from a CD to a tape easily. You can use a TYPE I (normal) tape.
?/1 DISC SKIP (Power) EX-CHANGE hH
Press Z OPEN/CLOSE and place a CD.
Then press Z OPEN/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.

Press CD SYNC.

Deck B stands by to record in the direction of the indicator on hH (the right indicator lights to record on the forward side and the left indicator lights to record on the reverse side). The CD player stands by for playback.
Press DIRECTION repeatedly to select g to record on one side. Select j (or RELAY) to record on both sides. Press REC PAUSE.

Recording starts.

Press A and insert a recordable tape into deck B.
With the side you want to record facing forward

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 hH to start playback of the reverse side, then press x where you want to start recording. 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. You can use synchro record only when recording a CD.

Press CD.

You cannot listen to other sources while recording.

Listening to the radio

Preset Tuning
Preset radio stations in the systems memory first (see Step 3: Presetting radio stations on page 7).

+/ STEREO/ MONO

Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly to select FM or AM. Turn the shuttle until it clicks (or press PRESET +/ on the remote) to tune in the desired preset station.
Turn counterclockwise (or press PRESET on the remote) for lower preset numbers. Preset number*
Turn clockwise (or press PRESET + on the remote) for higher preset numbers.

Frequency

* When only one station is preset, ONE PRESET appears in the display.

x > M

TUNER/BAND TUNING +/ PRESET +/
Listening to the radio (continued)
To Turn off the radio Adjust the volume Do this Press ?/1. Turn VOLUME (or press VOL +/ on the remote).

Recording from the radio

You can record the radio program on a tape by calling up a preset station. You can use a TYPE I (normal) tape.
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, adjust the supplied antennas.
Press TUNER/BAND to select the band you want.
Turn the shuttle until it clicks to tune in a preset station.

Playing a tape

You can use a TYPE I (normal) tape. You can also use./> to quickly search for songs you want to hear. To select either deck A or B, press TAPE A/B repeatedly. However, you can play the reverse side of deck B only. (For deck A, you can play the forward side only.)
Turn counterclockwise for lower preset numbers. Preset number
Turn clockwise for higher preset numbers. Frequency

Press REC.

Deck B stands by to record in the direction of the indicator on hH (the right indicator lights to record on the forward side and the left indicator lights to record on the reverse side).
Press DIRECTION repeatedly to select G to record on one side. Select j (or RELAY) to record on both sides. Press REC PAUSE.
If you want to record from the reverse side, press TAPE A/B repeatedly to select deck B after step 1. Press hH to start playback of the reverse side, then press x where you want to start recording. 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 in step 3 to tune in the desired station manually. If noise is heard while recording from the radio, move the respective antenna to reduce the noise.

nN x.> mM TAPE A/B

Playing a tape (continued)
To Stop playback Pause Fast-forward
Do this Press x. Press X. Press again to resume playback. Turn the shuttle clockwise until it clicks while playing the front side or counterclockwise until it clicks while playing the reverse side (or press M or m on the remote). Turn the shuttle counterclockwise until it clicks while playing the front side or clockwise until it clicks while playing the reverse side (or press m or M on the remote). Turn VOLUME (or press VOL +/ on the remote).

Press TAPE A/B.

To select deck A or B, press TAPE A/B repeatedly.
Press A and insert a recorded tape in deck A or B.
With the side you want to play facing forward Rewind
Remove the cassette Press A.
Press DIRECTION repeatedly to select g to play one side. Select j* to play both sides.
To play both decks in succession, select RELAY (Relay Play)**.

Adjust the volume

Searching for the beginning of a track (AMS*) To go forward
Press > during playback when the right indicator on hH lights. TAPE A (or TAPE B) >>> +1 appears. Press.** during playback when the left indicator on hH lights. TAPE B <<< +1 appears.

Press hH.

For deck B, press hH again to play the reverse side. The tape starts playing.
* Deck B only. The deck stops automatically after repeating sequence five times. **In Relay Play, deck A plays the forward side only. After the playback of deck A, deck B repeats the sequence five times.

