OWNER'S MANUAL
MELIOR ACC (Analog Control Center)
Thank you for
purchasing the Melior Analog Control Center.
The Melior Control
Center represents the next generation in high definition musical reproduction.
It combines the elegance of functional versatility with a sophisticated rendering
of music's subtle nuances. It allows you, the owner, to possess the highest
level of control flexibility while retaining the ultimate in listening quality.
Museatex Audio now produces the Meitner PA6i preamplifier, heralded as one of
the best preamplifiers in the world. The Melior Control Center, designed by
Ed Meitner, and manufactured by the same craftsmen who build the Meitner series
retains this high level of performance, yet is intended for those requiring
more inputs and switching flexibility.
Please take the time to read this manual so that you can enjoy all of the features
of your Control Center.
- Solid State
Controls: The Melior Control Center uses electronic controls, even for
input switching. The volume and balance controls utilize the Voltage Control
Amplifier developed by Ed Meitner. As there are no mechanical controls or
pots, the unit will maintain its sound quality indefinitely.
- Input/Output
Flexibility: The Control Center has eight input sources, four pairs of
tape outputs, connections for an external processor and four main outputs.
- MIDI Interface:
The MIDI Interface allows for remote control hook-ups without losing any of
the functions of the Control Center. As the Control Center follows MIDI standards,
this unit can be hooked up to musical instruments provided with a MIDI interface.
- Balanced
Output Capability: By following special hook up procedures, the Control
Center can provide Balanced Line Output.
- Tape Output
Flexibility: The Control Center allows you to listen to any source and
record from a different source.
- External
Phono Center: The Melior Phono Center, a universal phono stage, is available
as an option and can be powered directly from the Control Center. This arrangement
allows you to place the Phono Center close to the turntable to optimize the
performance of the cartridge.
- Bridging
of Stereo Amplifiers: Stereo amplifiers can be bridged using the Control
Center. This allows you to add power as required without modifying the amplifier.
The unique output circuits of the Control Center make Bi-Amplification possible
without any external connectors.
- Programmable
Liquid Crystal Display: The software-controlled switching matrix of the
Melior Control Center is extremely versatile. It allows you, the user, to
program the names of the various inputs. Once programmed, the names will be
retained in memory indefinitely until changed.
- Full Remote
Control Functions: All of the functions of the Control Center are accessible
by remote control. The remote control receiver can be used in multiroom installations
through the MIDI interface or via the use of any of the IR repeater systems
presently on the market.
- Front Panel
Functions: The essential functions of the Control Center are available
on the front panel.
- External
Processor Loop: This enables an outside processor, like a Dolby surround
sound processor, to be connected to the Control Center.
When you first
unpack the Melior Control Center, confirm that the following are included:
- Melior Control
Center.
- Melior Remote
Control.
- Warranty Registration
Card.
- Quality Control
Form
Contact your dealer
if any of the items are missing.
Remove all parts from the packing. In handling the Control Center, take care
not to mar or scratch the wood side panels or acrylic top. Replace the packing
materials in the shipping carton. Remove the protective self adhesive covering
on the acrylic top only after the unit is installed. This will protect the top
from damage during the installation.
Keep the Packing. Be sure to keep the shipping carton complete with the
packing materials in the event the unit must be re-shipped. The Control Center
can't be shipped safely without correct packing.
Shipping Damage. It is important that the unit be examined carefully
for any shipping damage. If there is any indication of damage, please contact
your dealer. It is important that the packaging be retained to institute any
claim against the carrier.
Connecting
the Control Center
Place the Control
Center where it will be used. The AC cord can be plugged into the wall AC outlet.
The LCD display will now be lit.
A Cautionary
Note
When connecting
an input or an output ensure that the following conditions are observed:
- the source component
is not on and playing
- the input that
you are making the connection to is not selected for listening.
- the amplifier
is turned off
Your attention
to the above conditions may prevent loud noises or speaker damage when connecting
an audio system.
Any source components that you wish to use, whether it be CD player, tape deck,
tuner or the audio signal from a VCR or LaserDisc player, can be connected to
the pairs of inputs numbered 1 through 8 on the rear panel of the Control Center.
