McIntosh C2500 info

[tractng]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

The C2500 rear.

Can you hook up your Power amps, Subs and HT Processor to this?

FYI: I use an Active Crossover after the C2500 to integrate subs, otherwise you'd need some active crossover in the subs (that you own) and/or the Main L-R speakers (that you own).

So the XRL or RCA interconnect from the JL F113 goes into the output of the C2500? Then RCA interconnect where the (processor) "To", goes to the AVR? Sounds right?

Does the C2500 have to be ON to use bypass mode? I read somewhere it doesn't. For Parasound, the unit has to be on while using XRL connections.

[nalthien]

There are a few options to how to use a subwoofer:

1) Use the Main XLR connections for your main power amp for L+R and the Main RCA connections for the subwoofer.

2) Use the Main XLR connections for your main power amp for L+R and the output 1 or output 2 XLR connections for the subwoofer.

That'll handle your subwoofers.

As far as the HT processor goes for passthrough. No, you don't want to use the processor loop.

Go into your settings and decide which input will be the "pass-through" input (on the C2300, this defaults to CD-R). You'll want to connect the L+R outputs from your preamp to the input that you've assigned as pass-through.

Then, you'll need a stereo 3.5mm (1/8") cable connected from the 12v trigger output on your HT processor into the "pass-thru" jack on the back of the C2500. This is required for HT Passthrough operation.

To use the bypass mode, you'll want to start with the C2500 turned off. By turning on your HT processor, the 12v trigger will trigger the C2500 to turn on in pass through mode.

[nalthien]

Also, for HT passthrough, there's a really key thing to do when you're using a subwoofer in your 2-ch system. You won't be using the subwoofer output on your processor, so you'll need to go into the settings on your HT processor and make sure that:

1) You set the system not to have a subwoofer
2) Ensure the main speakers are set to "large" (this should happen automatically when you say there is no subwoofer)
3) You ensure that any setting that will make the LFE channel route through the L+R is turned on so you don't lose your LFE channel for movies.

[tractng]

Originally Posted by nalthien

There are a few options to how to use a subwoofer:

1) Use the Main XLR connections for your main power amp for L+R and the Main RCA connections for the subwoofer.

2) Use the Main XLR connections for your main power amp for L+R and the output 1 or output 2 XLR connections for the subwoofer.

That'll handle your subwoofers.

As far as the HT processor goes for passthrough. No, you don't want to use the processor loop.

Go into your settings and decide which input will be the "pass-through" input (on the C2300, this defaults to CD-R). You'll want to connect the L+R outputs from your preamp to the input that you've assigned as pass-through.

Then, you'll need a stereo 3.5mm (1/8") cable connected from the 12v trigger output on your HT processor into the "pass-thru" jack on the back of the C2500. This is required for HT Passthrough operation.

To use the bypass mode, you'll want to start with the C2500 turned off. By turning on your HT processor, the 12v trigger will trigger the C2500 to turn on in pass through mode.

Go into your settings and decide which input will be the "pass-through" input (on the C2300, this defaults to CD-R). You'll want to connect the L+R outputs from your preamp to the input that you've assigned as pass-through.

For this, I assumed the C2500 will be in that input once the AVR trigers it to go on?

[nalthien]

Originally Posted by tractng

Go into your settings and decide which input will be the "pass-through" input (on the C2300, this defaults to CD-R). You'll want to connect the L+R outputs from your preamp to the input that you've assigned as pass-through.

For this, I assumed the C2500 will be in that input once the AVR trigers it to go on?

Yes, when the AVR triggers the c2500, it will automatically be in pass-through mode which means it will have selected the correct input and disabled basically everything else.

[tractng]

Originally Posted by nalthien

Yes, when the AVR triggers the c2500, it will automatically be in pass-through mode which means it will have selected the correct input and disabled basically everything else.

Thanks for the information.

