McIntosh MX136, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ... Dolby Pro Logic and the double D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Manufactured under license under U S Patent No s 5 451 942 5 956 674 5 974 380 5 978 762 6 226 616 6 487 535 other U S and worldwide patents issued pending DTS DTS Digital Surround and Neo 6 are registered trademarks and the DTS logos and Symbol and DTS 96 24 are trademarks of DTS Inc 1996 2007 DTS Inc All Rights Reserve...

Page 2: ...e wider than the other A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet 10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs convenience receptacles and the point where they exit fr...

Page 3: ...cal Code ANSI NFPA 70 pro vides information with reguards to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure grounding of the lead in wire to an antenna discharge unit and size of ground conductors location of antenna discharge unit connection to ground electrodes and requirements for the grounding electrode Outdoor Antenna Grounding Example of antenna grounding as per National Electrical Co...

Page 4: ...ructions 59 Table of Contents Your decision to own this McIntosh MX136 A V Control Center ranks you at the very top among discriminating mu sic listeners You now have The Best The McIntosh dedi cation to Quality is assurance that you will receive many years of musical enjoyment from this unit Please take a short time to read the information in this manual We want you to be as familiar as possible ...

Page 5: ...uctor to Pin 1 and the Shield Conductor to Pin 2 Refer to the figure below Important Information 10 The Zone A and Zone B IR Inputs with 1 8 inch mini phone jacks are configured for non McIntosh IR sensors such as a Xantech Model 291 80 To avoid possible interaction disable the MX136 Front Panel Sensor with the switch recessed in the bottom panel behind and to the left of the Sensor 11 System Setu...

Page 6: ... C 23 N C 10 N C 24 System Calibrate Gnd 11 N C 25 Power Control Gnd 12 System Calibrate 13 Power Control In 14 Left Front Gnd XLR Connectors Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input and Output Connectors on the MX136 Refer to the dia gram for connection PIN 1 Shield Ground PIN 2 Signal PIN 3 Signal Power Control Connector The MX136 s Power Control Outputs provide a 5 volt sig nal...

Page 7: ...ith complete audio and video switching The McIntosh MX136 sets new standards for accuracy in a Home Theater System Pure Stereo Outputs When the Stereo Mode of Operation is selected for an ana log source the signal is amplified with no digital processing placed in the signal path Adjustable Channel Level and Time Delay A built in test signal generator allows all eight channels to be calibrated for ...

Page 8: ...he next page pertaining to installing the MX136 into cabinets Dimensions 17 3 4 45 09cm 8 7 8 22 54cm Front View of the MX136 Rear View of the MX136 9 7 16 23 97cm 13 1 4 33 66cm 17 43 18cm Side View of the MX136 18 1 2 46 99cm 3 16 0 48cm 13 16 2 06cm 8 1 4 20 96cm 12 5 8 32 07cm 17 43 18cm 12 1 4 31 12cm 8 1 16 20 48cm 1 1 4 3 18cm ...

Page 9: ...a definite asset in maintaining all the system components at the coolest possible operating tempera ture A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing di mensions for cool op eration Allow at least 2 inches 5 08cm above the top 2 inches 5 08cm be low the bottom and 1 inch 2 54cm on each side of the A V 8 5 16 21 11cm 17 1 16 43 34cm MX136 Front Panel Custom Cabinet Cut...

Page 10: ...ompatible source components to allow remote control operation RS232 connector for connection to a computer or other control device HOME Data Port connects to the optional HC 1 Home Controller SUM A Data Port for connections to other McIntosh Components IR INPUTS for Zone A or B external sensors KEYPADS ZONE A and B for a McIn tosh Keypad or IR room sen sor VIDEO sends a turn On Off sig nal to McIn...

