INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE MRZ-6 Line Level Multi-Room Controller One Input, Six Individually Adjusted Room Outputs, Keypad or IR Control With One Touch Automation B L E N D I N G H I G H F I D E L I T Y A N D A R C H I T E C T U R E™
Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Niles MRZ-6 Multi-Room Control System, one of the most flexible and convenient audio components ever offered. The MRZ-6, like all Niles products, is built to the highest standards of quality and reliability. With proper installation and operation, you'll enjoy years of trouble-free use. Niles manufactures the industry's most complete line of custom installation components and accessories for audio/video systems.
Introduction The MRZ-6 Line Level Multi-Room Controller combines with the Niles SI-1230 twelve channel power amplifier to enable you to individually adjust the room volume of up to six rooms. One source is fed to all of the rooms from the record output, preamp output or second zone output of any preamp/receiver. Six MRZ-6 systems can be interconnected in single or multiple zone configurations (up to 36 rooms).
Features and Benefits Audiophile Quality Independent Line-Level Volume Control The ultimate in sound quality for every room in the house. Each room is independently adjusted for volume via one of the six built-in volume controls. Unique digital line-level gain circuits provide 136dB of dynamic range in 1dB increments with distortion and noise specifications that are unbelievably low when compared to conventional circuitry. The MRZ-6 multi-room system makes no compromises in audio performance.
Strain Relief Bar For All Connected Cables A supplied steel bar attaches to the rear of the MRZ-6. By looping any cable around the strain relief bar before you connect it to the MRZ-6, you relieve all strain on the cables. Now, anytime you move the MRZ, you move the cables too, no more accidental disconnects. Total Front-Panel Control The front panel buttons of the MRZ-6 enable you to control ALL ON, ALL OFF, ROOM ON/OFF and VOLUME UP/DOWN.
Parts Guide ROOM STATUS LEDs. LED BLINKING - The room is selected; you may adjust volume, room on/off, etc.
Using The Strain Relief Bar Introduction — The Purpose of the Strain Relief Bar The supplied steel bar attaches to the rear of the MRZ-6. By looping any cable around the strain relief bar before you connect it to the MRZ-6, you relieve strain on the cables. Now, anytime you move the MRZ-6, you move the cables too — no more accidental disconnects. Installing the Strain Relief Bar Figure 6 Rotate the bar until the ends line up with the two hole on the rear panel of the MRZ-6.
Audio connections Introduction — The MRZ-6 Has Only One Input An MRZ-6 has one set (left and right) of line-level inputs. All of the rooms connected to an MRZ-6 listen to the same source. The MRZ-6 cannot switch between two sources (i.e., CD and Tuner) without some kind of outboard input switcher. Typically, the input switching you need is built into a preamp, receiver, or an IR controlled switching device.
Output Audio Connections to Amplifiers Every room output is connected to an amplifier channel. The ideal companion is the Niles SI-1230 twelve channel amplifier. A stereo patch cable (with RCA phono plugs on both ends) is connected from each room output to a grouped pair of inputs on the SI-1230. See Figure 11.
Multiple Zone System — Each Of Up To Six Master MRZ-6s Has Its Own Dedicated Preamp/Receiver Each MRZ-6 is connected to its own dedicated preamp/receiver. All On and All Off commands will work reliably throughout the system. See Figure 13.
Infrared Control Connections Connecting to Room IR Sensor/Keypads Using the SENSOR Inputs There are many ways to control your MRZ-6 system. Each location may have a different method depending upon the level of control desired. You can choose from a basic preprogrammed keypad (RP-9 stock# FG00760), a Niles IR programmable keypad (IntelliPad stock# FG00634), or Niles IR sensors with a programmable learning remote control. One keypad can be combined with one IR sensor within the same room.
Distributing IR Commands Between Units Using the IR DATA IN and IR DATA OUT The IR DATA IN and IR DATA OUT jacks are used to cascade IR data (TTL level, active high) from one unit to the next. • In a multiple MRZ-6 system, the Master MRZ-6 always receives the data coming in from the Slave MRZ-6 units. See Figure 15 • The ZONE DIP switches route IR data received at the MRZ-6’s IR DATA IN jack to the Dedicated flasher. All data is passed to the Common flashers regardless of the DIP switch settings.