Be sure to observe correct left and right channel orientation when making connections.
On the rear panel of the Control Center you will see the top row of inputs labeled
as left channel and the bottom row labeled as right channel. Your source components
will either be labeled in a similar fashion, or color coded with red as right
channel and black as left channel, or both.
The Control Center is unlike conventional preamplifiers in that there are no
names given to the inputs that describe what type of source component to be
connected to it. Instead, you have the freedom to connect your sources to whichever
inputs you choose. Later, in the section about programming the Control Center,
we will describe how you can assign names to the inputs according to the components
you've connected.
Make note of which source components you've connected and the input number each
is connected to. Later you will use this information to program the front panel
display so it will remember your choices.
Connection of
Tape Decks
When you are connecting
a tape deck that has both inputs and outputs, bear in mind that an output on
the tape machine has to connect to an input on the Control Center. The input
of the tape player would connect to one of the pairs of tape outputs on the
Control Center. On a tape unit "input" often corresponds to "record",
and "output" corresponds to "play". If in doubt consult
the owner's manual for your tape deck. If you don't get any sound when you play
a tape you may have your connections reversed. Correct the situation and everything
should work properly.
Use of Tape Outputs
When a source,
for example, a CD player connected to input 1, is selected as the source to
record (it shows up on the front panel display as R: - the input being
recorded), this source signal is present at all four pairs of tape outputs.
This is the signal that will go to whatever is connected to any of the pairs
of tape outputs.
CAUTION: When connecting a tape deck that will be used for both record and
playback, it is vital that inputs 5 through 8 be used for the play outputs of
the machine, and that the TAPE OUTPUT of the same number be used as for the
RECORD IN of the deck.
In the event that the tape deck is accidentally selected as the source to record
from, this guarantees that a feedback loop cannot be set up that could damage
the system.
Connection of
the Melior Phono Center
If you also have
the companion Phono Center, you can connect this to the input of your choice.
Please follow the instructions for that unit when using it. The power cord with
the DIN plug can be connected to the corresponding receptacle at the back of
the Control Center.
Connecting
Amplifiers
Single Amplifier
Use
One or both of
the two pairs of main outputs are intended to be connected to the inputs of
one or more amplifiers. Main output pair number 1 are normal signal polarity.
These should be used initially when you are using only one pair of outputs to
connect either one stereo amplifier (or one pair of non amplifiers).
Bi-Amplification
There are two recommended methods of using the Control Center to drive a bi-amplified
(two stereo amplifiers; or two pairs of mono amps, or any similar configuration)
system.
- Use Y adapters
to convert output pair number one to two pairs. A high quality splitter cable
accessory can be used to get two pairs of outputs from one pair on the Control
Center. This option avoids the need to compensate for polarity reversal at
the speaker connection end.
- Invert Polarity
of Speaker Cables. Use the two pair of Main Outputs to connect to the amplifier
inputs in a conventional manner. Connect both right channel outputs to right
channel inputs on the amplifiers, and correspondingly for the left channel.
Since Main Output Number 2 is phase-inverting, you must now compensate for
this by changing the polarity of the speaker connections to the amplifier
fed by Outputs Number 2. At this amplifier's speaker terminals, reverse positive
and negative. This will leave you with positive of the amplifier connected
to negative of the speaker, and vice versa.
Your system will now operate correctly.
Special Applications
Making Use
of Output Pair 2 - Reversed Phase
Main output pair Number 2 inverts the signal phase, otherwise known as polarity.
These therefore present some versatile options in system connection. These reversed
polarity outputs can be used to achieve one of the following conditions:
- Reverse phase,
for more detailed sound if your system benefits from it. While the subject
of absolute phase is beyond the scope of an owner's manual, you can usually
form a preference by listening to both options and using the one that sounds
best to you.
- Enhanced performance
from stereo amplifiers.
- Amplifier bridging:
you can connect two stereo amplifiers in such a way that each amplifier operates
as a much more powerful mono amplifier.