Page 11: ...S for analog audio signals from a DVD LV VCR TV SAT CD TAPE or AUX components OUTPUTS VCR 1 and 2 supply analog audio record signals for recorders DIGITAL OUTPUTS both optical and coaxial provide a digital audio signal to an ex ternal digital processor ZONE A FIXED OUTPUTS send a fixed line level two channel analog sig nal as selected by the INPUT A control ZONE B OUTPUTS send a two channel signal...

Page 12: ...o Signals for recorders OUTPUT MONitor B sends a Composite or S Video Signal to a monitor TV located in Zone B COMPONENT INPUTS receive Component Video Y PR and PB Signals from five Component Video Sources COMPONENT OUTPUTS send Component Video Y PR and PB Signals to the ZONE A Video Monitor Note If the MX136 A V System Control Center has the TM1 AM FM Tuner Module installed proceed to page 53 for...

Page 13: ...ck 3 Connect a 4 conductor shielded cable from the MX136 ZONE A KEYPAD Socket to a McIntosh WK 4 Key pad 4 Connect a Power Control Cable from the MX136 POWER CONTROL ACC Jack to the McIntosh AU DIO VIDEO Player Power Control In Jack 5 Connect a Power Control Cable from the MX136 POWER CONTROLA Jack to the McIntosh Powered Subwoofer Power Control In Jack How to Connect Data and Power Control 6 Conn...

Page 14: ...onnect a cable from the MX136 SAT INPUT Input B OPTICAL DIGITAL INPUT to the Optical Digital Output of a Satellite Receiver 3 Connect a cable from the MX136 LV INPUT Input C OPTICAL DIGITAL INPUT to the Optical Digital Output of a Digital Audio Recorder 4 Connect a cable from the Digital Audio Recorder Input to the MX136 OPTICAL DIGITAL OUTPUT McIntosh Audio Video Player Digital IN Digital OUT Dig...

Page 15: ...d Au dio Outputs of the McIntosh AUDIO VIDEO Player 4 Connect cables from the MX136 EXTERNALAudio INPUTs to the McIntosh 5 1CH Audio Outputs of the McIntosh AUDIO VIDEO Player 5 Connect a cable from the MX136 Left and Right Ana log Audio INPUTs Input 6 to the Left and Right Ana log Audio Outputs of the Satellite Receiver 6 Connect a cable from the MX136 VCR1 Audio OUT PUT Output 9 to the VCR Audio...

Page 16: ...ayer 3 Connect balanced cables from the MX136 ZONE A BALANCED INPUTS 1 to the McIntosh Bal anced Audio Outputs of the McIntosh AUDIO VIDEO Player 4 Connect cables from the MX136 EXTERNAL Au dio INPUTS to the McIntosh 5 1CH Audio Out puts of the McIntosh AUDIO VIDEO Player 5 Connect a cable from the MX136 Left and Right Analog Audio INPUTS Input 6 to the Left and Right Analog Audio Outputs of the S...

Page 17: ...17 How to Connect Analog Audio Components for eight channels Satellite Receiver McIntosh Seven Channel PowerAmplifier McIntosh Powered Subwoofer ...

Page 18: ...to the McIntosh Video Outputs of the McIn toshAudio Video Player IN OUT VCR To AC Outlet 3 Connect video cables from the MX136 DVD COMPO NENT INPUTS 5 to the McIntosh Component Video Outputs of the McIntosh Audio Video Player 4 Connect video cables from the MX136 SAT VIDEO INPUTS to the Video Outputs of a Satellite Receiver 5 Connect video cables from the MX136 SAT COMPO NENT INPUTS 1 to the Compo...

Page 19: ... wires are individually shielded Note If Zone B will not be connected at this time proceed to step 5 1 Connect a cable from the MX136 POWER CONTROL B Jack to the McIntosh Power Amplifier Power Control In Jack 2 Connect a cable from the MX136 ZONE B OUTPUTS Left and Right to the McIntosh Power Amplifier Unbal anced Left and Right Inputs McIntosh Keypad McIntosh Power Amplifier Left Loudspeaker Righ...

