RCA RS2532 / RS3532 Audio System User Manual

FCC Information

This device generates and uses radio frequency (RF) energy. If not installed and used properly, it may cause interference to radio and television reception. This equipment has been tested and complies with FCC Rules Subpart J of Part 15, designed to provide reasonable protection against interference in residential installations. However, interference is not guaranteed in all installations.

To correct interference, try reorienting the receiving antenna, moving the unit away from interfering equipment, or plugging the unit into a different wall outlet on a separate branch circuit. Consult your dealer or an experienced technician for further assistance. The U.S. Government Printing Office offers a booklet, "How To Identify and Resolve Radio TV Interference Problems" (Stock number 004-000-00345-4).

This product complies with DHHS Rules 21 CFR Subchapter J, applicable at the date of manufacture.

For Your Safety

The AC power plug is polarized (one blade is wider than the other) and fits into outlets one way. If the plug does not fit completely, turn it over. If it still doesn't fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to bypass this safety feature. Caution: To prevent electric shock, match the wide blade of the plug to the wide slot and insert fully.

For Your Records: Record the Model No., Remote Control No., Date of Purchase, Place of Purchase, and Serial No. for service purposes.

Service Information: Service should only be performed by qualified personnel. Refer to the warranty included in this guide for service instructions.

Headphone Use: Turn down the volume before putting on headphones. Increase volume only after headphones are in place.

Warning: To prevent fire or electrical shock hazard, do not expose this product to rain or moisture.

Warning Symbols:

• The lightning flash and arrowhead within a triangle indicates dangerous voltage inside the product.
• The exclamation point within a triangle alerts you to important instructions accompanying the product.
• Caution: Risk of electric shock. Do not open. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.

Installation

Connectors on the Main Unit:

• 1. AM Loop Antenna Connector
• 2. Auxiliary In Connector
• 3. Auxiliary Out Connector
• 4. Surround Speaker Jacks (RS2532 only)
• 5. Main Speaker Jacks
• 6. FM Antenna Jack
• 7. Subwoofer Speaker Jacks

Unpacking the System: You should have the main unit (with speakers), remote control, AM loop antenna, T-Type FM antenna wire, user's guide, safety leaflet, and owner/registration card.

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation by maintaining at least 10 cm (approx. 4 inches) of clearance on the front and sides, and 5 cm (approx. 2 inches) on the top from other surfaces.

Controls and Indicators - Main Unit

Disc Management:

• OPEN/CLOSE: Opens or closes the disc tray.
• DISC 1 - DISC 5: Selects a specific disc in the 5-disc changer.
• DISC SKIP: Skips to the next CD in the tray.

Power & Source:

• STANDBY/POWER: Turns the unit on or off (to STANDBY mode).
• PHONES: Jack for connecting headphones.
• SOURCE: Selects the CD player, tuner, tape player, or external source.
• DEMO/DIMMER: Turns demonstration mode on/off and adjusts display brightness.

Playback & Tuning Controls:

• STOP/TUNE/PRESET: Stops CD/tape operations, selects tune or presets mode.
• SKIP FORWARD: Increments radio frequency, CD tracks, fast-forwards tape, or moves up presets.
• SKIP BACKWARD: Decrements radio frequency, CD tracks, rewinds tape, or moves down presets.
• PLAY/PAUSE: Plays or pauses CD and tape.

Timer & Clock:

• CLOCK: Shows clock time and enters clock setting mode.
• TIMER: Enters timer setting mode and turns the timer on/off.

Other Controls:

• BAND/DECK 1/2/AUTO PROG.: Changes tuner bands, enters auto-preset program (FM), switches between tape decks.
• ROCK/CLASSIC, CUSTOM/FLAT, POP/JAZZ: Selects equalizer modes.
• X-SURROUND (RS2532 only): Activates enhanced sound quality.
• VMAX (RS3532 only): Activates VMAX feature.
• VOLUME: Adjusts volume level.

Tip: In STANDBY mode, the system displays the time. Press POWER to turn it on in the previously used mode. Use CD, TAPE, TUNER, or AUX buttons to select the corresponding mode.

Controls and Indicators - Remote Control

Power & Source:

• POWER: Turns power on or off (STANDBY mode).
• TUNER, CD, TAPE, AUX: Selects the respective source.

