HTD MC-66 Multi-Zone User manual

Whole-House Audio Control
Owner’s Manual
MC-66 Multi-Zone Controller
&
MCA-66 Multi-Zone Controller/Amplifier
Home Theater Direct
Toll free: 866-HTD-AUDIO (483-2834)
www.htd.com
[email protected]
© Copyright Home Theater Direct, Inc.V.07.06.17

CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of un-insulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufcient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electrical shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this appliance.
Read Instructions
All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the
appliance is operated.
Retain Instructions
The safety and operating instructions should be adhered to.
Heed Warnings
All of the warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions
should be adhered to.
Follow Instructions
All operating and use instructions should be followed.
Water and Moisture
The appliance should not be used near water. For example, near a
bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or
near a swimming pool, etc.
Ventilation
The appliance should be situated so that its location or position does
not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the appliance
should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that
may block the ventilation openings. Never place the appliance in a
conned space such as a bookcase, or built-in cabinet, unless proper
ventilation is provided.
Heat
The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances that produce
heat. Position the appliance at least 4” away from any heat-produc-
ing amplier, including HTD ampliers.
Power Sources
The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the
type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the ap-
pliance.
Grounding or Polarization
Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization
means of an appliance is not defeated.
Power Cord Protection
Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on or
pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular
attention to the plugs, receptacles, and the point where the cord
exits from the appliance.
Cleaning
Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not
use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a cloth lightly damp-
ened with water for cleaning the exterior of the appliance only.
Non-Use Periods
The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the
outlet when left unused for long periods of time.
Object and Liquid Entry
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are
not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
Damage Requiring Service
The appliance should be serviced by qualied personnel when:
a) the power supply cord or the plug has been damaged
b) objects have fallen, or liquid spilled into the appliance
c) the appliance has been exposed to rain
d) the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhib-
its a marked change in performance or
e) the appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged
Servicing
The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that
described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should
be referred to qualied service personnel.
Product Servicing
If your system fails to operate properly, please contact HTD
directly for further assistance at 1-866-483-2834.
Additional information, including detailed specications for each
model, can be found on our website, www.htd.com. Thanks
again for choosing Home Theater Direct!
Warranty
All HTD electronics carry a two-year parts and labor warranty. Warranty registration occurred automatically at
the time your order was placed. There is no need to complete or mail in additional paperwork.
Warning - To reduce the risk of re or shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
Caution - To reduce the risk of re or shock, do not remove the cover or back. No user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualied service personnel.
Caution - To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.
Safety instructions for the MC-66 & MCA-66
1

1. Lisez ces instructions.
2. Conservez ces instructions.
3. Respectez tous les avertissements.
4. Suivez les instructions.
5. Ne pas utiliser cet appareil près de l’eau.
6. Nettoyez uniquement avec un chiffon humide.
7. Ne pas obstruer les ouvertures de ventilation. Installer conformément aux instructions du fabricant.
8. Ne pas installer près de sources de chaleur telles que des radiateurs, registres de chaleur, poêles ou
autres appareils (incluant les amplicateurs) qui produisent de la chaleur.
9. Ne pas contourner le dispositif de sécurité de la che polarisée type. Une che polarisée possède deux
lames dont une plus large que l’autre. La lame large est fournie pour votre sécurité. Si la che fourniene
rentre pas dans votre prise, consultez un électricien pour remplacer la prise obsolète.
10. Protégez le cordon d’alimentation ne soit piétiné ou pincé, en particulier au bouchon, prises de courant,
et au point où ils sortent de l’appareil.
11. Utilisez uniquement des xations / accessoires spéciés par le fabricant.
12. Utilisez seulement avec un chariot, un support, un trépied, une console ou table spécié par le fabricant
ou vendu avec l’appareil. Lorsque vous utilisez un chariot, soyez prudent lorsque vous déplacez
l’ensemble chariot / appareil pour éviter les blessures en cas de chute.
13. Débranchez cet appareil durant les orages ou si inutilisé pendant de longues périodes de temps.
14. Conez toute réparation à un personnel qualié. Une réparation est nécessaire lorsque l’appareil a été
endommagé de quelque façon que ce cordon d’alimentation ou la che est endommagé, du liquide a
été renversé ou des objets sont tombés dans l’appareil, l’appareil a été exposé à la pluie ou à l’humidité,
ne fonctionne pas normalement , ou s’il est tombé.
AVERTISSEMENT: Pour réduire le risque d’incendie ou un choc électrique,
ne pas exposer cet appareil à la pluie ou à l’humidité. L’appareil ne doit pas
être exposé au ruissellement ou aux éclaboussures et aucun tobjet rempli de
liquide, comme des vases, ne doit être placé sur l’appareil
Consignes de sécurité importantes
2