To go back

Press. during playback when the right indicator on hH lights. TAPE A (or TAPE B) <<< 1 appears. Press >** during playback when the left indicator on hH lights. TAPE B >>> 1 appears.
* Automatic Music Sensor **Deck B only
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.)

Recording from a tape

You can use a TYPE I (normal) tape.

Press REC PAUSE.

Press x. Tip
If you want to record from the reverse side, press TAPE A/B repeatedly to select deck B after step 2. Press hH to start playback of the reverse side, then press x where you want to start recording.
Press TAPE A/B repeatedly to select deck A. Press A and insert a recorded tape in deck A and a recordable tape in deck B.
With the side you want to play/record facing forward

Using the CD display

You can check the remaining time of the current track or the entire CD.

To select a desired CD

Press DISC 1~3. Tips
You can start Shuffle Play during Normal Play by pressing PLAY MODE repeatedly to select SHUFFLE. To skip a track, press >.

DISC 1~3

Press CD, then place a CD. Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until 1 DISC SHUFFLE or ALL DISCS SHUFFLE appears in the display.
ALL DISCS SHUFFLE shuffles all the CDs in the player. 1 DISC SHUFFLE shuffles tracks on the CD whose disc number is lit.
All the tracks play in random order.
Programming the CD tracks

Program Play

You can make a program of up to 32 tracks from all the CDs in the order you want them to be played.
Press CD, then place a CD. Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until PROGRAM appears in the display. Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons to select a CD. Press. or > until the desired track appears in the display.

Disc number

Total playing time (including selected track)
The track is programmed. The program step number appears, followed by the total playing time.

nN X. m x >

To program additional tracks, repeat steps 3 to 5. Skip step 3 to select tracks from the same disc. Press hH.
All the tracks play in the order you selected.

nN x.>

CLEAR CHECK CD
Programming the CD tracks (continued) To cancel Program Play
Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until PROGRAM or SHUFFLE disappears from the display.
To Check the program Press CHECK on the remote repeatedly. After the last track, CHECK END appears. CLEAR on the remote in stop mode. CHECK on the remote repeatedly until the number of the track to be erased appears, then press CLEAR. 1 Select the disc tray with a DISC 1~3 button. 2 Select the track by pressing./>. 3 Press ENTER. x once in stop mode or twice during playback.
Clear a track from the end Clear a specific track
Add a track to the program

Clear the entire program

The program you made remains in the systems memory even after it has been played back. Press CD, then press hH to play the same program again. If --.-- appears instead of the total playing time during programming, this means: you have programmed a track number which exceeds 20. the total playing time has exceeded 100 minutes.
Recording on a tape manually
You can record from CD, tape, or radio as you like. For example, you can record just the songs you want or record from the middle of the tape.

./>

Press hH to start playing the source to be recorded.

Press x. REC PAUSE.

Stop recording Pause recording
If you want to record from the reverse side, press TAPE A/B repeatedly to select deck B after step 1. Press hH to start playback of the reverse side, then press x where you want to start recording. When recording from a CD, you can use. or > to select tracks during rec pause mode (after pressing REC in step 3 and before pressing REC PAUSE in step 5).

Insert a recordable tape into deck B. Press the function button of the source you want to record (e.g., CD).
When you want to record from TAPE A, press TAPE A/B repeatedly until TAPE A is selected.
Recording a CD by specifying track order

Program Edit

You can record tracks from all the CDs in the order you want. When programming, make sure the playing times for each side do not exceed the length of one side of the tape.
Place a CD and insert a recordable tape into deck B. Press CD. Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until PROGRAM appears in the display. Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons to select a CD. Press. or > until the desired track appears in the display.
To program additional tracks, repeat steps 4 to 6.
Skip step 4 to select tracks from the same disc.
Deck B stands by to record in the direction of the indication on hH (the right indication lights to record on the forward side and the left indicator lights to record on the reverse side). The CD player stands by for playback.
Selecting tape length automatically

Tape Select Edit

You can check the most suitable tape length for recording a CD. Note that you cannot use Tape Select Edit for discs containing over 20 tracks.
Press DIRECTION repeatedly to select g to record on one side. Select j (or RELAY) to record on both sides.
Place a CD. Press CD. Press EDIT once, so that EDIT flashes.
The required tape length for the currently selected CD appears, followed by the total playing time for side A and side B respectively.

