Page 36 MZC-88 Installation Instructions
EXTERNAL AMPLIFIERS
ADDING A HIGH-POWER TWO-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER TO A ZONE
Even though the MZC-88 delivers a stout 50 Watts per Channel of audio power, good enough for most applications, there
may be certain situations when adding a high-power, two-channel amplifier to a zone will be required. Driving a high power
amplifier such as the SpeakerCraft BB2125 from a MZC-88 Zone Pre-Out will fill a particularly large room with large sound or
provide music power poolside for an outdoor zone.
Adding an external zone amp does not require any changes to the ‘house’ wiring or configuration or programming of the
zone keypad. The only differences are, the zone speakers get connected to the external amplifier instead of the MZC-88 and
one stereo RCA-RCA patch cable needs to be connected between the MZC-88 Zone Pre-Out and the Amplifier Main IN.
When using a SpeakerCraft BB2125, or other SpeakerCraft amplifier, power management of the external amplifier is auto-
matic using the on-board audio sensing circuitry. When the amplifier receives an audio signal from the MZC-88 Zone Pre-Out,
the external amplifier will turn on automatically. A BB2125, or other SpeakerCraft amplifier, will shut off after three minutes of
no audio signal. Other makes will vary in their specifications and performance. Please refer to appropriate documentation for
additional information.
Some amplifiers use a 12 volt trigger input to turn on in this type of application (also an option on SpeakerCraft amplifiers).
There are two methods of 12V control from a MZC-88. One method utilizes one of the Contact Closure pairs as an ‘event’
to turn the amplifier on and off with a specific zone. The other allows use of the MZC-88 Common Status Out. This second
option will have the amplifier turn on when any zone is on and off when the last zone shuts off. In most cases, turning the
external amplifier on and off with a specific zone is recommended.
INSTALLATION
Additional space should be allocated for installation of an external high-power amplifier. Leave at least 3-4 inches above
and below the amp for proper air flow for cooling. Mounting amplifiers at the top of an equipment cabinet is recom-
mended to reduce source components exposure to excess heat. Use cooling fans when necessary.
CONNECTIONS AND CONFIGURATION
AUDIO
1. Connect one, quality, RCA-RCA stereo patch cable from the appropriate MZC-88 ZONE L&R PRE-OUT to the L&R MAIN
INPUT on the external amplifier.
2. Set the VC/NVC SWITCH to VC (variable). The Zone volume will be controlled via the MZC-88 Zone Preamp using the
Zone Keypad or IR Remote.
SPEAKERS
1. Connect the L+,L-/R-R+ SPEAKER-LEVEL OUTPUTS of the external amplifier to the appropriate zone speakers.
AUDIO SENSING
1. No additional connections required.
2. If using a SpeakerCraft BB2125, switch the ‘Audio Sense/Trigger/Constant’ Switch to AUDIO SENSE.
3. If using another brand of amplifier with audio sensing, please refer to appropriate documentation for additional informa-
tion.
12V TRIGGER (ZONE SPECIFIC)
1. Connect an unregulated 12V DC power supply in series with one of the MZC-88 Contact Closure pairs as shown in
Figure 20.
2. If using a SpeakerCraft BB2125, terminate the control wire with a 3.5mm mini plug and plug it into the Trigger Input
jack. POLARITY: TIP=+12V; SLEEVE=GND. Switch the ‘Audio Sense/Trigger/Constant’ Switch to TRIGGER INPUT.
3. If using another brand of amplifier, terminate the control wire as appropriate. Be sure to maintain proper polarity.
4. Configure the Contact Closures as an ‘event’ for that zone in EZ-Tools. Set the Contact Closure to ‘Close’ when turning
the zone ON and ‘Open’ when turning the zone OFF.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
