Magnum MD 90T SE User manual

Magnum Dynalab MD 90T/90TR SE
ANALOG FM TUNER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 3
UNPAC ING YOUR MD 90T 4
SETTING UP YOUR MD 90T 5
CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONALITY 6
DISPLAYS AND METERS 6
IMAGE OF MD 90T 7
CHEC ING OUT YOUR MD 90T 8
RF-20 TUNER REMOTE CONTROL (OPTIONAL) 9
TROUBLE SHOOTING 10
RECEPTION TECHNIQUES 11
Antenna Cabling: 11
Types of Antennas: 11
FM RECEPTION AIDS AND ACCESSORIES 12
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 13
SAFETY SHEET 14
LIMITED WARRANTY 15

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A Message From the President
Thank you for choosing the Magnum Dynalab MD 90T FM Tuner. Great care has been
given in the design, manufacturing and selection of components for the MD 90T FM
Tuner. This complete process will insure that your listening experience will be optimi ed
for years.
The front end of all Magnum Dynalab tuners is an exclusive “in house” designed and
manufactured component, we are the only company in the world that does their own
R.F. “Front-end”. The reason that we design and build our own front-end is that no other
manufacturer can make one that meets our exacting specifications. The importance of a
front-end to the tuner is the equivalent of a high performance laser mechanism to a CD
transport. The front-end must gather the FM signal and isolate it from the extraneous
aberrations inherent in the environment as well as the FM stations adjacent to it. Our
rigid criteria for our tuners and their front-ends insure that you get the most out of your
FM reception with the highest degree of consistency available in the industry.
To insure that all specifications on our tuners are met at ALL frequencies, we manually
align our tuners front-end at three frequencies (92 MH , 101.5 MH and 106MH ). This
process optimi es tuning performance across the entire FM band, so that you attain the
same levels of quality regardless of where you are tuned.
These procedures also ensure that the balance between SENSITIVITY, SELECTIVITY
and MUSICALITY are maintained. Your tuner is now optimi ed to reject strong adjacent
channel noise, provide more consistent levels of tuning performance across FM band
and to have a superior ability to isolate the station you wish to listen to from the
extraneous interference of the FM signals.
Once again MAGNUM DYNALAB thanks you for including our product in your audio
system, we are sure that you will have years of listening pleasure from your MD 90T. If
there is anything else we can offer to aid your enjoyment in listening to FM, please feel
free to contact us on our toll free number, 1-800-551-4130 or via email at:
[e-mail].
Respectfully yours,
Larry Zurowski
President

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UNPAC ING YOUR MD 90T
Carefully inspect all sides of the shipping carton for damage. If there are marks or holes
in the carton make note of the location in relation to the unit inside. Any obvious dents
or scuff marks should alert you to the possibility of damage. Carefully remove the MD
90T from the end caps and wrapping, inspect all sides. Pay special attention to the
corresponding areas on the unit where damage was found to the shipping carton. If
damage is evident, document the type and extent of the damage, then repack the unit
and call the dealer.
INDLY DO NOT SEND THE UNIT BAC TO THE SHIPPER UNTIL YOU HAVE
BEEN AS ED TO DO SO.
DO NOT DISCARD THE PACKING MATERIALS AND CARTONS. Should there be a
necessity to return the unit for any reason, it must arrive safely and suitably packaged in
order for our receiver to accept it from the carrier. Also, if the unit has incurred damage
as a result of improper packaging, it is not likely that a claim for the damage against the
carrier will be successful.
Likewise, we will ship your unit back to you only in factory-approved packaging,
However, if the unit were to arrive at the factory in anything other than factory approved
packaging, we reserve the right to return same in factory-approved packaging and
charge the cost of the packaging to the shipper. This is the only way we can assure you
of a safe return (damage by carrier excepted).

