McIntosh MX-121 - any thoughts? - Page 2

I'm not grinding anything. I'm merely pointing out that meaningless evaluations (i.e. those conducted without controls) are just that, meaningless.

There are no informing specs or docs yet. I was told, at CES, that it would have XT32 and Pro but someone else was recently told it was only XT. I would not bet either way today.

The preliminary datasheet mentions XT, but, as you know, these things can change by release date.

We shall see when they eventually start shipping them.

B.

Saw the following specs on a dealer website

Key Features of the MX121:

NETWORK FEATURES
• Apple Airplay
• DLNA1.5 certified
• Stream audio and photos from all PC’s on home network
•vTuner Internet Radio w/ 14000 pre-loaded stations
•Stream audio and photos from Internet:
•Pandora

USER CONFIGURABLE FEATURES
• Input Level Adjust
• Input Assign (Component In/Digital In)
• Input Rename
• Input Skip
• On Screen Display (TEXT)
• Display Status Info.
• Software Upgradable
• Flicker
• Ethernet port
• WEB Interface
• IP-based control, system backup/restore
• Pure Direct / Source Direct
• 192kHz/24-bit Audio DACS

AUDIO/VIDEO CONNECTIONS
• 7.1 Channels + Height & Width
• 7 RCA Analog inputs
• MM Phono
• 3 Optical, 2 Coaxial SPDIF Digital Inputs
• 4/1 HDMI ver.1.4a In/Out
• CEC (Control)
• ARC(Audio Return Channel)
• HDMI In Stand By
• Auto Lip Sync.
• Deep Color, x.v.Color
• Pass through in Standby mode
• 4/2 Component In / Out
• 5/2 Composite In / Out
• Assignable HDMI / Component inputs
• Export and Domestic versions

ADVANCED CONNECTIONS
• Rear USB input for digital iPod Connection
• External IR Receiver, 2 Trigger Outputs
• 7.1ch Inputs
• 7.2ch Preamp Out - 2 Mono SUB Out
• RS232C

AUDIO/VIDEO PROCESSING
• ANALOG DEVICES: SHARC 32-bit Processor
• Dolby: True HD/Digital Plus&EX/Pro Logic IIz, IIx
• DTS: HD Master&High Res. Audio/ES/96/24/
• DTS: Discrete&Matrix6.1/Neo:6/Express
• DTS Neural Surround
• Multi-Ch Stereo
• Audyssey MultEQ XT Auto Calibration w/ MIC
• Audyssey Dynamic EQ / Dynamic Volume
• 9 Band EQ, -20dB -+6dB
•I ndependent Crossover Setting for each speaker
• Lip-sync (digital audio delay) 0-200 msec
• Volume Control Setting: Limit, Power On Vol
• Mute Level, Display type(dB or 0-99)
• OSD output through HDMI
• Composite/Component to HDMI scaling up to 1080p
• HDMI to HDMI scaling
• Assignable HDMI, Component inputs
• OSD Overlay on HDMI Output
• Anchor Bay 10-bit Video Processing/Scaling

I just want to chime in with two quick points. The first is that the audio elegance specs are not entirely correct as the mx-121 has 6 hdmi inputs based on the back panel image that was previously posted and what I have heard from my dealer. I'm not sure about the rest of the info but I think some of it must be subject to change.
The second is that I've got the mx-121 on pre-order and I just heard from my dealer today that the expected delivery date has been pushed back until the end of February. I thought I would pass the info on. I know part of the delay is due to airplay certification but maybe the delay has to due with shifting the specs of the product as well.

I saw the MX 121 AV Processor at a McIntosh event sponsored by a dealer on Saturday. It is a very nice processor. A McIntosh representative was present.

Here are the general specs from the McIntosh flyer:

AV Connections
7.1 Channels, 7 stereo unbalanced analog
inputs plus MM phone, one stereo balanced in
and one set 7.1 analog in

3 Optical, 2 Coaxial SPDIF digital outputs.
1 optical output, 24 bit 194 kHz resolution

6 HDMI 1.4a inputs, 2 HDMI 1.4a outputs

4 Component video inputs
2 Component video outputs
5 Composite video inputs, 3 out

Control Connections:
Network RJ45, Data input/output and
2 Power Control Outputs Network Features,
DLNA1.5 Certified, Internet Radio, Stream
audio and video from network

Audio Specification
Audyssey processing bypassed and manual
Tone/EQ set to flat setting

