AESTHETIX HRC-3 Hand Held Remote Control Owner’s Manual

AESTHETIX HRC-3 Hand Held Remote Control

INTRODUCTION

This manual covers the use of this remote for several products. Setting it up for the intended device may be necessary initially.

Note: This product was initially shipped in the “Transport” state.
This is the same as being turned OFF, and is intended to preserve the internal battery. It must be activated prior to initial use. Please refer to age 5 of this manual.

IMPORTANT

Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards. Your Remote is a precision electronic instrument and should be properly packaged any time shipment is made. In the unlikely event that you have to return the Remote to the factory for service, or if you send it to us for updating, the original packaging will best protect the unit from shipping damage.
In order to achieve the fullest flexibility and enjoyment from your remote, we highly recommend that you read this manual in full before setting it up to work in your system.

WARNING

United States law prohibits disposition of these commodities to Libya, Laos, North Korea, Cambodia, Syria, Sudan or Cuba unless otherwise authorized by the United States.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Aesthetix Audio Corporation.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

DO NOT PLACE THE REMOTE NEAR HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS DIRECT SUNLIGHT, STOVES, HEAT REGISTERS, RADIATORS, POWER AMPLIFIERS OR OTHER HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT.
INTERNAL BATTERY MAY LEAK OR EXPLODE IF DAMADED OR OVERHEATED. AESTHETIX AND/OR ANY OF ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES – CONSEQUENCIAL OR OTHER – CAUSED BY OVERHEATING OR MISUSE OF THE REMOTE AND/OR THE REMOTE INTERNAL BATTERY.
IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF DAMAGE, REMOVE AND REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY. DISPOSE OF OLD BATTERIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION. REGULATIONS FOR DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING OF BATTERIES VARY WIDELY; LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OVER THOSE OF NATIONAL REGULATIONS.

Remote Layout

1. STANDBY button. Used to transition a unit in or out of Standby mode.
2. DISPLAY button. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP button.
4. LEFT button
5. RIGHT button.
6. DOWN button.
7. ENTER button. Used to select an item /parameter in a sub menu. Also Mute / Unmute on preamplifiers.
8. MENU button. Used to enter/exit the menu system.
9. LEVEL UP button. Increases volume.
10. MUTE button. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT button. Advances currently selected input to the next.
12. LEVEL DOWN button. Decreases volume.
13.  Press and hold LEVEL DOWN & while holding it, press the DOWN (arrow) button. Changes Phase on some units.

Operation

Important note: This product was initially shipped in the “Transport” state. This is the same as being turned OFF, and is intended to preserve the internal battery. It must be activated prior to initial use. (Please refer to the Remote activation section below).

Features

• The remote can control a range of devices.
• The remote has an internal motion sensor that will, in low light conditions, activate the LEDs when picked up or otherwise moved. This feature can be turned on (default) or off.
• The LED brightness can be adjusted in multiple steps from off to full brightness. When ON, the amount of time that the LEDs are activated (on) after it senses a lack of motion in low light conditions, can be set by the user.
• The software and hardware versions can be displayed by counting the number of times a specific LED illuminates.
• The user can restore the factory defaults at any time.
• The remote can be set to transmit several Direct commands. (Non toggle). This is useful for a learning remote or programming a non-Aesthetix remote, or controller device.

Operation Detail

Remote Activation (Active/Transport Mode)

Initially the remote must be activated, or taken out of Transport Mode. To do this, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the MENU button, and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active. The Up and Down LEDs will be illuminated. Press the UP button to activate the remote, or press the DOWN button to put it into Transport mode (Off). Regardless of whether or not the remote is activated or put into transport mode, once the UP or DOWN button is pressed, the LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user input, and exit this sub menu. Note: If the factory defaults are loaded, this feature will be On.

Command Set

This feature allows the user to select the Aesthetix device it will be controlling. The factory default is the Metis preamplifier.
Changing the device to be controlled requires the user to press and hold the STANDBY button and, while holding Standby, press the MUTE button. Then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active. Press the UP button to select (or verify) that the remote will control the Metis Preamplifier (System code16). The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user input, and exit this sub menu.
Use the chart below to control other Aesthetix products.

