McIntosh MSD-4 Owners manual
OWNERS
MANUAL
Surround Decoder, Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS
and THX
MSD4
Dolby, AC-3, Pro Logic and the Double D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories and manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. DTS, digital surround, and coherent acoustics are registered trademark of DTS Technology LLC. and manufactured under license from DTS Technology LLC. THX and Re-EQ + TM are registered
trademarks of Lucasfilm, Ltd and manufactured under license from Lucasfilm Ltd.
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 FAX: 607-724-0549
Thank You, Please Take A Moment,
Customer Service and Table of Contents
Thank You
For your decision to own this McIntosh MSD4 Surround
Decoder ranks you at the very top among discriminating
music listeners. You now have The Best. The McIntosh
dedication 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 with all
the features and functions of your new McIntosh MSD4.
This will ensure that you receive all the performance benefits this equipment can offer you, and that it will become a
highly valued part of your home entertainment system.
Please Take A Moment
The serial number, purchase date and McIntosh dealer
name are important to you for possible insurance claim or
future service. The serial number is located on the rear
panel of the equipment. The spaces below have been provided for you to record that information:
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
Dealer Name:
Table of Contents
Thank You .......................................................................... 2
Please Take a Moment ....................................................... 2
Customer Service............................................................... 2
Table of Contents ............................................................... 2
Safety Instructions ............................................................. 3
Introduction ....................................................................... 4
Performance Features ........................................................ 4
Installation ......................................................................... 6
Rear Panel Switches and Connections .............................. 7
How to Connect with a C39/MX130 ................................. 8
How to Connect in a Stand Alone System ......................... 9
Front Panel Controls, Push-Buttons,
Switches and Displays ..................................................... 10
Delay Calibration for Center and
Surround Channels .......................................................... 11
How to Operate with a C39/MX130 ............................... 12
System Level Calibration ................................................ 14
How to Operate in a Stand Alone System ....................... 16
Specifications .................................................................. 18
Packing Instruction .......................................................... 19
NOTES:
1. The MSD4 can be operated with a McIntosh C39 or MX130
Control Center. It may also be operated with a McIntosh
MVS-3 Audio/Video Selector and a MC7205 Power
Amplifier. There are instructions to cover both possibilities.
Please refer to the following listing as a guide:
Customer Service
If at any time you have questions about your McIntosh
MSD4 Surround Decoder, contact your McIntosh dealer.
Your dealer is familiar with your McIntosh equipment as
well as other brands that may be included in your system
and is best qualified to help you.
If it is determined that your MSD4 is in need of repair, you
can return it to your dealer or you can return it to McIntosh
Laboratory. Contact the McIntosh Repair Department for
assistance at,
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: 607-723-3512
FAX: 607-724-0549
Copyright 1998 by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2
For use with a McIntosh C39 or MX130
How to Connect with a C39/MX130 ................................. 8
Delay Calibration for Center and
Surround Channels .......................................................... 11
How to Operate with a C39/MX130 ............................... 12
For use with a McIntosh MVS-3 and MC7205
How to Connect in a Stand Alone System ......................... 9
Delay Calibration for Center and
Surround Channels .......................................................... 11
System Level Calibration ................................................ 14
How to Operate in a Stand Alone System ....................... 15
2. Connecting Cables are available from the McIntosh Parts
Department:
Data and Power Control Cable Part No. 170-202
Six foot, shielded 2 conductor, with 1/8 inch stereo mini
phone plugs on each end.
3. For additional connection information, refer to the owners
manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MSD4
Surround Decoder.
Safety Instructions
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS!
PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.
WARNING SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT OPEN.
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within the products
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to consti-
tute a risk of electric shock to persons
AVIS RISQUE DE CHOC NE PAS OUVRIR.
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 the appliance.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
To prevent the risk of electric shock, do not remove
cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified personnel.
General:
1. Read all the safety and operating instructions, contained in this owners manual, before operating this
equipment.
2. Retain this owners manual for future reference about
safety and operating instructions.
3. Adhere to all warnings and operating instructions.
4. Follow all operating and use instructions.
5. Warning: To reduce risk of fire or electrical shock,
do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
This unit is capable of producing high sound pressure levels. Continued exposure to high sound pressure levels can cause permanent hearing impairment or loss. User caution is advised and ear protection is recommended when playing at high volumes.