Optimizing
Stereo Amplifiers Stereo amplifiers which use shared transformers or complete
power supplies for both left and right channels can benefit from the use of
one normal phase and one reversed phase output.
Example: Connect Main Output 1, right channel, to the right channel input of
the amplifier.
Connect Main Output 2, left channel, to the left channel input of the amplifier.
At the input terminals for the left speaker, reverse the connection of the positive
and negative cables. Now you will have positive from the amplifier connected
to negative of the speaker, and negative from the amplifier connected to positive
of the speaker. Do this for the left channel only. Connect the right
speaker normally.
Because the phase
of the signal and therefore the demands of the amplifier on its power supply
are now 180 degrees opposite to each other, the power supply will provide peak
power much more easily. The result is better sound with greater ease and wider
dynamics. Note: This technique will work with stereo amplifiers only. It
will not work with mono chassis amplifiers where the two channels do not share
a common power supply.
Amplifier Bridging
A stereo amplifier is said to be bridged when its two channels are combined
in such a way that they make one channel of substantially higher power. Often,
this is an effective way to upgrade the performance of your system without having
to make a change from your present amplifier. If you're happy with it, you simply
add a second one, assuming you have a means of bridging them. (If your speakers
permit bi-amplification, bridging is seldom necessary.) With the Control Center,
you can now bridge virtually any stereo amplifier to a higher powered mono one.
The Front Panel
Display One of the most visible of the Control Center's features is the
Liquid Crystal Display found on the left side of the front panel. This display
provides you with a visual readout of the operating status of the unit at all
times. By using the remote control you can view any of three different types
of displays:
- General Status
Display
- Expanded Status
Displays
- Programming
displays
The different
displays and their uses are explained in the following section.
This is the default
display that appears when the unit is first turned on, or when you leave any
of the other display modes.
How to Read
the General Status Display
M: The input you are presently monitoring, i.e. listening to. This is the signal
that goes to the main outputs.
R: the input you are recording from. This is the signal that goes to the record
outputs.
V: volume. This gives a numerical indication of the volume level. The scale
is 0 to 127.
B: balance. This indicates balance changes in .5 dB increments, although the
actual "steps" of audible changes are much finer. An arrow points
either to the left or the right to indicate which channel is the louder.
If the balance is set to center the display reads "CNTR".
How the Display
Shows Status of Processor Loop
The message "LOOP
IN" will display at all times when the processor loop is engaged. If the
processor loop is not engaged, the message "LOOP OUT" will appear
for a few seconds and then disappear. To avoid clutter of the display the status
of the processor loop is only seen when the loop is engaged.
Expanded Status
Displays
There are four
"Status" screens which you can view. In this expanded mode the information
uses the full area of display, therefore is readable from a grater distance
than is the case with the General Status Display.
The four Status
screens appear as a series, one after the other, and can be seen by pushing
the "STAT" button on the remote transmitter. You must be in the General
Status mode to proceed to the Expanded Status Displays.
Using the Control
Center
The Control Center
is designed to be operated from either the front panel or by the remote control.
The most basic and important operations can be performed by pressing the center
of the areas on the front panel defined by grey boxes.
- Monitor: Allows
you to select the input source to listen to. For every time the monitor switch
is pressed the next input is selected. After Input 8 it will go back to Input
1. Looking at the display beside M: you will see the input selection
change for each time the switch is pressed.
- Record: Allows
you to select the input source that goes to the Tape Record Outs. A tape deck
connected to any of the Tape Record Outs will be able to record this source.
Each time the Monitor switch is pressed the next input is selected. Looking
at the display, R: will show the input selection change each time the switch
is pressed. Note: The source selected for record does not have to be the
same as the input source you have selected to listen to; you have the freedom
to record from one input while listening to another.
- Mute: Pressing
the mute switch will mute the sound. When pressed again the sound will be
restored to its original loudness. This has no effect on the Tape Record signal,
only the signal going to the Main Outs. The volume indicator on the display
V: reads "MUTE" when mute is engaged and the number corresponding
to the volume level when mute is disengaged.
When the "MUTE" function is activated, the volume from the main
output will be cut immediately. However, when the "MUTE" button
is pressed again, the volume will come up to the previous setting gradually.