10 Press REC PAUSE.

Press x.

To check the order

Press CHECK on the remote repeatedly. After the last track, CHECK END appears.
You cannot use this function after programming. In order to use this function, you must first cancel the program by pressing PLAY MODE repeatedly until PROGRAM or SHUFFLE disappears from the display.

To cancel Program Edit

Adjusting the sound
You can reinforce the bass, create a more powerful sound, and listen with headphones.
Selecting the audio emphasis
The audio emphasis menu lets you select the sound characteristic according to the type of music you are listening to.

PHONES GROOVE

For a powerful sound (GROOVE)
Press GROOVE. The GROOVE button lights. The volume switches to power mode, DBFB* is automatically activated ( appears), and the equalizer curve changes. To cancel, press GROOVE again. DBFB is cancelled ( disappears) and the volume returns to the previous level.
* DBFB = Dynamic Bass Feedback

FILE SELECT

, Press FILE SELECT repeatedly until the effect you desire (ROCK, POP, or GAME) appears in the display. To cancel the effect
To listen through the headphones
Connect the headphones to PHONES jack. No sound will come from the speakers.

Set the time to start playback.
Press. or > repeatedly to set the hour, then press ENTER. The minute indication starts flashing.

CLOCK/TIMER SELECT

Press. or > repeatedly to set the minute, then press ENTER. The hour indication flashes again.
Set the time to stop playback following the above procedure. Press. or > repeatedly until the music source you want appears.
The indication changes as follows: t TUNER y CD PLAY T t TAPE PLAY T
Prepare the music source you want to play.
CD: Place a CD. To start from a specific track, make a program (see Programming the CD tracks on page 21). Tape: Insert a tape with the side you want to play facing forward. Radio: Tune in the preset station you want (see Listening to the radio on page 13).
Adjust the volume. Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

SET (DAILY 1) appears.

Waking up to music (continued)
The type of timer (DAILY 1 or DAILY 2), followed by the start time, stop time, and the music source, appear, then the original display appears.
Timer-recording radio programs
You can record a preset radio station from a specified time. To timer-record, you must preset the radio station (see Step 3: Presetting radio stations on page 7) and set the clock (see Step 2: Setting the time on page 6) beforehand.

Turn off the power.

To check the setting
Press CLOCK/TIMER SELECT and press. or > repeatedly to select the respective mode (DAILY 1 or DAILY 2), then press ENTER. To change the setting, start over from step 1.

7 3,4,3,4,5

To cancel the timer operation
Press CLOCK/TIMER SELECT and press. or > repeatedly to select TIMER OFF, then press ENTER. Tip
The power turns on 15 seconds before the preset time.
You cannot activate DAILY 1 and DAILY 2 Timer at the same time. You cannot set the timer if the starting time and stopping time are the same. When you use the Sleep Timer, Daily Timer will not turn on the system until the Sleep Timer turns it off. You cannot activate Daily Timer and Timerrecording at the same time.
Tune in the preset radio station (see Listening to the radio on page 13). Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.
Press. or > repeatedly to select REC, then press ENTER.
Set the time to start recording.
Connecting audio components
Select one of the following connections, depending on the component to be connected and method of connecting. Refer to the instructions of each component.
Connecting an MD deck for digital recording
You can record from CD into the MD deck digitally by connecting an optional optical cable.
To the digital input jack of the MD deck
Set the time to stop recording following the above procedure.
The start time, followed by the stop time, the preset radio station to be recorded (e.g., TUNER FM 5) appear, then the original display appears.

To save a tape permanently
To prevent a tape from being accidentally recorded over, break off the cassette tab from side A or B as illustrated.

