REGA Apollo - Compact Disc Player Manual

Introduction

To the best of our understanding, there have only ever been five large multinational companies with the technology and knowledge base to develop the remarkably complex operating software for CD players. Development of this software and chip-sets to operate CD transports was generally curtailed in the 1990's. After this time, all development effort was directed towards the design of DVD players and other advanced formats.
Rega and other specialist hi-fi manufacturers were totally reliant on companies like Sony and Philips to supply transports and their operating chip-sets. In 2003 Sony stopped supply and sent the specialist hi-fi industry into a flurry of activity in search of feasible alternatives. Many manufacturers were able to resource their supply from Far Eastern companies.
Rega worked hard to locate a British software company who were developing a totally new disc operating system. A system, which was highly advanced, even in the early development stages.
Rega was the only manufacturer to develop the unique new disc operating system. Due to ever increasing computer processing power and memory capacity, it was possible to build in an enormous increase in memory capability. This allowed the data retrieval to meet the original CD 'Red Book' specifications without compromise to the musical performance. All previous chip-sets were unable to achieve this due to their limited memory and signal processing capacity.
Rega's British designed chip-set delivers superior error correction and signal processing capacity. This enhances the sonic performance of the player and delivers a unique level of musicality. The Apollo is the latest version of Rega's bestselling CD player housed in a brand new case. The Apollo's unique sound harmonises with the rest of our products and will integrate into any music system seamlessly.
We hope you enjoy this very special CD player. We have spent a very long time creating it, drawing on more than 40 years of experience in specialist hi-fi manufacturing.

Installation

Ensure the operating voltage of the Apollo (stated on the rear) is the same as that of your local power supply.
The Apollo will work well on most surfaces, such as a shelf, table, stand or wall bracket.
The Apollo should be placed to allow adequate access to the lid and aperture. If access is limited, there is a danger of scratching the CD when placing it on the ball chuck system.

Interconnects

A standard interconnect provides entirely satisfactory performance for the Apollo CD player.
Audiophiles may wish to upgrade to a more exotic interconnect at a later stage, such as Rega's Couple 2.

Output connections

Outputs are made via RCA (Phono) type connector and the 'Toslink' optical connection. The sockets on the Rega products are clearly marked to help identify them.
Line Out: For output to an audio amplifier.
Right: Always the lower row and marked in RED.
Left: Always the upper row and marked in WHITE.

SOME AMPLIFIERS AND INTERCONNECTS HAVE BLACK COLOUR CODING FOR THE LEFT CHANNEL!
Digital Out: For output to digital components such as DAC, PC or Bluetooth transmitter. Always check that the connecting component is compatible with 44.1k coaxial S/PDIF input.

ALWAYS TURN OFF THE PLAYER WHEN CHANGING LEADS.

Rear panel connections

Front panel

Powering up

Press the power switch on the front panel. The power indication LED on the power switch will illuminate and the display shows "".

If there is a disc in the player, it will initialise. The display will now show "".
If there is no disc in the player, "" is displayed.

In use

Loading a disc

Open lid and place CD onto three-point ball chuck.
Close lid and wait for the player to initialise the disc (initialisation can take up to 12 seconds). This checks to see if its CDA (WAV Red Book), MP3 or WMA format. (The Apollo locks out both remote and keypad functions whilst initialising the disc until track 1 total time is displayed.)
The display will then show the contents of the disc.
CDAs will show - Total number of tracks, total time and the CD symbol.
MP3s will show - Total number of tracks, total albums and .
WMAs will show - Total tracks, total albums and 'WMA' followed by track 1 album 1 and zero time.
MP3/WMA Combination will show - Total tracks, total albums and followed by track 1 album 1 and zero time.
The Apollo can handle a maximum of 999 tracks and 99 albums when playing MP3 and WMA. This should be considered when compiling MP3 & WMA discs. The music calendar is active for CDA (WAV) Red Book and is not active for WMA, MP3 & MIX.