This is to ensure that the volume increase does not result in sudden, unpleasantly
loud sounds.
- Volume Up: Pressing
the VOLUME UP area, indicated by the icon of a triangle pointing up, will
increase the volume level. The increase will be indicated by an increasing
number beside the V: area of the display.
- Volume Down:
Pressing the VOLUME DOWN area, indicated by the icon of a triangle pointing
down, will decrease the volume level. The decrease will be indicated by a
decreasing number beside the V: area of the display.
Note: No changes to volume or balance can be made while MUTE is engaged.
This is to prevent unexpected changes in loudness when you disengage mute.
The buttons on
the remote control transmitter are organized into three categories. Each of
these categories relates to the type of operation to be performed:
- Principal
Operations: these are the standard operations that you would use frequently
such as VOLUME, BALANCE, MUTE, LOOP, STAT, REC and ON/OFF.
- Programming:
the functions related to programming the display in order to assign names
to inputs; also to preset volume and balance levels which can then be called
by the listener from the remote control. Keys used are PROGRAM, V&B (volume
and balance) and STORE.
- Selection
of Volume & Balance Presets: the V&B (volume and balance) keys,
when used in conjunction with the numbered keys, allow you to select one of
four preset volume & balance levels for each input.
Performing Principal
Operations
Principal operations
refer to the every day functions that you would use repeatedly in the normal
course of listening to music. It is not necessary to program input names nor
to set preset volume and balance levels to perform these operations.
- Volume Up:
Increases the volume level. Volume is adjusted in very small increments of
.5 dB so that changes are smooth and continuous.
- Volume Down:
decreases the volume level.
- Balance Left:
shifts the balance of the sound toward the left speaker. When one channel
is increased in loudness the other is decreased so that the total loudness
in the room remains the same. Balance is adjusted in very small increments
of .5 dB so that changes are smooth and continuous.
- Balance Right:
shifts the balance of the sound toward the right speaker.
- Balance Center:
No matter where you have the balance set, pressing this key will return balance
to exact center.
- Mute:
Pressing this key completely mutes the volume. This is the equivalent of reducing
the volume to a level of 0 on the display. Press the MUTE key again and the
volume is restored to its original loudness.
- Loop:
This controls the Processor loop. A surround sound decoder or a dedicated
speaker equalizer would be examples of processors you may wish to use. If
you have a processor connected to the inputs and outputs for the Processor
Loop on the rear panel, pressing this key will bring the processor into the
signal path. It will then have the effect on the sound intended by the manufacturer
of the processor. Press LOOP a second time and the processor will be removed
from the signal path. This will allow you to compare sound with and without
the additional processor, if you wish to do so. It also allows you to use
the processor to listen to some sources and not with others.
- Stat:
Pressing the STAT key will allow you to view enlarged status displays that
immediately show relative volume, balance, monitor input and record input.
- On/Off:
This key will turn the Control Center on or off. This, in effect, turns off
the display and some of the circuitry while leaving the microprocessor and
the critical audio circuitry powered so that the Control Center will sound
its best when turned back on. This is not the same as unplugging the Control
Center, which turns off all circuitry.
- Selecting
Inputs: The input you wish to listen to can be selected by pressing the
corresponding number on the numerical keys on the remote control. Press key
1 to hear input 1, and so on.
- Selecting
the Input to be Recorded: Press the REC key. You will now see the colon
of R: flash. Now press the number corresponding to the input you wish
to record. The display will now show the number of this input, along with
a name if you have programmed one. (See section on Programming.)
- Selecting
Volume and Balance Presets: See the section on Programming the Control
Center. Programming operations refer to the ability to:
- assign to
each input a name of your choice which will than appear on the display
whenever that input is selected;
- preset up
to four levels of volume and balance for each input.
Unlike most of
the functions described in the section on Principal Operations, Programming
Operations must be performed from the remote control. These functions
are generally used only once when you first set up your unit, or infrequently.