Playback Controls:

• VOL+/-: Increases/decreases volume.
• PREV, NEXT/FWD: Decrements/increments CD track, searches CD, fast-forwards/rewinds tape, tunes radio frequency.
• PLAY/PAUSE: Plays or pauses current CD or tape.
• STOP: Stops playing CD or tape.
• DISC SKIP: Skips to the next CD.
• RECORD: Starts tape recording.
• REPEAT: Repeats a track, CD, or all CDs.
• SHUFFLE: Turns on/off random listening.
• INTRO: Plays the first 10 seconds of each track.
• PRESET UP/DOWN: Selects next/previous preset station, enables/disables continuous play in tape mode.
• SLEEP: Sets the time interval before the unit turns off.

Other Controls:

• EQ: Selects equalizer presets.
• X-SURROUND (RS2532 only): Activates X-SURROUND.
• VMAX (RS3532 only): Activates VMAX.
• FM ST: Toggles between FM stereo and mono.
• MUTE: Mutes the sound.

Battery Information: Uses "AAA" or "UM-4" or "R03" batteries.

Display Functions

Showing the Demonstration: Press DEMO/DIMMER to turn on/off the demonstration mode, which scrolls through display operations.

Setting the Time: Press and hold CLOCK until the hour flashes. Use SKIP BACKWARD/FORWARD to set the hour, then press CLOCK to set minutes. Use SKIP BACKWARD/FORWARD to set minutes. Press SET to save, STOP to quit. Pressing CLOCK when the system is ON displays the current time for about 2 seconds.

Setting the Timer: Press and hold TIMER until the ON time hour flashes. Use SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD and TIMER to set the ON time (hour and minute). Press TIMER again to set the OFF time (hour and minute). Press TIMER to select the source (CD, TUNER, AUX, TAPE) using SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD. Press TIMER to set the volume using the VOLUME knob. Press SET to save, STOP to quit.

Activating the Timer: Press TIMER to turn the alarm on/off. The alarm is active when the clock icon indicator is lit.

Adjusting Display Brightness: Press and hold DEMO/DIMMER for over 2 seconds. While the dimmer is displayed, press DIMMER to select the desired level (DIMM 0-3).

Sleep Mode: Press SLEEP on the remote to select an automatic turn-off interval (120, 90, 60, 45, 30, 15, or 5 minutes).

Sound Features

Equalizer: Use ROCK/CLASSIC, CUSTOM/FLAT, POP/JAZZ buttons on the unit or EQ on the remote to select FLAT, ROCK, JAZZ, POP, CLASSICAL, or CUSTOM equalizer modes.

Creating a Custom Curve: Select CUSTOM mode. Use SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD to adjust bass, mid, and treble levels. Use VOLUME to set the gain for each range (-10 to +10).

Sub Woofer: Press SUB WOOFER to boost bass frequency.

Muting Audio: Press MUTE on the remote to silence the sound.

X-Surround (RS2532 only): Enhances sound width, depth, and presence for a more immersive audio experience.

VMAX (RS3532 only): Activates the VMAX feature.

CD Player

Loading Discs: Press SOURCE to select CD mode. Press OPEN/CLOSE to open the tray. Insert up to five discs with the label side up. Use DISC SKIP to rotate the disc carrier if needed. Press OPEN/CLOSE to close the tray. Loaded disc position icons will light up.

Playing Discs: Press PLAY/PAUSE to start or pause playback. Press STOP to stop playback. Use DISC 1 - DISC 5 to select a disc, and SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD to select a track.

Play and Load Simultaneously: Press OPEN/CLOSE while a CD is playing to open the tray. Load or change discs using DISC SKIP. Press OPEN/CLOSE to close the tray.

Shuffling the Play Order: Press SHUFFLE on the remote to play tracks in random order.

Sampling Tracks: Press INTRO on the remote to play the first 10 seconds of each track on the current disc or all discs. Press again to turn INTRO mode off.

Repeating the Play Order: Press REPEAT on the remote to repeat the current track, current disc, or all discs.

Setting Up a CD Program: While the CD player is stopped, press PROG/SET to enter program mode. Use SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD (and DISC SKIP or DISC 1-5 for different discs) to select tracks. Press SET to assign the track to the program number. The unit supports programming up to 32 tracks.

