Yamaha AX-397: CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

3

INTR

ODUCTION

English

■

AX-497

■

AX-397

1

POWER

Press inward to the ON position to provide this unit with 

power supply from the AC wall outlet. In this state, you 

can turn on this unit or set it to the standby mode by 

pressing STANDBY/ON.

When you turn on this unit, there will be a few second 

delay before this unit can reproduce sound.

Press again to release it outward to the OFF position to 

completely cut off power supply from the AC wall outlet.

2

STANDBY indicator

Lights up when this unit is in the standby mode.

3

STANDBY/ON

Turns on this unit or sets it to the standby mode.

• This switch is operational only when POWER is pressed inward 

to the ON position.

• In the standby mode, this unit consumes a small amount of 

power to receive infrared-signals from the remote control.

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

Front panel

STANDBY

/ON

STANDBY

INPUT

PHONES

SPEAKERS

BASS

A

POWER

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

AUX

MD

TAPE

CD/DVD

TUNER

PHONO

PURE DIRECT

CD/DVD DIRECT AMP

B

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

+

–

TREBLE

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

+

–

BALANCE

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

TUNER

PHONO

TAPE

MD

AUX

R

L

LOUDNESS

REC OUT

VOLUME

7

–30dB

FLAT

CD/DVD

10

9

5

6

1

4

2

3

0

12

12

2

8

4

∞

20

20

60

60

26

26

40

40

16

16

-dB

-dB

8

DISPLAY

4

1

3

2

5

F

D

C

B

A

9

0

E

8

6

STANDBY

/ON

STANDBY

INPUT

PHONES

SPEAKERS

BASS

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

A

POWER

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

AUX

MD

TAPE

CD/DVD

TUNER

PHONO

TAPE MONITOR

CD/DVD DIRECT AMP

B

+

–

TREBLE

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

+

–

BALANCE

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

R

L

LOUDNESS

VOLUME

7

–30dB

FLAT

10

9

5

6

1

4

8

2

3

DISPLAY

4

1

3

2

5

D

C

B

A

9

0

8

7

0

12

12

2

8

4

∞

20

20

60

60

26

26

40

40

16

16

-dB

-dB

F

Notes

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

4

4

Remote control sensor

Receives signals from the remote control.

5

INPUT selector and indicators

Selects the input source you want to listen to.

The input source indicators light up when the 

corresponding input sources are selected.

6

PURE DIRECT and indicator

(AX-497 only)

Allows you to listen to a source in the purest possible 

sound.

The indicator above it lights up when this function is 

turned on.

See page 13 for details.

7

TAPE MONITOR and indicator

(AX-397 only)

Allows you to listen to the sound played back on the tape 

deck connected to the TAPE terminals on the rear panel of 

this unit.

When the tape deck is used for recording, you can also 

monitor the sound being recorded.

The indicator above it lights up when this function is 

turned on.

• When this function is on (the indicator lights up), TAPE (tape 

deck) cannot be selected with the INPUT selector.

• To listen to the source selected with the INPUT selector, press 

again to turn off the function (the indicator turns off as a result).

• When TAPE (tape deck) is selected with the INPUT selector, 

this function will not turn on even if TAPE MONITOR is 

pressed.

8

CD/DVD DIRECT AMP and indicator

Allows you to listen to a CD or a DVD source in the 

purest sound.

The indicator above it lights up when this function is 

turned on.

See page 13 for details.

9

PHONES jack

Outputs audio for private listening with headphones.

Press both SPEAKERS A and B switches on the front 

panel to release them outward to the OFF position.

0

SPEAKERS A/B

Turns on or off the speaker set connected to the 

SPEAKERS A and/or B terminals on the rear panel each 

time the corresponding button is pressed.

A

BASS

Increases or decreases the low frequency response. The 0 

position produces a flat response.

See page 13 for details.

B

TREBLE

Increases or decreases the high frequency response. The 0 

position produces a flat response.

See page 13 for details.

C

BALANCE

Adjusts the sound output balance of the left and right 

speakers to compensate for sound imbalances caused by 

speaker locations or listening room conditions.