[o0OBillO0o]

Originally Posted by nalthien

There are a few options to how to use a subwoofer:

1) Use the Main XLR connections for your main power amp for L+R and the Main RCA connections for the subwoofer.

2) Use the Main XLR connections for your main power amp for L+R and the output 1 or output 2 XLR connections for the subwoofer.

That'll handle your subwoofers.

As far as the HT processor goes for passthrough. No, you don't want to use the processor loop.

Go into your settings and decide which input will be the "pass-through" input (on the C2300, this defaults to CD-R). You'll want to connect the L+R outputs from your preamp to the input that you've assigned as pass-through.

Then, you'll need a stereo 3.5mm (1/8") cable connected from the 12v trigger output on your HT processor into the "pass-thru" jack on the back of the C2500. This is required for HT Passthrough operation.

To use the bypass mode, you'll want to start with the C2500 turned off. By turning on your HT processor, the 12v trigger will trigger the C2500 to turn on in pass through mode.

Originally Posted by nalthien

Also, for HT passthrough, there's a really key thing to do when you're using a subwoofer in your 2-ch system. You won't be using the subwoofer output on your processor, so you'll need to go into the settings on your HT processor and make sure that:

1) You set the system not to have a subwoofer
2) Ensure the main speakers are set to "large" (this should happen automatically when you say there is no subwoofer)
3) You ensure that any setting that will make the LFE channel route through the L+R is turned on so you don't lose your LFE channel for movies.

This is correct and valid information.

[PMCH]

I have been thinking about purchasing a new C2500 to replace my C2300, that way I get a new 3 year warrantee. I thought that the C2500 and C2300 were the same except for the DAC in the C2500. When I looked more seriously I noticed that the C2500 only has 2 pair of balanced inputs were the C2300 has 4 pair. I am currently only using 2 pair, one for the CDP and one for my separate phono preamp but in the past I have used passthrough with balanced inputs and a separate DAC with balanced inputs. Even though I only use 2 pair now I may want more in the future. Strange that McIntosh removed half of the balanced inputs. I guess I could use RCA but I prefer the better connection with XLR. Now that the C2500 has been around for a while, has anyone done a direct comparison with the C2300 as to sound - better, worse or same?

[nalthien]

Originally Posted by PMCH

Strange that McIntosh removed half of the balanced inputs.

Well they removed two XLR inputs and added several digital inputs. They had to go somewhere.

Originally Posted by PMCH

I guess I could use RCA but I prefer the better connection with XLR.

In my opinion (despite me using XLR connections whenever possible) too much is made of XLR vs. RCA for the use most people have. Most components are not actually balanced internally (despite offering XLR connections). And most cable runs are not long enough to realize any of the benefits of simply using a balanced connection.

My own guidelines:

1) Use XLR if the run is longer than 10-15 ft
2) Use XLR if the components in the chain are all fully balanced.

Other than those two situations, my use is, "Use XLR when you have the interconnects and the components have the connections but realize that it doesn't matter."

As a note, neither the C2300 or C2500 are fully balanced internally so there is no inherent benefit to using XLR for short runs.

Originally Posted by PMCH

Now that the C2500 has been around for a while, has anyone done a direct comparison with the C2300 as to sound - better, worse or same?

I've heard all 3 statements from different people. YMMV.

[o0OBillO0o]

nalthien.. I'm beginning to think we are cut from the same cloth. Your post are directly inline with what I would retort with.

So, with that said. You'd have to measure, observe (hear) and consciously be comfortable with difference between balanced and unbalanced connection. My guess is you're unable to do the first two and the last one, the known integrity of balanced connections, is something you might be put all your weighting on. That's okay if you do, but I think it's only part of the answer and could present a meaningless difference, in situ.

The warranty and the fact that the C2500 is newer (newer is better) are hard to disprove or justify to not purchase a C2500 or C50 preamp.

I've heard both pre-amps. I feel that the distinct advantage is not focused sound quality, but increased digital inputs and RS-232 control.