Sony STR-VA555ES User Manual

FM StereoFM-AM ReceiverOperating Instructions4-235-283-13(3)STR-VA555ES© 2001 Sony Corporation

10Digital component hookupsDVD or LD player(etc.)*Connect the digital output jacks of your DVD player and satellite tuner (etc.) to the receiver’s dig

11Hooking Up the ComponentConnect the digital output jacks of your MD or DAT deck to the receiver’s digital input jack andconnect the digital input ja

12Multi channel input hookupsAlthough this receiver incorporates a multi channel decoder, it is also equipped with multi channelinput jacks. These con

13Hooking Up the ComponentOther hookupsCONTROL A1 hookup• If you have a CONTROL A1 compatibleSony CD player, SACD player, tapedeck, or MD deckUse a

142ND ROOM hookupYou can use the 2ND ROOM OUT jacks tooutput the audio/video signals of the selectedcomponent to a stereo amplifier located inanother

15Hooking Up the ComponentNotes• (Models of area code E only) Two AC power cordsare supplied. Use either AC power cord that fitsyour wall outlet.• We

16Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker SystemFront speaker (L)Front speaker (R)Center speaker*Surround speaker(L)Surround speaker(R)Active sub woofer

17Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker SystemTips• You can connect an active sub woofer to either of the two jacks. The remaining jack can be used to

18Speaker system hookup (continued)Performing initial setupoperationsOnce you have hooked up the speakers andturned on the power, clear the receiver’s

19Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker SystemcontinuedPerforming initial setupoperationsBefore using your receiver for the first time,adjust SET UP p

2WARNINGTo prevent fire or shock hazard, do notexpose the unit to rain or moisture.To prevent fire, do not Cover the ventilation of theapparatus with

20x Center speaker size (CENTER)• If you connect a large speaker that willeffectively reproduce bass frequencies, select“LARGE”. Normally, select “LAR

21Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker Systemx Surround back speaker size(SURR BACK)• If you connect a large speaker that willeffectively reproduce b

22TipThe receiver allows you to input the speaker positionin terms of distance. However, it is not possible to setthe center speaker further than the

23Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker Systemx Surround speaker position (SURRPOSI.)*This parameter lets you specify the location ofyour surround spe

24x Surround back speaker crossoverfrequency (SURR BACK SP >)Lets you adjust the surround back speaker basscrossover frequency when the surround ba

25Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker SystemAdjusting the speaker levelUse the remote while seated in your listeningposition to adjust the level of

26Basic OperationsSelecting the componentFUNCTION controlTurn FUNCTION control to select thecomponent you want to use.To select Rotate to lightVCR VID

27Basic OperationsMULTI/2CH ANALOG DIRECTPress MULTI/2CH ANALOG DIRECT toenjoy the audio source connected to theMULTI CH IN 1 or 2 jacks or analog 2ch

28PHONESUse to connect headphones.When the headphones are connected, selectablesound fields are HEADPHONE (2CH),HEADPHONE (DIRECT), and HEADPHONETHEAT

29Basic OperationsListening to the sound inanother roomYou can select the analog audio signals foroutput to a stereo amplifier in another room.For det

3Table of ContentsFeatures ... 4Parts IdentificationMain unit ...

30Enjoying Surround SoundYou can take advantage of surround soundsimply by selecting one of the receiver’spre-programmed sound fields. They bring thee

31Enjoying Surround Soundx SEMI C.STUDIO EX A–C1) (SemiCinema Studio EX A–C)DCSUses 3D sound imaging of V. SEMI M.DIMENSION to create 5 sets of virtu

32Selecting a sound field (continued)x CHURCHReproduces the acoustics of a stone church.x OPERA HOUSEReproduces the acoustics of an opera house.x JAZZ

33Enjoying Surround SoundcontinuedNIGHT MODEAllows you to retain a theater like environment,at low volume levels even late at night. Even ata low volu

34About 6.1 channel decoding mode6.1CH Input Output Applied 6.1 channelDECODING stream channel decoderOFF Dolby Digital 5.1 NODolby Digital EX1)5.1 NO

35Enjoying Surround Sound1 SW: Lights up when sub woofer selection isset to “YES” and the receiver detects that thedisc being played back does not con

36qa MPEG: Lights up when MPEG signals areinput.NoteOnly the front 2 channels are compatible withMPEG format. Multi channel surround sound isdownmixed

37Enjoying Surround SoundCustomizing sound fieldsBy adjusting the surround parameters and theequalization of the front, center, surround, andsurround

38Customizing sound fields (continued)2ch decode mode (2CH MODE)Lets you specify the type of decoding for the 2channel source. This receiver incorpora

