McIntosh MPC500 - Black

Description

The Mid-Range McIntosh Power Controller, With Cascaded Protection

The McIntosh MPC500 occupies a central position in the McIntosh Specialty Products power controller lineup — above the MIP200 (2U rackmount for custom installation) and below the flagship MPC1500 (toroidal isolation transformer). Its positioning: give hi-fi and home theater systems cascaded surge protection covering both the main AC line and the system's low-voltage connections (Ethernet, coaxial antenna). The MPC500 targets the owner of a 4- to 8-component McIntosh system who wants a serious power foundation — protection, EMI filtering, Power Control management — without necessarily stepping up to the MPC1500, which carries a full toroidal isolation transformer.

AC Line-to-Neutral Protection via TPMOV (Thermally Protected Varistor)

The MPC500's first layer of protection handles the main AC line via a thermally protected varistor — TPMOV, Thermally Protected Metal-Oxide Varistor — in line-to-neutral configuration. The TPMOV is a major 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. McIntosh explicitly describes the TPMOV as "far safer than a traditional MOV." It handles the most violent surges — lightning strikes, mains spikes — before they reach your audio components.

Secondary Protection for Ethernet, Coaxial, and Low-Voltage Lines

The second layer of the MPC500's cascade protection is unique in the range and sets the product apart: protection for the system's low-voltage connections. A surge from a lightning event can also enter your system through the Ethernet cable feeding your network streamer, the coaxial antenna cable for TV, or any other low-voltage link — not just through the wall outlet. The MPC500 provides secured pass-through ports on the rear panel for these low-voltage lines, protected by a combination of Gas Discharge Tubes (GDT), Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors, and Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) components. Comprehensive protection that covers every possible surge entry path into your system.

EMI Filtering and Over/Under Voltage Protection

The MPC500 also features electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering on the AC line. This filtering removes the high-frequency noise injected onto the mains by common household switching devices (motors, dimmers, switch-mode power supplies, chargers, home automation devices, LED lighting). It complements the TPMOV with continuous action on less violent but persistent electrical noise. Finally, the MPC500 features over/under voltage protection: when the mains voltage falls outside the safe operating range (sustained over-voltage or brownout), the MPC500 automatically switches off the protected rear receptacles to preserve the integrity of connected components, until the voltage returns to a safe level.

8 NEMA 5-15R Receptacles: 2 Always-On + 6 Programmable (3 Pairs)

In the Type B version (North America — the version distributed in Canada and the United States), the MPC500's rear panel offers 8 NEMA 5-15R receptacles. Of these 8: 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). The other 6 receptacles are programmable — organized into 3 independent pairs that you can configure separately as you prefer. Control of the programmable receptacles is done in two ways: (a) via the rear-panel Power Control ports (automatic triggering by a McIntosh preamplifier connected to the MPC500); (b) via the setup menus accessible from the front panel — you configure receptacle assignment with no preamp needed.

Multi-Function Front Panel Display: Voltage, Current, or Apparent Power

The MPC500's signature McIntosh black glass front panel carries a configurable display that shows, at the user's choice: (1) the incoming mains voltage in Volts, to check grid stability in real time; (2) the total current draw through the MPC500's receptacles in Amperes, to verify that the system stays below the 12 A limit; (3) the total apparent power of the system in volt-amperes, for a complete consumption diagnostic. Unlike the MPC1500 (which uses dedicated analog blue meters), the MPC500 opts for a more compact and flexible digital multi-function display. The same front-panel menus also let you configure the programmable receptacle assignment without needing a computer or a connected preamplifier.

Common Questions

Why choose this product?

The McIntosh MPC500 is the mid-range power controller in the McIntosh Specialty Products range — between the MIP200 (2U rackmount) and the flagship MPC1500 (toroidal isolation transformer). Its signature: cascaded surge protection — TPMOV line-to-neutral for the main AC line, plus GDT + PTC + TVS for secondary surges on Ethernet, coaxial antenna cable, and other low-voltage lines. EMI filtering on the AC line. Automatic over/under voltage protection. 8 NEMA 5-15R receptacles (North America) with 2 always-on and 6 programmable in 3 pairs. Configurable front-panel display (voltage, current, or apparent power). 12 A / 1,440 W capacity. Part of the McIntosh Westchester III Home Theater System. Hand-assembled in Binghamton, New York.

How is the MPC500 different from the flagship MPC1500?

Two main differences, which explain the significant price gap between the two products. Galvanic isolation: the MPC1500 is built around a heavy toroidal isolation transformer (39.46 kg) that physically separates the mains from your components — real galvanic isolation. The MPC500 (8.39 kg, without a toroidal transformer) does not offer that physical isolation — AC protection is handled by a TPMOV plus EMI filtering, which is already far above a basic surge protector but still electrically below the MPC1500's toroidal isolation. Secondary protection: the MPC500 adds protection for low-voltage lines (Ethernet, coaxial) via GDT + PTC + TVS — the MPC1500 focuses exclusively on the AC line. For an intermediate system with a network streamer and antenna cable: the MPC500 is the better fit. For a high-end hi-fi system with very demanding power amplifiers: the MPC1500.

How does the secondary protection for Ethernet and coaxial cable work?

A surge from a lightning event can enter a hi-fi or home theater system through several paths — not just the wall outlet. The Ethernet cable feeding your network streamer, the coaxial TV antenna cable, phone or modem cables — all these lines can carry a surge. The MPC500 provides secured pass-through ports on the rear panel for these low-voltage lines: you plug the incoming line on one side, the outgoing line to your component on the other, and the MPC500 filters surges in transit. Gas Discharge Tubes (GDT) clamp violent spikes, PTC thermistors temporarily open the circuit under excess current, and TVS (Transient Voltage Suppression) components clamp fast transients. This complete cascade approach fully protects your system, whatever path a surge takes to enter.

How many AC outlets does the MPC500 have, and how does the power-on control work?

The Type B (North America) version of the MPC500 offers 8 NEMA 5-15R receptacles on the rear panel. Of these 8: 2 are always-on as long as the MPC500 is plugged in — useful 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). The other 6 receptacles are programmable in 3 independent pairs — each pair can be configured separately to turn on or off with the system. Control is done in two ways: (a) via the rear-panel Power Control ports — when a McIntosh preamp or integrated amplifier connected to the MPC500 turns on, the MPC500 sequences activation of the programmable outlets; (b) via the setup menus accessible from the front panel — you configure receptacle assignment without needing a connected preamp. The Type F (Schuko, Europe) version offers 4 equivalent single receptacles.

What happens if the mains voltage drops too low or spikes too high?

The MPC500 includes automatic over/under voltage protection. It continuously monitors the mains voltage and compares it against a safe range. When the voltage falls outside that range — sustained over-voltage (above the upper threshold) or under-voltage / brownout (below the lower threshold) — the MPC500 automatically switches off the protected rear receptacles. That action prevents your components from trying to operate at an abnormal voltage, which could damage them. When the voltage returns to the safe range, the MPC500 automatically restores power. The always-on receptacles remain powered as long as the MPC500 itself stays connected to the mains. It's continuous automatic protection that requires no manual intervention.

What's in the Box

McIntosh MPC500 Power Controller

Detachable AC power cord

Power Control cable (3.5 mm mini-jack)

Manuel du propriétaire