On placement

Place the stereo system in a location with adequate ventilation to prevent heat build-up in the stereo system. Do not place the unit in an inclined position. Do not place the unit in locations where it is; Extremely hot or cold Dusty or dirty Very humid Vibrating Subject to direct sunlight.

Tab of side B

Tab of side A Side A Break off the cassette tab of side A

On operation

If the stereo system is brought directly from a cold to a warm location, or is placed in a very damp room, moisture may condense on the lens inside the CD player. Should this occur, the system will not operate properly. Remove the CD and leave the system turned on for about an hour until the moisture evaporates. When you move the system, take out any discs. If you have any questions or problems concerning your stereo system, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.
If you later want to reuse the tape for recording, cover the broken tab with adhesive tape.
Before placing a cassette in the tape deck
Take up any slack in the tape. Otherwise the tape may get entangled in the parts of the tape deck and become damaged.

Troubleshooting

If you run into any problem using this stereo system, use the following check list. First, check that the power cord is connected firmly and the speakers are connected correctly and firmly. Should any problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.
When using a tape longer than 90 minutes
The tape is very elastic. Do not change the tape operations such as play, stop, and fast-winding (etc.) frequently. The tape may get entangled in the tape deck.

Cleaning the tape heads

Clean the tape heads after every 10 hours of use. When the tape heads become dirty; the sound is distorted there is a decrease in sound level the sound drops out the tape does not erase completely the tape does not record. Make sure to clean the tape heads before you start an important recording or after playing an old tape. Use separately sold dry-type or wet-type cleaning cassette. For details, refer to the instructions of the cleaning cassette.

General

The display starts flashing as soon as you plug in the power cord even though you havent turned on the power (demonstration mode). Press DISPLAY once (MHC-DX2) or twice (MHC-BX2) when the power is turned off. The demonstration disappears. The demonstration mode appears automatically the first time you plug in the power cord or if there is a power outage lasting longer than half a day. The clock setting/radio presetting/timer is canceled. The power cord is disconnected or a power failure occurs longer than half a day. Redo the following: Step 2: Setting the time on page 6 Step 3: Presetting radio stations on page 7 If you have set the timer, also redo Waking up to music on page 31 and Timer-recording radio programs on page 32. There is no sound. Turn VOLUME clockwise. The headphones are connected. Insert only the stripped portion of the speaker cord into the SPEAKER jack. Inserting the vinyl portion of the speaker cord will obstruct the speaker connections. There is no audio output during timer recording.

Demagnetizing the tape heads
Demagnetize the tape heads and the metal parts that have contact with the tape every 20 to 30 hours of use with a separately sold demagnetizing cassette. For details, refer to the instructions of the demagnetizing cassette.
Troubleshooting (continued)

Speakers

Sound comes from one channel or unbalanced left and right volume. Check the speaker connection and speaker placement. Sound lacks bass. Check that the speakers + and jacks are connected correctly.
There is severe hum or noise. A TV or VCR is placed too close to the stereo system. Move the stereo system away from the TV or VCR. 0:00 (or 12:00 AM) flashes in the display. A power interruption occurred. Set the clock and timer settings again. The timer does not function. Set the clock correctly. DAILY 1, DAILY 2, and REC do not appear when you press the CLOCK/TIMER SET button. Set the timer correctly. Set the clock. The remote does not function. There is an obstacle between the remote and the system. The remote is not pointing in the direction of the systems sensor. The batteries have run down. Replace the batteries. There is acoustic feedback. Decrease the volume level. Move the microphone away from the speakers or change the direction of the microphone. The color irregularity on a TV screen persists. Turn off the TV set once, then turn it on after 15 to 30 minutes. If the color irregularity still persists, place the speakers farther away from the TV set.

