Thank you for all of your feedback! It turns out that cfinfig wins the prize. It is absurd, but you actually have to use the Line 2 input rather than the Line 1 input. That explanation is exactly what happened. I can't imagine the designer configuring this device for the primary connection to Line 2 rather than Line 1, but maybe he wanted to drive everyone crazy. Everything is working correctly now thanks to all of your help. Every time a cd is placed in the machine or in between tracks, the music plays as it should and is no longer cutting out for 3 seconds.