Playing or pausing a cd audio disc

After the disc has been initialised, select the PLAY function on either the remote or front panel. The disc will start playing from track 1 of the first album on the disc regardless of disc content.
The display will show: The play symbol, track number and time.
NB: If playing CDR's, they must be recorded at no greater than 8x as we cannot guarantee the readability of the disc.
Once playing the CD, you can then activate the PAUSE function by pressing the PAUSE button on the remote or pressing the PLAY/PAUSE button on the front panel. PAUSE will then hold track position until the PLAY/PAUSE button is pressed on either the remote or front panel.
Once PLAY is activated again, the display shows all information about the track and will continue to play from the held position.

Playing or pausing mp3/wma discs

MP3 and WMA will show the name of the track, track number and time. It will also show the album (index) number.

Stopping the player

Pressing the STOP button on either the remote or front panel will stop the current action and return the player back to track 1 album 1.
Whilst in 'stopping mode' the player locks out all other functions.

Track previous

Pressing once while the disc is playing, the current track will start again from the beginning.
Pressing again in quick succession will take you to the start of the previous track.

Track next

Pressing once while the disc is playing, the next track will start from the beginning.
Pressing again takes you to the beginning of the next track after that, etc.
If the TRACK buttons are pressed in PAUSE and STOP modes, a specific track can be selected, and when the PLAY button is pressed, the selected track will start from the beginning.

Additional cd functions

Activated by the remote

Remote functions

The remote control supplied as standard is specific to this model and is necessary to access the advanced functions of the player.
The Rega Solaris system remote will also control all the basic functions of the Apollo (sold separately).

Play, pause, stop, track previous/next

The PLAY and PAUSE buttons on the remote control are the same as PLAY/PAUSE on the front panel except they have been separated.
STOP, TRACK PREVIOUS, and TRACK NEXT work in the same way as on the front panel of the player.

Search back/forward

Pressing the SEARCH BACK/SEARCH FORWARD buttons in PLAY mode searches the disc at high speed, allowing you to find a specific position in a track.
In PAUSE mode, the track is scanned at a higher speed without playing music. To stop the search, press the SEARCH BACK/SEARCH FORWARD button again.

Album up/down

Pressing the ALBUM UP/ALBUM DOWN buttons allows you to skip to the next album or previous when playing an MP3 or WMA disc.

Shuffle

To play tracks in a random order, press SHUFFLE then press PLAY.
To play tracks in a random order whilst in PLAY mode, press the SHUFFLE button once: RANDOM will be highlighted and the tracks will be played in a sequence generated by the player.
To cancel shuffle play, press the SHUFFLE button again. The CD player will continue to play in the discs original sequence after the current track being played has finished.

Repeat

To repeat disc, press REPEAT: "" will momentarily appear and REPEAT will be displayed.
To repeat a track, press REPEAT twice: "" will momentarily appear and REPEAT 1 will be displayed.
To repeat an album (MP3 and WMA format), press REPEAT three times: "" will momentarily appear and REPEAT will be displayed.
Pressing the REPEAT button will cycle between the various repeat functions.
NB: Please give the Apollo enough time to process the information each time a new or different function is selected.

Display info whilst playing a disc

While playing a disc, the display shows the PLAY symbol, current track number, playing time and the music calendar.
The track numbers in the music calendar disappear after they are played.
The TEXT button on the remote can be pressed to show information on WMA and MP3 files (this feature is only available when using the Solaris system remote).

Music calendar

This will show the track being played i.e. if its playing track 01 the calendar will only show 1. The music calendar is active for CDA (WAV) Red Book and is not active for WMA, MP3 & MIX.

Turning off the display

Pressing the DISPLAY button on the remote will turn off the display, pressing it again will turn it back on (this feature is only available when using the Solaris system remote).