6. Caution: to prevent electrical shock do not use this
(polarized) plug with an extension cord, receptacle
or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
.
Attention: pour pevenir les chocs elecriques pas
utiliser cette fiche polarisee avec un prolongateur,
une prise de courant ou un autre sortie de courant,
sauf si les lames peuvent etre inserees afond ans en
laisser aucune partie a decouvert.
7. For added protection for this product during a lightning
storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long
periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent
damage to the product due to lightning or power line
surges.
8. Do not use attachments not recommended in this
owners manual as they may cause hazards.
Installation:
9. Locate the equipment for proper ventilation. For example, the equipment should not be placed on a bed,
sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block ventilation
openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a
bookcase or cabinet, that may impede the flow of air
through the ventilation openings.
10. Locate the equipment away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliance (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
11. Mount the equipment in a wall or cabinet only as described in this owners manual
12. Do not use this equipment near water; for example,
near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in
a wet basement or near a swimming pool, etc.
13. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand,
tripod, bracket, or table. The equipment may fall, causing serious injury to a person, and serious damage to
the product.
Connection:
14. Connect this equipment only to the type of AC power
source as marked on the unit.
15. Route AC power cords so that they are not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against
them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the instrument.
16. Do not defeat the inherent design features of the polarized plug. Non-polarized line cord adapters will defeat
the safety provided by the polarized AC plug. If the
plug should fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety
purpose of the grounding-type plug.
3
Safety Instructions cont,
Introduction and Performance Features
17. Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk
of fire or electric shock.
Care of Equipment:
18. Clean the instrument by dusting with a dry cloth. Unplug this equipment from the wall outlet and clean the
panel with a cloth moistened with a window cleaner.
Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.
19. Do not permit objects of any kind to be pushed and/or
fall into the equipment through enclosure openings.
Never spill liquids into the equipment through enclosure openings.
20. Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet
when left unused for a long period of time.
Repair of Equipment:
21. Unplug this equipment from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to a qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
A. The AC power cord or the plug has been damaged.
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into
the equipment.
C. The equipment has been exposed to rain or water.
D. The equipment does not operate normally by fol-
lowing the operating instructions contained within
this owners manual. Adjust only those controls
that are covered by the operating instructions, as an
improper adjustment of other controls may result
in damage and will often require extensive work by
a qualified technician to restore the product to its
normal operation.
E. The equipment has been dropped or damaged in any
way.
F. The equipment exhibits a distinct change in perfor-
mance - this indicates a need for service.
22. Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other service should be referred to qualified service personnel.
23. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by
McIntosh or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock, or other hazards.
24. Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks
to determine that the product is in proper operating
condition.
Introduction
The McIntosh MSD4 is a precision Dolby Digital AC-3®,
DTS surround decoder which will reproduce the six discrete channels of encoded sound tracks with ultimate fidelity and sonic purity. The MSD4 also incorporates a Dolby
Pro Logic® surround decoder to reproduce Dolby Surround® sound tracks with superior audio quality. The
MSD4 has many valuable and useful features that will enhance your listening experience.
Performance Features
· Remote Controlled by a C39 or MX130
When used with a C39 or MX130, the MSD4 inputs can be
selected by remote control.
· Assemble a Simplified Surround Sound System
Use an MSD4 as a stand alone decoder with a McIntosh
MVS-3 Audio/Video Selector, an MC7205 Five Channel
Power Amplifier and an SL-1 Powered Subwoofer for a
simplified Dolby Digital, Pro Logic or DTS Surround
Sound System.
· 24 Bit DSP Processing
Three Motorola 24 Bit Digital Processors decode Dolby
Digital, Pro Logic and DTS signals. This combination is
one of the most powerful processing systems available.
· 24 Bit Conversion
Three 24 bit stereo digital to analog, (D/A) converters are
used to reproduce the six decoded Dolby Digital or DTS
audio channels, and one 24 bit stereo analog to digital, (A/
D) converter is for signals fed into the analog inputs.
· Digital Input Switching
Four Digital Coaxial and matching Optical inputs are provided for four program sources:
1. Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
2. Laser Video Disc Player (LV)
3. Satellite Tuner or Receiver (SAT)
4. CD Player (CD1)
The LV AC-3 RF INPUT receives RF signals from a Laser
Video Disc Player reproducing Dolby Digital sound tracks.
The ANALOG Stereo Input accept stereo signals from any
audio source.
4
Performance Features cont
· Automatic Mode Switching
The MSD4 automatically switches operating modes between Dolby Digital, Pro Logic or DTS, according to the
input signals.
· LED Channel Status Indicators
The MSD4 includes seven LEDs on the front panel to indicate what type of operating signals are being received.
· Front Panel Mode Nomenclature
Dolby Digital, Pro Logic or DTS nomenclature illuminates
to show which decoding mode is in use.
· Adjustable Channel Time Delays
Signals to the Center channel and Surround channels can
be time delayed. This feature can be used to correct for different listening distances from the center speaker and surround speakers relative to the front speakers.
· Precision Tracking Volume Control
An electronic Volume Control adjusts all six channels with
tracking accuracy better than 0.5dB.
· Automatic Input Level Control
The Analog Input includes a special circuit which protects
against accidental input signal overdrive.
· IR Remote Control
When used in a simplified system with the MVS-3 and
MC7106, the MSD4 can be controlled directly with an optional Remote Control (HR34/HR39/HR130) through its
front panel IR (Infra Red) sensor.
· Speaker Settings for Bass Management
The MSD4 processing circuits allow you to change the
bass cutoff frequency fed to the front, center and surround
channels to 80Hz, when using a subwoofer.
· Automatic Power On-Off
The MSD4 AC power can be turned on or off with a Power
Control signal from a McIntosh Control Center or other
McIntosh accessory component.
· LED Delay/Volume Indicator
The front panel two digit LED reads Volume in percent. It
also indicates time delay in milliseconds during time delay
calibration, and channel level in dB during surround level
calibration.
· Built-In System Level Calibration Generator
A built-in test signal generator can be switched manually or
automatically through all system channels for surround
level calibration. The levels can be adjusted plus or minus
12dB.
· Re-EQ + TM
Re-Equalization filter and Timbre Matching modify
the sound tracks created for a large theater so they are more
enjoyable in the smaller listening room of a home theater.
· Late Night Dynamic Audio Compression
With select encoded Dolby Digital sound tracks, a dynamic
volume level compressor can be switched in to reduce the
wide dynamic range of music and sound effects. This feature can be very useful for late night listening or when you
have close neighbors.
5
Installation
The MSD4 can be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its four feet. It also can be custom installed in a piece
of furniture or cabinet of your choice. The required panel
cutout, ventilation cutout and unit dimensions are shown.
Always provide adequate ventilation for your MSD4.
Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life for
any electronic instrument. Do not install the MSD4 directly
above a heat generating component such as a high powered
amplifier. If all the components are installed in a single cabinet, a quiet running ventilation fan can be a definite asset in
maintaining all the system components at the coolest possible operating temperature.
Installation
A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing dimensions for cool operation. Allow
at least 1-1/2 inches (3.8cm) above the unit so airflow is
not obstructed. Allow 17-1/2 inches (44.5cm) depth behind
the mounting panel, which includes clearance for connectors. Allow 1-1/8 inches (2.9cm) in front of the mounting
panel for knob clearance. Be sure to cut out a ventilation
hole in the mounting shelf according to the dimensions in
the drawing.
17-1/2"
444mm
Front View of a MSD4
custom installed
Side View of a MSD4
custom installed
End Caps
3-9/16"
90.0mm
Mounting Surface
Mounting Surface
3-1/16"
77.8mm
Bottom of Cutout and Top
of Support Shelf Must
Coincide
(Side View)
Support Shelf
1/4"
6mm
3/16"
5.1mm
Outline of Unit
Panel Height
3 1/2"
88.9mm
17-1/16"
433.4mm
Outline of Front Panel
Edge of Cutout
(Front View)
Support Shelf
Mounting Bracket at Both Sides of the Rear Panel.
Fasten with 6-32 x 3/8 Machine Screw and Washer to Chassis.
Fasten with 6 x 1/2 Wood Screw and Washer to Support Shelf
7/32"
5.3mm
Bottom View of a MSD4 cus-
tom installed
6
Cut Out Center
for Ventila ti o n
15"
6"
(Bottom View)
9"
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