MusicCAST MCX-A10 Client

Using the MCX-A10 Client to Listen to Music

Listening to music on the client couldn't be easier. Similar to the Library screen of the MCX-1000 server, the client allows you to call up music by either Genre, Artist, Playlist, Album or all songs. After 30 minutes of inactivity, the MCX-A10 client will put itself into standby mode (this can be turned off or adjusted in 30 minute increments up to 120 minutes). It takes 30 seconds to reconnect to the server from standby mode.

Streaming PCM Digital Audio

As noted earlier, the client will stream PCM digital audio from the server and a single client. The quality of the streamed audio is excellent though the streamed audio can only be output from the analogue line-out connectors on the client side panel. Conspicuously absent was a SPDIF output option, most likely due to the fact that this would potentially involve upsampling MP3 streamed audio back into PCM format.

The Connections

• LAN Port
  The LAN port can be used in the event you want to forego the 802.11b wireless connection or desire a greater distance from the server than is possible.
• AUX IN Jack
  You can connect an external analogue source here. This would be utilized if, for example, you were using the optional MusicCAST speakers and wanted to feed an MP3 player, computer or other audio device into the system as well.
• LINE OUT L/R Jacks
  Connect your MCX-A10 to a receiver using these 2Vrms line out jacks. These are full range line outputs.
• SUBWOOFER Out Jack
  If you are connecting the client to a receiver and speakers (as I did in my office configuration) you can also send signal to a subwoofer via the SUBWOOFER line output. This is a variable full-range mono output, so you'll want to engage your sub's crossover and set it to the appropriate frequency for your system.
• VIDEO OUT Jack
  Connecting the video output of the MCX-A10 allows you to view the contents of the LCD screen on an external monitor. This is nice if you happen to be configuring the client into another home theater system (like a bedroom system) or you plan to be too far away to read the LCD display. Other than this, the LCD provides ample feedback for your configuration and playback needs.
• SPEAKER OUT Terminals
  The spring-clip speaker terminals are rated to drive 17W x 2 into 4-ohms and the optional speakers are very nice looking and don't sound bad for the $120 price. They are built nicely and weigh about 2.5 pounds each - not too shabby when you figure in the fact that a decent set of computer speakers will run you this much - and I'd much rather listen to these units. Like the MCX-A10 client, the speakers can also be wall-mounted or positioned side-by-side with the main unit for a clean, elegant look.

The client is what really rounds out this system. The server is truly impressive and can save you from having to deal with a CD jukebox or even have your CDs present, but the client makes the MusicCAST system a truly unique audio server solution. Until you experience a centralized music server with wireless client access, you haven't experienced what is probably the coolest new advancement in consumer audio devices.