Connection Overview
Zones 1-6
Zone 1
Zone 6
L
R
Zone 1
Zone 6
Keypad
Source Input Panel
Sat Rcvr, CD Player, etc.
Any Stereo Source
(1 per zone)
MP3 Player, iPod, etc.
Speakers
8 8
Mic
Multi-Channel
Amplifier
MC-86
Multi-Source Multi-Zone Audio Controller MC-86
MA 1235
Central Location
Zone 3
4
H
ow to
C
onnect
Think of the MC-86 as the brain of the system. Based on information received from the keypads, it determines what
source to play into each zone and the volume level to be sent to the amplifier.
Keypad Connections (see page 5.)
The keypads are connected to the MC-86 using Cat5 cable (regular Cat5, shielded Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat6 will work) with
RJ-45 connections at both ends. Keypads can be “daisy-chained” together with Cat5 cable but only one source can be
connected per Cat5 cable that is connected directly to the MC-86. For most installations, we recommend connecting at
least one keypad from each zone directly to the MC-86 in order to be able to connect a source within that zone (called a
Zone Source).
Once your system is installed and BEFORE turning on the MA-1235 amplifier, turn on the MC-
86 controller and set the volume level on each keypad to 50 or lower. This will prevent send-
ing too loud of a signal to your speakers.
Source Input Panel Connections (see page 5.)
Although each keypad includes a 3.5mm (1/8”) source input jack, you will likely want to connect a source input panel to
one keypad within each zone. The source input panel provides standard stereo RCA-type connections for connecting
most audio components such as DVD players, CD players, TVs, VCRs and even computers. The source input panel is
connected to the keypad with a special 30’ interlink cable that we include with the purchase of each source input panel.
Amplifier Connections (see page 6.)
A stereo Line Output is provided on the MC-86 for each zone. Each Line Output must be connected to its own amplifier in
order for each zone to independently play its own source. The HTD MA-1235 12-channel amplifier is a perfect fit with the
MC-86 because it provides 6 stereo (12 independent) channels of power. The Line Outputs on the MC-86 are connected
to the Line Inputs on the amplifier using six 3’ shielded stereo patch cables included with the MC-86.
Speaker Connections
Speakers are connected directly to the amplifier using speaker cable. For all behind-the-wall installations, CL3-rated
cable is recommended to comply with most building-codes.
Audio Component Connections (see page 7.)
Any audio component with a stereo analog RCA-type output can be connected directly to one of the 8 Source Inputs
located on the back of the MC-86 using RCA-type shielded stereo patch cables (not included).
Assigning Zone Sources to a Source Input on the MC-86 (see page 7.)
For each zone that includes an audio source within that zone (called a Zone Source), or to simply take advantage of the
3.5mm (1/8”) input jack on a keypad, on the back of the MC-86 you will need to connect the Source Output from that zone
to one of the Source Inputs. The MC-86 includes six 1’ shielded stereo patch cables for this purpose.