3
This Page is Intentionally Blank

4
If you have any questions, we can be reached at...
[email protected] or toll free 1-866-HTD-AUDIO (483-2834)
Whole-House Audio Control Owner’s Manual
Introduction to the MC-66 & MCA-66 Whole-House Audio Control System
The MC-66 is a six source, six zone stereo audio controller that easily allows you to distribute sound throughout
your home. The MCA-66 includes these same features plus a built-in 12-channel amplier. Both units are controlled
by the keypad(s) located within each zone and/or with HTD’s Valet app on iPhone and Android devices.
With the MC-66 & MCA-66, each of the six zones independently selects from up to six centrally located sources.
This means each zone can play a completely different source. Also, from any keypad, you can easily turn on
all zones to the same source. We refer to this as “party mode”. You can also turn off all zones with the press of
a single button. Tone control (bass/treble) and balance allows each zone to be independently set for the best
sound in that zone. We have also developed the Valet Home Control app (for iPhone and Android devices) which
expands this functionality providing wireless control.
The controller, keypads and Valet Home Control app have been designed to make both installation and every-day
use intuitive and user friendly.
If, after reading this manual, you have any questions, please call us toll free at 1-866-483-2834 during business
hours (M-F 8am-6pm CST). We’re here to help and to make sure you are getting the most out of your new whole-
house audio system.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND HELPFUL TIPS
Please note that while we refer to Cat5e throughout this manual, Cat5 and Cat6 can also be used with
equal effectiveness.
1. Never connect or disconnect Cat5e cable from the keypad or controller while the controller is
powered on.
2. Never connect or disconnect speaker cable from a speaker or the controller while the
controller is powered on.
3. ONLY TERMINATE CAT5e CABLES WITH RJ-45 CONNECTORS USING THE 568-A OR
568-B STANDARD (see page 17). You cannot simply connect the 8 wires in the same order
at both ends. Cat5e cable consists of 4 twisted pairs of cable and some signals are sent down
a particular twisted pair in order to prevent cross-talk. Failure to follow one of the standards will
cause the system to act erratically or be entirely inoperable.
Note: Because 568-B is the more recent standard, we encourage you to use it instead of
568-A.
4. When connecting (daisy-chaining) more than one keypad into the SAME zone, each keypad
must also have a unique combination of shorting bars installed. Each keypad includes 2 shorting
bars already installed - this represents one of the four possible combinations. Removing only the
left shorting bar is a second combination; removing only the right is a third; and removing both
shorting bars is a fourth combination.

MC-66 Multi-Zone Controller
MCA-66 Multi-Zone Controller/Amplier
Power
Multiroom Controller/Amplifier MCA-66
Protection
Zone Status
12 3 4 5 6
FUSE T8A/250V
AC 120V~60Hz
Power Consumption: 610W
IR OUT IR IN
SOURCE INPUT
RS232 INTERFACE
KEYPAD PORTS
1 2 3 4 5 6
L
R
43
21
5 6
12V/DC
TRIGGER
OUTIN
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE1
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE2
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE3
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE4
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE5
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE6
FIXED VARIABLE
SPEAKER OUTPUT 8 OHMS/20W
RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT
Included with MC-66
(1) Power Cord
(6) RCA Cables
(1) Trigger Cable
Included with MCA-66
(1) Power Cord
5
Product Features
Power
Multiroom Controller MC-66
Zone Status
123456
FUSE T1A/250V
AC 120V~60Hz
Power Consumption: 70W
IR OUT IR IN
SOURCE INPUT
RS232 INTERFACE
KEYPAD PORTS
123456
L
R
43
21
56
12V/DC
TRIGGER
OUTIN
ZONE 1
LR LR LRLR LRLR
ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ZONE 5 ZONE 6
VARIABLE
VARIABLE
FIXED
FIXED
Power
Multiroom Controller MC-66
Zone Status
1 2 3 4 5 6
Power button and
blue indicator light Zone status lights (blue) indicate when a
zone is active
IR Repeater Outputs (Con-
nect to single or dual IR emit-
ters to pass IR signal to other
audio components)
Stereo pre-amp outputs for each zone
(xed and variable) connect to separate
12-channel amplier.
RJ45 connectors
(for connecting Cat5e
cable to keypads)
Trigger In/Out
(6) Gold plated
stereo RCA-type inputs
RS232 port
Convenient snap-in speaker cable connectors (each ampli-
er is stable to 4 ohms so you can safely connect up to four
8 ohm speakers per zone - 2 per channel)
Amplier Protection Lights (red), if lit, may indicate
a problem exists.
IR Repeater Outputs (Con-
nect to single or dual IR emit-
ters to pass IR signal to other
audio components)
Stereo pre-amp outputs for each zone (switchable be-
tween xed and variable) connect to separate amplier
(not required for basic applications).
RJ45 connectors
(for connecting Cat5e
cable to keypads)
Trigger In/Out
(6) Gold plated
stereo RCA-type inputs
RS232 port
Power button and blue indicator light
Zone status lights (blue) indicate when a
zone is active
IR input (connect
to IR receiving eye)
IR input (connect
to IR receiving eye)

