The actual answer to your first question is yes... but you may be missing some of the finer details.
You absolutely CAN plug the output of the PT-100 into one of the stereo inputs on the MC-700.
And, if you do that, the PT-100 will then become a source device for the MC-700.
So, if you listen to an album, it will go through the phono preamp in the PT-100, and from the PT-100 to the stereo analog input on the MC-700.
Basically, if you do that, the PT-100 becomes "a phono preamp, tuner, and stereo input controller for the MC-700.
But, while you can select something like Direct Mode on the MC-700 to minimize processing, you aren't technically bypassing the MC-700.
However the answer to your second question is no.
The Tone Controls on the PT-100 will only affect things that GO THROUGH the PT-100.
And there's no way to make stuff that is connected directly to the MC-700, like your surround sound video sources, go through the PT-100.
So, if you listen to vinyl, using the phono input on the PT-100, THAT will be affected by the tone controls on the PT-100.
So THAT part will work pretty much as you expect.
But, if whatever source you use to watch Netflix goes through the MC-700, BUT DOESN'T GO THROUGH THE PT-100, then the Tone Controls on the PT-100 will NOT affect that.
You can use the PT-100 as a SOURCE for the MC-700... but not as an "external equalizer".
The only way to do that would be to use the Netflix App ON YOUR TV.
If you were to do that, you could connect a stereo output from the TV to the PT-100, and then have that audio go through the PT-100 into the MC-700...
BUT, if you did that, then you would only have STEREO from Netflix (because the PT-100 WILL NOT pass surround sound).
(You could then have the MC-700 make "fake surround" using PLIIx .... but that's the real long way around and would have serious sound quality limitations.)
Some of our higher-end preamps, like the PT2, have something called "home theater bypass"...
This would allow you to basically switch BETWEEN the MC-700 and the other device...
It lets you flip a switch on the PT2 and bypass the PT2 for channels coming from the MC-700.
However it still will NOT allow you to use the tone controls on the PT2 with audio that's going through the MC-700.
But the bottom line is that you cannot simply "stack the two units together and stack the functionality of both".
And, specifically, in this case, the Tone Controls in the PT-100 are only TWO CHANNEL Tone Controls... so there's no possible way to use them to control all of the channels the MC-700 is handling.
HOWEVER I should mention that you CAN configure the MC-700 to pretty much act as if it has "simple tone controls".
- Do a factory reset on the MC-700 and DO NOT run room correction.
- Set the speaker distances and levels manually on the MC-700.
(use a tape measure and either set the speakers to the same level by ear or using a meter).
- Set the EQ in the MC-700 to ACT pretty much like a Tone Control.
For each channel....
set ONE PEQ band at a center frequency of around 300 Hz and the LOWEST Q setting it allows - that's your Bass control for that channel
set ONE PEQ band for a center frequency of around 10 kHz and the LOWEST Q setting it allows - that's your Treble control for that channel
(move the frequency settings up and down until you like how they work - all tone controls are a bit different in this detail anyway)
A tone control is really just "a two-band EQ with very wide shallow bands"..........
(technically a typical tone control is a "shelving filter" but what I said will audibly act very much the same way.)
And, of course, you can add a simple external phono preamp... like our little XPS-1.
Morning all.
I currently have an MC-700 processor and would like to add a PT-100 for two reasons.
1. Adding a turntable
2. Using tone controls to adjust audio settings on my system.
Q1: Can I plug the PT-100 directly into the MC-700 and switch to it without having to unplug audio cables?
Q2: By adding the PT-100, will that provide me with the ability to change tone controls while watching TV, Netflix etc.? (I know using tone controls aren't the best, but I have had many dramas trying to tune my system).
Treezie