Page 20: ...ntrol Selects which of the eleven Au dio Video Sources or Tuner Signal is available for VCR Outputs Zone B Audio Outputs and MONitor B Video Outputs Selects which of the eleven Audio Video Sources or Tuner Signal is available at the Zone A Audio Out puts Component and MONitor A Video Outputs Adjusts the Listen Volume Level of all eight channels Selects the desired audio operating mode and selects ...

Page 21: ...ted Dolby Digital sound tracks Switches On and Off Zones A or B or resets all the MX136 microproces sors Switches all AC Power On or Off Allows for the selection of various MX136 Functions Allows for the storing into memory various MX136 Settings Move Left or Right through selections and for scrolling through the Tuner Presets stored in memory when the optional TM1 Tuner Mod ule is installed Front...

Page 22: ...es which Trim Parameter has been selected Indicates which Surround Mode is in use Indicates when Zone B Front Control is active Indicates when the Late Night Processing has been selected Indicates when the MX136 is in Standby On Mode Indicates Input Selection Status Volume Trim Adjustments Surround Modes Setup Func tions The Tuner Functions are displayed when the Optional TM1 Module is installed I...

Page 23: ...23 Notes ...

Page 24: ...e are for use with other McIntosh Products Selects AM Tuner Operating Functions and Disc Selection on certain McIntosh CD Play ers Selects On Screen Func tions for McIntosh DVD Players and certain CD Players Press TRIM and then the LEVEL Push but tons to select and ad just various functions Selects the FF Fast For ward or REWind Mode on a Disc Player Music Server or Tape Recorder tunes Up or Down ...

Page 25: ...h the installation and operation of the Remote Control Translator RCT Mute Press the MUTE Push button to mute audio in the Zone where the command is issued The VCR OUTPUTS are not affected by the MUTE function The MX136 Front Panel Alphanumeric Display will indicate the word Mute for Zone A Press MUTE a second time to unmute audio Mode Press the MODE Push button to select the Surround Mode from Mo...

Page 26: ...iod of time turn off all AC Power with the Power Switch 3 Press and hold the MX136 Front Panel SETUP Push button for approximately three seconds to enter the Setup Mode The word SETUP will appear on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display and the MAIN SYSTEM SETUP Menu will appear on the Monitor TV Screen Refer to figures 4 5 and 6 4 Access the desired Setup Menu by pressing the Up or Down directiona...

Page 27: ... 2 34 E Coaxial TV 34 F Coaxial DVD 34 Zone A Analog Input Number Setting Refer to Page 0 11 RCA 34 Surr Surround Mode Default Number Setting Refer to Page 0 11 LAST 35 Video Power Control Number Power Control Refer to Page 0 11 ON 35 HDMI Video Inputs Zone A Number Name Refer to Page 1 SAT 35 2 TV 35 3 VCR 1 35 4 DVD 35 Component Video Inputs Zone A Number Name Refer to Page 1 SAT 35 2 TV 35 3 VC...

Page 28: ...ack Output Left Channel will have audio output 3 Select the appropriate Loudspeaker location and type by using the Up or Down directional push buttons to select first the menu item and then press the Left or Right directional push buttons to change the current setting Notes When the Front Loudspeakers are set to Small the options in the Speaker Size Setup Menu for the Center and Surround Loudspeak...

Page 29: ...e them The MX136 will then return to normal op eration Refer to figure 7 on page 27 SETUP con t Loudspeaker Default Setting New Setting Front L R Small Center Small Surround L R Small Back Surround Small 2 Subwoofer Yes Sub Crossover 80Hz MC Bass Off Loudspeaker Size MC Bass Mode When a Home Theater System contains Loudspeakers that are refered to as Large the Bass Management Circuitry will direct...

Page 30: ... be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number for this procedure 4 Select the appropriate Loudspeaker location and type by using the Up or Down directional push buttons to select first the menu item and then press the Left or Right directional push buttons to change the current setting When all of the settings on the SPEAKER TIME DELAY Menu agree with the Loudspeaker mea sured distances in yo...