Wiring Diagrams for Infrared Control IR Connections for a System with a Dedicated Preamp/Receiver and one MRZ-6 As explained on page 6, a single zone system with one MRZ-6 will distribute the output of one Preamp/Receiver’s selected audio source to each of its six outputs for amplification and individual volume control. See Figure 16. • A 12V DC wall adapter is connected to the switched outlet of the Preamp/Receiver to provide sync (or status) to the MRZ-6.
IR Connections for a System with a Dedicated Preamp/Receiver and up to six MRZ-6’s As explained on page 7, a single zone system can be expanded to distribute a single source to up to 36 rooms using six MRZ-6 units. See Figure 17 • A 12VDC wall adapter is connected to the switched outlet of the Preamp/Receiver to provide sync (or status) to the first (or Master) MRZ-6. This switched outlet may also be used to power up source components which have latching power.
IR Connections for a System with a Dual Zone Receiver and a single MRZ-6 As explained on page 6, a dual zone receiver can be used to independently control source selection for both a home theater and a multi-room sound system with a MRZ-6. See Figure 18. • If an IR sensor is required to operate the main zone of the home theater, a sensor must be connected to a Niles IR Main System Unit with a flasher to control the main zone via the Preamp/Receiver’s front panel.
IR Connections for a System with a Dual Zone Receiver and up to six MRZ-6’s This system is very similar to the dual zone/single MRZ-6 system. The dual zone receiver may be used to independently control source selection for both a home theater and a multi-room sound system of up to 36 rooms with six MRZ-6’s. See Figure 19. • It is not necessary to sync the Preamp/Receiver if the second zone has dedicated "on" and "off" commands or can be activated with an input select command.
IR Connections for a System with two or more Preamp/Receivers and MRZ-6’s This system is very similar to the single zone receiver/single MRZ-6 system. See Figure 20. • A 12VDC wall adapter is connected to the switched outlet of each of the Preamp/Receivers to provide sync (or status) to their MRZ-6. • The CONTROL OUT of each MRZ-6 is connected to the input of the AC-3 which is used to power up those shared sources which have latching power.
IR Connections for a System with two Dual Zone Receivers and multiple MRZ-6’s This system is very similar to the dual zone receiver/single MRZ-6 system. Two separate home theaters and two separate zones of multi-room sound may be controlled independently. See Figure 21. • It is not necessary to sync the receiver if the second zone has dedicated “on” and “off” commands or can be activated with an input select command.
• Both ZONE DIP switches should be set to the DOWN (or multi-zone) position. In this position, IR commands issued from the home theater sensor will not be routed to the Dedicated flasher. This enables identical Preamp/Receiver commands to be used for both the home theater and the multi-room sound systems independently, while the commands used to control the shared sources are output via Master MRZ-6 #3’s Common flasher outputs.
Controlling Components Using the IR FLASHER Outputs The IR flasher outputs on the MRZ-6 are used to drive Niles IR flashers which retransmit the IR commands that control your remote controllable components. The MRZ-6 is equipped with two types of flasher outputs, a DEDICATED FLASHER output and a COMMON FLASHER output. Use Niles IRC-2P MicroFlashers with the MRZ-6, they are equipped with a 3.5 mono mini-plug.
Setting the DIP Switches The ZONE DIP Switch DATA IN In a single zone system (a system with one preamp/receiver selectingontrolsMulti Zone control module Both switches sources), both the Zone switches are in the UP position. In this position, if are in the additional MRZ-6’s are added to the system, the IR commands from other DOWN position. MRZ-6’s will be routed to the Dedicated Flasher. Controls DA Single Zone to DEDICAT Both switches are in the UP position.