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SETTING UP YOUR MD 90T
1. Place your tuner the shortest distance possible from your pre-amplifier/ integrated
amplifier, being careful to avoid areas that may cause extreme temperatures.
2. Connect your tuner to the pre-amplifier, using cables/ inter-connects that are
consistent with the rest of the inter-connects in your system. For a single ended (un-
balanced) system the cables will be connected to the RCA connectors labeled
“unbalanced out” on the rear panel of your tuner to an unused aux. input on the rear
of your pre-amplifier/ integrated amplifier. For connection to a balanced system, the
balanced cables will be connected from the XLR outputs marked “output balanced”
on the rear of your tuner to the balanced inputs on the rear of your pre-amplifier/
integrated amplifier.
3. Connect your FM antenna cable to the ANTENNA IN terminal on the rear panel of
your tuner. The connection type on the back of your tuner is an “F” connector (75
ohms). Should your antenna cable be 300 twin lead, you may convert this to 75
ohms with a 300 ohm to 75 ohm balun/ transformer.
4. Make sure that the center conductor of the cable is properly inserted into the
connector. If you do not possess an antenna, attach the temporary wire (enclosed
in box) to your tuner. Place this into the “F” connector input on the rear of your tuner.
Please note that the piece of wire provided should only be used as a medium
to test and setup the tuner, to maximize performance with your tuner a better
antenna system is recommended. Magnum Dynalab offers a number of
different antennae, these antennae are discussed in the Reception Techniques
in the back of the manual. If you have any questions please call your dealer or
contact Magnum Dynalab directly.
5. Unwrap the EIA AC cord and plug the EIA end into the rear socket marked “Power
Input” on the rear panel of your tuner. Plug the other end of the AC cord into a
120/220/230/240 volt continuous AC source that you are using.
Note: Many countries that use 220/230/240 volts have a special FM transmitter,
tuning de-emphasis for these countries may be different. Please consult
Magnum Dynalab for the correct usage. If your tuner is used in a country
where the tuning de-emphasis is set incorrectly the sonic performance will be
seriously affected.

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CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONALITY
(Letters correspond with image on the following page)
A. POWER – Turns the power (AC) on and off to your tuner, with the optional remote
system this switch must be left in the “OFF” position.
B. STEREO – Switches your tuner from Stereo to Mono and vice-versa. Switching to
Mono will often clean up noisy stereo transmissions and aid in delivering quiet
listening to weaker signals.
C. I.F. BANDWIDTH – When BW 1 is selected your tuner is in the wide IF
(Intermediate Frequency) bandwidth setting. This setting produces the best sound
possible where strong adjacent channel interference is not an issue. When BW 2 is
selected the tuner is placed in the “Narrow” bandwidth setting, this setting produces
optimal sound performance where adjacent channel interference is a factor.
D. MUTE/DIGITAL INPUT – In the “ON” position, a limit is now placed on your tuner.
While scaling up and down the FM dial, weak stations will be overlooked so that no
alarming noises will be heard while looking for programs. We recommend that with
the optional remote system you leave the Mute switch in the “ON” position. If you
chose the Digital Audio Converter (D.A.C.) option, a three position switch will have
been installed with a USB 2.0 input. In the “D1” position, the RF section of the tuner
is bypassed, therefore offering full control to the D.A.C.
E. TUNING NOB – Rotating this knob allows you precise control of the fine tuning of
the FM signal you are listening to. Slight de-tuning of the tuner may aid in eliminating
measures of multi-path or other atmospheric conditions that may affect the sound
quality of your reception.
DISPLAYS AND METERS
(Letters correspond with image on the following page)
F. MULTI-PATH METER – This meter indicates multi-path (multi-path is the same FM
signal being received by your antenna and tuner at two different time intervals). Your
multi-path meter should read ero. If this meter reads more than ero, move your
antenna to a different location or rotate your antenna so that your meter reads ero.
If this does not correct the problem a better or different antenna system may be
required, please visit the Reception Techniques section in this manual.
G. CENTER TUNER METER – Indicates the setting of the tuners front end in relation to
the station you are tuning to. In normal situations this needle should be tuned to the
central point of this meter.
H. SIGNAL STRENGTH METER – The signal strength meter indicates the strength of
your incoming FM signal, the higher the better. This meter is calibrated to never hit
10, this is done to protect the meter mechanism.