Playing a Program List: While in PROGRAM mode, press PLAY.

Displaying the Program List: While stopped, press SET to enter PROGRAM mode. Press SET repeatedly to view the programmed tracks.

Deleting Program List: In PROGRAM mode, press and hold STOP for 5 seconds until "CLEAR" is displayed.

Skipping a Disk: Press DISC SKIP.

Searching Through a CD: Press and hold SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD while playing to search through the CD.

CD-R/RW Compatibility: This unit is compatible with CD-RW/CD-R discs for playback. Note that playback may vary due to disc quality and recorder variations. Do not affix labels or use damaged discs.

Tuner

Selecting Tuner: Press SOURCE to select TUNER. Press BAND to select AM or FM radio band.

Tuning to a Station: Use SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD to select frequencies.

Using Presets: The tuner can be in TUNE or PRESET mode. In PRESET mode (PROG light on), use PRESET UP/DOWN (remote) or SKIP BACKWARD/FORWARD (unit) to cycle through preset stations.

Manually Setting Presets: Select Tune mode. Use SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD to find a frequency. Press SET. Use SKIP BACKWARD/FORWARD to select a preset number (1-32). Press SET to store.

Auto Preset Programming (FM only): Press and hold BAND for 2 seconds to scan and store up to 32 FM stations automatically.

Suppressing Stereo Signal: Press FM ST on the remote to toggle between FM mono and stereo.

Tape Player

Playing a Tape: Press SOURCE to select TAPE. Open the cassette door, insert a tape, and close the door. Use BAND/DECK 1/2 to select the deck. Use SKIP FORWARD/BACKWARD to position the tape. Press PLAY.

Continuous Play: Insert a tape into deck 2 and press PLAY. Insert a tape into deck 1. When deck 2 finishes, deck 1 will automatically play. Press PRESET UP on the remote to enable continuous play (indicated by "C"). Press PRESET DOWN to disable.

Recording:

• From Tuner: Select TAPE source, select TUNER band, tune to station. Press RECORD. Press STOP to end.
• From CD: Select TAPE source, select CD. Select track/program. Press RECORD. CD playback begins. Press STOP to end.
• Tape to Tape (Synchronize Recording): Insert destination tape in deck 1, source tape in deck 2. Press RECORD. Playback and recording start simultaneously.
• Tape to Tape (Normal Recording): Insert destination tape in deck 1, source tape in deck 2. Press PLAY. Press RECORD when ready.
• From an Auxiliary Input: Connect auxiliary device to AUX connector. Start playback on the auxiliary device. Press RECORD on the unit. Press STOP to end.

Tape Counter: Use PROG. button to reset the tape counter.

Tape Protection: Break off the small tabs on cassette shells to prevent recording. Cover the holes with adhesive tape to allow recording.

Tape Slack: Use a pencil to tighten any slack in cassette tapes before insertion to prevent damage.

Troubleshooting Tips

• System will not turn on: Check power cord connection. Unplug and replug. Check outlet with another device.
• No sound: Increase volume. Check speaker connections. Ensure correct source is selected. Make sure mute is off.
• Poor radio reception: Check antenna connection and position. Turn off nearby electrical appliances.
• CD button does not respond/change discs: Check if CD is loaded correctly, label side up. Ensure PAUSE mode is off. Check CD function is selected. Use CD lens cleaner or clean the disc.
• CD does not play: Check if CD is loaded correctly, label side up. Ensure PAUSE mode is off. Check CD function is selected. Use CD lens cleaner or clean the disc.
• CD sound skips: Clean the disc. Check for warping, scratches, or damage. Ensure the system is not vibrating and speakers are positioned appropriately.
• Remote control does not work: Check battery installation and replace if weak. Ensure system is plugged in. Point remote directly at the system's front panel, move closer, and remove obstacles.

Maintenance

Disconnect the audio system from the power source before maintenance.

Cleaning: Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth.

CD Player: The system uses a laser. Only a qualified technician should open the unit.

Tape Player: Periodically clean magnetic heads, pinch rollers, and capstans with an alcohol-dipped cotton bud. Use a demagnetizing cassette to demagnetize the heads.