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
Phono: 86dB,
High Level: 96dB below rated output

Maximum Output Voltage:
6.5V Unbalanced Outputs,
13V Balanced Outputs

Weight:
30lbs net (13.61 Kg), 54lbs (24.49Kg) in shipping carton

Overall Dimensions:
Width is 17-1/2 inches (44.45cm)
Height is 7-5/8 inches (19.36cm) including feet
Depth is 19-1/2 inches (49.53cm) including
the Front Panel, Knobs, and Rear Panel Connections

From the McIntosh rep: Anchor Bay Video Scaler; MX 121 is sitting in a warehouse wailing to be shipped to dealers upon certification of Airplay; does not know what DACs are used.

http://http://www.hometheater.com/images/011112mcintosh.jpg
It looks like it will also share the same exact remote as the AV7005.

Most Marantz remotes, at least more recently, are licenced/rebadged products from Philips or Universal. Again, from the pictures, this looks very similar to the AV7005 in general, and that's unsurprising. I'm not saying it's 100% identical, but it's probably similar in more ways than one.

I find it a little disconcerting that the remote is VERY similar, nearly identical (from what I can see) other than color.

With the current specs being so similar to the AV7005, it seems like a repackage. (Similar to Marantz repackaging Denon AVR's. Not saying it is one- but it does smell like one) Especially since they are from the same holding company, it does makes business sense.

Well, the back panels are fairly different.

But let's assume they did take the same basic boards used by the AV7005 and stuffed them into a new case in Binghamton, NY instead of some Chinese city.

What's wrong with that, really? McIntosh is a "designer" brand, more than anything else. Their products don't perform any better (or any differently*), so rational people don't buy McIntosh expecting better performance. Rather, it's the look and the brand's heritage that draws rational people do them. Given the volumes involved, and IP licensing issues, taking off-the-peg parts and putting them together probably allows better features, greater reliability, and considerably lower cost.

Heck, if McIntosh took a Peavey IPR-3000 pro amp - frankly, an objectively better piece than the McIntosh MC452, because it puts out more power and draws considerably less from the wall in order to do so - and changed the hideous faceplate for a black glass one with aquamarine-lit meters, I'd happily pay $4k for that even though I know that I could get the same performance for ~400 USD. Why? Because it would be both high-performance and beautiful.

*Loudspeakers and turntable excluded. McIntosh's loudspeakers tend to be designed along different criteria than much, with the Bessel arrays, line arrays, etc. Also, they seem to use a lot of outstanding and cutting-edge - though, except for the big woofers, inexpensive - Aurasound drivers. Whether they're successful or not, I don't know. I've never heard one. But unlike with their (or anyone else's competently-made) electronics, one should expect them to sound different.

At this point nothing is wrong with that because we don't know. We are still waiting for them to ship.

We'll have to agree to disagree as it relates to the rest of your post.

I was told it was due to unavailable "parts" and nothing to do with airplay. I even asked directly if airplay certification was the hold-up and was told "no."

This was earlier this week.

B.

Just ordered mine today. Dealer says they are shipping February 14th but not sure if my order will make the cut. Could be early March before it's here, so not too bad of a wait.

This is what my hi-end dealer told me. The McIntosh sales rep told him there was an initial run of 250 that were purchased in early January. The second run would not be ready until March. Of course, this made me pull the trigger. I'm assuming there won't be any changes in the second run that can't be duplicated by a firmware update.

The MX 121 is up on the McIntosh webpage.

Specifications show the depth of this processor to be 19.5" which makes it too big for my stereo cabinet.

I think I could make room for a $6K component.

Specs on the McIntosh website shows audyssey XT. Seems awfully like the Marantz AV7005??

Same here. This seems to be a trend, at least for things I check out. When you consider cabling, some of which is too d*** stiff you need almost 2 ft.

A deal killer for me.

Older models of Lambos actually shared a Nardi 3-spoke airbag steering wheel with the "NB" series Mazda Miata.

Well, scratch that. At least 6000 NB Miatas (the 2000 and 2001 Special Editions) has superior steering wheels to any Lambo, being wood-rimmed rather than leather-covered.

But your comparison is silly. Not having the most advanced version of the room correction system they're using is a serious demerit for this box.

May be there wasn't enough money left afterwards for the licensing fees of Audyssey MultEQ XT32 ?

I would think for 6K they would have tried to offer a slimmed down version of Room Perfect. Similar to Anthem's offering of ARC at a lower price entry point.