Function

| First button| Second button|

Acknowledge

| Function (sys code)| Third button|

Confirmation

---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Change Command Set| STANDBY| MUTE| LEDs blink 5 times| Metis/Mimas (16)| UP| LEDs blink 5 times
 | Calypso (16)| DOWN| LEDs blink 5 times
Callisto (16)| LEFT| LEDs blink 5 times
 | Janus (16)| RIGHT| LEDs blink 5 times
Rhea (21)| ENTER| LEDs blink 5 times
Romulus (20/19)| LEVEL UP| LEDs blink 5 times

Secondary System Commands

Some preamplifiers can be set to a secondary system code. This is useful when there is one device in the audio system that is pre-set to a system code used by another device.
Using the same procedure on the previous page, refer to the chart below to set a secondary system code.

Function

| First button| Second button|

Acknowledge

| Function (sys code)| Third Button|

Confirmation

---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Change Command Set| STANDBY| MUTE| LEDs blink 5 times| Metis/Mimas 2 (19)| LEVEL DWN| LEDs blink 5 times
 | Calypso 2 (19)| MENU| LEDs blink 5 times
Janus 2 (19)| INPUT| LEDs blink 5 times

Direct Commands

Using the same procedure on the previous page, refer to the chart below to set the system code to use direct commands for the Metis, Janus and Rhea.

Function

| First button| Second button|

Acknowledge

| Function (sys code)| Third Button|

Confirmation

---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Change to Direct

Command

Set

| DISPLAY| INPUT (>)| LEDs blink 5 times| Metis/Mimas Direct 1(16)| UP| LEDs blink 5 times
 | Metis/Mimas Direct 2 (16)| DOWN| LEDs blink 5 times
Janus Direct 1(16)| LEFT| LEDs blink 5 times
Rhea Direct 1(21)| ENTER| LEDs blink 5 times

LED Brightness

This setting will allow the user to set all of the LEDs to a desired brightness level.
To set the brightness, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the LEVEL UP(+) button and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active. Repeatedly pressing the UP button increases the LED brightness, or repeatedly pressing the DOWN button decreases the LED brightness, or ultimately turns them Off. The brightness will change only one level per button press and will be visible in the buttons. The least bright is the factory default. To exit this sub menu, press the MENU button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user input and exit this sub menu.
When the LED brightness is set to off, the LEDs will only illuminate when entering a sub menu.

Motion Sense

The remote reads the ambient light level in a room. If it is low and the remote senses motion, all LEDs will turn on, and stay on as long as there is continuous motion. When no motion is detected for the amount of time set in the LED Timer sub menu, the LEDs will turn off. The Motion Sense feature can be turned on or off. The factory default is On.
If disabled, to enable the Motion Sense feature, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the UP button and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active, and the UP / Down buttons will be illuminated. Press the UP button. To disable this feature, while in this sub menu, press the DOWN button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user selection and exit this sub menu.

LED Timer

If the LEDs are set to ON in the LED Brightness sub menu (default), the amount of time they can be set to stay on after detecting no motion can be set by the user.
To set the LED Timer to 1 second, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the RIGHT ARROW button and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active. Press the UP button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user selection and exit this sub menu.
The chart below details the button sequences utilized for the available range of timer settings. The factory default is 5 seconds.

Function

| First button|

Second button

|

Acknowledge

|

Function

| Third button|

Confirmation

---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Set LED timer| STANDBY| RIGHT ARROW| LEDs blink 5 times| 1 sec| UP| LEDs blink 5 times
 | 3 sec| RIGHT| LEDs blink 5 times
5 sec| DOWN| LEDs blink 5 times
10 sec| LEFT| LEDs blink 5 times
20 sec| ENTER| LEDs blink 5 times
30 sec| DISPLAY| LEDs blink 5 times

Factory Defaults

To restore the factory default settings, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the INPUT (>) button and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active and the Vol Up (+) button till be illuminated. Press the VOL UP (+) button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user selection and exit this sub menu. The remote will now operate with factory settings.
At the point of entering this sub menu, if the choice is made to abort this operation (keep settings as they are), press any button other than the illuminated Vol Up (+) button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user selection and exit this sub menu.

Software Version

To display the current software version, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the DISPLAY button and then let go of both. All LEDs will turn off for one second and then the UP button LED will blink X times. The total number of times it blinks is the software version number. After the last blink, the remote will automatically exit this sub menu and return to normal operation.

Hardware Version

To display the current hardware version, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the LEFT ARROW button and then let go of both. All LEDs will turn off for one second and then the UP button LED will blink X times. The total number of times it blinks is the hardware version number. After the last blink, the remote will automatically exit this sub menu and return to normal operation.

Battery Replacement

Should the internal battery need to be checked or replaced, remove the 4 screws on the rear panel. The battery will be visible as should be its identification numbers. Remove and re-seat the battery by grasping it with 2 fingers in the areas where there is no surrounding plastic, and pulling upwards. Upon re-inserting the battery, all LEDs should illuminate temporarily unless the installed battery is dead or the remote is not activated (Transport mode).
Verify that the remote is activated by pressing and holding the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the MENU button, and then let go of both. The LEDs should blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active. The Up and Down LEDs should then be illuminated. If this is the case, press the UP button to activate the remote. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user input, and exit this sub menu.
If the remote will not enter the Activate sub menu after the battery has been re-seated, replace the battery with a new CR2450.

SPECIAL NOTE: Regulations for disposal and recycling of batteries vary widely; local governments may have additional requirements over those of national regulations.
DISPOSE OF OLD BATTERIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION

Button Commands for Specific Devices.

Aesthetix Metis Preamplifier & Mimas Integrated Amplifier.
When the remote is set to control the Metis, its buttons will do the following:

1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel LEDs.
3. UP. Increases the volume or increases the parameter value when in a sub menu.
4. LEFT. Moves to previous input or selects the previous sub menu in the menu system.
5. RIGHT. Moves to next input or selects the next sub menu in the menu system.
6. DOWN. Decreases the volume or decreases the parameter value when in a sub menu.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Metis/Mimas.
8. MENU. Enter/Exit menus.
9. LEVEL UP. Increases the volume.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Decreases the volume.

Aesthetix Janus Preamplifier.

When the remote is set to control the Janus, its buttons will do the following:

1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Increases the volume or increases the value in the Gain and Load sub menus.
4. LEFT. Shifts the balance to the left.
5. RIGHT. Shifts the balance to the right.
6. DOWN. Decreases the volume or decreases value in the Gain and Load sub menus.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Janus.
8. MENU. Selects/Deselects the Tape Input.
9. LEVEL UP. Enter/Exit the Gain Menu when Phono is selected.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Enter/Exit the Load Menu when Phono is selected.
13. Press and hold LEVEL DOWN & while holding it, press the DOWN button. Changes Phase.

Note: A software update may be required for the Janus to respond to all of the above commands.

Aesthetix Rhea Preamplifier.

When the remote is set to control the Rhea, its buttons will do the following:

1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Increases value in Gain and Load sub menus.
4. LEFT. Not active.
5. RIGHT. Not active.
6. DOWN. Decreases value in Gain and Load sub menus.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Rhea.
8. MENU. Not active.
9. LEVEL UP. Enter/Exit the Gain Menu.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input (wraps around), when the Rhea is not in a sub menu.
12. LEVEL DOWN. Enter/Exit the Load Menu.

Note: A software update may be required for the Rhea to respond to all of the above commands.

Aesthetix Calypso Preamplifier.

When the remote is set to control the Calypso, its buttons will do the following:

1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Increases the volume.
4. LEFT. Shifts the balance to the left.
5. RIGHT. Shifts the balance to the right.
6. DOWN. Decreases the volume.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Calypso.
8. MENU. Selects/Deselects the Tape Input.
9. LEVEL UP. Increases the volume.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Decreases the volume.
13. Press and hold LEVEL DOWN & while holding it, press the DOWN button. Changes Phase.

Note: A software update may be required for the Calypso to respond to all of the above commands.

Aesthetix Romulus CD Player/DAC and Pandora DAC.
When the remote is set to control the Romulus or Pandora, its buttons will do the following:

1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Pauses CD playback (Romulus only).
4. LEFT. Hold to skip back within a track, press once skip back to the previous track. (Romulus only)
5. RIGHT. Hold to skip forward within a track, press once skip forward to the next track. (Romulus only)
6. DOWN. Stops CD playback (Romulus only).
7. ENTER. Play CD (Romulus only).
8. ENU. Eject CD (Romulus only).
9. LEVEL UP. Increases the volume when optional volume control is installed. Otherwise not active.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Decreases the volume when optional volume control is installed. Otherwise not active.

Note: A software update may be required for the Romulus or Pandora to respond to all of the above commands.

Direct IR Commands (Non toggle)

When using a learning remote or programming a system controller, direct commands can be sent from this remote via IR. If a command data sheet is required, please contact your Aesthetix dealer or the factory.

Appendix A.