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I. FREQUENCY DISPLAY – Displays the station via a numeric value, the frequency
that your tuner is dialed into. Display ranges from 87.5 MH through 108.5 MH .
This readout is controlled by the tuning knob.
IMAGE OF MD 90T
A
B
D
C
G
F
E
I
H

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CHEC ING OUT YOUR MD 90T
1. Place your power switch to the “ON” position (A on diagram). This should turn on
your tuner’s meter lights and frequency display.
2. Place your STEREO/MONO switch (B on diagram) to the Stereo setting.
3. Place your bandwidth switch (C on diagram) to BW1.
4. Place your Mute switch (D on diagram) to “ON” position.
5. On your preamplifier/ integrated amplifier select the input that your MD 90T tuner
is connected to.
6. Rotate the tuning knob on your tuner (E on diagram) until sound is heard through
your speakers, now fine tune this station using the center tuner meter (G on
diagram) and signal strength meter (H on diagram) as indicators. Your stereo
light on the face of your tuner should be on. Place the stereo/mono switch (B on
diagram) to the Mono position, your stereo light should now go off. Now turn the
stereo/mono switch back to the Stereo position and your stereo indicator light
should turn back on.
7. You are ready now to search through FM frequencies in search of your favorite
stations. If you encounter difficult reception situations please read the Controls
and Functionality section of your manual.
8. Approximately 48 hours of “burn in” should eliminate any measure of drifting that
you may encounter with your new tuner. Please note that when your tuner is
turned off for more than a couple of hours, upon powering “ON” your tuner, you
may encounter a slight amount of drift on the station you were last tuned to.
Please do not touch the dial, as when the tuner warms back up, it will return to
where it was last center tuned.

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RF-20 TUNER REMOTE CONTROL (Optional)
RF-20 REMOTE OPERATION FOR A MagnumDynalab TUNER
1. MAKE SURE THE TUNER IS TURNED OFF
2. PUSH THE MAIN BUTTON ON THE REMOTE SO THAT YOU CAN
SEE THE ORD TUNER
3. TO TURN ON THE UNIT PUSH THE ON BUTTON ON THE REMOTE
4. TO RETURN TO THE MAIN MENU PUSH THE MAIN BUTTON. THEN
PUSH THE BUTTON BESIDE TUNER
5. TO TUNE UP PUSH FREQUENCY UP BUTTON
6. TO TUNE DO N PUSH FREQUENCY DOWN BUTTON
7. TO STORE A PRESET , TUNE TO THE STATION PUSH SAVE TO
STORE 1-9 USE O1 TO 059 MUST HAVE T O DIGITS , FOR 10-20
JUST INPUT THE NUMBER
8. TO RECALL THE NUMBER PUSH THE BUTTON BESIDE PRE AND
THEN THE T O DIGIT LOCATION
9. TO TURN THE UNIT OFF PUSH THE PAGE UP BUTTON AND THEN
THE OFF BUTTON
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Magnum Dynalab Ltd.
8 Strathearn Ave. Unit #9
Brampton, ON
L6T 4L9
Local: 905-791-
5888
Long Distance :800-551-4130
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

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PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE POSSIBLE SOLUTION
No sound, meter
lights are not on
Power cord
disconnected
Power off at source
Connect power cord
Check AC source
No sound, meter
lights are on
Interconnect not
properly installed
Preamp set to
incorrect source
Power amplifier is off
Tube failure
Verify installation of interconnects
Turn preamp to input where tuner is
connected
On preamp defeat tape monitor function
Turn amplifier on
Replace 6922 tube
Low signal
strength
Antenna not
connected properly
Incorrect antenna
Station too distant
Improper antenna
position/ placement
Check antenna connection
Check instruction manual for correct
antenna type
Change your antenna
Rotate your antenna or mount your
antenna higher or near a window if
indoors
Intermittent
sound
Mute switch is in the
“ON” position
Turn the mute switch to “OFF” position
Tuner remote
does not work
Batteries dead
Buttons being held
too long
Improper sequence
Power switch should be in the off
position on standard tuners and the
remote must be activated with the
“Tuner Remote” power button on the
hand held.
All stations must be stored and recalled
with a two digit code from 01-20.
To store a preset press the “store”
button then the two digit preset. Touch
the buttons very quickly and lightly.
To recall, touch “Preset” and then the
two numbers you want to recall very
quickly.
Make sure to turn the unit off with the
remote control “Tuner Remote” after
storing as this will save the stations to
the flash memory.
No sound from
USB
Not compatible
Signal not receiving
Restart your computer or program
If using a MAC, you must go to “system
preferences”, “sound” and select “USB
DAC”
RECEPTION TECHNIQUES
Antenna Cabling:

