9
How to Connect
(CONT.)
Strip each cable approx. 1/4” and tightly twist the copper wires. Loosen the connection points on the easy-connect speaker
cable connectors as necessary using a screwdriver. Insert the cables using the following standards and then re-tighten the
connection points:
When using 2-conductor Cables:
Red = positive
Black = negative
When using 4-conductor Cables:
Red = right positive
Black = right negative
White = left positive
Green = left negative
Note:
make sure that there isn’t too much exposed wire and that all connections are tidy. Any stray wires touching neighbor-
ing connectors or wires could cause the unit to go into “protect mode”.
Important Information about the MCA-66 Controller/Amplifier
The MCA-66 includes a built-in 12 channel amplifier. This is essentially 6 stereo amplifiers, one stereo amplifier per zone.
Each stereo amplifier includes its own signal sensing capability so that if the keypad is turned off, or if the source currently
selected by the keypad is not outputting a signal, the amplifier in that zone will automatically go into stand-by mode. As soon
as a signal is detected, the controller/amplifier will power up. This keeps the entire amplifier operating as efficiently as pos
-
sible.
The amplifiers are designed to be 4 ohm stable. This allows you to connect up to two pairs of 8 ohm speakers (in parallel)
into each zone. (note: all HTD brand speakers are 8 ohms). The easy-connect speaker cable connectors supplied for each
zone can accept up to 14-gauge cable (the lower the gauge number the thicker the cable, e.g. 14-gauge cable is thicker than
16).
Connecting the Speakers: MC-66 (
seperate amplifier required
)
The MC-66 does not include a built-in amplifier so you need to add a separate multi-channel amplifier. A 12-channel amplifier
such as the DMA-1240 or DMA-1275 is a good match because these amplifiers can easily be set up for 6 stereo zones.
Connect each zone to the multi-channel amplifier using stereo RCA-type patch cables as shown in Figure 4. In most cases,
you should set the Fixed/Variable switch to Variable. This allows the keypad to control the volume level in that zone. Select-
ing the “Fixed” switch position is recommended when you set up multiple sub-zones (see Sub-zones, pg. 9) in one zone
where each of the pairs of speakers in that zone are independently controlled with attenuators (volume controls) sold sepa-
rately.
**Speaker cables are connected to the multi-channel amplifier as instructed by the owner’s manual for that amplifier.**
Connecting Source Components (
see figure 6
)
Any audio component with a stereo analog RCA-type output can be connected directly to one of the 6 Source Inputs located
on the back of the controller using RCA-type shielded stereo patch cables (not included).
For audio sources that only have a digital or optical out, an HTD Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) can be used to convert a
digital signal to an analog signal.
Some audio sources may only offer a 3.5mm (headphone jack output). For these devices a simple 3.5mm to rca converter
cable can be used.
Sub-Zones
A sub-zone is an area that has independent volume control but that is forced to listen to the source selected by the keypad
in the primary zone. As an example, you might have a kitchen and dining area that are located side-by-side. In this case, you
will often choose to have the kitchen be the primary zone with volume controlled by the keypad and the dining area’s volume
controlled by a more traditional rotary or slide-type volume control. Depending on your situation, you may or may not need to
add more amplifier channels than that already provided by the multi-channel amplifier.
Sub-zones are extensive subjects on their own. The large amount of variables and customization that can be required to cor-
rectly wire/control sub-zones make them a difficult subject to cover here. As such, if you would like more information on how
you can setup and control a sub-zone in your whole home audio project, please contact HTD at
[email protected] or toll free
1-866-HTD-AUDIO (483-2834)
.