Setting Up Zone B with Mcintosh
 

I am trying to set up a Zone B through my MX121 HT Preamp. Until I can get more amps to drive the speakers in other parts of the house I wanted to utilize my Rotel RX-1052 Stereo Receiver. I read in the MX121 manual that the Zone 2 requires analog signals so if I want to listen to a CD through my BluRay I need to add some RCA out of the Oppo103 to the L/R in of the BD connection of the MX121. I also have a Phono which is of course analog as well.

So I then ran an RCA cable out of the Analog Audio Out Zone 2 section (the bottom right of the MX121) to the audio in of the RX-1052 (I did CD first but have tried other inputs as well) I figured it would be getting the signal from the Zone 2 out section of the MX121 and wouldn't know that it was not a CD but just a signal and should work. I am not getting any signal coming out of the RX-1052.

Am I hooking something up wrong or is it not possible to power a Zone 2 through a Rotel Receiver? I attached rear panel drawings so you can see what I was doing and if there is something else I should try.

A couple of thoughts:

The Zone 2 output I believe is variable. Do you have the volume turned up on the MX121. Also be sure that the input on Zone 2 on the MX121 is on the correct input. Just because it is selected on the Main zone, it may be different on zone 2

Correct you turn Zone 2 on with the button on the front then you go to the button to the left of it and it will ask which source and you use the left wheel to rotate to the source like Phono.

I was wondering if the volume could be an issue but I did have it turned up enough to be able to at least hear something if a signal was coming through. I don't know if the Rotel, being a receiver and not a straight amp, is having communication issues. But I would think if the analog signal is leaving the MX121 as a music signal the Rotel should not know the difference.

Another question is if I did only want to play music in Zone 2 I guess as long as you have the Main Zone set to a signal i.e. DVD which would not be playing and say Phono as the signal going to Zone 2 that is how it works. So if I turn up the volume I am only powering the amp in Zone 2 and not putting power into the Main amps even thought they are on.

I believe you can only turn on Zone 2 but I do not remember if it stays in that zone or goes back to main.

I believe also that there is an item in the menu that addresses volume in Zone 2 or Zone 3 you may want to check out

Figured it out. When you push the Zone 2 on then push the button next it Zone Sel. That will show what zone 2 or 3 is sending out. For example Phono. Then while that is still showing on the screen it is when you also turn the volume up to Zone 2. Once that disappears from the screen you are back to Main and volume then is only controlling the Main. You have to select Zone 2 then turn the volume up and then signal was going to my Rotel which I was then able to control volume and for my house can then control each room with a wall control.