- Assigning
Names to Inputs Unlike conventional preamplifiers, the Control Center
allows you to "name" any input according to the source you choose
to connect to it. Once this is done, the display will show that name along
with the number of the input whenever you select it, either as the source
you wish to listen to, or the source you wish to record from.
Procedure for Assigning Names to Inputs:
In this example we will assume that you have a Meitner CD-3 connected to Input
1, and that you wish to assign the name "CD-3" to that input.
- Be sure
you are in the General Status Display. If you are not, go to this display.
(This is the default display that appears when the Control Center is turned
on.)
- Point the
remote control at the Control Center and press the key marked PGM. You
should now see a display that says: "PGM ID'S INPUT:" Use the
numerical keys to enter the number of the input you wish to program. In
this example, you will press 1.
- You will
now see a flashing cursor. This is the first of four spaces you have available
to enter a character.
- Press the
VOLUME UP key a few times, and you will see characters, numbers and eventually
letters of the alphabet appear, one character appearing for every single
press of the key. The VOLUME UP key allows you to "scroll" through
a character set. The VOLUME DOWN key will let you scroll backwards through
the same character set.
- Continue
pressing the VOLUME UP key until the letter "C" appears.
- Move the
flashing cursor to the next space to the right by pressing the BALANCE
RIGHT key once. If you accidentally moved the cursor more than one space,
you can back up with the BALANCE LEFT key. The BALANCE keys let you move
back and forth freely.
- Scroll through
the character set until "D" appears. Remember that if you go
past the character you want, you can back up to it using the VOLUME DOWN
key. Continue for the remaining two characters.
You should now see CD-3 on the display. Confirm the display says
what you want it to say. You have only four spaces available, so longer
words should be abbreviated or given names meaningful to you, e.g. TUNR.
- Press the
STR (store) key. The name you have entered now disappears from the display,
and PGM ID'S INPUT: remains.
If you wish to enter names for each input, you can continue to do so.
Otherwise, press PGM twice to go back to the General Status Display.
- If input
1 has been selected for listening, the display will now say CD-3
beside M:1.
The Control Center will now remember the names you've programmed until you
change them. Even if the unit is unplugged the programming will be retained
for up to ten years.
- Presets for
Volume and Balance In addition to the normal method of selecting volume
and balance, the Control Center allows you to preset as many as four automatic
levels for volume and balance for each input. Once you have programmed in
these settings, you can then select them at the touch of a button, just as
you would use station presets on a tuner.
These presets provide extra convenience in many situations: background music,
or to reference the specific volume at which you favorite type of music sounds
best in your room. They can be used to compensate for balance offsets originating
in a particular source component. They can be used to quickly achieve a volume
match between two sources so they can be compared at the same volume. The
uses will be limited only by your specific needs and your imagination.
- Procedure
for Presetting Volume and Balance In this example we will set two of the
four available Volume and Balance levels for input 1. The same procedure would
be followed to set the remaining two, or any or all presets for the remaining
inputs. To program these presets, you must have the Control Center connected
into your system and be able to hear music through the speakers, because you
will be setting the loudness and balance settings you wish by listening.
You only need to program as many preset levels as you wish. The default settings
for both volume and balance are 0, so selecting a preset that has not been
programmed will give you a volume level of 0 and a balance setting of CNTR.
Note that it is very useful to preset LEVEL 1 on all inputs that you are using
because every time an input is selected it comes on in preset LEVEL 1. Thus
all inputs can be preset so that they are HEARD at the same loudness regardless
of what their line level is.
- Make sure
you are in the General Status display mode. Press the PGM key twice
to get into the PGM VOL & BAL display mode.
- Note that
the colon (:) beside INPUT is flashing. Press key 1. The
number 1 should now appear next to INPUT: on the display. The colon
(:) beside LEVEL will now flash. Press any one of four keys (1
through 4). These represent the preset levels of Volume and Balance for
this particular input (1). With the colon (:) flashing beside LEVEL, press
key 1 (to preset level 1). A number will appear to the left of PGM
VOL & BAL and one on the right. The left one is the volume
number (as would be seen beside V: in the general status display). The
right is the balance setting (as would be seen beside B: in the general
status display). If this level has never been preset, the indications
will be 0 and CNTR; if previously preset, they will indicate the preset
volume and balance numbers and you will hear this input accordingly. By
listening (and watching the numbers) volume and balance can now be preset
as follows.
