McIntosh has announced the addition of the MX100 AV processor and MI347 7-channel amplifier.
The MX100 and MI347 can be easily mounted in a hidden or out-of-the-way AV equipment rack; the MX100 has a 2U height and the MI347 a 3U height. Or if preferred, they can be left out in the open for all to see and enjoy.
The MX100 AV processor is designed for home theatres that only need digital inputs and don’t require any legacy analog inputs. It has four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output, with all being HDCP 2.2-compliant. Each HDMI port also has 18Gbps of bandwidth to support High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG; 4K Ultra HD at 50/60Hz; 4:4:4 colour spacing; Rec. 2020; and 3D video pass-through. Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) functionality is included on the HDMI output. eARC offers improved bandwidth so the MX100 can receive higher resolution audio from a TV to produce the best possible sound quality. Two coax and two optical digital audio inputs are also included.
For audio, the MX100 has 11.2 (or 7.2.4) discrete audio channels and 13 balanced (XLR) connectors. Seven premium 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) provide audiophile grade processing. By using only balanced outputs, clean sound is sent through the audio cables to the amplifier(s) and ultimately to the speakers and subwoofer(s).
The MX100 is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as well as 4K Ultra HD video sources; and it can be fine-tuned to each home theatre’s unique acoustical properties via the built-in Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration software, which has more than 10,000 individual control points, allowing finer details of the room’s problems to be captured and corrected.
Setup is easily performed via computer interface and can be pre-configured by the installer to save on-site installation time. The configuration file can be backed up onto a computer or USB stick for safe keeping. The MX100 can be operated via the remote control, or it can easily be incorporated it into a home automation system via RS232 control protocol.
The MI347 7-channel digital amplifier is a dedicated home theatre amplifier that uses closed loop digital switching amplifiers that are paired with robust power supplies.
The MI347 will deliver 250 Watts at 8 Ohms or 300 Watts at 4 Ohms to each of three main speakers in a surround setup, while the other four channels are meant to drive surround sound speakers, delivering 125 Watts at 8 Ohms or 200 Watts at 4 Ohms.
An efficient Class D amplifier, the MI347 does not require noisy cooling fans to maintain nominal operating temperature; it features cooling vents on the top and sides to further assist with heat dissipation. On the front panel, multi-colour LED indicators display the status of each channel. On the back, both a balanced and unbalanced input is included for each channel.
The MI347 is ideally suited to be paired with the McIntosh MX100 AV processor, but can also be used with McIntosh’s MX123 and MX170 processors, or with virtually any home theatre processor. If there are more than seven audio channels in the home theatre, such as with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, McIntosh’s MI254 four-channel digital amplifier or MI128 eight-channel digital amplifier (both rack mountable) can be added to deliver McIntosh power to all the speakers.
Other features included with the MI347: Power Guard signal overload technology that prevents overdriving and damaging the speakers; Sentry Monitor short-circuit protection circuit that disengages the output stage should current ever approach unsafe operating levels; Power Control to automatically turn other connected McIntosh components on and off; and eco-friendly on/off signal sensing that turns the unit off if no input signal has been detected for a set amount of time and automatically turns the MI347 on when it senses a signal from the home theatre processor.
Both the MX100 and MI347 still include many McIntosh design cues including a black glass front panel, an illuminated McIntosh logo, rotary control knobs (MX100 only), and a familiar form factor highlighted by silver trim.
Orders for the MX100 and MI347 can now be placed with Authorized McIntosh dealers with shipping expected to begin in November 2020 to Canada and the U.S., and to the rest of the world shortly thereafter.
Suggested retail price is US$5,000 for the MX100 and US$5,000 for the MI347.