Page 31: ... the Automatic re quires less push button presses or Manual quicker when used with a sound pressure meter Loudspeaker Level switching mode ForAutomatic switching pro ceed to Step 4 For Manual switching proceed to Step 11 on the next page Automatic Loudspeaker Level Switching 4 Using the Left or Right directional push buttons select AUTO MODE from the SPEAKER LEVEL On Screen Menu followed by pressi...

Page 32: ...p or Down directional push buttons select the next Loudspeaker and perform the level ad justing procedure Continue this for each of the remain ing Loudspeakers Repeat this as often as necessary un til you are satisfied that the volume levels of all the Loudspeakers are the same 14 Press the SELECT OK Push button to switch Off the Manual Loudspeaker Level Switching Mode 15 Continue next to the INPU...

Page 33: ...he On Screen Menu followed by the SELECT OK Push but ton Refer to figure 6 on page 26 3 Using the Up or Down directional push buttons select SOURCE INPUT from the On Screen Menu fol lowed by pressing the Left or Right directional push buttons to select Input Number 5 IR TP2 Refer to figure 15 Note The information displayed after the Source Input Number indicates which IR Remote Control Command sel...

Page 34: ... On Screen Menu followed by pressing the Left or Right directional push buttons to select the DVD Input Number 11 15 Using the Up or Down directional push buttons select ZONE AANALOG INPUT on the On Screen Menu followed by pressing the Right directional push button to select BAL1 Refer to figure 18 Note The BALanced 1 or 2 Input may be assigned to multiple Audio Inputs 16 Using the Up or Down dire...

Page 35: ...ons select VIDEO POWER on the On Screen Menu fol lowed by pressing the Left or Right directional push buttons to select OFF Refer to figure 21 29 If you do not wish to perform HDMI VIDEO Input Adjustments at this time proceed to Component Video and Video Converter Input HDMI Video Input The MX136 has Electronic Input Switching for four HDMI Video Sources and they may be assigned to any of the elev...

Page 36: ...g the Left or Right directional push buttons to select 4 Refer to figure 22B 36 If the DVD2 Input is to be viewed through the HDMI Monitor A Output use the Up or Down directional push buttons select HDMI VIDEO on the On Screen Menu followed by pressing the Left or Right directional push buttons to select COMP Refer to figure 22C 37 Using the Up or Down directional push buttons select SOURCE INPUT ...

Page 37: ...36 will then return to normal opera tion Re fer to figure 7 on page 27 Number Title Default Setting New Setting Default Setting New Setting Default Setting New Setting 0 TUNER ON 1 PH AUX ON 2 CD1 ON 3 CD2 ON 4 TAPE1 ON 5 TAPE2 ON 6 SAT ON 1 1 7 TV ON 2 2 8 LV ON 9 VCR1 ON 3 3 10 VCR2 ON 4 11 DVD ON 5 4 Video Inputs Source Settings Video Power Control Component Video Source HDMI Video Source Numbe...

Page 38: ... push buttons may also be used 4 Using the Up or Down directional push buttons select ZONE AVOLUME MAXIMUM from the On Screen Menu followed by pressing the Left or Right directional push buttons to select the maximum volume level 5 If desired make similar adjustments for Zone B 6 Continue to the ADVANCED settings on page 39 If you do not wish to perform ADVANCED settings at this time select MAIN M...

Page 39: ...ed by the SELECT OK Push button 6 Use the Left or Right directional push buttons to Select ON Refer to figure 27 7 Using the Up or Down directional push buttons selectADVANCED MENU from the On Screen Menu How to change the Advanced Settings followed by pressing the SELECT OK Push button 8 Continue to the INPUT SELECT POWER ON Setting If you do not wish to perform INPUT SELECT POWER ON Setting at t...

