Mcintosh surround sound pre/pro

[TOGA]

I Am not quite a Mcintosh user. So here is what I curious.
I wonder why is there a new MX160 that does not mention DTS X.
And also MX122 that supports all new immersive surr. Formats includes DTS X.

Then who will buy MX160 ?

Also in the back panel of MX122. All functions looks very similar to Marantz 8802a. With slight relocation of
Some input terminals. Can this be a half marantz product ?

Toga

[TOGA]

Ok the update has been made on web site. MX160 now will support DTS x.
But again what is the major differences between 122 and 160 ?

Toga

[Vantage5340]

Ok the update has been made on web site. MX160 now will support DTS x. But again what is the major differences between 122 and 160 ? Toga

There is at least one major difference: MX160 also has the RoomPerfect technology, which the MX122 does not.

[SMC23]

I would go for the mx122 until there is clear direction from Mcintosh whether mx160 will support 4K fully.

[Chad.Wagner]

I love McIntosh, but I went with a Bryston SP3 with all my McIntosh amps and McIntosh CD player. It does not have Atmos.

It bugged me that the MX151 turns everything to digital and then back to analog. I have asked McIntosh if this is the case with the MX160 and they have not answered me, but I believe it works the same.

The MX120 and MX121 still have an analog pass through.

[thxthx]

MX122 for me! Not sure for the MX160 offers for the extra $$$? MX122 is on my shopping list!

[SMC23]

MX122 for me! Not sure for the MX160 offers for the extra $$$? MX122 is on my shopping list!

You get much better analog section and of course Room Perfect. If one is looking for the absolute best all in one unit the MX160 is it.

[Shorty]

I auditioned both the MX150 (151) and the MX121 in my home and ended up going with the MX150 because RoomPerfect is worth the extra money. Also aside from the RoomPerfect vs Audyssey debate - with correction disabled they both sound different again the edge went to the MX150. The MX150 is a Flagship theater processor and one of the best sounding anyone has ever produced while the MX121 is great and has a few features like Bluetooth and AirPlay but it doesn't sound as alive as the MX151. I'm sure this is also true with the MX160 and MX122. I'm sure Mcintosh took the same design philposopies with each of the respective product lines and added the next generation surround sound formats.

[TOGA]

Ok understand now.
MX160 is higher in the line. Not looking long ago, there is no mention about DTS X on MX160 at all
In their web, just only recently that the web content has been rewritten. But in the brochure and front panel of
The unit, nothing about DTS X.

I believe MX122 is Marantz 7702 or 8802 inside. From the back panel, front panel buttons.
But may be Mc may do some slight upgrade to make it sound even better then Marantz.

[substance]

I have seen both mx-121 and 151 inside. Their analog sections are more similar than you would think. They use the same opamps, dacs and the power section. Mx-121 has an analog pass through. The major differences are the room perfect and the more flexible digital crossover with the aux outputs.

Mx-160 has 9ghz hdmi inputs and outputs. The video will be limited to 4k60 8bit and no hdr. They might offer hdmi i/o hardware upgrade or mx-161 pretty soon. My plan is,

Mx-160 for movies
C1100 for music
Lumagen radiance pro for handling all video

The trouble is finding a true 4K projector which won't be a door stop in 2 years and much cheaper than sony 5000es.

[SMC23]

I have seen both mx-121 and 151 inside. Their analog sections are more similar than you would think. They use the same opamps, dacs and the power section. Mx-121 has an analog pass through. The major differences are the room perfect and the more flexible digital crossover with the aux outputs.

Mx-160 has 9ghz hdmi inputs and outputs. The video will be limited to 4k60 8bit and no hdr. They might offer hdmi i/o hardware upgrade or mx-161 pretty soon. My plan is,

Mx-160 for movies
C1100 for music
Lumagen radiance pro for handling all video

The trouble is finding a true 4K projector which won't be a door stop in 2 years and much cheaper than sony 5000es.

Designs are completely different which translates to superior sound from the Mx150/151.

Room perfect is that good that I would rather keep the mx150 than "upgrade" to the newer mx122

[substance]

Designs are completely different which translates to superior sound from the Mx150/151.

Room perfect is that good that I would rather keep the mx150 than "upgrade" to the newer mx122

How are the designs completely different with the same components? Did you look at the service manuals? How are you getting to that conclusion?

