Power Control (PC) Issues: 5V or 12V?

[kb7215]

I have a C1000C/T, MC2301 pair, MR85, MCD500, MEN220 & MT10. I'm having all sorts of problems with the PC wiring. It turns out McIntosh has two distinct trigger voltages: 5V or 12V, depending on the type of component and its vintage.

Initial configuration (using the C1000C remote to turn everything ON/OFF:

a. C1000C to MC2301 to MC2301
b. C1000C to MR85 to MCD500 to MEN220 to MT10

Everything turns on OK, but when it shuts down:

a. no issues with the MC2301 amps - they both shut down one after the other
b. the MEN220 stays on, the MT10 goes out, the MEN220 turns off and the MT10 turns on and stays on for 5 seconds before turning off

Just to liven things up, I added the MVP881:

a. C1000C to MC2301 to MC2301 (no change)
b. C1000C to MVP881 to MCD500 to MR85 to MEN220 to MT10

Now when I turn on the system (C1000C remote):

a. no issues with the MC2301 amps
b. MVP881 turns ON but everything else stays off - I have to use my MCD500 remote to turn on the MR85, MEN220 & MT10

When I turn the system OFF:

a. no issues with the MC2301 amps
b. only the MVP881 turns off - the rest stays on and I have to use the MCD500 remote to turn the rest off - the same light show happens

After some back-and-forth with McIntosh, I received an email stating in part:

"Our source products (CD & DVD players) and our older product used 5V trigger PC. 12V trigger PC was used in MVP881. 12V trigger PC will be used in all of our products from now on. MR85 also has 5V trigger PC."

They recommended the following:

a. C1000C to MC2301 to MC2301
b. C1000C to MR85 to MCD500 to MEN220 to MT10 to MVP881

When I turn the system on (C1000C remote), everything comes on in sequence. When I turn it off, everything goes out eventually, but I get the same light show with the MEN220, MT10 and MVP881. Since it all shuts down eventually, I'm going to leave well enough alone ("it is what it is").

So, if you have issues with PC wiring, you should be aware there are two different trigger voltages.

I suggest McIntosh put a spreadsheet on their web site with component vs. trigger voltage.

Ken

[vintage_tube]

Ken,

I had almost everything you have except in lieu of the 1K box I had a C500 (did not have a MR85 nor MVP881) and I ran everything this way with no issues:

Preamp>MC2301>MC2301>MCD500>MEN220>MT10

Why not try it & see what happens? Add a component after the MT10 & then another. Also, not to be annoying -- all of your PC cables are stereo correct? One mono cable will wreck havoc.

Just a suggestion.

Bob

[kb7215]

The C1000C has two separate PC output circuits so that way can I keep my tube amps by themselves and use the other PC circuit for my source components. I use commercial Belkin stereo cables with 3.5mm connectors, all the same model, to remove a variable. Since the Belkin cables have an arrow on them, I made sure the direction is proper (input to output to input to ...).

I'm through experimenting with the source component string and am prepared to live with the 'Vegas light show. Just as long as my MC2301 amps aren't affected, I'm happy.

The intent of my posting was to alert folks there may be different trigger voltages in their McIntosh components.

I haven't yet heard from McIntosh as to the trigger voltage for the MEN220 or the MT10.

Thank you for your input.

Ken

[vintage_tube]

Fair enough Ken.

At your leisure, look at page 8 on the MEN220 manual -- looks like they suggest you go from the preamp to the MEN220 & then to the amps & then source.

Since I no longer have the MEN220 nor MT10 -- my memory in post #2 may be skewed.

From the MEN220 manual ------ The MEN220 POWER CONTROL IN receives signals from a McIntosh component (5-15 Volts ON, 0 Volts OFF). POWER CONTROL OUT sends out (12 Volts ON) signal to another McIntosh Component when the MEN220 is On.

As far as the MT10 goes, I'm thinking the same as the MEN220 -- at least I had no issues.

Bob

[Masterlu]

Ken,

Why not get your dealer involved? I have 20+ components in the PC chain with no issues. I second Bob's comment on the stereo mini.

Ivan