McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier - Unrivalled control for the multiroom audio system
The new McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier, which McIntosh Laboratory inc. is now presenting as the latest solution in the custom installation sector and promoting as the basis for the flexible design of multi-room audio systems, is intended as a preamplifier and audio matrix.
- The latest offspring from McIntosh Laboratory Inc., the McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier, is a combination of preamplifier and audio matrix.
The McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier allows particularly simple control even in complex systems and, according to the manufacturer, offers unrivalled flexibility so that you can enjoy different music in different rooms of the house at the same time. It combines the functions of a preamplifier and an audio matrix in one device.
This means that the McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier can be combined with other McIntosh brand solutions, specifically amplifiers and speakers specially developed for customised installations, to create a powerful multi-room audio system with exceptional sound quality, according to the promise made by McIntosh Laboratory Inc.
Numerous connections for a wide range of sources
The new McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier has numerous connections so that a wide variety of sources can be integrated. For example, there are four unbalanced analogue inputs designed as pairs of RCA sockets, as well as four digital inputs designed as two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF interfaces.
In addition, the new McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier has an integrated Bluetooth module from Qualcomm Inc. that supports the SBC and AAC codecs as well as aptX and aptX HD and aptX Adaptive.
Six individually configurable zones
As the name of this new solution from McIntosh Laboratory Inc. suggests, it can be used to control up to six zones individually. Each zone has two pairs of RCA sockets plus two additional RCA connections for the integration of subwoofers.
It should also be mentioned that the new McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier has 12 V triggers for each zone as well as an RS232 interface. It also has two RJ45 Ethernet interfaces, which can be used to integrate it into the network and control it centrally.
Flexible control
The McIntosh Connect app for Apple iOS and Google Android is available for this purpose, allowing zones to be switched on and off, zones to be named individually for easy identification, audio sources to be selected for individual zones, the volume, bass and treble to be set for each zone and the subwoofer settings to be defined very easily for each zone. Zones can also be grouped and EQ settings applied using presets.
As a further control option, the McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier also offers a web interface so that any browser can be used for this purpose.
Control via Dante Network Interface
What is particularly exciting is that up to five McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifiers can be combined, as they are rack-mount units with two height units, this also works very well with little effort and optimised cabling.
This provides up to 30 individual stereo zones, with centralised control via the Dante Network Interface.
Numerous amplifier systems and loudspeaker systems as playing partners
McIntosh Laboratory Inc. recommends the new McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier, as already mentioned at the beginning, as a central interface in custom installation systems and in combination with various amplifier and loudspeaker solutions.
For example, the McIntosh MI502 2-Channel Amplifier, McIntosh MI254 4-Channel Amplifier, McIntosh MI128 8-Channel Amplifier and McIntosh MI250 12-Channel Amplifier solutions are listed as optional playing partners in the amplifier systems area.
In addition, the McIntosh WS500 In-wall Speaker and McIntosh WS300 In-wall Speaker solutions as well as the McIntosh CS200 In-ceiling Speaker as further solutions from the Custom Installation segment are also available as an optimum solution in combination with the McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier.
Prices and availability
The new McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier will be available from selected specialist retailers in the next few days. The company is quoting a price of € 7.499,- for this solution.
Getting to the point
The McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier, which McIntosh Laboratory Inc. now recommends as the basis for even complex multi-room audio systems, is not just a preamplifier, but also a flexible interface, a so-called audio matrix. Simple expansion options, intuitive control and an extensive range of matching amplifier systems and built-in loudspeaker systems in the company’s own custom installation portfolio should characterise this solution.
| Product | McIntosh CR106 Six Zone Preamplifier |
|---|---|
| Price | € 7.499,- |
| Brand | McIntosh Laboratory Inc. |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | McIntosh Laboratory Inc. |
| Distribution | Audio Components GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