- Using the
VOLUME UP key on the remote control, increase the volume until
you reach the level you wish for this preset. We suggest that the first
preset level be a reasonably low volume, such as you would use for background
listening.
- Using the
BALANCE keys, set the balance you prefer. (Note: in many cases
this will be the CNTR value, for which you simply press the BALANCE
CNTR key.)Once you have confirmed the volume and balance setting are
what you want for this preset, press the STR key. This will store
the settings so they can be recalled at any time.
- Once you
have confirmed the volume and balance settings are what you want for this
preset, press the STR key. This will store the settings so they
can be recalled at any time.
You are now ready to program the second preset level for input 1: the
colon (:) next to the LEVEL display will continue to flash, indicating
it is ready to receive more instructions.
- Repeat steps
2,3 and 4 for the second preset level. We suggest you now set a higher
volume level so you can easily hear the difference between the two presets.
(If you wished to carry on and preset the remaining two levels for input
1, you could do so now, or you can come back to these at your convenience.)
- Once you
have completed the programming, press the PGM key to complete the
procedure and take you back to the General Status display.
You are now ready to test your volume and balance presets.
- Selecting
Volume and Balance Presets We can now go on to use the volume and balance
preset that you have programmed. This is a very simple operation that will
let you go to a predetermined setting with two keystrokes.
- You should
now be in the General Status display mode. If not, go back to this display
by pressing the PGM key until you see the proper display.
- Select Input
1. The display will now indicate 1 and the name assigned to this
input, assuming you have assigned a name.
- Press the
V&B key. The V: and B: indicators on the display
should now be flashing.
- Press 1
on the numbered keys. You will now hear the first volume and balance settings
that you programmed. The display will change to indicate the new settings.
You can now change volume and balance normally, if you wish, with the
VOLUME and BALANCE keys.
Protection Circuitry
As with other
Museatex products, the Control Center features sophisticated protection circuitry
that will guard against component or system damage as a result of DC offset
errors.
If the Control Center recognizes an unusually high level of DC offset at one
of its inputs, it will alert the user by going into a protection mode. The sound
will be muted; the display for MUTE will flash. You will still be able to select
another input. If the problem is caused by the source component connected to
the input in use, you will be able to use one of the other inputs normally.
If this is the case, the source component in question should be checked by a
qualified service technician or its manufacturer. If selecting another input
does not remedy the problem, contact your dealer or Museatex for additional
service instructions.
Recommended Cables
The output characteristics
of the Melior Control Center have been optimized to take advantage of the superior
electrical transmission properties of Museatex interconnecting cables.
With the pairing
of the Control Center and Museatex cables, the result will be an accurate transmission
line for the musical signal. The frequency balance and phase characteristics
will be optimized, as a result of the advantages of correct matching. While
the Melior components will work normally with most makes of high quality cables,
you should achieve the best sound by using Museatex cables. Consult you Museatex
dealer or call us directly for details.
Electrical
- Inputs: 8 line
level, 1 external processor.
- Phono: Optional
Phono Center.
- Outputs: 2 Main,
4 Tape Record, 1 external processor.
- Frequency Bandwidth:
1 Hz to 100 KHz(+0, -3 dB).
- Harmonic distortion:
less than 0.25%.
- IM Distortion:
less than 0.25%.
- Input S/N Ratio:
better than 95 dB.
- Line Input Overload:
4V.
- Input Impedance:
50K Ohms.
- Output Impedance:
300 Ohms.
- Output DC Offset:
less than 5 mV.
- Maximum Output
Level: 4V.
Physical
- Construction:
Pure copper printed circuit board; No tin plating; class A design; gold plated
connectors.
- Power Supply:
Internal Meitner floating charge design.
- Power Requirements:
117V or 220V - 50 or 60 Hz.
- Dimensions:
3" X 14.5" X 13.5".
For more information
please contact John Wright at (403) 968-1400 or email john@museatex.com