McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor – AV processor including Dirac LIVE Room Correction

The US company McIntosh Laboratory Inc. is one of the few remaining High-end HiFi manufacturers that not only specialises in stereo but also in the multi-channel segment, i.e. Home cinema. What is remarkable about this is that, as in the stereo segment, the company relies on particularly powerful, high-performance solutions, thus focusing specifically on the premium segment.

This also applies to the latest addition to the home cinema range from McIntosh Laboratory Inc., which is now available in the form of the new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor. The company even speaks of a particularly impressive AV processor that combines high performance with the latest technology, thus redefining the limits in the field of home cinema.

Top performance for outstanding home cinema systems

As we have already mentioned, the new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor from McIntosh Laboratory Inc. is an extremely versatile solution. It offers signal processing with up to 11.2-channel surround sound and can be seamlessly adapted to various home cinema configurations, as the manufacturer emphasises. This means that surround sound configurations from 5.1 to 7.2.4 can be realised.

The manufacturer also claims that the solution is equipped for all relevant standards, supporting content in 8K 60Hz and, of course, 4K 120 Hz as well as HDCP 2.3 with Dolby Vision, HDR1 0+, 4:4:4 colour spacing, BT.2020 and 3D video pass-through and HLG. The integrated DSP also supports Dolby Surround upmixer and DTS Neural:X upmixer.

Impressive connection panel

In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that manufacturers of AV systems are relying on fewer and fewer connections. This is partly understandable, as HDMI is making many interfaces obsolete. For example, the new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor has four HDMI inputs, but unfortunately only one HDMI output. In addition, there are also digital audio inputs in the form of two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF interfaces, and in addition to an AUX in the form of a pair of RCA sockets, there is even a phono preamplifier designed for drives with MM pickup systems.

The number of analogue outputs is impressive, with a total of eleven discrete, balanced outputs for connecting power amplifiers. Subwoofers can also be connected via two unbalanced RCA sockets.

To ensure the best possible sound quality, the manufacturer uses high-quality converters, which it claims are 32-bit D/A converters that meet even the highest audiophile requirements.

Dirac LIVE Room Correction

A special feature of the new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor is that it can be used for particularly accurate room calibration and correction, namely that of the specialist Dirac Research AB: Dirac LIVE Room Correction.

It should be emphasised that the McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor is actually supplied with a full licence, which means that users can exploit the full potential of this room correction without any further investment.

It should also be mentioned that the new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor has a sound control system, but of course this has always been standard with all solutions from McIntosh Laboratory Inc.

Optimal integration into control solutions

As already mentioned, McIntosh Laboratory Inc. primarily addresses particularly ambitious users in the home cinema sector who tend to rely on quite complex systems that nevertheless need to be as easy to operate as possible.

This means that the solutions are usually well equipped for integration into a wide range of control systems, including the new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor.

The connection panel therefore not only features an RS232 and a wide range of trigger inputs and outputs, but also an RJ45 Ethernet interface. The new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor is labelled as Connects with Control4 Certification and has the Works with Crestron Home Certification.

Elegant appearance

The new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor is very elegant in the design line that has been typical of the manufacturer for years. The front is adorned with a centrally located display, above which the manufacturer’s illuminated logo is emblazoned. This is flanked by two rotary encoders.

With dimensions of 44,5 x 48,3 x 11,1 cm, this solution weighs a hefty 7,7 kg, which is also worth mentioning for the sake of completeness.

Prices and availability

The new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor should be available in specialist stores soon, as promised by the manufacturer. The price for this solution is € 8.290,-.

Getting to the point

Once again, the US-based high-end HiFi manufacturer McIntosh Laboratory Inc. is expanding its product range with a so-called AV processor that, with its performance and state-of-the-art features, is designed to be a versatile solution for users with even the highest demands, in the form of the new McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor. The company is once again proving that, in addition to classic High-end HiFi, it still has faith in the home cinema sector and also has state-of-the-art solutions in its range here.

PRODUCT	McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor
Price	€ 8.290,-

Brand	McIntosh
Manufacturer	McIntosh Laboratory Inc.
Distribution	Audio Components GmbH
	More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG