C2300/C2500/ or c50.

[rushca01]

Ok, when in passthru mode how do I get it out of passthru without having to turn my surround preamp off.

[damacman]

You don't. You just shut down the AVP, wait a few minutes, and then turn the preamp back on by itself.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by damacman

You don't. You just shut down the AVP, wait a few minutes, and then turn the preamp back on by itself.

After posting that’s what I discovered with a little googlefu. That’s kind of unfortunate...

[W9TR]

You can build a little switch box that breaks the passthru connection or buy one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IP.../dp/B005TE7GP4

But - I'm not sure why you would need to do that.

I use a Harmony remote to control my pre/pro and 2 channel systems. When I turn on the pre/pro it automatically turns on the 2 channel preamp (C1100) and puts it in passthru.

For two channel, all I do is turn off the pre/pro and the 2 channel preamp drops out of passthru but stays on.

The C2300 may operate slightly differently, I don't recall. I do remember that with my C500 dropping passthru would turn it off, so I had to turn it back on to listen to 2 channel. No biggie.

Anyway with Harmony you can set up power macros that do all this for you automatically.

Tom

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by W9TR

You can build a little switch box that breaks the passthru connection or buy one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IP.../dp/B005TE7GP4

But - I'm not sure why you would need to do that.

I use a Harmony remote to control my pre/pro and 2 channel systems. When I turn on the pre/pro it automatically turns on the 2 channel preamp (C1100) and puts it in passthru.

For two channel, all I do is turn off the pre/pro and the 2 channel preamp drops out of passthru but stays on.

The C2300 may operate slightly differently, I don't recall. I do remember that with my C500 dropping passthru would turn it off, so I had to turn it back on to listen to 2 channel. No biggie.

Anyway with Harmony you can set up power macros that do all this for you automatically.

Tom

Tom, thanks for the info! I may have to get that little box, I assume I use it on the cord that's connected to the passthru trigger.

The c2300 turns off when I turn off the pre/pro which means I have to fire up the c2300 again, not sure if this hard on the tubes.

[W9TR]

Correct - you'll need another stereo 1/8" male to male cord.

I don't think it's a huge deal to turn off the pre and then turn it back on again.

But I agree with you it is not ideal.

Since dropping the passthru turns off the preamp, the switch box will also do the same thing. So not sure that will really help you much.

My C2300 firmware is V1.02. Might be worth checking with McIntosh to see if they have a later firmware version that leaves the preamp ON when the passthru drops. I think this is unlikely based on McIntosh's history with firmware updates. But worth a call.

My C1100 stays on, so it looks like McIntosh has changed their passthru design over time.

Tom

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Correct - you'll need another stereo 1/8" male to male cord.

I don't think it's a huge deal to turn off the pre and then turn it back on again.

But I agree with you it is not ideal.

Since dropping the passthru turns off the preamp, the switch box will also do the same thing. So not sure that will really help you much.

My C2300 firmware is V1.02. Might be worth checking with McIntosh to see if they have a later firmware version that leaves the preamp ON when the passthru drops. I think this is unlikely based on McIntosh's history with firmware updates. But worth a call.

My C1100 stays on, so it looks like McIntosh has changed their passthru design over time.

Tom

Again, you are correct about the switch and passthru, disconnecting it turns it off. The switch would be moot.

No free lunch as they say, it would be nice if there was an easier way to switch on the c2300.

[ejr1953]

Originally Posted by Bob Bubeck

Having had a C2500 in service for nearly three years, permit me to suggest that the above may suggest an overly negative picture. I have had no problems at all. I had Paragon Sight and Sound update the firmware to the latest version, not because of any problem, but to keep the piece up to date. Far from being a negative, the on board DAC sounds very good and is handy to have as an alternative at the touch of a remote. Its particular 'presentation' is a benefit with some RBCDs and it most certainly does not hurt anything sitting in the unit in reserve.

As is almost always the case, the postings from the few with issues out number those who are perfectly satisfied. Switching the modifiers "many" and "some" in the above might be more accurate.

Respectfully,

Bob

I purchased a new C2500, which replaced my C50, just before the C2600 was introduced, swapped the stock tubes for Gold Lions and have been really pleased with it.

I have always used an external DAC, so the one built into my preamp is not an issue for me.

It appears that firmware is not McIntosh's "strong point", but I suspect that people who have firmware-related problems, have them with all sorts of models in their lineup.

Either way, C2300 or C2500, I suspect you'll enjoy how they pair with McIntosh solid state power amps.

[sandbites]

Hi I'm toying with getting a used c2300 from the 'gon. Are the bulbs on these LEDs ar;eady? Any issues i should watch out for?

[W9TR]

LED illumination all the way.

The age of the tubes and their manufacturer might be of interest. The Gold Lion re-issues are a nice upgrade. It’s about $200 to re-tube.

Make sure the remote is in good shape and not ‘sticky’ as McIntosh had some trouble with that during the time when the C2300 was in production.

I love my C2300 it just works. The other preamps have DAC’s but I prefer outboard and I think it would be easy to match the performance of these built-in DAC’s for a few hundred bucks.