Displaying remaining time

Checking the remaining playing time of the track is done by pressing the TIME button on the remote whilst the CD is playing. This button can be used to alternate between the track playing time and the time remaining on the track.

NB: The time function does not work for MP3, WMA or MIX files.

Creating a program

The program function allows you to program up to 99 tracks from a disc or album in any order you specify.

1. Press PROGRAM on the remote handset to create your new programme list: PROGRAM will appear on the display.
2. When the first program location appears, you can enter the required track number. Continue this until your programme is complete up to a maximum of 99 locations.
3. Use the TRACK NEXT and TRACK PREVIOUS buttons to enter the track numbers. Press the OK button twice after each track is selected.
4. If you enter the wrong track number it can be deleted by pressing the CLEAR button. This will clear the last location entered.
5. Press PROGRAM again to finish programming.
6. Pressing PLAY will activate your programme. The display now shows the first track that was entered into your programme.
7. If PROGRAM is pressed again, you can enter further tracks from the last location in your programme. This can be done either when the Apollo is playing your programme or when stopped.
8. To clear your programme, make sure the Apollo has stopped, then press the CLEAR button.

NB: The program function does not work for MP3, WMA or MIX files.

The handling of cds

To keep the CD clean, handle by its edge only. Do not touch the surface; natural oils from skin can stop the laser from reading the disc accurately.
Do not expose the disc to bright sunlight, leave near hot places such as electrical equipment or in a parked car. Excess heat can cause the disc to warp.
Do not use any cleaning fluids or anti-static sprays on the disc as they could damage the disc or the player.
Store the disc in its case when not in use to prevent it from becoming scratched.

Care of player

Misuse of the player could invalidate your rega warranty.
Do not touch the lens or electronic parts inside the player. It is a very sensitive optical device and is easily damaged. If dirt gets on the lens, the player may not work.
Do not attempt to clean the lens or lubricate in any way. Fluids and abrasive materials could easily damage the lens. Your Rega dealer will be trained in cleaning this component, but provided you take care with your player, it should not need any servicing.
Do not leave the lid open, as dust will get into the player and onto the lens.
Do not drop objects into the player. If any objects fall into the player, switch off and disconnect from the mains supply immediately and contact your Rega dealer. Do not open the case or stick implements into it to retrieve the item.
If you are not going to use the player for a long time, we recommend that you switch it off.
Always pull the plug itself when disconnecting from the wall socket, never the cord.

Apollo specifications

Laser Semiconductor laser
Wavelength 790nm
Line Output Maximum Level 2.15V (minimum load impedance 10kΩ)
Digital Output Maximum Level 0.5V (load impedance 75Ω)
Digital Sampling Frequency 44.1kHz

Power Consumption:
13.5Watts at 230V (minimum 190V maximum 253V) @ 50/60Hz
13.5Watts at 115V (minimum 95V maximum 126.5V) @ 50/60Hz

Dimensions:
215Wx90Hx340D

Required Space for operation (lid fully open):
215Wx165Hx340D

Mains fuses:
230V / 20mm / T250mA L
115V / 20mm / T500mA L

CDP Remote Batteries:
AAA (1.5) x 2

BATTERIES MAY EXPLODE OR LEAK IF RECHARGED, DISPOSED OF IN FIRE OR DISSECTED.

Recommended ambient operating temperature 5 to 35°C. Allow adequate air circulation around the whole of the Apollo CD player especially when running for extended periods of time. This unit is intended for use in moderate climates. To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock or product damage, do not expose the unit to rain, moisture, dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed upon it. Do not remove the case covers. There are no user serviceable parts inside. No naked flame sources, such as lit candles, should be placed on the apparatus. Refer the servicing to qualified Rega dealers only.

The laser component in this product is capable of emitting radiation exceeding the limit for Class 1.

This appliance is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER product.

INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN AND INTERLOCKS DEFEATED. AVOID
EXPOSURE TO BEAM.