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MC275 II Powering the unit off/on (Solutions && || Suggestions)

Megaladoink

Megaladoink

Active Member
Hello my friends,

Im currently reorganizing my TT/Pre/Power area and I was using a power bar that had just one master switch. Im getting more and more aware of powering them up/down in the correct sequence so no unnecessary juice is delivered to my speakers.
My current plan is to change my wall plug from a typical two plugins to somethinng like a quad so I can plug in TT, Preamplifier anPower Amp. Due to the fact the MC275 doesnt have a on/off switch it would be nice to have a toggle.

I looked into a power conditinoer but i had mixed feelings on that....

Also, does it matter what sockets, are there 'audio' grade sockets. I see the hospital grade ones.

Im sure this has been debated to death but I couldnt find any threads.
 
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Unless a "thump" is heard at the speakers when turning the system on/off, there's no reason to be concerned about the powering sequence of the individual components.
 
I have Hubbel hospital grade sockets. They're certainly better constructed than the typical stuff one will find at the local home improvement store. They also put a very firm grip on the plug, and feel more "solid" in use. Whether or not they actually improve sound quality probably depends on what you're comparing them to.

Regarding going to to a 4-plex outlet rather than a power conditioner, I suggest you at the very least look at something that provides some sort of surge protection. The Furman units for pro audio are nice, affordable and well built without snake oil features. They'll also provide multiple outlets and an on/off switch and the upper tier models have some method of filtering out line noise.
 
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When I did a deep dive on all of this a few years ago, I got two fancy hospital/audio grade outlets hooked to two new dedicated 20 amp switches. I plugged my MC275 MKVI (but it has its own power switch) directly into its own wall outlet; and everything else into a power conditioner, which is plugged into the other outlet. Not sure if this info helps you, especially since you’re missing an on/off switch on your 275, but it’s what I gleaned to do from the “experts.” I also recall the consensus being that I should always turn on my amp first and turn it off first—as I recall.
 
I believe the OP's concern was powering all equipment on/off simultaneously by way of a main power switch. Depending on how the equipment had been designed powering on/off in this way, it may - or may not - result in transient noise at the speakers. If not, there's no reason to be concerned further.

Also, some preamplifiers have muting circuitry that eliminates transients at the outputs when turned on/off.
 
I use the 'mute' switch on my pre & that seems to remedy a power down 'POP' which I think is from my TT.
I know some amps 'POP' on power down.
I wouldn't think the mute switch on the pre wouldn't help w that.
 
Bob in WI said:
I wouldn't think the mute switch on the pre wouldn't help w that.
Click to expand...

Not a mute switch. I'm referring to a delay muting circuit that automatically engages whenever the preamp is switched on/off. With this, it's not necessary to worry about powering on/off sequence of the amp & preamp.
 
62caddy said:
Not a mute switch. I'm referring to a delay muting circuit that automatically engages whenever the preamp is switched on/off. With this, it's not necessary to worry about powering on/off sequence of the amp & preamp.
Click to expand...

Yes, I understood that. Not all equipment has the circuitry you describe & I'm thinking a mute switch might solve the OPs problem.
Other thing is if the 'POP' is coming from the caps in amp discharging, not certain any pre circuitry or switch will help.
I had a PS Audio amp that used to 'POP' on shutdown.
Supposedly harmless but unnerving nonetheless.
 
Bob in WI said:
Yes, I understood that. Not all equipment has the circuitry you describe & I'm thinking a mute switch might solve the OPs problem.
Other thing is if the 'POP' is coming from the caps in amp discharging, not certain any pre circuitry or switch will help.
I had a PS Audio amp that used to 'POP' on shutdown.
Click to expand...

Many older SS amplifiers don't have speaker output muting circuitry in which case there's little that can be done unless equipped with a front panel speaker switch. In that case, the speaker switch should be left off momentarily until the amplifier had a chance to stabilize when powering on; and shut off before AC power to the amplifier is removed.

The OP never actually stated whether he's experiencing "popping" related to on/off transients- only that concerns arose when "becoming more and more aware" of powering sequence apparently not fully understanding the purpose behind it. If not having a problem using the single main power switch for the entire system as he's currently doing, there's no reason to worry further.

The OP has an MC275 Mk II and if the preamp is also a McIntosh, it may have a delay muting circuit which is why I mentioned it. My C32 from 1977 does and will not pop the speakers when turned off/on even when the amplifier is left on.
 
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