• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

McIntosh MA5200 Display/Input Channels goin' jumbly...

Hayduke77

Hayduke77

New Member
Hi and thanks in advance to any help that can be tossed out. I have a MA5200 integrated and it's a great amp. Recently however, it's had this issue with the display, and ultimately the inputs where occasionally, they just display unrecognizable characters. EG: Phono MM with be replaced with digital readout that basically looks like alien characters. The only was to fix is to do a factory reset (pressing and holding in the two knobs). This is not difficult, but a decent hassle to go back and assign the digital inputs back to CD and AUX, etc. Also, any trim adjustments you had made before have been erased.

Anyone had this issue? Is there a fix? It's out of warranty so McIntosh won't lend a hand which is pretty disappointing.

Again - thanks to anyone who has input on this! I will also post a picture next time it happens.
 
Register to hide this ad
It is tough for Mac in New York to solve problems out in the world.....Why won't your dealer assist you?
 
kevzep said:
Should still be able to have it repaired at an authorised dealer/service centre?
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm sure I could. More wondering if anyone else has heard of or had a similar problem and what their diagnosis was. In the information digging stage.

Thanks.
 
Hayduke77 said:
Yes, I'm sure I could. More wondering if anyone else has heard of or had a similar problem and what their diagnosis was. In the information digging stage.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Not with McIntosh, but with other units with similar displays, its normally the logic/display drive chip gone flaky.....
 
kevzep said:
Not with McIntosh, but with other units with similar displays, its normally the logic/display drive chip gone flaky.....
Click to expand...

That's interesting. Is that likely something that get's worse? My experience is primarily with vintage gear - so this is a bit of a new adventure in to a few new modern amps. Thanks for the info.
 
It has been a looooong time since I read and signed a Mac dealer agreement, but back then it it was written into the agreement that a dealer HAD to accept all Mac units for service...Not only for warranty but all service.

Have you asked your local dealer to service it? It makes no sense to me that a dealer would turn down a service profit opportunity.
 
The root problem appears to be with the display controller which, in turn, is controlled by the main processor that handles all the front panel controls and switching. This is a common method of managing small displays used on many contemporary gear in the past 10-20 years.

It could be as simple as a cracked solder joint to a controller chip gone bad. They're not hard to diagnose in the hands of someone who knows the product.

Mac has a long-standing record of supporting their gear. That's not the question, here, it is that you need to be sure you're working with an _Authorized_ Mac dealer in good standing with the factory. Call the factory yourself to find out who that might be in your area.

Cheers,

David
 
Well, having jumped straight to a possible failure in the processing/driving of the display, the first thing to do would be to re burn the firmware into the unit, its highly likely this will solve the problem, if not then its likely to be a hardware issue...
 
kevzep said:
Well, having jumped straight to a possible failure in the processing/driving of the display, the first thing to do would be to re burn the firmware into the unit, its highly likely this will solve the problem, if not then its likely to be a hardware issue...
Click to expand...
I'm starting to dive in this now to see if it's even possible for me to update/reinstall the firmware. Seems you have to contact Mac and need a PC (I'm Apple based). Looks like most people take in their machines to updated which of course is super inconvenient.
https://www.audioaficionado.org/archive/index.php/t-35895.html

Anyone done this at home with a Macbook? or at all?

Thanks for all the responses. It's been incredibly helpful!
 
I'm Apple based, so I've used Windows Parallels when I have updated the Firmware on my C48. I have done this twice over the years 5 years I've had it.
It is pretty straight forward.

It needs to be a Windows operating system to perform the update, OSX doesn't communicate with the McIntosh.
 
kevzep said:
I'm Apple based, so I've used Windows Parallels when I have updated the Firmware on my C48. I have done this twice over the years 5 years I've had it.
It is pretty straight forward.

It needs to be a Windows operating system to perform the update, OSX doesn't communicate with the McIntosh.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I will give it a go this weekend. Also, this is what McIntosh sent me for firmware and instructions if anyone else may need in the future:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vfelkzafzsjlave/230226_MA5200_V106 (1).zip?dl=0

I will update after. Thanks again.
 
I have exactly the same problem as yours. When I start the preamp sometime the display shows alien characters. I have been checking with mcintosh, they asked me to upgrade the firmware to v1.06 and I did. The alien characters seems to be less likely occur but now, sometime I can see that it shows as "Source : Off". When it happens I will need to reset all the input channel setting which a bit of hectic. Can you please advise me are you also using the 3.5mm mono cable and connecting it to "passthrough" slot. Cause I'm using this feature to integrate my Denon amp with this preamp for movie.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom