Russound MCA-88X User Manual
MCA-88X
8 Source, 8 Zone Controller Amplier
Installation Manual
LOCKDOWN FEATURE
NOTICE:
INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED FOR
PRODUCT INSTALLATION
There are two things that must be done at the time of installation of this
product that require a working internet connection:
1. Enter valid Russound Certied Installer credentials. The MCA-88X is
shipped in a locked state so that it cannot be operated without rst being
congured by a Russound Certied Installer.
IF YOU ARE NOT A RUSSOUND CERTIFIED INSTALLER, YOU WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO INSTALL AND CONFIGURE THIS PRODUCT.
If you are a custom installation professional and wish to become authorized
as a Russound Certied Installer, please contact your Russound Sales
Representative for more information.
Note: If you are a Russound Certied Installer and you plan on installing
this product on a job site that may not have working internet access, please
congure the unit at your shop or other location where internet access is
available BEFORE you take it to the job site.
2. Firmware may be updated through Web Cong conguration webpages
or by using a USB stick with the latest rmware. In both cases, an internet
connection is required for obtaining the most recent rmware.
Note: If an internet connection will not be available at the place of
installation, please download the latest rmware from the Russound website
to your laptop or to a USB drive before going to the job site.
Russound Certied Installer credentials must be entered through the
Web Cong conguration webpages.
Lockdown Feature
When a product is shipped from Russound, it will only operate in a "locked"
state. In this state, no audio or control of attached devices via its user
interfaces (keypad, touchscreen, MyRussound App) is available. In order to
unlock the system, valid Russound Certied Installer credentials must be
entered in the Web Cong.
When the controller is rst powered on, a message will appear on all
connected MDK-C6 keypads, XTS touchscreens and the MyRussound App
indicating that the device must be unlocked. The message will contain the IP
address of the controller. Using your mobile device or computer, browse to
the controller’s IP address (type http:// and then the IP address).
If you are using the MyRussound App, the IP address appears as a link that
will direct you to the Web Cong via your local web browser.
If you do not have a valid Russound Certied Installer credential, please
contact your Russound Sales Representative.
2 Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Conguration Password
In order to prevent unauthorized changes to conguration settings, a
default password of russound123 has been created that will be required to
be entered prior to changing any conguration settings. Enter this password
when prompted for a Conguration Password.
This password is separate from the Russound Certied Installer password
that is used to unlock the controller and cannot be modied.
Product Overview .......................................................................................................... 4
Programming Software - Web Cong ............................................... 4-5
Ethernet Connection and Factory Reset ................................................................ 5
Controller Front and Back Panel............................................................................6-7
Installation Overview ................................................................................................... 8
Installation Guide ........................................................................................................... 9
Controller / Keypad Connections ...........................................................................10
XTS In-wall Touchscreen Connections .................................................................10
Speaker Connections ..................................................................................................11
Source Connections ....................................................................................................12
Primary Zone, Bluetooth® and Digital Inputs ......................................................13
Internal Media Streamer ............................................................................................13
Listening to AirPlay Streaming ......................................................................... 14-15
Listening to Spotify®.............................................................................................16-17
Listening to Pandora® Internet Radio ...................................................................18
Listening to SIRIUSXM® Internet Radio .................................................................19
Listening to TuneIn™ Internet Radio .....................................................................20
Listening to vTuner® Internet Radio ......................................................................21
Listening to Network Audio Files (media Server) .............................................22
Multiple Controller Installation ...............................................................................23
Zone Amplication ......................................................................................................24
Page Input Source ........................................................................................................25
Home Theater Triggers ...............................................................................................26
IR Connections ..............................................................................................................27
System Start Up.............................................................................................................28
Troubleshooting ...........................................................................................................28
Technical specications .............................................................................................29
Limited Warranty ..........................................................................................................29
Safety Information .......................................................................................................30
Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
3
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE
Thank you for choosing the Russound MCA-88X Multizone Controller Amplier
to enhance your home with multiroom audio.
MCA-88X Feature Overview
Available User interfaces: The MCA-88X works with the MDK-C6 keypad,
SLK1 keypad, XTS wall-mounted touchscreen, and the MyRussound App.
For information about user interfaces, go to the Russound website at www.
russound.com.
Note: The internal AM/FM tuner, available in our previous C-Series controllers,
was replaced in the MCA controllers with a Bluetooth® input extension for the
easy addition of an optional BTC-1X Bluetooth receiver. If you'd like to add a
tuner, Russound manufactures the ST-1 rack-mountable tuner which can be
added to the MCA-88X.
The Russound MCA-88X features built-in XStream™ technology, enabling
popular streaming content from the cloud, home network, tablets and phones
- all from a single component.
Firmware updates can now be performed using either the USB connection or
Ethernet connection.
Conguration of the controller is performed using a network connection only.
All of the conguration of the controller can be performed using our browserbased Web Conf.
Key features include:
• Twelve channels of cool running digital amplication rated at 40 watts per
channel
• Built-in XStream digital streaming audio source
• Digital Audio Inputs (3 coax, 1 optical)
• 8 Sources delivered to up to 8 zones for sharing music throughout the home
• Built-in Bluetooth extension input to connect a BTC-1X receiver.
• Scalable up to 48 zones.
• Ethernet connectivity for programming and control.
• On-board conguration available with Web Cong via an internet browser on
smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
• Supports 32 Global System Favorites as well as 2 Favorites per Zone.
• Works with RNET smart sources, transmitting metadata (song, artist and
other information) for display on the keypads.
• Audio paging with a 12VDC trigger input.
• Party mode, Do Not Disturb, and source / zone linking options.
• Alarm clock and sleep timer (with MDK-C6 keypad required).
Note: Alarm function requires a dedicated source input such as the ST-1
Smart Tuner
• Simplied programming and control via intelligent IR learning capabilities
for quick setup.
• Fixed/Variable line level outputs for all zones.
• Routed IR source control outputs for up to 6 sources, with shared IR available for
sources 7 and 8 and one common IR output.
• Home Theater trigger in/out.
Key Programming Features
The MCA-88X Controller now has a new programming feature called Web
Cong. This programming feature allows the installer to connect to the
controller via its IP address using any smartphone, tablet, or laptop and
congure the entire system.
Web Cong is designed to be used with any internet browser. With Web Cong,
the installer now has the ability to get a system up and running right from their
smart phone or tablet.
Web Cong Features
• Assign Zone and Source names
• General network conguration
(DHCP/static IP)
• Firmware Updates
• Zone Volume Trim
• Enable/Disable Zone All On
Participation
• Source Type and Source Volume Trim
• Switch between Digital and Analog
inputs
4 Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
• IR Source Programming
• Learned IR programming
• Macro Setup
• Save/Load conguration les
• Zone page enable/disable
• Keypad button conguration
• Power Management conguration
• Source and Zone linking
• Backup and restore
PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE
ETHERNET CONNECTION AND FACTORY RESET
Advanced Conguration Options
Zone and Source Names - a list of predened names are available and will be
visible in the user interfaces. Custom naming is also possible.
Source Exclusion - allows you to limit the sources available to a particular zone.
Party Mode Participation - denes whether a zone can participate in Party
mode.
Zone and Source Linked Groups - two groups of each type are allowed per
controller. Groups share source selection and party mode participation.
All ON Participation - denes whether or not a zone will respond to the All ON
command.
Page Participation - denes whether a zone will respond to a page event.
Page Volume - sets the volume of a page event in each zone.
Power Management of Sources - enabled / disabled per source. This feature
uses IR commands and audio signal sensing to power up sources and initiate
audio to conrm source power states. If enabled, the source will turn on when
the rst zone is turned on or the home theater trigger has a12VDC signal
present. The source will turn o 5 minutes after the last zone is turned o, or 5
minutes after input is discontinued from the home theater trigger.
Sound Controls - Adjust Bass, Treble, Balance, Loudness and Turn On Volume
initial settings per audio zone.
IR Keycode Learning - allows IR codes to be learned, saved, and managed.
Page Input on Source 8 - assigns Source 8 as a paging input.