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The lead-in cable from the antenna is often the weakest link in the system. Some time
spent on selection and matching will yield dramatic results when it comes to noise
reduction in weak signals.
A good grade of 75 ohm coaxial cable will provide very sufficient signal passage, along
with effective shielding against interference. Without effective shielding your coaxial
cable can in fact become an antenna in itself. There are different grades of 75 ohm
cable, there is RG59/U (Suitable for 50 feet and less) and RG 6. RG 6 is the better of
the two and should be used in runs of 50 feet or more. The RG 6 has quad shielding
and 50 % less losses than RG 59/U.
The key to maximi ing the efficiency of the system is insuring that all connections are
clean and tight, silicon grease on outdoor connections will insure good performance
over a long period of time. If you splice either cable, make sure that exactly the same
type of cable is used.
Types of Antennas:
Multi-element Yagi - This is a unidirectional antenna capable of pulling in very distant
stations due to its high gain, the higher the gain the better. These types of antennas are
very directional and should be used with a rotor to get the maximum benefit of the
antenna. The directional feature helps eliminate multi-path problems by allowing only
the signal from the direction that the antenna is facing to be picked up by the antenna
and not the signals that come from a different direction.
Magnum Dynalab offers two Yagi antennae, the MD 6 FM or MD 10 FM
Vertical ½ Wave - This design offers ease of installation and operation. This type of
antenna is omni-directional, which means that it picks up stations coming from all
directions. No rotor is required to pull in stations from behind or the side. This design
also gathers more of the FM signal from the air, offering superior fidelity over that of a
standard bi-directional antenna. It also gives 2.5 dB gain to the signal strength over that
of a standard dipole.
If multi-path is a reception problem try laying the antenna down in the hori ontal
plane rather than the vertical plane. This type of antenna can be used indoors or
outdoors, but regardless of whether it is installed indoors or outdoors the higher that you
can put it the better it will perform.
Magnum Dynalab offers the MD ST-2, an excellent vertical ½ ave antenna
Folded Di-Pole - This is the most common and simplest of all antennas, most people
are familiar with the 79 cent piece of wire you received with most electronics gear
(generally provided with a tuner or receiver). This piece of wire is bi-directional and the
performance of it is affected by the angle that the signal hits the piece of wire. There are
quite a number of di-pole antenna designs; they work well in areas of strong signal
strength, such as local stations.
Magnum Dynalab offers the SR-100 as a good folded di-pole.

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There are many styles of antennas but all of them are based on one of these types.
FM RECEPTION AIDS AND ACCESSORIES
We have already alluded to the importance of a good quality antenna which has been
designed and built with the reception of the FM bandwidth exclusively.
Should you encounter a situation in which you require more gain to the FM signal
or situations where you may need less gain AND better selectivity then the
Magnum Dynalab 205 “Signal Sleuth” may be of benefit to you.
The 205 is a FM signal processor/amplifier designed specifically for FM. If you
would like more information on this item, please feel free to contact us at any
time. Call us TOLL FREE 1-800-551-4130, email us at [email protected]
or visit us at www.magnumdynalab.com.

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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Usable sensitivity- Mono – 0.7 uV 9.0 dBf
50 dB quieting – Mono – 2.0 uV 9.9 dBf
50 dB quieting – Stereo – 2.3 uV 25.0 dBf
Capture ratio – 1.5 dB
Image rejection – 110.0 dB
Signal to noise ratio – 80.0 dB
Alternate channel – Wide – 40.0 dB
Alternate channel – Narrow - 70.0 dB
Adjacent channel – Wide – 3.0 dB
Adjacent channel – Narrow - 35.0 dB
THD – Mono – 0.10 %
THD – Stereo – 0.18 %
Stereo separation – 50.0 dB
AM suppression – 70.0 dB
SCA rejection – 80.0 dB
IF rejection – 80.0 dB
19 Hz and 38 Hz component rejection – 75.0 dB
Audio frequency response (+/- 1 dB) – 15 H – 17 KH
Balanced audio output (600 ohms) – 2.2 V
Line audio output (RCA) – 1.0 V
Line power (Must be specified)
–110/220/230/240- VAC
Dimensions (inches H.W.D.) – 4 x 17.75 x 13
Dimensions (cm H.W.D.) – 11.43 x 48.3 x 38.1
Weight (lbs./kgs) - 18/7.96
Power consumption (Typ/Max) - 50w/100w
TUBE SPECIFICATIONS
Filament current (max) 330 mA (min) 270 mA
Anode current (1) (max) 1.07 mA (min) 0.92 mA
Anode current (2) (max) 1.07 mA (min) 0.92 mA
Total harmonic distortion < 1.8%
MAGNUM DYNALAB LTD. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR MODIFY THE
SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE

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SAFETY SHEET
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS
2. HEED ALL WARNINGS
3. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS
4. DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS IN WATER
5. CLEAN ONLY WITH DRY CLOTH
6. DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS, INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.
7. DO NOT INSTALL NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS RADIATORS, HEAT
REGISTERS, STOVES, OR OTHER APPARATUS (INCLUDING AMPLIFIERS)
THAT PRODUCE HEAT.
8. DO NOT DEFEAT THE SAFETY PURPOSE OF THE GROUNDING TYPE
PLUG. THE GROUNDING PLUG HAS TWO BLADES AND A THIRD GROUNDING
PRONG. THE THIRD PRONG IS PROVIDED FOR YOUR SAFETY. IF THE
PROVIDED PLUG DOES NOT FIT INTO YOUR OUTLET, CONSULT AN
ELECTRICIAN FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE OBSOLETE OUTLET.
9. PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM BEING WALKED ON OR PINCHED
PARTICULARLY AT PLUGS, CONVENIENCE RECEPTACLES, AND THE POINT
WHERE THEY EXIT FROM THE APPARATUS.
10. ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS/ACCESSORIES SPECIFIED BY THE
MANUFACTURER.
11. UNPLUG THIS APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN
UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.
12. REFER ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. SERVICING IS
REQUIRED WHEN THE APPARATUS HAS BEEN DAMAGED IN ANY WAY, SUCH
AS THE POWER SUPPLY CORD OR PLUG IS DAMAGED, LIQUID HAS BEEN
SPILLED OR OBJECTS HAVE FALLEN INTO THE APPARATUS, THE
APPARATUS HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO RAIN OR MOISTURE, DOES NOT
OPERATE NORMALLY, OR HAS BEEN DROPPED.
13. THE EQUIPMENT REQUIRES A GROUNDED POWER OUTLET TO OPERATE
SAFELY.
14. THE POWER SUPPLY CORD IS THE MAIN DISCONNECT AND SHALL BE
READILY OPERABLE.
“WARNING” TO REDUCE THE RIS OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOC ,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

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LIMITED WARRANTY
Register your product at www.magnumdynalab.com
Magnum Dynalab Ltd. herein referred to as the “manufacturer” guarantees this
product to be free of defect in both material and workmanship and agrees to remedy
any such defect or replace any defective component at no charge for a period of two
years from date of sale to the first end user. This warranty is void if the product has
been found to be subjected to misuse, abuse, lightning strike, unauthori ed service,
damaged in transit or has been altered or repaired in such a way as to detract from its
performance, reliability or its safe operation. All tubes are covered for 12 months.
Should such defect be discovered and it falls within the terms of this guarantee, the
manufacturer will correct the defect in workmanship and/or replace any defective
component with a new one of similar capability and value. This warranty does not apply
to the cabinet or appearance items such as the faceplate, control knobs or meter lenses
nor does it cover any expenses in shipping the unit to the appropriate service depot.
The foregoing is in lieu of any other warranties expressed, implied or statutory and
the manufacturer neither assumes nor authori es any person to assume for it any other
obligation or liability in the connection with the sale of this product. This warranty is not
transferable except by written authori ation from the manufacturer.
In order to qualify under the terms of the above warranty, all items must be
returned to the appropriate factory service depot with all shipping charges prepaid in
lieu of having previously registered the purchase of the unit by completing and returning
the attached Registration Card, the unit must be accompanied by proof from an
authori ed Magnum Dynalab Ltd. dealer.
YOUR LOCATION RETURN SHIPPING ADDRESS
Within the USA Magnum Dynalab c/o Trans American
2775 Broadway, Buffalo, NY, USA
14227-1043
PHONE: [phone]
Within Canada Magnum Dynalab Ltd.
8 Strathearn Avenue, Unit # 9
Brampton, ON, Canada
L6T 4L9
PHONE: [phone]
Other Countries Contact selling dealer
TO PREVENT FIRE SHOC OR HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RIS OF ELECTRIC SHOC , DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR
FACEPLATE, NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.