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McIntosh MX121 Test Tones?

We have an audio system here that employs an Oppo BDP-103 as its DAC.  We also have an MX121 that we wish to use as our multichannel (MC) analog preamp.  This being the case, we have RCA cables running from the rear of the Oppo to the 7.1 CH INPUT jacks found on the rear of the MX121 ... and as an aside, the audio being used for testing is also known to include proper 5.1 audio data.

On the output side of the setup in question, we've connected a power amp (and a speaker) to all of the applicable RCA analog output jacks found in the UNBALANCED PRE OUT section of RCA output jacks: FL, FR, C, SW1, SL & SR.  All of the amplifiers, save the center (C) power amp are working and, additionally, their front panel meters are responding to their audio signals.

As we don't seem to have a center (C) signal, I phoned McIntosh Labs to ask about this problem.  The fellow that I spoke to seemed to be very busy, so he quickly said that I should start troubleshooting the issue by employing the test tones that can be accessed via the manual setup menus within the MX121.

If anyone has done this kind of troubleshooting, I'd appreciate some help on how to access said test tones.

Thank you for any help with this.

 

  

70smacman
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,479 posts
 

Is it possible the OPPO is not putting out it's center info?   I have a 103 and it's been a while since I used it in surround but if I remember correctly it also has test tones built in.  The center may be turned off in the oppo or 121.     

If you go into the Mac's menu it should be able to send a tone to every channel.  It should identify center as it sweeps from L to C , then R and so on.   

If you get a tone through the Mac center then most likely a cable or center is off in the player

 

70smacman OP
2 posts
 

I was thinking the same thing, so I went through the Oppo's speaker configuration menu yesterday and all six channels (including the subwoofer) are ON. 

It's been a long while since I dived into the MX121's menu system, but I recall enough to know that it's pretty in depth.  This is why I was hoping to find another MX121 owner who's gone down the test tone path before.

Thank you for the post.

dinov's avatar
dinov
803 posts
 

There should be a button that changes the input of the MX121 on the tv, then you can access the test tones etc there to do your set up. I have an MX120 and there’s a button on the face that says a setup. You have to connect the HDMI to the tv properly. Download the manual if you don’t have it. 

dodgeshackleyrips's avatar
dodgeshackleyrips
1 posts
 

70’s mac- there is a location in the mx121 speaker set up menu for level matching each speaker. That will provide a test tone that toggle through each speaker. It is MUCH easier to attach an hdmi cable to a tv or monitor during this proc to provide a display rather than navigating the front panel. Good luck!

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