See page 13 for details.

D

LOUDNESS

Retains a full tonal range at any volume level to 

compensates for the human ears’ loss of sensitivity to high 

and low-frequency ranges at low volume.

See page 13 for details.

E

REC OUT selector

(AX-497 only)

Selects a source for recording to the MD recorder or the 

tape deck independently of the INPUT selector setting, 

allowing you to record the selected source while listening 

to another source.

See page 14 for details.

F

VOLUME

Controls the sound output level.

This does not affect the OUT (REC) level.

■

Opening and closing the front panel 

door

When you want to use the controls behind the front panel 

door, open the door by gently pressing on the lower part of 

the panel. Keep the door closed when not using these 

controls to protect the controls from dust, etc.

Notes

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

5

INTR

ODUCTION

English

This section describes the function of each control on the 

remote control used to control this unit or a YAMAHA 

CD player, tuner, tape deck, etc. with the remote control 

capability.

Some components may not be controlled by this remote control.

■

Controlling this unit

1

Infrared signal transmitter

Sends signals to this unit.

2

POWER

Turns on this unit.

This button is operational only when POWER on the front panel 

is pressed inward to the ON position.

3

STANDBY

Sets this unit to the standby mode.

• This button is operational only when POWER on the front 

panel is pressed inward to the ON position.

• In the standby mode, this unit consumes a small amount of 

power in order to receive infrared-signals from the remote 

control.

4

Input selector buttons

Select the input source you want to listen to.

5

VOLUME +/–

Controls the sound output level.

This does not affect the OUT (REC) level.

■

Controlling other components

The functions of the buttons to control other YAMAHA 

components are the same as those of the corresponding 

buttons on those components. Refer to those components’ 

instruction manuals for details.

6

Tuner buttons

Control various functions of the tuner.

PRESET +/–

Selects a preset station number (1 to 8).

A/B/C/D/E

Selects a preset station group (A to E).

7

CD player / tape deck buttons

Control various functions of the CD player or the tape 

deck.

• DIR B and A/B apply only to the double cassette tape deck.

• Pressing DIR A will reverse the tape direction on the single 

cassette tape deck with the automatic reverse function.

8

CD/TAPE selector switch

Switches to control either CD player functions or tape 

deck functions.

Remote control

Note

CD/DVD

PHONO

TUNER

POWER

STANDBY

MD

TAPE

AUX

+

–

u

d

DISPLAY

A/B

REC

DISC

DIR A

p

DIR B

A/B/C/D/E

PRESET

VOLUME

TAPE

CD

w

e

f

b

s

a

DISPLAY

1

2

4

7

6

8

3

5

Note

Notes

Notes

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

6

1

Open the battery compartment cover.

2

Insert two supplied batteries 

(AAA, R03, UM-4) according to the polarity 

markings (+ and –) on the inside of the 

battery compartment. 

3

Close the cover back.

■

Notes on batteries

• Change all of the batteries if you notice the following 

conditions; the operation range of the remote control decreases, 

the indicator does not flash or its light becomes dim.

• Use AAA, R03, UM-4 batteries.

• Make sure that the polarities are correct. See the illustration 

inside the battery compartment.

• Remove the batteries if the remote control is not used for an 

extended period of time.

• Do not use old batteries together with new ones.

• Do not use different types of batteries (such as alkaline and 

manganese batteries) together. Read the packaging carefully as 

these different types of batteries may have the same shape and 

color.

• We strongly recommend using alkaline batteries.

• If the batteries have leaked, dispose of them immediately. Avoid 

touching the leaked material or letting it come into contact with 

clothing, etc. Clean the battery compartment thoroughly before 

installing new batteries.

• Do not throw away batteries with general house waste; dispose 

of them correctly in accordance with your local regulations.

The remote control transmits a directional infrared beam.

Be sure to aim the remote control directly at the remote 

control sensor on the front panel of this unit during 

operation.

■

Handling the remote control

• The area between the remote control and this unit must 

be clear of large obstacles.