Ethernet Connection
The Ethernet connection is used for conguration and programming as well as
for enabling control via the MyRussound App. The default network setting is
DHCP-enabled, but it may be congured with a static IP address using the Web
Cong software.
Note: DHCP must be enabled on the LAN for initial conguration. A static IP
address can be congured later.
The IP Address of the MCA controller can be obtained via several methods.
- By viewing the DHCP table of connected devices within the settings of the router.
- By using an IP Scanner app on a smartphone or tablet.
- By using a XTS touchscreen or MDK-C6 keypad:
To display the IP Address on an XTS Touchscreen press and hold the settings
button for at least 3 seconds to enter the installer settings menu. The controller
IP address will be displayed.
To display the IP Address on an MDK-C6 keypad, select Home > Settings >
Installation > Network Settings.
Factory Reset
The factory reset button has two functions. A 3-second press and hold will
restore network settings to DHCP. A 10-second press and hold will reset the
controller to its factory default settings.
Note: A unit that has been reset to factory default will have no conguration
and will need to be unlocked and recongured by a Russound Certied
Installer.
Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
5
CONTROLLER FRONT PANEL
Power Button
LED indicates "Power On"
Zone LED Indicators visible
behind cover
Front Panel
IR Programming
Removable Cover to access IR
window
Red IR LED (talk-back)
IR Receiver Window
Front Panel with cover removed
6 Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
CONTROLLER REAR PANEL
XStream Digital Streaming
Source Built-in streamer
RNET Link - Links
multiple controllers
and RNET sources
Controller ID Switch
Set ID for multiple controller
Keypad Ports - RJ-45
Connections for
zone keypads
Speaker Outputs
Connect speakers for each
of the rst six zones
3 SPDIF coaxial and 1 Toslink optical
connection for digital sources
Serial Interface
congurations
Audio Source Connections
Signal sensing stereo line level
inputs and loop outputs
RS-232 port for 3rd party
device communication
Paging Audio Gain
Adjusts sensitivity
Digital Audio Inputs
Ethernet Port
For programming
and control
Page Audio In/Loop Out
(optional)
Common 12VDC Trigger
12VDC 100mA output when
any zone is active
Page 12VDC Trigger
Accepts paging device
12VDC input
IR Outputs
Up to 6 routed IR outputs,
shared for 1/7 and 2/8,
1 common IR output
Line level Outputs
Can be set xed or variable
(with software) for each zone
AC Voltage Switch
Select appropriate voltage
Home Theater 12VDC Trigger
Activates source power management
when sharing sources with home theater
Factory Reset Button
A 3-second press and hold resets
network to DHCP. A 10-second press
and hold deletes all conguration
information and locks the unit.
USB Port
For Firmware Updates
Bluetooth Extension Input
Connect Russound BTC-1X.
AC 120/240V Input
Detachable grounded
power cord connection
Fuse Holder
Holds replaceable fuse for
AC input connection
Rear Panel
Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
7
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW
Ventilation Requirements
Important: The MCA-88X should be situated so that its location or position
does not interfere with its proper ventilation. Do not block vents above or to
the sides of the unit, as it requires ventilation for proper operation. Do not
expose to excessive dust, and do not allow dust to build up on the unit and
block vent holes. Do not place the MCA-88X above or below a heat-generating
component such as an audio amplier.
Be sure to leave at least 2 inches of space to the sides of the unit with open air
ow above. A single-space rack mount vent or about 1.75 inches must be kept
clear above and below the unit.
Installation
The MCA-88X controller can be rack mounted or placed on a shelf in an
equipment rack. The controller occupies two rack spaces with the feet
removed.
The controller can be installed in an equipment rack using the included
rack-mount ears and hardware to attach the ears to the controller chassis.
Up to six controllers can be connected for up to 48 zones on the system.
Electrical Power
The MCA-88X operates at 100-120VAC ~60 Hz or 220-240VAC ~50 Hz. Voltage
is selected by the voltage switch on the rear panel and incorporates the
appropriate detachable power cord. It is recommended that the MCA-88X and
the source equipment be plugged into a dedicated 20-amp circuit. A power
line conditioner can reduce interference problems caused by noise found in
some electrical systems.