CD Player

The CD tray does not close. The CD is not placed properly. The CD will not play. The CD is not lying flat in the disc tray. The CD is dirty. The CD is inserted label side down. Moisture condensation has built up. Remove the CD and leave the system turned on for about an hour until the moisture evaporates. Play does not start from the first track. The player is in program or shuffle mode. Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until PROGRAM or SHUFFLE disappear. OVER is displayed. You have reached the end of the CD. Turn the shuttle counterclockwise until it clicks and hold.

Tape Deck

The tape does not record. There is no tape in the cassette holder. The tab has been removed from the cassette (see To save a tape permanently on page 36). The tape has reeled to the end. The tape does not record nor play or there is a decrease in sound level. The heads are dirty. Clean them (see Cleaning the tape heads on page 37). The record/playback heads are magnetized. Demagnetize them (see Demagnetizing the tape heads on page 37). The tape does not erase completely. The record/playback heads are magnetized. Demagnetize them (see Demagnetizing the tape heads on page 37). There is excessive wow or flutter, or the sound drops out. The capstans or pinch rollers are dirty. Clean them (see Cleaning the tape heads on page 37). Noise increases or the high frequencies are erased. The record/playback heads are magnetized. Demagnetize them (see Demagnetizing the tape heads on page 37). After pressing hH or A, there is a mechanical noise, EJECT appears in the display, and the unit enters standby mode automatically. The cassette tape was not inserted correctly. Eject the tape and turn the power back on.

There is severe hum or noise (TUNED or STEREO flashes in the display). Adjust the antenna. The signal strength is too weak. Connect the external antenna. A stereo FM program cannot be received in stereo. Press STEREO/MONO so that STEREO appears.
If other troubles not described above occur, reset the system as follows:
Unplug the power cord. Plug the power cord back in. Press ?/1 to turn on the power. Press x, DISC 1 and PLAY MODE at the same time. The system is reset to the factory settings. All the settings you made, such as the preset stations, clock, and timer are cleared. You should set them again.

Specifications

AUDIO POWER SPECIFICATIONS: (U.S.A. model only) POWER OUTPUT AND TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION: with 6 ohm loads both channels driven, from 120 10,000 Hz; rated 60 watts per channel minimum RMS power, with no more than 10% total harmonic distortion from 250 milliwatts to rated output. Amplifier section
Canadian model: MHC-BX2: Continuous RMS power output 50 + 50 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, 10% THD) European model: MHC-BX2: DIN power output (Rated) 40 + 40 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, DIN) Continuous RMS power output (Reference) 50 + 50 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, 10% THD) Music power output (Reference) 100 + 100 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, 10% THD) Other models: MHC-DX2: The following measured at AC 110, 220 V 60 Hz: DIN power output (Rated) 45 + 45 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, DIN) Continuous RMS power output (Reference) 50 + 50 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, 10% THD) The following measured at AC 120, 240 V 60 Hz: DIN power output (Rated) 50 + 50 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, DIN) Continuous RMS power output (Reference) 60 + 60 watts (6 ohms at 1 kHz, 10% THD)
Inputs MD IN: (phono jacks) Outputs PHONES: (stereo mini jack) SPEAKER: MHC-BX2: MHC-DX2:
voltage 450 mV, impedance 47 kilohms accepts headphones of 8 ohms or more accepts impedance of 6 to 16 ohms accepts impedance of 6 to 16 ohms

CD player section

Compact disc and digital audio system Laser Semiconductor laser (=780nm) Emission duration: continuous Laser output Max. 44.6 W* *This output is the value measured at a distance of 200 mm from the objective lens surface on the Optical Pick-up Block with 7 mm aperture. Wavelength nm Frequency response 20 Hz 20 kHz (0.5 dB) Signal-to-noise ratio More than 90 dB Dynamic range More than 90 dB CD OPTICAL DIGITAL OUT (Square optical connector jack, rear panel) Wavelength 660 nm Output Level 18 dBm System

Tape player section

Recording system Frequency response Wow and flutter 4-track 2-channel stereo 40 13,000 Hz (3 dB), using Sony TYPE I cassette 0.15% W.Peak (IEC) 0.1% W.RMS (NAB) 0.2% W.Peak (DIN)