McIntosh MIP200 - Black

Description

A McIntosh Power Controller Dedicated to Hi-Fi and Home Theater Systems

The McIntosh MIP200 is the AC Power Controller in the McIntosh Custom Install range. It handles three essential functions for a serious hi-fi or home theater system: surge protection against lightning and voltage spikes, filtering of electromagnetic interference (EMI) that pollutes AC power, and programmable power sequencing of system components (staggered power-on, delays, always-on outlets). 2U rackmount form factor that installs in a standard 19-inch rack alongside an MX200 processor, an MI347 amplifier, or an MI254 amplifier — the partners McIntosh explicitly recommends to build a complete home theater rack.

50 kA Surge Protection via TPMOV (Thermally Protected Varistor)

The heart of the MIP200's protection is a line-to-neutral thermally protected metal-oxide varistor (TPMOV — Thermally Protected Metal-Oxide Varistor), rated for 50 kA of surge current with a standardized 8/20 µs waveform. The TPMOV is an evolution of the standard MOV: it integrates a series thermal fuse that physically isolates the varistor from the circuit as soon as it begins to overheat, eliminating the dangerous failure modes (smoke, fire) that can affect a standard MOV after several surges. The MIP200 protects your equipment from lightning surges, mains transients, and transient over-voltages during grid restart.

EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) Filtering on All Outlets

Beyond surge protection, the MIP200 features electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering on the AC power delivered to the outlets. This filtering removes the high-frequency noise injected onto the mains by switching devices in a home (motors, dimmers, switch-mode power supplies, chargers, home automation devices). Result: a lower noise floor for the connected audio components, which matters particularly for preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters, and source players that are the most sensitive to that pollution.

Programmable Over/Under Voltage Protection

The MIP200 continuously monitors the mains voltage and compares it against a programmable safe range. When the voltage falls outside that range — a sustained over-voltage or an under-voltage (brownout) that can also damage electronic equipment — the MIP200 automatically switches off the protected outlets. It restores power automatically as soon as the voltage returns to the safe range. This function complements the TPMOV transient surge protection: the TPMOV handles short surges (lightning, mains spikes), while the over/under voltage protection handles sustained anomalies.

8 AC Receptacles: 2 Always-On + 6 Programmable (Sequential Power-On)

The MIP200's rear panel offers 8 AC receptacles arranged as 4 NEMA 5-15R duplex outlets (2 receptacles per duplex). Of these 8 receptacles: 2 are always-on for components that must remain powered at all times (network streamers, home automation systems, TV set-top boxes in fast-standby) and 6 are programmable. Each programmable receptacle can be configured with its own power-on delay — together they let you stagger the power-up of components and avoid the inrush current peaks that can trip a circuit breaker. Control is done from the MIP200's front panel, from a rear-panel 3.5 mm Power Control jack, or via an RS232 port.

Front Panel AC Line Monitor: Voltage, Current, Apparent Power in Real Time

The MIP200's front panel carries an AC line monitor that displays in real time the mains input voltage (in volts), the total current draw (in amperes), and the total apparent power (in volt-amperes) drawn by the entire system. That readout lets you check the quality of your installation's mains at any time, measure the actual system consumption at a given moment, and stay within the MIP200's maximum capacity (12 A / 1,160 W). A valuable tool for an integrator commissioning a home theater rack, or for an audiophile who's curious about the power draw of a hi-fi chain.

Home Automation Integration: 3.5 mm Power Control and RS232

Engineered for rack integration, the MIP200 offers two remote control paths. A 3.5 mm Power Control jack allows synchronization with a McIntosh preamplifier, processor, or receiver — as soon as that component turns on, the MIP200 sequences the power-up of the programmable outlets. A rear-panel RS232 port allows control by a third-party home automation system (Control4, Crestron, programmable integrator controller). The MIP200 Owner's Manual documents the RS232 command set so an installer can write a custom driver.

Common Questions

Why choose this product?

The McIntosh MIP200 is the AC Power Controller in the McIntosh Custom Install range — the component that protects, filters, and manages the power of a high-end hi-fi or home theater system. 50 kA surge protection via a thermally protected varistor (TPMOV) that eliminates the failure modes of standard MOVs. EMI filtering on all outlets. Programmable over/under voltage protection. 8 AC receptacles (4 NEMA 5-15R duplex outlets): 2 always-on and 6 programmable with power-on delays. Front panel AC line monitor that displays voltage, current, and apparent power in real time. 3.5 mm Power Control and RS232 ports for home automation integration. 2U rackmount form factor. Hand-assembled in Binghamton, New York.

How is the MIP200 different from a simple surge-protector power strip?

A consumer power strip offers basic surge protection via a standard MOV varistor and nothing else. The MIP200 brings three major differences. Protection technology: TPMOV (thermally protected varistor) rated for 50 kA — the integrated thermal fuse isolates the varistor as soon as it overheats, which eliminates the dangerous failure modes (smoke, fire) a standard MOV can experience after several surges. Programmable over/under voltage protection: the MIP200 continuously monitors the mains voltage and switches off the outlets when it falls outside a safe range — a consumer power strip cannot do that. Sequential power-up management: 8 outlets including 2 always-on and 6 programmable with individual delays, 3.5 mm Power Control triggering, and RS232 — impossible on a power strip.

Will the MIP200 limit the dynamics of a McIntosh power amplifier?

No. The MIP200 is rated for 12 A input and 11.6 A / 1,160 W output on the 100-120V version (Type B NEMA 5-15R for North America). That's plenty for a typical hi-fi or home theater system. Watch the drawn power, though, if you connect several very powerful amplifiers: for example, a home theater rack with an MI502 (2 channels 500 W) and an MI347 (7 channels) pushes consumption close to the MIP200's peak limit. In that case, McIntosh often recommends using two MIP200s (one for signal-processing electronics — processor, source — and the other for power amplifiers) or plugging the amplifiers directly into the wall and using the MIP200 only for the signal-processing components. The front panel voltage and current monitor lets you check actual consumption in real time.

How many AC outlets does the North American MIP200 offer?

The Type B (NEMA 5-15R) version of the MIP200 for North America offers 8 AC receptacles in total, arranged as 4 duplex outlets (2 receptacles per duplex) on the rear panel. Of these 8 receptacles: 2 are always-on for components that must remain powered at all times (network streamer that takes time to boot, home automation system, TV set-top box in fast-standby) and 6 are programmable — each can be configured to turn on with its own delay at system start-up. Those 6 programmable receptacles can also be configured as always-on if you don't need sequential management.

What's in the Box

McIntosh MIP200 Power Controller

Detachable AC power cord

19-inch rack ears (removable) and mounting hardware

Power Control cable (3.5 mm mini-jack)

Owner's manual