Final Connections Automating Your System Using the CONTROL OUT • The CONTROL OUT supplies a constant 12V DC (maximum of a 200mA draw) when any of the rooms are on. A Niles voltage activated power strip can be triggered by this voltage. • When an All Off command is received the MRZ-6 will turn off the 12V DC after a 3 second delay.
Teaching the MRZ-6 the Preamp/Receiver, Tuner and CD Player IR Commands The MRZ-6 is capable of learning IR commands to control the preamp/receiver, the tuner and the CD player. Once your MRZ-6 has learned these IR commands, you can trigger intelligent sequences/macros by sending the MRZ-6 a Niles IR command from a Niles RP-9 Keypad or a learning remote via a Niles IR sensor.
Note about Off Commands: If you teach an IR command to the Off position accidentally, ERASE IT. Only a true discrete OFF command should be taught to the OFF button. Overview of MRZ-6 IR Commands The MRZ-6 is equipped to teach learning remotes and keypads (any kind of learning control or automation system) special IR codes that trigger different processes within the MRZ-6.
Room Off 1) If the room is on turn the room off by gradually lowering the volume to zero, leave all the other rooms as they are. If the room is already off, do nothing. Room On/Off 1) If the room is on, it will turn off; if the room is off, it will turn on. Note: The real purpose of this IR command is to make programming IntelliPads with the Status Feedback feature enabled fast. Simply teach this code to the system page and the power key, and any press of a source key will turn the room on.
Teaching Learning Remotes and Keypads the MRZ-6 IR Commands 1) Power up the learning remote or keypad using new, fresh batteries etc. 2) Place the TEACH LEARNING REMOTES AND KEYPADS template so that the buttons and LED’s are revealed through the cutouts in the template. See Figure 28. TEACH A REMOTE OR A KEYPAD USE THIS TEMPLATE TO TEACH A LEARNING REMOTE OR KEYPAD THE IR COMMANDS WHICH CONTROL THE MRZ-6 STEP 1 Press and hold the CD ON button for 2 seconds.
Controlling The MRZ-6 Using Its Front Panel Turning a Room On and Off • Press the ROOM SELECT button(s) of the room(s) you wish to control. Its corresponding ROOM LED(s) begins to blink, indicating the room(s) has been selected and is ready to be controlled. It has not been turned on or off yet! • Press the ON/OFF button to toggle between the room’s on/off status. This command will affect all rooms that are selected (blinking).
Programming IntelliPads The Basics: On and Off, Mute and Volume 1) 2) 3) 4) Label all of the Source Keys with the supplied labels to describe all of the sources in the system. Set the Status Feedback jumper to the Enabled position. Set the Speaker Mute Relay jumper to the Disabled position. Do not teach the preamp/receiver power command to the IntelliPad. Teach the MRZ-6 Room On/Off to the IntelliPad’s Power Key on the System page. 5) Do not teach the preamp/receiver mute command to the IntelliPad.
Appendix: How To Program When You Have Lost the Template Teaching the MRZ-6 the Preamp/Receiver, Tuner and CD Player IR Commands 1) Press and hold the ROOM 1 button for at least two seconds, then, while you continue to press and hold the ROOM 1 button, tap the ROOM 5 button. Release both buttons. The six LED’s in the center of the front panel should blink twice in unison, then the ROOM 1 lights (this LED prompts you to Select).
SPECIFICATIONS Audio Performance S/N relative to 1V, 1 kHz= > 90 dB Cross talk one room to any other = > 90 dB THD + noise 20Hz to 30 kHz = 0.003 % Max. output before clipping = 3V RMS Max. input level = 1.7V RMS IR Range 30 feet @ 30 degrees off-axis FCC Certification This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
Niles Audio Corporation 12331 S.W. 130 Street, Miami, FL 33186 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 160818 Miami, FL 33116 Customer Service: 1-800-BUY-HIFI (1-800-289-4434) Phone: 305-238-4373 • Fax: 305-238-0185 Visit us on the web at www.nilesaudio.com © 1998 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Because Niles continually strives to improve the quality of its products, Niles reserves the right to change product specifications without notice.
