Voltage inputs on Mcintosh Gear

[Pyro]

Things are looking good, all our audio gear made the journey across the Atlantic with transfers through several carriers to arrive safely in our new home. The voltage in the house is 230V, using step down transformers, I get 115V. My PS Audio power plant can bring in back up to 118V but makes them work harder. My Mcintosh gear is set for 120V and of course we all precisely want 120V at each input. What is the acceptable input voltage range for Mac gear set to 120V?

[Cohibaman]

That's a great question. I looked at several manuals and there's no voltage range provided. I work in the industrial segment and nearly every piece of equipment shows a range of +/- 10% or at least something. McIntosh seemingly doesn't publish the voltage allowance. Interesting!

[tweet]

Hi Rob!

Glad you made the trip safely. You might want to send an email to Chuck Hinton at McIntosh. He's quick on the replies and very helpful. Good luck getting settled into your new home and surroundings.

[jdandy]

Rob.......Operating your McIntosh gear on 115 volts AC will be fine. Most electronics have no issues with 5% over or under voltage. Very few homes in the US have a perfect 120 volts.

You may be able to adjust your PS Audio Power Plant Premier to output 120 volts by adjusting the voltage output control on the bottom of the PPP. With the PPP energized connect an AC volt meter to one of the receptacles on the rear of the PPP and adjust the slotted screw in the depressed area on the bottom. Make small adjustments until your meter reads 120 volts.

Let us know if this solves the output voltage issue on the PPP.

[Pyro]

The P5 can be adjusted from the general screen on the LCD touchscreen, much easier then lifting the PPP.

I was able to adjust the output voltage to 120V. I didn't have any issue but didn't want to damage my MAC gear with under voltages.

[jdandy]

Rob.......You need to check the voltage at one of the receptacles on the rear of the PPP. I don't think you have altered the output voltage, only the display. The buttons on the front do not adjust the voltage level of the output. The buttons on the front of the PPP only provide calibration of the display to the measured voltage at the output. Adjusting the display setting does not adjust the output voltage. Once you have adjusted the measured output at the receptacle and adjusted the potentiometer on the bottom for 120 volts at the receptacle you then adjust the output display with the front panel buttons to reflect the actual output voltage.

[Elberoth]

Macs can be easily revired for desired AV inpout voltage. No need to use step down transformers.

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by Elberoth

Macs can be easily revired for desired AV inpout voltage. No need to use step down transformers.

Macs can be changed, ps audio power plants can't, so I chose to not convert.

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Rob.......You need to check the voltage at one of the receptacles on the rear of the PPP. I don't think you have altered the output voltage, only the display. The buttons on the front do not adjust the voltage level of the output. The buttons on the front of the PPP only provide calibration of the display to the measured voltage at the output. Adjusting the display setting does not adjust the output voltage. Once you have adjusted the measured output at the receptacle and adjusted the potentiometer on the bottom for 120 volts at the receptacle you then adjust the output display with the front panel buttons to reflect the actual output voltage.

No PPPs in my system, only P5s and a P10. Unless I am missing something the P5 doesn't have a potentiometer on the underside like the PPPs have.

Voltage input is 115V, Voltage output is 119.6V adjusted from the general setup screen on the P5. Output of 119.8V verified from the HC outlet. P5 is operating at about 43% under load.

[jdandy]

Rob.......Oops! When I read "PS Audio power plant" in your first post my mind went to the Power Plant Premier. I never glanced at your signature.

In the words of Roseanne Roseannadanna.....