Troubleshooting Guide

If the Remote should function abnormally during operation, please review the items in the following checklist.
Please be sure to thoroughly check all other connected components such as speakers, preamplifiers, as well as cables.

Press and hold the STANDBY button.

While holding Standby, press the MENU

button, and then let go of both. Press the

UP button. (Page 5)

The internal battery is not installed or is dead.| Verify that a good CR2450 battery is installed and its identification numbers visible. (Page 8)
Audio device does not respond to remote but remote LEDs illuminate when moved.| Incorrect audio device selected.| In the remote sub menu, reselect the audio device to be controlled. (Refer to Command Set feature on page 5).
Device to be controlled has early software installed.| Contact your dealer.
HRC-3 mis-programmed.| Restore factory defaults & re-program.
Audio device responds to remote but LEDs don’t illuminate.| LED brightness turned off.| Set LED brightness to a higher level. (Page 6).
Motion Sense is turned off.| Enable the Motion Sense feature. (Page 7)
LEDs extinguish too slow or too quickly when the remote is motionless.| LED timer value set too short or long.| Set desired value in LED timer sub menu. (Page 7)
Remote flashes 5 times when any one button is pressed.| Battery is too low to operate.| Replace HRC-3 battery with same type.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 6.5625” L x 2” W x 0.875″ D – Button top to foot bottom. (16.67 x 5.1 x 0.22 cm).
• Weight: 0.4 Lbs stand alone (0.18 Kg).

Maximum Operating

• Temperature: 122 F (50 C).
• Internal Battery: CR2450, 3V
• System Code: RC5 Preamp – 16
  • RC5 Preamp2 – 19
  • RC5 Phono – 21
  • RC5 CD – 20
  • RC5 Delay – 89 (mSec delay between transmissions)

SPECIAL NOTE: Regulations for disposal and recycling of batteries vary widely; local governments may have additional requirements over those of national regulations.

DISPOSE OF OLD BATTERIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION

90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

(3 Year optional extended service contract)

1. Aesthetix warrants the product designated herein to be free of manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, subject to the conditions herein set forth, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase by the original purchaser. If the purchaser registers the unit with Aesthetix by mailing in the warranty card, together with a copy of the bill of sale, within 14 days of the date of purchase, said purchaser will be registered for an extended service contract. The extended service contract extends the 90 days to a period of 3 years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser or no later than 4 years from the date of shipment to the authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first.

2. CONDITIONS
   This warranty is subject to the following conditions and limitations. The warranty is void and inapplicable if the product has been used or handled other than in accordance with the instructions in the owner’s manual, abused or misused, damaged by accident or neglect or in being transported, or the defect is due to the product being repaired or tampered with or modified by anyone other than Aesthetix. The product must be packed and returned to Aesthetix by the customer at his or her sole expense. A written description of the defect and a photocopy of the original purchase receipt must accompany a returned product. This receipt must clearly list model and serial number, the date of purchase, the name and address of the purchaser and authorized dealer and the purchase price. Aesthetix reserves the right to modify the design of any product without obligation to purchasers of previously manufactured products and to change the prices or specifications of any product without notice or obligation to any person.

3. REMEDY
   In the event the above product fails to meet the warranty, and the above conditions have been met, the purchaser’s sole remedy under the limited warranty shall be to return the product to Aesthetix where the defect will be rectified without charge for parts or labor. Aesthetix reserves the right to inspect any product that is the subject of any warranty claim prior to repairing it. Final determination of warranty coverage lies solely with Aesthetix.

4. LIMITED TO ORIGINAL PURCHASER
   This warranty is for the sole benefit of the original purchaser of the covered product and shall not be transferred to a subsequent purchaser of the product.

5. DURATION OF WARRANTY
   This warranty expires 90 days after the date of original purchase. If Aesthetix receives the warranty registration card, this period is extended to the third anniversary of the date of purchase or no later that the fourth anniversary of the shipment to the authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first. This extension does not apply to tubes. The warranty period for factory tubes does not get extended and therefore remains at 90 days.

6. MISCELLANEOUS
   ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE ABOVE PRODUCT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL COSTS OR DAMAGES TO THE PURCHASER. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or an exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

7. WARRANTY OUTSIDE THE USA
   Aesthetix has formal distribution in many of the countries of the free world; in each country the Aesthetix importer has contractually accepted the responsibility for product warranty. Warranty should normally be obtained from the importing dealer or distributor from whom you obtain your product.

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