39Enjoying Surround SoundFront reverberation (FRONTREVERB)This parameter can be used when“D.CONCERT HALL A, B” is selected. Thisparameter lets you adj

4Features7.1 channel modeThis receiver incorporates a 6 channel amplifier. It can reproduce the sound of movies (etc.)encoded in 6.1 channel audio thr

40Initial settingsParameter Initial settingTEST TONE* OFFPHASE NOISE* OFFPHASE AUDIO* OFFFRONT L__I__R CenterSURROUND L__I__R CenterSUR.BACK L__I__R C

41Enjoying Surround SoundGain(dB)Frequency(Hz)Frequency(Hz)Frequency(Hz)BandwidthBASSMID TREBLEAdjusting the equalizerThe EQ menu lets you adjust the

42Surround speaker bass adjustment(Gain/Frequency)Lets you adjust the gain and frequency of bass.Surround speaker treble adjustment(Gain/Frequency)Let

43Receiving BroadcastsReceiving BroadcastsBefore receiving broadcasts, make sure youhave connected FM and AM antennas to thereceiver (see page 7).Stor

44Direct tuning (continued)5 If you’ve tuned in an AM station, adjustthe direction of the AM loop antenna foroptimum reception.6 Repeat steps 2 to 5 t

45Receiving BroadcastsPresetting radio stations1 Rotate FUNCTION to select TUNER.The last received station is tuned in.2 Tune in the station that you

46Using the Radio DataSystem (RDS)(Models of area code CEL only)This receiver also allows you to use RDS(Radio Data System), which enables radiostatio

47Receiving BroadcastsDescription of program typesProgram type DescriptionindicationNews News programsCurrent Affairs Topical programs that expandon c

48Other OperationsNaming preset stationsand program sourcesYou can enter a name of up to 8 characters forpreset stations and program sources. Thesenam

49Other OperationsNotes• You cannot record a digital audio signal using acomponent connected to the analog TAPE OUT orMD/DAT OUT jacks. To record a di

Parts Identification52CH qg (30, 32)2ND ROOM eh (29)6.1CH indicator ql6.1CH DECODING qk (33, 50)A.F.D. q; (30, 32)AUDIO SPLIT wf (26)CINEMA STUDIO EX

50Adjustments using theSET UP buttonThe SET UP button allows you to make thefollowing adjustments.1 Press SET UP.2 Press the cursor buttons ( or ) t

51Other Operationsx Digital power management (D.POWER)Lets you enjoy the analog source without theinfluence of digital circuits.•“AUTO OFF” turns off

52x 2-way remote (2 WAY REMOTE)This receiver is shipped from the factory withthe 2 way remote control system set to “ON”.Normally, you can use the rec

53Other OperationsCONTROL A1 controlsystemGetting StartedThis section explains the basic functionsof the CONTROL A1 Control System.Certain component

54CONTROL A1Jacks and connection examplesCONTROL A1CD playerMD deckOn CONTROL A1 jacks andconnectionsIt is possible to make connections betweenCONTROL

55Operations using the remoteOperations using the remoteBefore you use yourremoteInserting batteries into theremoteInsert three LR6 (size-AA) alkaline

56Before you use your remote(continued)Setting up the remoteAt the time of shipping, the remote has notbeen customized to your receiver yet. Beforeyou

57Operations using the remote6 Tape/disc operation buttonsThe following table shows whatcomponents are operated by each button andthe function of the

58Location of parts and basic remoteoperations (continued)qa DIMMER buttonThe function of this button is same as theDIMMER button on the receiver. See

59Operations using the remotew; SHIFT >10 buttonIf you have selected tuner:Press repeatedly to select a memory pagefor presetting radio stations or

6Required cordsBefore you get started• Turn off the power to all components before making any connections.• Do not connect the AC power cord until all

60Location of parts and basic remoteoperations (continued)Table of buttons used to control each componentWhen you program the remote to control the fo

61Operations using the remoteTable of operations thatappear when you press theSUB buttonPress SUB to display a list of operations thatthe correspondin

62Location of parts and basic remoteoperations (continued)ComponentItem(s) FunctionVIDEO CD TIME Changes the timeplayer information.INDEX +Selects a i

63Operations using the remotea) “SIDE A/B” appears for non-Sony LD players.b) Only with Sony TVs with the picture-in-picturefunction.c) Only with Sony

64FUNCTIONVIDEO1VIDEO2VIDEO3DVD/LDTV/SATTAPEMD/DATCD/SACDTUNERPHONOUSER1USER2MACRO1MACRO22ND ROOM3RD ROOM2)IR SETRECEIVERBACK LIGHTCONTRASTCOMMAND MOD