Page 40: ...anges or NO not to save them The MX136 will then return to normal op eration Refer to figure 7 on page 27 Restore Defaults The MX136 permits returning all of the previously entered On Screen Operating Settings back to the Factory Default Values by the following steps Note It is advisable to write down all current settings before proceeding in the event you desire to re enter them later 17 Using th...

Page 41: ...and is connected to a McIntosh Audio Video Multizone Control System Controller the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display will indicate REMOTE ZONE when any Zone of the Controller is switched On Input Selection The INPUTA Selector Switch selects the program signal source for Zone A and is indicated on the right side of the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display The INPUT B Selector Switch selects the program ...

Page 42: ... Left and Right Push buttons allow for selecting the next FM or AM Radio Station that has been stored into memory when the optional TM1 Tuner Module is installed Late Night The LATE NIGHT Push button turns a volume compres sion circuit On and Off This feature suppresses loud sounds or music that might disturb neighbors or others not in the immediate area of the Home Theater Soft levels are also ra...

Page 43: ...processing a Digital Encoded Signal I The DTS Display will illuminate when the input con tains DTS Encoded Signals J The DTS ES Display will illuminate when the input contains DTS ES Encoded Signals K The NEO 6 Display will illuminate when the Sur round Mode Selector is turned to CINEMA2 or MU SIC 2 positions Figure 34 L The 2 CHANNEL Display will illuminate when the Surround Mode Selector is turn...

Page 44: ...oudspeaker Levels 2 Rotate the TRIM LEVEL Control clockwise until the number 5 appears to the right of SUB TRIM on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display This is an example of increasing the Subwoofer level by 5dB 3 Rotate the TRIM SELECT Control to the SURR SPKR position and SURR TRIM appears on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display Refer to figure 38 Figure 38 Figure 40 4 Rotate the TRIM LEVEL Cont...

Page 45: ...ect Mode also provides variable Center Channel WidthAdjustment If MUSIC 3 or 4 Surround Modes are selected the Trim Select Effect Mode provides variable Reverberation of the sound going to the Surround Loudspeakers Loudness The Loudness Control Function automatically increases bass response as the volume level is lowered for improved listening at softer volume levels The amount of Loudness Boost i...

Page 46: ...ound Loudspeakers 5 Rotate the TRIM SELECT Control clockwise to the EFFECT position The word EFFECT together with a number will appear on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display Refer to figure 46 6 Rotate the TRIM LEVEL Control to select one of the many different sound effects available Display Brightness The brightness of the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display may be adjusted using the Display Trim F...

Page 47: ...ll indicate MU SIC 2 Refer to figure 52 This Mode utilizes DTS NEO 6 Processing to add center surround and back channels to a stereo recording The effect may be varied depending upon the Trim Effect Setting for Center Width refer to page 46 to alter the settings Music 3 The Front Panel Alphanumeric Display will indicate MU SIC 3 Refer to figure 53 This processing Mode creates an effect of a party ...

Page 48: ... present the MX136 will automatically decode the information either as Mono Stereo or Surround depending on the information contained in the signal If the signal contains 5 1 or more channels of information the decoder will automatically re produce the signal as 7 1 channels of information External All internal signal processing is bypassed and the eight Rear Panel EXTERNAL INPUTS are activated so...

Page 49: ... OUTPUTS are not affected by the VOLUME SURROUND or TRIM controls To listen to a different program source while recording rotate the INPUT A LISTEN Control to the desired source The recording process will not be affected and will continue How To Make A Recording DigitalAudio Recording The MX136 allows recording from any of the Digital Audio Input Sources to an external Digital Recording Device Re ...

Page 50: ...one B 3 Rotate the INPUT B Record Selector Switch to select the desired source 4 Press the ZONE B Push button and then rotate the VOLUME Control to the desired volume level for Zone B 5 To switch Off Zone B from the MX136 Front Panel if Zone A is already Off press the SYS OFF Push button Refer to figure 60 Figure 60 Figure 59 How to Operate Zone B Figure 61 Operating Zone B from a Keypad or Sensor...