More Information

Safety Precautions: Never open the cabinet. Do not operate with the cabinet removed. Avoid touching the player with wet hands. The laser pickup is safe when operated as directed. Do not use damaged, warped, or cracked discs. Ensure correct voltage is set. Keep the disc compartment door closed to prevent dust on the lens. Avoid exposure to dripping or splashing.

Important Battery Information: Remove batteries if the remote is not used for over a month. Dispose of leaky batteries properly. Do not mix battery types, insert incorrectly, or attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.

Headset Safety: Avoid playing at excessively high volumes to protect hearing. Reduce volume or discontinue use if you experience ringing in your ears. Use caution in hazardous situations and ensure you can still hear your surroundings.

Handling CDs: Do not touch the signal surfaces. Hold CDs by the edges or the center hole. Do not affix labels or scratch the label surface.

Cleaning CDs: Wipe CDs gently from the inner edge to the outer perimeter with a soft cloth. For stubborn dirt, use a slightly damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Do not use record cleaning sprays, benzene, or thinners.

CD Lens Care: Use a dedicated CD lens cleaner to maintain sound quality.

Don't Infringe: This product is intended for entertainment use only and must not be used in violation of copyright laws.

Technical Specification:

• Power supply: 120V~60Hz for RCA models.
• Dimensions (H x W x D mm): Unit: 329 x 306 x 400; Speaker: 329 x 240 x 245; Surround Speaker: 180 x 96 x 86.
• Tape deck response curve: 125Hz-8kHz (-5dB).
• CD player response curve: 20Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 2dB).
• Rating plate is located at the back of the set.

Limited Warranty (US)

What your warranty covers: Defects in materials or workmanship.

Warranty Period: One year from date of purchase for labor and parts. For rental units, it begins with the first rental or 45 days from shipment to the rental firm, whichever comes first.

Service: RCA will pay Authorized RCA Audio Service Centers for labor and replacement parts. To find a service center, ask your dealer, check Yellow Pages, or call 1-800-336-1900. Provide proof of purchase (bill of sale or receipted invoice) for warranty service.

What your warranty does not cover: Customer instruction, installation/adjustments, signal reception issues not caused by the unit, misuse/neglect, audio head cleaning, batteries, modifications, use in commercial settings, units purchased/serviced outside the U.S.A., and acts of nature (e.g., lightning damage).

Product Registration: Complete and mail the Product Registration Card for easier contact, though it is not required for warranty coverage.

Limitation of Warranty: This is the only warranty. No other verbal or written information creates a guaranty. Repair or replacement is the exclusive remedy. RCA is not liable for incidental or consequential damages. This warranty is governed by Indiana law. Implied warranties are limited to the warranty period.

State Law: Some states may not allow limitations on consequential damages or implied warranty duration, so these limitations may not apply to you. This warranty grants specific legal rights that may vary by state.

Outside the United States: This warranty does not apply. Contact your dealer.

Service calls for non-defective issues are the purchaser's responsibility.

Limited Warranty (Canada)

What your warranty covers: Defects in materials or workmanship.

Warranty Period: One year from date of purchase for labor and parts. For rental units, it begins with the first rental or 45 days from shipment to the rental firm, whichever comes first.

Service: RCA will pay Authorized RCA Audio Service Centers for labor and replacement parts. To find a service center, ask your dealer, check Yellow Pages, or call 1-800-336-1900. Provide proof of purchase (bill of sale or receipted invoice) for warranty service.

What your warranty does not cover: Customer instruction, installation/adjustments, signal reception issues not caused by the unit, misuse/neglect, audio head cleaning, batteries, modifications, use in commercial settings, units purchased/serviced outside Canada, and acts of nature (e.g., lightning damage).

Product Registration: Complete and mail the Product Registration Card for easier contact, though it is not required for warranty coverage.

Limitation of Warranty: This is the only warranty. No other verbal or written information creates a guaranty. Repair or replacement is the exclusive remedy. RCA is not liable for incidental or consequential damages. Implied warranties are limited to the warranty period.

Provincial Laws: This warranty grants specific legal rights which may vary by Province.

Outside Canada: This warranty does not apply. Contact your dealer.

Service calls for non-defective issues are the purchaser's responsibility.