65Operations using the remoteSelecting a componentBasic procedure for selecting acomponentDo the procedure below to select a componentfrom the functio

66If you selected a Sony CD changer1 Move the easy scroll key.The DISC MEMO list appears.2 Move the easy scroll key to select adisc, then press the ke

67Operations using the remote1 Press SET UP.The set up list appears.p RECEIVERIR SETLEARNINGDOWNLOAD2 Move the easy scroll key to select “IRSET”, then

68Using the lists (continued)3 Move the easy scroll key to select“MACRO1” (or “MACRO2”), then pressthe key to enter the selection.The program list app

69Operations using the remoteTo erase a programmed IR code1 In step 4, move the easy scroll key to select“Common”, then press the key to enterselectio

7Hooking Up the ComponentAntenna hookupsFM wire antenna(supplied)AM loop antenna*(supplied)Notes on antenna hookups• To prevent noise pickup, keep the

70Using the lists (continued)Learning the commands ofyour componentsBy using the Learning function, it is possiblefor this commander to perform learne

71Operations using the remoteTo enter a name for SUB 1–51 In step 5, move the easy scroll key to select“Name”, then press the key to enter selection.2

72Using the lists (continued)To download CD disc names (memos)and information on the presence orabsence of a CD in each slot of a CDchangerThis functi

73Operations using the remoteOther OperationsSorting the menuYou can arrange the order of sound field list.1 Press SET UP.The set up list appears.IR S

74Using the lists (continued)Using the auto power functionWith the auto power function turned on, thecommander sends numerous codes to theappropriate

75Operations using the remoteSwitching the COMMAND MODEYou can switch the command mode (AVSYSTEM1 or AV SYSTEM2) of the remote. Ifthe command mode of

76Additional InformationPrecautionsOn safetyShould any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet,unplug the receiver and have it checked by qualifi

77Additional InformationThere is no sound from one of the frontspeakers.• Connect a pair of headphones to the PHONESjack to verify that sound is outpu

78Troubleshooting (continued)Recording cannot be done.• Check that the components are connectedcorrectly.• Select the source component with FUNCTIONco

79Additional InformationRemote controlThe remote does not function.• Point the remote at the remote sensor onthe receiver.• Remove any obstacles in

8Audio component hookupsTurntableTape deckMD or DAT deckCD/SACD playerNote on audio componenthookupsIf your turntable has a ground wire, connect itto

80Specifications (continued)OutputsTAPE, MD/DAT(REC OUT), VIDEO1, 2 (AUDIO OUT)FRONT L/R,CENTER,SURROUND L/R,SURROUND BACK,SUB WOOFEREQBASS: 99 Hz~1.0

81Additional InformationAM tuner sectionTuning rangeModels of area code EWith 10-kHz tuning scale: 530 – 1610 kHz6)With 9-kHz tuning scale: 531 – 1602

82Tables of settings using SURROUND, LEVEL, EQ, and SETUP buttonsYou can make various settings using the LEVEL, SURROUND, EQ, SET UP buttons, jog dial

83Additional InformationcontinuedPress Press or to select Turn jog dial to select PageEQ FRONT BASS GAIN –10 dB to +10 dB (1 dB steps) 41FRONT BAS

841) When the speakers are set to SMALL only.Press Press or to select Turn jog dial to select PageSET UP FRONT SP LARGE, SMALL 19CENTER SP LARGE

85Additional InformationAdjustable parameters for each sound fieldThe adjusted SURROUND parameters are stored in each sound field.The adjusted LEVEL p

86Adjustable parameters for each sound field (continued)< LEVEL >FRONT SURR SURR BACK CENTER SURR SURR BACK S. WOOFER LFE D.RANGEBAL BAL BAL LEV

87Additional Informationcontinued<EQ >< FRONT >BASS BASS MID MID MID TREBLE TREBLEGAIN FREQ GAIN FREQ SLOPE GAIN FREQ2CH zzzzzzzA.F.D. zzz

88Adjustable parameters for each sound field (continued)<EQ >< CENTER >BASS BASS MID MID MID TREBLE TREBLEGAIN FREQ GAIN FREQ SLOPE GAIN F

89Additional Information<EQ>< SURROUND/SURROUND BACK >BASS BASS TREBLE TREBLEGAIN FREQ GAIN FREQ2CHA.F.D. zzzzNORMAL SURROUND zzzzCINEMA S

9Hooking Up the ComponentVideo component hookupsTo the frontpanelCamcorderor videogameTV monitor*TV or satellite tunerDVD or LD playerNote on video co

90

91Additional Information

92Sony Corporation Printed in Malaysia