New Products

The Mac is back — not that they ever left, mind you. Long-respected home- and pro-audio manufacturer McIntosh have just announced the launch of the MX124 A/V processor, a 13.4-channel, home theater A/V processor that offers support for immersive-audio formats, 8K video, advanced room correction, and integrated music streaming.

More than “just” an A/V processor, the MX124 is said to have been, quote, “engineered to simplify integration in complex installations while expanding what’s possible in premium [home] theater design.” Supporting speaker configurations up to 7.4.6 or 9.4.4 through 13 audio channels and four independent subwoofer outputs, the MX124 doubles the number of sub outputs over its A/V processor predecessor in order to (in their words again) “enable more sophisticated system layouts and precision bass management.”

Combined with next-gen processing architecture, enhanced output flexibility, and support for current and emerging immersive formats, the MX124 A/V processor is intended to extend the lifespan of the entire system architecture it anchors.

More specifically, the MX124 A/V processor supports speaker configurations up to 7.4.6 or 9.4.4 through 13 audio channels and four independent subwoofer outputs. This new processor is capable of delivering the full 360-degree listening experience by being compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and MPEG-H Audio, and it utilizes nine premium 32-bit digital-to-analog converters to deliver exceptional detail, dynamic range, and sonic accuracy. Bass and treble controls provide additional system tuning options.

The MX124 A/V processor incorporates advanced room-calibration capabilities, and it includes licenses for Dirac Live Room Correction, Dirac Live Bass Control, and Audyssey MultEQ XT32, allowing installers and owners to choose the calibration solution best suited to the system configuration at hand.

Taken together, these MX124-embedded technologies are said to help optimize speaker integration, bass performance, imaging, tonal balance, and overall clarity while preserving (in their words once more) “the natural musicality and signature sound quality that define the McIntosh listening experience.”

On the video side of the equation, the MX124 features seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs, including one with eARC. Two HDMI outputs support the primary video zone, while a third provides independent video playback in a second zone. All HDMI inputs and the primary outputs support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video, and are compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced.

Additional HDMI technologies onboard the new A/V unit include HDCP 2.3, Rec. 2020, 4:4:4 Color Spacing, Dynamic Lip-sync, 3D Video Passthrough, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).

On the audio side of things, the MX124 also offers integrated music streaming support for Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect, and it is also Roon Ready, with support for high-resolution streaming up to 32-bit/192kHz.

This new A/V processor also includes web-based configuration, pre-configuration and file upload capabilities, backup and restore support, RS232 and IP control, and certification for Control4 Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) integration.

Additional connectivity for the MX124 includes four digital audio inputs, one balanced and eight unbalanced analog stereo inputs, component and composite video inputs, dual analog stereo outputs for two additional listening zones, and Bluetooth headphone support.

As to some of the important specs, the MX124 is said to have a frequency response of 20 to 20,000Hz ±0.5dB (with the sub’s FR given as 20 to 8,000Hz ±0.5dB), total harmonic distortion as 0.005% (DSP bypass), and a signal-to-noise ratio of 86dB phono (below 10mV input) and 96dB high-level (below rated output).

The MX124’s dimensions are 17.5 x 7.75 x 17in (w/h/d), and it weighs 29lb. Its shipping dimensions are 25 x 18.375 x 28in (w/h/d), and shipping weight is 53lb.

Finally, the SRP for the McIntosh MX124 A/V processor is $15,000, and it is available via authorized McIntosh dealers.

For more information on McIntosh, go here.
To find an authorized McIntosh dealer, go here.