• Do not spill water or other liquids on the remote 

control.

• Do not drop the remote control.

• Do not leave or store the remote control in the 

following types of conditions:

– places of high humidity, such as near a bath

– places of high temperature, such as near a heater or 

a stove

– places of extremely low temperatures

– dusty places

• Do not expose the remote control sensor to strong 

lighting, in particular, an inverter type fluorescent 

lamp; otherwise, the remote control may not work 

properly. If necessary, position this unit away from 

direct lighting.

Installing batteries in the remote  control

1

3

2

Using the remote control

STANDBY

/ON

STANDBY

INPUT

PHONES

SPEAKERS

BASS

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

A

POWER

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

AUX

MD

TAPE

CD/DVD

TUNER

PHONO

PURE DIRECT

CD/DVD DIRECT AMP

B

+

–

TREBLE

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

+

–

BALANCE

5

1

4

2

3

5

1

4

2

3

TUNER

PHONO

TAPE

MD

AUX

R

L

LOUDNESS

REC OUT

VOLUME

7

–30dB

FLAT

CD/DVD

10

9

5

6

1

4

2

3

8

30 

30

0

12

12

2

8

4

∞

20

20

60

60

26

26

40

40

16

16

-dB

-dB

CD/DVD

PHONO

TUNER

POWER

STANDBY

MD

TAPE

AUX

+

–

MUTE

A/B/C/D/E

VOLUME

TAPE

CD

u

d

PRESET

DISPLAY

A/B

REC

DISC

DIR A

p

DIR B

w

e

f

b

s

a

DISPLAY

Approximately 6 m

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

7

INTR

ODUCTION

English

1

PHONO jacks and GND terminal

See page 8 for connection information.

2

Audio input/output jacks 

See page 8 for connection information.

3

AC OUTLET(S)

Use to supply power to your other audio/video 

components.

See page 10 for details.

4

AC power supply cord

See page 10 for connection information.

5

SPEAKERS terminals

Connect one or two speaker sets.

See page 8 for connection information.

6

IMPEDANCE SELECTOR

See “IMPEDANCE SELECTOR switch” on this page.

■

Asia and General models only

VOLTAGE SELECTOR is only applicable to the Asia and 

General models.

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

See page 10 for details.

■

IMPEDANCE SELECTOR switch

Do not change the IMPEDANCE SELECTOR switch 

while the power of this unit is turned on, as doing so may 

damage the unit.

If this unit fails to turn on, the IMPEDANCE SELECTOR 

switch may not be fully slid to either position. If this is the 

case, slide the switch all the way to either position when 

this unit’s power supply is completely cut off.

Select the switch position (left or right) according to the 

impedance of the speakers in your system.

Rear panel

AC OUTLETS

IMPEDANCE SELECTOR

SPEAKERS

TUNER

TAPE

IN

(PLAY)

OUT

(REC)

MD

AUX

GND

PHONO

CD/DVD

IN

(PLAY)

OUT

(REC)

SWITCHED

100W MAX. TOTAL

+

+

A

B

–

–

A OR B: 4

Ω

MIN / SPEAKER

A+B: 8

Ω

MIN / SPEAKER

A OR B:   6

Ω

MIN / SPEAKER

5

1

2

3

4

6

(U.S.A. model)

Switch 

position

Impedance level

Right

Asia model

• If you use one set (A or B), the impedance of 

each speaker must be 8 

Ω

 or higher.

• If you use two sets (A and B), the impedance 

of each speaker must be 16 

Ω

 or higher.

Canada model

• You can use one set (A or B), and the 

impedance of each speaker must be 6 

Ω

 or 

higher.

Other models

• If you use one set (A or B), the impedance of 

each speaker must be 6 

Ω

 or higher.

• If you use two sets (A and B), the impedance 

of each speaker must be 12 

Ω

 or higher.

Left

• If you use one set (A or B), the impedance of 

each speaker must be 4 

Ω

 or higher.

• If you use two sets (A and B), the impedance 

of each speaker must be 8 

Ω

 or higher.

CAUTION