Pioneer PD-M400 - User Manual

The Pioneer PD-M400 is a multi-play compact disc player designed for enhanced audio quality and convenient operation. It features a magazine-type system that allows for the sequential selection and playback of up to six discs, making it ideal for extended listening sessions without interruption.

Function Description:

At its core, the PD-M400 is a CD player that incorporates a digital filter and a twin D/A converter system. This advanced audio architecture is engineered to deliver high-quality sound reproduction, ensuring that your music is played back with clarity and fidelity. The player's robust design, featuring a honeycomb chassis, contributes to high rigidity and effectively suppresses resonance, further enhancing sound purity by minimizing unwanted vibrations. Independent left and right D/A converters are also integrated to optimize stereo separation and imaging.

The player offers a variety of playback modes to suit different listening preferences. Normal playback allows for the continuous playing of all tracks from the first disc to the last track on the sixth disc in the magazine. For those who prefer a personalized listening experience, the PD-M400 includes a comprehensive programming function. This allows users to select specific tracks from any of the six discs and arrange them in a desired order, with the capacity to memorize up to 32 steps in a program. The programming feature also supports direct programming, where the currently playing track can be added to the program with a simple press of the PGM MEMORY key. Additionally, PAUSE programming can be incorporated into a sequence to create temporary stops, useful for recording onto cassette tapes or for creating blank intervals.

Random playback is another key feature, enabling the player to select and play tracks from the loaded discs in a random order. When combined with the repeat function, random playback becomes an effective tool for background music, providing a varied and continuous audio stream.

The PD-M400 is equipped with a multi-function fluorescent display that provides clear and simultaneous indications of various playback parameters. This includes the disc mark, disc number, track number, and elapsed time. Users can also switch the display to show total time, remaining time on the current track, or remaining time on the entire disc. High-performance pickup technology ensures highly accurate playback, minimizing errors and maximizing audio quality.

For added convenience, the player supports timer start functionality. If a disc is loaded into the disc tray beforehand, the player will automatically begin playing from track 1 when the power is turned on or when activated by an external audio timer. This allows for scheduled listening sessions.

Usage Features:

Operating the PD-M400 involves a user-friendly interface with clearly labeled controls. The front panel includes manual search keys for fast forward and reverse operations, allowing users to quickly navigate through a disc while listening to the sound through speakers or headphones. Track search keys enable skipping to the next or previous tracks, or advancing continuously through succeeding tracks.

The magazine insertion slot is designed for easy loading of the six-compact-disc magazine. The EJECT key facilitates the removal of the magazine or a single disc tray. Dedicated PLAY, PAUSE, and STOP keys provide standard playback control. The PLAY key initiates playback and cancels pause mode, while the PAUSE key temporarily interrupts playback. The STOP key halts playback and clears any stored program if pressed twice.

The TIME key allows users to cycle through different time display modes on the indicator panel, showing elapsed time, remaining track time, or remaining disc time. The CLEAR key is used to clear programmed sequences. The RANDOM PLAY key initiates random playback of tracks across all loaded discs.

The rear panel features LINE OUT terminals for connecting the player to an amplifier's input terminals (CD or AUX). A control terminal is also present for remote control operation when used with compatible Pioneer stereo amplifiers, allowing for PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, TRACK SEARCH, and DISC change operations via the amplifier's remote control unit. The power cord connects to an auxiliary AC outlet on the amplifier or a household wall outlet.

Inserting discs into the 6-disc magazine is a straightforward process. Users pull out one disc tray at a time, position the disc with the label side downward, and then push the tray back in. The magazine has a window to check which disc is currently being played. Additional magazines (JD-M100 for 12-cm discs and JD-M108 for 8-cm discs) are available as options, allowing users to create a personalized disc library.

Maintenance Features:

Maintaining the PD-M400 involves simple care routines to ensure optimal performance and longevity. The player should be installed in a well-ventilated location, away from direct sunlight, heat sources (like radiators or stoves), and areas of high temperature or humidity. Avoiding dusty or damp environments is crucial to prevent malfunctions. Placing the player on heat-generating sources such as amplifiers should also be avoided. To prevent noise or picture degradation, it is recommended to install the CD player as far as possible from tuners and TV sets, especially when using an indoor antenna.

Discs should be kept clean by wiping them gently with a soft, dry cloth from the inner edge towards the outer perimeter. For very dirty discs, a soft cloth dampened with water (wrung out well) can be used, followed by a dry cloth to remove any water drops. It is important not to use record cleaning sprays, anti-static agents, benzene, thinner, or other volatile solvents on discs, as these can damage the disc surface. Discs should be handled by their edges or one edge and the center hole to avoid touching the signal surfaces. Labels or adhesive tape should not be affixed to the label surfaces, and damaged (cracked or warped) discs should not be used, as they rotate at high speed inside the player.

When storing discs, they should always be kept in their cases, stored vertically, and away from high heat, humidity, or extremely low temperatures to prevent warping. Leaving discs in cars or exposed to direct sunlight can be harmful.

For cleaning the player's front panel and unit housing, a soft, dry cloth is sufficient. For stubborn dirt, a soft cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution can be used, followed by a dry cloth. Volatile liquids like benzene and thinner should not be used on the unit.

In case of condensation, which can occur when the player is moved from a cold to a warm room or when room temperature rises sharply, the unit should be allowed to stand for about an hour or the temperature should be raised gradually to allow the unit to return to full performance.

The supplied labels for the 6-disc magazine are designed for organizing discs by titles, names of stored discs and tracks, and classification. These labels should be affixed to the specified positions on the magazine to ensure correct operation.

Pioneer PD-M400 Specifications

Power

power requirements (European models)	AC 220 V, 50/60 Hz
power requirements (U.K., Australian models)	AC 240 V, 50/60 Hz
power requirements (U.S., Canadian models)	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
power requirements (Other models)	AC 110/120 - 127/220/240 V, 50/60 Hz
power consumption	11 W

Operating Environment

operating temperature	+5°C - +35°C

Audio Specifications

sampling frequency	44.1 kHz
sampling bit number	16 bit linear
frequency response	4 Hz - 20 kHz
signal-to-noise ratio	more than 102 dB
dynamic range	more than 92 dB
channel separation	more than 95 dB
output voltage	1.8 V +0.3 V
wow and flutter	less than 0.001% W. PEAK
channels	2-channel (stereo)