The power switch for the unit is on the front panel.
Important Considerations
• Disconnect the power cord before making any connections to the
controller.
• Verify that all connections and polarity are correct.
• Keep all power cords away from all signal cables to prevent humming from
induced noise.
• Choose reliable signal cables and patch cords.
• Label all wires with the room location at both ends of the wire.
• Avoid running speaker wires or signal cables close to house electrical
wiring for any distance. If you have to run them parallel, make sure to space
the wires at least two feet from the AC line. If you need to cross an AC line it
should be at a 90° angle.
• For multiple controllers, the controller ID must be set with the rotary switch
on the rear panel. Each controller must be set to a unique number before
powering connected controllers.
Do not connect the controller’s main power feed until all other
connections have been made and veried. Live connection or
removal of the keypad wiring or other wiring when the system
is powered can result in erratic operation or system damage.
Double-check terminations during each phase of the installation
to prevent accidental damage. Incorrect wiring is the number one
cause for non-warranty product damage.
8 Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
INSTALLATION GUIDE
Wiring
Route CAT-5e cable between the keypad locations and the controller. Terminate
all CAT-5e cables with an RJ-45 connector using the T568A wiring standard
conguration. Utilize a UL/CSA approved electrical box at the keypad (doublegang at least 32 cu. in.) and controller locations. Using connector specic wall
plates at the controller location will better organize all of the incoming cables.
Route CAT-5e wire from the electrical box to each keypad location, with runs not to
exceed 250 feet. Label the wires at both ends with the zone and location.
Route standard 4 conductor speaker wire to each speaker location. Each
speaker connection requires a minimum 8 ohm load. Standard 16-gauge
4-conductor stranded speaker wire can be run up to 125 feet; 14-gauge wire
can be run up to 250 feet.
RJ-45 CAT-5 Wiring Scheme
RJ-45
RJ-45
///
/
Rack Mount Installation
To attach the rack ears, locate the ve rack mount holes on each side of the
controller’s chassis. Align the holes in the rack ears with the holes in the chassis.
Insert and tighten the screws.
Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
9
CONTROLLER / KEYPAD CONNECTION XTS INWALL TOUCHSCREEN CONNECTIONS
Controller / Keypad Connection
Each Russound dedicated keypad connects to a keypad port near the top left
on the rear of the controller. These RJ-45 ports support MDK-C5, MDK-C6 and
SLK-1 keypads.
Eight keypad ports correspond to the eight zones supported by the MCA-88X.
When a connected keypad is powered on, the zone becomes active and the
corresponding zone LED lights up on the front of the MCA-88X controller.
Connections are made using CAT-5e with RJ-45 connectors using T568A wire
conguration. For a clean installation when wiring from a keypad port use
a CAT-5e patch cable to connect from the keypad port to a RJ-45 wall plate
(optional). Using the same T568A RJ-45 wiring conguration, use CAT-5e cable
from the wall plate to the keypad. Maximum CAT-5e cable length is 250 feet
between the controller and the keypad.
If more keypads are desired for a zone, use an optional SA-ZX3 keypad splitter
with a Russound 1201A (12VDC, 1A) power supply at the controller end. All
keypads on an SA-ZX3 control the same zone. More detailed information
regarding SA-ZX3 installation and operation can be found in its installation
manual.
Note: The keypad ports are only to
be used with Russound keypads
and are NOT to be used for any
ethernet or computer networking
connections. The Russound
keypad ports output 12VDC that
will damage networking products.
Zone 1 Zone 2
SLK-1
CAT-5e Cables
XTS In-wall Touchscreen Connections
The XTS In-wall Touchscreen is an IP-connected ethernet networked device.
It needs to be connected to the same ethernet network as the MCA controller.
XTS touchscreens DO NOT connect into keypad ports of Russound controllers.
Connect all XTS touchscreens to the nearest ethernet network switch or to the
router of the network where the MCA controller is connected.
XTS
Network router
RCA cables
XSourceXSource
Keypad connection to the MCA-88X XTS connection to the MCA-88X
10 Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
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