McIntosh MIP200 Power Controller

The McIntosh MIP200 Power Controller brings serious power protection, monitoring and sequencing to professionally installed home audio and home theater systems.

Designed specifically with custom installation and equipment racks in mind, the MIP200 protects valuable electronics against AC power surges, overvoltage conditions and brownouts while also filtering electromagnetic interference from the incoming power line.

Its rack-mountable 2U chassis, programmable outlet control, startup sequencing, RS232 connectivity and real-time power monitoring make the MIP200 particularly well suited for sophisticated systems built around McIntosh amplifiers, processors and other premium electronics.

Serious Protection for Serious Systems

The equipment hidden inside a properly designed AV rack can easily represent a substantial investment.

The MIP200 is designed to protect that investment.

AC surge protection uses a thermally protected metal-oxide varistor (TPMOV) providing Line-to-Neutral protection. Compared with a conventional MOV, the TPMOV architecture is designed to eliminate common failure modes associated with traditional MOV-based surge protection.

The MIP200 also incorporates EMI filtering, helping reduce unwanted electromagnetic interference present on the incoming AC line before it reaches connected components.

Protection Against High and Low Voltage

Not every dangerous power condition is a sudden surge.

Significant overvoltage or undervoltage conditions can also place connected electronics at risk.

The MIP200 provides programmable over/under-voltage protection that continuously monitors incoming AC power.

When voltage moves outside the programmed safe operating range, the MIP200 automatically switches off its controlled outlets. Power is restored only after voltage returns to an acceptable level.

That means the system isn't forced to continue operating during potentially harmful electrical conditions.

Intelligent Power Sequencing

Turning on a rack full of amplifiers and electronics simultaneously can create a substantial momentary demand on the electrical circuit.

The MIP200 addresses this with programmable delays for individual outlets.

Instead of every component switching on at exactly the same moment, the system can be configured to power components sequentially.

This helps minimize inrush current, reducing the likelihood of unnecessarily tripping a circuit breaker while providing a more controlled startup sequence for the entire system.

For larger systems with multiple amplifiers, this is an especially valuable feature.

Flexible Outlet Control

The MIP200 provides multiple options for controlling connected equipment.

One outlet remains always on, making it useful for components that require continuous power.

The remaining outlets can be controlled from the front panel, remotely through McIntosh Power Control, through the RS232 connection, or configured as additional always-on outlets.

This flexibility allows the MIP200 to operate as part of a much larger automated AV system rather than simply functioning as a standalone power device.

Built for Custom Installation

This is where the MIP200 separates itself from McIntosh's more traditional power controllers.

The MIP200 uses a 2U rack-mountable chassis specifically designed to integrate cleanly into professionally installed equipment racks.

That makes it a natural companion for McIntosh custom-install products such as the MI502, MI254, MI347, MI128 and MI1250 amplifiers, as well as the MHT300 and MX200 A/V processors.

The result is a clean, organized equipment rack where power protection and control are integrated into the system from the beginning rather than added afterward.

Real-Time AC Power Monitoring

The MIP200 also lets you see exactly what's happening with the incoming electrical supply and connected equipment.

Its front-panel AC line monitor can display:

Input voltage
Current draw
Total apparent power

For a professionally installed system, that information can be particularly useful during setup, troubleshooting and ongoing system monitoring.

McIntosh Design, Even Inside the Rack

Rack-mountable equipment doesn't have to look industrial.

The MIP200 retains the visual identity of McIntosh with its black glass front panel, aluminum trim, illuminated McIntosh logo and aluminum control knobs.

It integrates visually with McIntosh's custom-install amplifiers and processors while maintaining the design language associated with the company's traditional home audio components.

For installations where the equipment rack remains visible, it makes for an impressive system.

Designed for Home Theater and Whole-Home Audio

The MIP200 isn't limited to a traditional two-channel listening room.

Its combination of power protection, sequencing, remote control and rack integration makes it particularly useful for:

• Dedicated home theaters
• Media rooms
• Whole-home audio systems
• Multi-zone AV systems
• Equipment racks
• McIntosh custom-install systems
• Professionally integrated smart homes

In these applications, power management becomes part of the system infrastructure.

The Grid's Take on the McIntosh MIP200

The MIP200 is the McIntosh power controller we'd look at when we're designing the equipment rack as part of the complete installation.

That's what differentiates it from products like the MPC500 and MPC1500.

The MIP200 isn't centered around being another component sitting in a traditional two-channel stack. Its 2U rack-mountable design, RS232 control, programmable outlet sequencing and remote Power Control integration make it particularly useful in larger installed systems.

The programmable startup delays are also more important than they might initially sound. When a system contains multiple power amplifiers and other high-current components, turning everything on simultaneously can create substantial inrush current. Sequencing those components provides a much more intelligent way to bring the system online.

And because we design and install complete home theaters, media rooms, whole-home audio and integrated smart-home systems, power protection is something we'd rather engineer into the rack from the beginning than add after the system is finished.

At The Grid HiFi & Home Theater, we can incorporate the McIntosh MIP200 into the complete system design, including rack layout, power requirements, equipment sequencing, control and final installation.