KC7 Keypad Control*
(Optional)
KC6 Keypad Control
(Optional)
*Throughout the owner’s manual an image of the KC6 keypad
is used in various situations. It should be known that in all
such situations a KC7 can be used in place of a KC6.
Included with MCA-66
(1) Power Cord
Sold Separately
RC6 Remote Control
Product Features (CONT.)
MUTE
Back-lit, soft touch buttons
Back-lit, soft touch
buttons - Screen
and buttons will
remain lit for 30
seconds at which
point the lights will
extinguish until any
button is pressed.
During setup
mode, use these
buttons to set
treble, bass, and
balance for each
zone
Source buttons-
Used to select
source and to
change options in
the setup menu.
Volume (up/down)
- Used to adjust
volume level. Also
both buttons can
be pressed simul-
taneously to enter
setup mode.
Volume
(up/down) Press
both and hold for
three seconds to
enter setup.
IR receiving eye passes IR signals to other
centrally located equipment (use a universal
remote to control all of your equipment)
IR receiving eye passes IR signals to other
centrally located equipment (use a universal
remote to control all of your equipment)
Power Button -
Multi-function but-
ton used to power
on, power off, and
mute the keypad.
Can also be used
to power off all
keypads.
Power Button -
Multi-function but-
ton used to power
on, power off, and
mute the keypad.
Can also be used
to power off all
keypads.
Volume
indicator lights
Select from
up to six centrally
located sources
LCD Screen - displays selected source,
volume level, and setup menu options.
Two RJ45 con-
nectors - Use
one for connect-
ing Cat5 cable
(or Cat5e or
Cat6) to control-
ler. Optionally,
use the other
RJ45 connector
to add a second
keypad in the
same zone.
“Screwless” Decora
style frame (includ-
ed) snaps in place
for a professional
appearance.
“Screwless” Decora
style frame (included)
snaps in place for a
professional appear-
ance.
IR emitters are used in conjuction with the KC6 (or
KC7) keypad and any centrally located source’s IR
remote to control that source from any zone with a
keypad. See the Emitter section in this manual for
more information.
Allows you to control audio com-
ponents located near the Mid-level
system, even when hidden inside of a
cabinet or closet.
Point at any keypad to select
the source and to control the
volume level in that zone.
12
4
65
3
Vo l
Vo l
Power/Mute
V o l
V o l
Power/Mute
SRC2
59
Source
6
12
4
65
3
Vo l
Vo l
Power/Mute
IR-RX2
IR-RX2-3
IR-RX2-T
IR-RX2-IW
Double
Emitter Single
Emitter
Two RJ45 connec-
tors - Use one for
connecting Cat5 cable
(or Cat5e or Cat6) to
controller. Optionally,
use the other RJ45
connector to add a second keypad in the
same zone.

