Panasonic CQ-VX5500

The Panasonic CQ-VX5500D is a double-DIN receiver with CD and MiniDisc transports and an FM/AM tuner. The fascia reads CQ-VX5500, the D being Panasonic's domestic-market suffix. The manual lists connectable changers as current at April 2001.

The unit carries no DSP or multi-band equaliser. Sound adjustment is limited to bass and treble, each across plus or minus 12 dB in 2 dB steps, with balance and fader over fifteen steps each side, a loudness function and a volume range from 0 to minus 79 dB in 1 dB steps, plus a minus infinity position. This distinguishes it from the CQ-VX3500D, which carries a seven-band equaliser and a seven-mode DSP.

In place of that processing the unit uses a pair of analogue meters on the fascia. The manual documents these as switchable between input level and output power. Machined aluminium twin dials are documented, the right-hand one a rotary encoder and the left-hand one a self-return key. Title display is supported with scrolling, covering MiniDisc titles and CD TEXT, and CD-R and CD-RW media are supported on the CD transport.

The CD section is specified as two channels with 16-bit linear decoding across 5 Hz -> 20 kHz, signal-to-noise of 90 dB measured on the IHF-A network and wow and flutter below measurable limits. The MiniDisc section is quoted at the same three figures.

An auxiliary input is provided at 2 Vrms into 10 kohm, and the pre-out delivers 1.8 Vrms from CD into 600 ohm. System terminals include an external amplifier control limited to 0.1A, a navigation mute, and changer control. Up to two changers can be connected using the CA-LA9D twin changer control unit, with compatible units listed as the CX-DP801, DP650, DP600, DP1205 and 1203D CD changers and the CX-MD6D MD changer. A joystick remote control is documented.

CQ-VX5500D SPECIFICATIONS
Media	CD including CD-R and CD-RW with CD TEXT, and MiniDisc with title display
FM tuner	76.0 -> 89.9 MHz. Usable sensitivity 12 dBf (S/N 30 dB), S/N 60 dB mono, stereo separation 40 dB, effective selectivity 75 dB (plus or minus 400 kHz)
AM tuner	522 -> 1629 kHz, usable sensitivity 25 dB/uV (S/N 20 dB), image rejection 65 dB
CD section	2 channels, 16-bit linear decoding, frequency response 5 Hz -> 20 kHz, S/N 90 dB (IHF-A), wow and flutter below measurable limits
MD section	Frequency response 5 Hz -> 20 kHz, S/N 90 dB (IHF-A), wow and flutter below measurable limits
Audio section	Maximum output 45W x 4 channels, rated output 16W x 4 channels (1 kHz, 1%, 4 ohm), matched speaker impedance 4 ohm, pre-out 1.8 Vrms from CD into 600 ohm
Sound adjustment	Bass plus or minus 12 dB and treble plus or minus 12 dB in 2 dB steps, balance and fader 1 to 15 each side, loudness, volume 0 to minus 79 dB in 1 dB steps plus minus infinity. No DSP or multi-band equaliser
Display	Twin analogue meters switchable between input level and output power, with a scrolling title and text readout
Controls	Machined aluminium twin dials, right-hand rotary encoder and left-hand self-return key
Auxiliary input	Sensitivity 2 Vrms, input impedance 10 kohm
Expansion	Pre-outs, external amplifier control limited to 0.1A, navigation mute, CD and MD changer control for up to two changers via the CA-LA9D twin changer control unit. Compatible changers listed as CX-DP801, DP650, DP600, DP1205, 1203D and CX-MD6D
Remote control	Joystick remote control documented
Electrical	DC 12V (11 -> 16V) negative earth at 14.4V test voltage, current draw 8.5A at rated CD output
Form factor	Double-DIN, 178 x 100 x 160 mm, mass 2.4 kg
Source	Panasonic owner's manual for the CQ-VX5500D