Power surge fried my MA5300

[andrew.thill]

Andrew - most McIntosh gear has a factory reset procedure. Here is the procedure for the 5300 from the manual:

————-snip————-

Reset of Microprocessors

In the unlikely event the controls of the MA5300 stop functioning, the microprocessors can be reset by performing the following:

1. Press the STANDBY/ON Push-button until the

STANDBY/ON LED Indicator switches Off.

2. Then release the STANDBY/ON Push-button and the MA5300 will switch Off.

3. When the STANDBY/ON LED is illuminated press the STANDBY/ON Push-button, the MA5300 will resume normal operation.

Note: This can be performed with the MA5300 On or in the Standby Mode.

Oh no I did not see this and ChatGPT did not help either. Thank you for passing this on I will send this to the tech.

 

[crwilli]

Oh no I did not see this and ChatGPT did not help either. Thank you for passing this on I will send this to the tech.

No idea. I first thought the Ethernet from the service panel but both Ethernet and Electrical devices were impacted.

 

[Mechnutt]

I lost my Furman surge suppressor to a power surge recently. It saved my gear. I just bought a Brick Wall suppressor which does not use MOV's. The only thing that I noticed with it is that bass output is down a little. So I plugged my amp into my Tripp lite suppressor. The filtering of the low frequencies is a bit much with the brick wall. Too bad because the Brick Wall is a much better suppressor. I plugged my audio computer and my TT into the Brick and everything else into the Tripp lite. I probably ought to replace the TL as it uses MOV's which can only take a certain amount of hits before failing.

 

[W9TR]

I lost my Furman surge suppressor to a power surge recently. It saved my gear. I just bought a Brick Wall suppressor which does not use MOV's. The only thing that I noticed with it is that bass output is down a little. So I plugged my amp into my Tripp lite suppressor. The filtering of the low frequencies is a bit much with the brick wall. Too bad because the Brick Wall is a much better suppressor. I plugged my audio computer and my TT into the Brick and everything else into the Tripp lite. I probably ought to replace the TL as it uses MOV's which can only take a certain amount of hits before failing.

Yes - and when MOV’s fail, they fail open, leaving you unprotected, usually with no indication that they have failed.

 

[JCS123]

I lost my Furman surge suppressor to a power surge recently. It saved my gear. I just bought a Brick Wall suppressor which does not use MOV's. The only thing that I noticed with it is that bass output is down a little. So I plugged my amp into my Tripp lite suppressor. The filtering of the low frequencies is a bit much with the brick wall. Too bad because the Brick Wall is a much better suppressor. I plugged my audio computer and my TT into the Brick and everything else into the Tripp lite. I probably ought to replace the TL as it uses MOV's which can only take a certain amount of hits before failing.

This is what I thought - that a surge suppressor protects the equipment plugged in to it. Is it true that lightning can go right through a surge suppressor and damage equipment downstream from it?

Which makes me think of my current power conditioner, the Synergistic PowerCell 12 UEF - SE, which does not include surge protection. This is plugged into the wall. Can anyone recommend a surge suppressor that I can place before the PowerCell that will protect it along with the components plugged in to it?

To the OP: There are models from Audioquest and other brands that include surge protection. Mike, the owner of the forum (and Suncoast Audio), can certainly help you with advice for surge protection from AQ and other brands that will be suited for your situation. You can PM him and I'm sure he'll be most helpful.

I had a lightning strike the ground near my home in June. Took out routers, a desktop PC, motors to two recliners, the control board and wiring harness of my HVAC system AND my preamp and one mono-block. After thousands of $ of shipping and replacement, I hope to have my system running by mid-November.

I tell you this as I have whole surge protectors in my breaker panels. I have surge protectors and uninterruptible power supplies on my computers, a Shunyata Everest 8000 on my system and various other nickknacks from Shunyata and The Wizard guy.

None of them ‘tripped’. None of them did shit.

Bottom line for me: you cannot protect yourself from lightning by any equipment. The only protection is to have your system unplugged from the world.

Good luck with your McIntosh equipment.

Dang, so sorry that you had to go through this. I know, it's a small comfort, but at least a bit of good is coming from it. You are educating people and making us think about how our equipment is (or is not) protected. It sucks that this lesson had to come at your expense, but in sharing the experience you are helping people. Thank you for that.

Here's hoping that you get everything back in order sooner than later.

 

[andrew.thill]

This is what I thought - that a surge suppressor protects the equipment plugged in to it. Is it true that lightning can go right through a surge suppressor and damage equipment downstream from it?

Which makes me think of my current power conditioner, the Synergistic PowerCell 12 UEF - SE, which does not include surge protection. This is plugged into the wall. Can anyone recommend a surge suppressor that I can place before the PowerCell that will protect it along with the components plugged in to it?

To the OP: There are models from Audioquest and other brands that include surge protection. Mike, the owner of the forum (and Suncoast Audio), can certainly help you with advice for surge protection from AQ and other brands that will be suited for your situation. You can PM him and I'm sure he'll be most helpful.

Dang, so sorry that you had to go through this. I know, it's a small comfort, but at least a bit of good is coming from it. You are educating people and making us think about how our equipment is (or is not) protected. It sucks that this lesson had to come at your expense, but in sharing the experience you are helping people. Thank you for that.

Here's hoping that you get everything back in order sooner than later.

Thank you. Several recommendations here already. I am aiming towards SurgeX.

 

[W9TR]

First, I recommend having an electrician install an 80kA whole-house surge suppressor from a major manufacturer like SquareD, Siemens, or Eaton. They are inexpensive and effective. They mount inside your distribution panel. In my experience they have no impact on audio quality.

That is your first line of defense. After that suppressors from the likes of Furman, Panamax and others are effective for local protection.

If you have outside antennas. CATV feeds, or wired Ethernet coming into your house then you need to check that they are properly protected from lightning and your installation meets the NEC.

 

[nicoff]

Had no I idea this even existed. Thank for the insight and recommendation. Our house is old so need to check with electrician on feasibility.

An alternative to Installing a full house surge protector in an old house (which may be costly), you might buy a protector for selected electronic components in your system.
Panamax sells different surge protectors. Not much money. They used to come with a guarantee to reimburse the cost of any damaged equipment connected to their product.
Many surge protectors allow you to connect the Ethernet and/or coaxial cables coming into your home. That’s important because electronics such as network switches and routers are very vulnerable to surge damage.

 

[Darrel]

A few years back I had two 10' copper whole earth grounding rods installed in my yard as well as a 60 amp sub panel that powers my stereo room. All outlets are in phase and with one of these my home is pretty well protected.