How to Connect
7
MC-66 Connection Overview (showing one zone connected)
Keypad
Shielded Stereo Cable
Cat5e Cable
Speaker Cable
Zone 3
Speakers
Zone 1
Zone 1
Zone 1-6
Multi-channel
Amplier
MC-66
Zone 6
Zone 6
12
4
65
3
V o l
V o l
MCA-66 Connection Overview (showing one zone connected)
Zone 3
Keypad
Figure 2
Figure 1
Speakers
Zone 1
Zone 1
Zone 6
Zone 6
MCA-66
Connecting the Keypads
**Be sure to power off the controller before disconnecting or connecting Cat5e cables or speaker cables.**
The KC6 and KC7 keypad have been designed specically to work with the MC-66 and MCA-66 (hereafter referred to
as “controller”). The KC6 and KC7 are not suitable for use with other systems.
Keypads should be connected directly to the controller via Cat5e (or Cat6) cable with RJ-45 connectors at both ends
of the cable. There are two RJ-45 connectors on the back of each keypad. Either RJ-45 connector can be used. The
other connector is used for connecting up to two total keypads in each zone. This is discussed in more detail later in
this section. Once connected, keypads will control the zone in which the Cat5e cable is inserted on the controller.
Daisy Chaining Keypads - It is possible to connect a maximum of two keypads into any one zone by “daisy-chaining”
the keypads together using the extra RJ-45 connector on the back of each keypad. This is only done for convenience
as adjusting one keypad will adjust the other keypad in that same zone. If you want to separately control the volume of
multiple pairs of speakers in one zone, you will need to set up “sub-zones” (see Sub-zones - pg. 9).
Note: The KC6 and KC7 cannot be “daisy-chained” to those from another zone. “Daisy chaining” must be accom-
plished by using either two KC6’s (daisy-chained to one another) OR two KC7’s (daisy-chained to one another).
Please note that the system will only operate properly if the RJ-45 connectors have been attached using either
the 568-A or 568-B standard diagram towards the end of this manual.
Cat5e Cable
Speaker Cable
12
4
65
3
V o l
V o l

How to Connect
8
Using the double-sided foam tape that is included with the KC6/KC7 keypad:
We have included two pieces of double sided foam tape to use as a “spacer” if needed between the drywall and the metal
frame of the KC6/KC7 keypad. This will enable to you to bring the keypad “off” the wall if needed so that once the frame
of the keypad is placed onto the keypad the frame will sit ush to the keypad and the wall. This is often only used for pre-
install (or new work) electrical boxes that are recessed behind the drywall. If you have an “old work box” then you will
likely not need the double sided tape as the keypad’s frame will be slightly off the surface of the drywall due to the “old
work box” having a “lip” that sits on the front of the drywall already.
1.Cut hole for
KC6/KC7
2.Apply tape
directly to
drywall
3.Install KC6/KC7
4.Install KC6/KC7
plate
5. Check distance between KC6/KC7
plate and Drywall
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
1.Cut hole for
KC6/KC7
2.Apply tape
directly to
drywall
3.Install KC6/KC7
4.Install KC6/KC7
plate
5. Check distance between KC6/KC7
plate and Drywall
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
1.Cut hole for
KC6/KC7
2.Apply tape
directly to
drywall
3.Install KC6/KC7
4.Install KC6/KC7
plate
5. Check distance between KC6/KC7
plate and Drywall
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
1.Cut hole for
KC6/KC7
2.Apply tape
directly to
drywall
3.Install KC6/KC7
4.Install KC6/KC7
plate
5. Check distance between KC6/KC7
plate and Drywall
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Vol
Vol
Power/Mute
Source
Connecting the Speakers to the MCA-66
The easy-connect speaker cable (green) connectors can be pulled out from the controller for easy cable connection,
and then plugged back into the controller (See Figure 3).
**Be sure to power off the controller before disconnecting or connecting Cat5e cables or speaker cables.**
Using the speaker cable connectors (MCA-66 only) Figure 3
FUSE T8A/250V
AC 120V~60Hz
Power Consumption: 610W
IR OUT IR IN
SOURCE INPUT
RS232 INTERFACE
KEYPAD PORTS
1 2 3 4 5 6
L
R
43
21
5 6
12V/DC
TRIGGER
OUTIN
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE1
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE2
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE3
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE4
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE5
FIXED VARIABLE
L R
PRE OUT
ZONE6
FIXED VARIABLE
SPEAKER OUTPUT 8 OHMS/20W
RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT RIGHTLEFT
Left Right
+-+
-
+--+
Left Right
Easy-connect speaker
cable connector

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/Amplier
The MCA-66 includes a built-in 12 channel amplier. This is essentially 6 stereo ampliers, one stereo amplier per zone.
Each stereo amplier 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 amplier in that zone will automatically go into stand-by mode. As soon
as a signal is detected, the controller/amplier will power up. This keeps the entire amplier operating as efciently as pos-
sible.
The ampliers 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 amplier required)
The MC-66 does not include a built-in amplier so you need to add a separate multi-channel amplier. A 12-channel amplier
such as the DMA-1240 or DMA-1275 is a good match because these ampliers can easily be set up for 6 stereo zones.
Connect each zone to the multi-channel amplier 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 amplier as instructed by the owner’s manual for that amplier.**
Connecting Source Components (see gure 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 amplier channels than that already provided by the multi-channel amplier.
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 difcult 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).