Sony ICF-CD553RM Manual

For your protection, please read these safety instructions completely before operating the appliance, 

and keep this manual for future reference.

Carefully observe all warnings, precautions and instructions on the appliance and in the operating 

instructions, and adhere to them.

Do not use powerline operated appliances near water - for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, 

kitchen sink, or laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.

Do not place the appliance near or over a radiator or heat register, or where it is exposed to direct 

sunlight.

The slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for necessary ventilation. To ensure reliable 

operation of the appliance, and to protect it from overheating, these slots and openings must never be 

blocked or covered.

-Never cover the slots and openings with a cloth or other materials.

-Never block the slots and openings by placing the appliance on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar     

 surface.

-Never place the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase, or built-in cabinet, unless proper   

 ventilation is provided.

Do not place the appliance on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The appliance may fall, 

causing serious injury to a child or an adult, and serious damage to the appliance. Use only a cart, 

stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by Sony.  

-An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and   

 uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn.

If your appliance can be mounted to a wall or ceiling, mount it only as recommended by Sony.

This appliance should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. 

If you are not sure of the type of electrical power supplied to your home, consult your dealer or local 

power company. For those appliances designed to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer 

to the operating instructions.

This appliance is equipped with a polarized AC power cord plug (a plug having one blade wider than 

the other), or with a three-wire grounding type plug (a plug having a third pin for grounding). Follow 

the instructions below:

This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to 

insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact 

your electrician to have a suitable outlet installed. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized 

plug by forcing it in.

This plug will only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to 

insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to have a suitable outlet installed. Do not defeat 

the safety purpose of the grounding plug.

Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or convenience receptacles beyond their capacity, since 

this can result in fire or electric shock. 

Unplug the power cord of the appliance from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

To disconnect the cord, pull it out by grasping the plug. Never pull the plug out by the cord.

Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or 

against them, paying particular attention to the plugs, receptacles, and the point where the cord exits 

from the appliance.

For added protection for this appliance during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and 

unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable 

system. This will prevent damage to the appliance due to lightning and powerline surges.

Never push objects of any kind into the appliance through openings as they may touch dangerous 

voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any 

kind on the appliance.

Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet before cleaning or polishing it. Do not use liquid cleaners 

or aerosol cleaners. Use a cloth lightly dampened with water for cleaning the exterior of the appliance. 

Clean the appliance only as recommended by Sony.

Do not use attachments not recommended by Sony, as they may cause hazards.

If an outdoor antenna or cable system is installed, follow the precautions below.
An outdoor antenna system should not be located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other 

electric light or power circuits, or where it can come in contact with such power lines or circuits.

WHEN INSTALLING AN OUTDOOR ANTENNA SYSTEM, EXTREME CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN 

TO KEEP FROM CONTACTING SUCH POWER LINES OR CIRCUITS AS CONTACT WITH THEM 

IS ALMOST INVARIABLY FATAL.
Be sure the antenna system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and 

built-up static charges. Section 810 of the National Electrical Code provides information with respect 

to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an 

antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection 

to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode.

Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the 

following conditions:

-When the power cord or plug is damage or frayed.

-If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the appliance.

-If the appliance has been exposed to rain or water.

-The appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance.

 -This indicates a need for service.

-If the appliance does not operate normally when following the operating instructions, adjust only 

 those controls that are specified in the operating instructions. Improper adjustment of other controls   

 may result in damage and will often require extensive work 

 by a qualified technician to restore the appliance to normal operation.

-If the appliance has been subject to excessive shock by being dropped, or the cabinet has been 

 damaged.

Do not attempt to service the appliance yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to 

dangerous voltage or other hazards.

Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts 

specified by Sony that have the same characteristics as the original parts.

Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

Upon completion of any service or repairs to the appliance, ask the service technician to perform 

routine safety checks (as specified by Sony) to determine that the appliance is in safe operating 

condition.

Antenna Discharge Unit 

(NEC Section 810-20) 

Grounding Conductors 

(NEC Section 810-20) 

Antenna Lead-in Wire

 Ground

 Clamps

NEC-NATIONAL 

ELECTRICAL CODE

Electric Service

Equipment 

Ground Clamps

Power Service Grounding Electrode System

(NEC Art 250 Part H)

Lead-free solder is used for soldering.
Halogenated flame retardants are not
used in printed wiring boards.

3-265-482-11(1)



 2004  Sony Corporation          Printed in China

Operating Instructions

ICF-CD553RM

The model number and the serial number are located on the top.
Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon
your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. ICF-CD553RM

Serial No.

For customers who purchased this product in the USA
Please register this product on line at
http://www.sony.com/productregistration.
Proper registration will enable us to send you periodic mailings about new products,
services, and other important announcements.
Registering your product will also allow us to contact you in the unlikely event that the
product needs adjustment or modification. Thank you.

Printed on 100% recycled paper using VOC
(Volatile Organic Compound)-free
vegetable oil based ink.

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.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place objects
filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to
the presence of uninsulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product’s 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.

* The graphical symbols are at the top of the unit.

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.

If you have any questions about this product, you may
call:
Sony Customer Information Services Center
1-800-222-7669 or http://www.sony.com

Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name:

SONY

Model:

ICF-CD553RM

Responsible Party:

Sony Electronics Inc.

Address:

16450 W. Bernardo Dr,
San Diego, CA 92127
USA

Telephone Number:

858-942-2230

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.

You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate this
equipment.

The use of optical instruments with this product
will increase eye hazard.

• Super Slim Interior Oriented Design
• Voice Memo Function
• MEGA Xpand function to get the effect of

expansion of the sound field

• TV/WEATHER/FM/AM Digital Tuner
• Easy Set, One Touch cooking timer
• Magnetic Remote Commander

• Operate the unit on the power source specified in

the “Specifications.”

• To disconnect the power cord (mains lead), pull it

out by the plug, not the cord.

• Do not leave the unit in a location near a heat source

such as a radiator or airduct, or in a place subject to
direct sunlight, excessive dust, mechanical
vibration, or shock.

• Allow adequate air circulation to prevent internal

heat build-up. Do not place the unit on a surface (a
rug, a blanket, etc.) or near materials (a curtain)
which might block the ventilation holes.

• Should any solid object or liquid fall into the unit,

unplug the unit and have it checked by a qualified
personnel before operating it any further.

• To clean the casing, use a soft cloth dampened with

a mild detergent solution.

Should any problem occur with the unit, make the
following checks to determine whether or not
servicing is required.  If the problem persists, consult
the nearest Sony dealer.

• Has an electrical power outage lasting more than

one minute occurred?

• Did you close the disc tray?
• Did you place the disc correctly?

The disc should be placed with the labeled
side up.

• Dusty or defective disc — Clean the disc with an

optional cleaning cloth. Wipe the disc from the
center out.

• Take out the CD and leave the CD compartment

open for about an hour to get rid of moisture
condensation.

• You may here a noise when you operate the remote

commander while receiving AM band.

• Dusty or defective disc — Clean or replace the disc.
• Volume too high — Reduce the volume.
• Strong vibration.

• Make sure that you are pointing the remote

commander at the remote sensor on the unit.

• Remove any obstacles in the path of the remote

commander and the unit.

• Make sure the remote sensor is not exposed to

strong light such as direct sunlight or fluorescent
lamp light.

• Move closer to the unit when using the remote

commander .

POWER OUTPUT AND TOTAL HARMONIC
DISTORTION
With 6–ohm loads, both channels driven from 100 –
10 000 Hz; rated 1.4 W per channel-minimum RMS
power, with no more than 10 % total harmonic
distortion in AC operation.

 Compact disc digital audio system

 Material: GaAlAs

Wavelength: 780 nm
Emission duration: Continuous
Laser output: Less than 44.6 µW
(This output is the value measured at a distance of
about 200 mm from the objective lens surface on
the optical pick-up block with 7 mm aperture.)

20 – 20 000 Hz 

 +1

–1.5

 dB

Below measurable limit

TV:

2 – 13 ch

WEATHER:

1 – 7 ch

FM:

87.5 – 108 MHz

AM:

530 – 1 710 kHz

12-hour system

77 mm (3 

1

⁄

8

 inches) dia, 6 

Ω

1.8 W + 1.8 W (at 10% harmonic distortion)

120 V AC, 60 Hz

Approx. 400 

×

 84 

×

 323 mm (w/h/d)

(Approx. 15 

3

⁄

4

 

×

 3 

3

⁄

8

 

×

 12 

3

⁄

4

 inches) incl.

projecting parts and controls

Approx. 3 kg (7 lb)

Mounting screws (4), Template (1),
Spacers (4), Remote commander (1)

Design and specifications are subject to change
without notice.