Page 51: ...ape VCR Out 40dB Phono to Output Main 54dB High Level to Tape VCR Out 0dB High Level to Output Main 14dB Tone Controls Bass Control 12dB at 30Hz Treble Control 12dB at 10 000Hz PowerRequirements 100 Volts 50 60Hz at 65 watts 110 Volts 50 60Hz at 65 watts 120 Volts 50 60Hz at 65 watts 220 Volts 50 60Hz at 65 watts 230 Volts 50 60Hz at 65 watts 240 Volts 50 60Hz at 65 watts Note Refer to the rear pa...

Page 52: ...eo stations Preset Stations and Permanent Memory Nine AM and nine FM station presets make it easy to listen to your favorite stations Station Presets and Functions Modes are retained in Permanent Memory even whenAC power is switched Off Alphanumeric Fluorescent Display The MX136 Multi function Front Panel Display indicates station frequency station preset number signal strength stereo and broadcas...

Page 53: ...ernal FM Antenna or cable AM ANT An tenna connector allows a McIntosh Remote Antenna to be connected RAA1 Remote Antenna can be adjusted to a position for optimum reception of your fa vorite AM stations Connects with supplied cable to the MX136 Note Proceed to page 13 and start the connection process ...

Page 54: ...nect a 75 ohm coax cable from an FM Antenna or cable system to the MX136 75 OHM FM ANTenna Connector 3 Proceed to page 19 and continue the connection pro cess How to Connect Antenna Components RAA1 Connector Connect the shield and two leads of a shielded 2 conductor cable to the supplied 5 Pin Terminal Con nector Plug Refer to the connec tion information on the top cover of the RAA1 7 Pin DIN Conn...

Page 55: ...ush button to select stations Press and release the TUNING Push buttons to move from one station to the next Press and hold to move continuously up or down the broadcast band When a station is selected the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display will indicate from left to right Station Signal Strength from 1 to 9 a dot if the Broadcast is Stereo the AM or FM Station Frequency AM or FM Broadcast Band and ...

Page 56: ...and release the Front Panel ENTER Push button The Front Panel Alphanumeric Display will indicate 1 AVAILABLE which is the first of 9 Pre set Numbers that can be assigned The Station that is about to be entered into memory may also assigned to a different Preset Number 2 9 by pressing the PRESET Left and Right Push buttons to select the desired Preset Number Refer to figure 66 Note Presets are auto...

Page 57: ...perations listed below An additional long wire AM antenna or external ground can be connected to the GND and ANT terminals if desired 1 Tune to a weak AM station near 600kHz on the AM band Using an appropriate NON METALLIC tool adjust the 600kHz Trans How to Optimize AM Reception Figure 69 former L1 for maximum signal strength Refer to figure 69 2 Tune to a weak AM station near 1400kHz on the AM b...

Page 58: ...t 10 000Hz Intermodulation Distortion Mono 0 25 Stereo 0 45 Capture Ratio 1 2dB Alternate Channel Selectivity 75dB Spurious Response 100dB Image Response 75dB RF Intermodulation 65dB Stereo Separation 45dB at 100Hz 45dB at 1 000Hz 35dB at 10 000Hz SCA Rejection 65dB TM1 FM and AM Specifications AM Tuner Specifications Sensitivity 20uV External Antenna Input Signal To Noise Ratio 48dB at 30 modulat...

Page 59: ...nal shipping carton and interior parts only if they are all in good serviceable condition If a shipping car ton or any of the interior part s are needed please call or write Customer Service Department of McIntosh Labora tory Please see the Part List for the correct part numbers Quantity Part Number Description 1 034256 Shipping carton only 2 034270 Foam end cap 1 034198 Inside carton top only 1 0...

Page 60: ...cIntosh Laboratory Inc 2 Chambers Street Binghamton NY 13903 The continuous improvement of its products is the policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who reserve the right to improve design without notice Printed in the U S A ...