[SMC23]

How are the designs completely different with the same components? Did you look at the service manuals? How are you getting to that conclusion?

Not to that extent. Only go by what my dealer told me in that mx121 are based on marantz models and mx150/151 are proprietary designs by Mcintosh. What was important was the tangible difference in sound when i was in the market for a pre/pro.. That's all that counts and the mx150 won out for me.

[Javier M.]

Definitely the MX160 comes with DTS: X or be an upgrade? or conversely take out a MX161 soon ?. I am between the 160 and the 122 and still not know where my mind. My priority is to hear stereo through the C500T and Multicanal and film through the processor. They are both prepared to make a passthru and hear stereo through C500?

[substance]

Definitely the MX160 comes with DTS: X or be an upgrade? or conversely take out a MX161 soon ?. I am between the 160 and the 122 and still not know where my mind. My priority is to hear stereo through the C500T and Multicanal and film through the processor. They are both prepared to make a passthru and hear stereo through C500?

If you need room correction, room perfect in 160 is better than audyssey in 122. I am sure DTS X will make it to 160 soon. 160 also has 4 auxiliary outputs, according to its menu, they can be front wides and front heights (and many other combination), this can potentially make it a 15.1ch processor. There is no official manual and the firmwares are still beta I believe. Its full potential is still unknown. It is confirmed the video section is not the latest generation on 160 but audio section is much more promising than 122.

I dont see where they can improve it in audio with a new 161, the only part which may need improving is its video handling with 18ghz hdmi inputs/outputs.

[Javier M.]

Thank you very much for your answer!!

[Javier M.]

I see that the 122 uses Audyssey X32 and 160 RoomPerfect used. Why they use different processors and which one is better ?. I will use only for home cinema

[SMC23]

I see that the 122 uses Audyssey X32 and 160 RoomPerfect used. Why they use different processors and which one is better ?. I will use only for home cinema

If you can swing it then I would opt for the MX160, looking at the level of gear you have. When I made comparisons between MX121 and MX151 the differences are there to be heard.

[Javier M.]

SMC23 Thank you very much for your answer. I do not know if there is an update to the 160 for the DTS: X or are already integrated into the 160 series?

[substance]

I bought the MX-121 because it had a true analog pass through and I don't use room correction with my line source electrostatic speakers. If I had a separate dedicated 2ch setup, I wouldn't care about the analog pass through and go with the 151.

You already have a great 2ch setup for music, 160 seems like the logical choice. If you have to run a room correction software,the room perfect in 160 is much better. Dts x isn't available yet but will be in the next software update. There are also other reported bugs to be sorted out in the upcoming updates. Afaik there is only 1 dts x title available (ex machina) so it's not a big loss.

[Javier M.]

Substance thank you very much for your opinion .. Are there any problems making the C500 Pass through to take stereo only through the C500?
Thanks

[substance]

I believe all it takes for the pass through is the 12V trigger coming from the 160 or any AV SSP that has a trigger out. C500/1000/1100 detects the 12V trigger when 160 turns on and switches to the pass through input. It either by passes the volume control with a separate path or sets the volume to neutral (no gain or attenuation) on the C500.

What would be more interesting is to have a fixed volume output on the 160 for the front left and right and handle the volume on the C500/1000/1100 via control signal from the 160. It would even be more interesting if 160 had a digital out for the front left and right, fed into an outboard Dac of your choice then handle volume via C500/1000/1100. 160 would send volume level data to the C1100 with one of its data outputs. I think Theta does something like this with their Casablanca and Dac combo.

Imagine 160 + D150 for the front left/right + C1100 pass through with volume control.

[djwhog]

Well I run the mx150 with 151 firmware and love this thing for surround and is even great for 2 ch too. The brown burr days are very very good, it is dead silent and a hell of a processor. I do use any hdmI for video, but use one to the oppo for sound and the 2nd hdmI from the oppo goes direct to my tv.

I also have 500C/T and the 12v trigger works flawless for pass through mode. For my reference best 2 ch mode the 500 is the clear winner, and record playback while good on the mx150 is nowhere near as good as the phono section in the C500 rig.

My comments on the 160, I like a lot what it offers, do have a short list of wish it had it's. If I was in the market for a processor I would get the 160, but since I own the 150 I am not upgrading. The other thing you need to figure into you purchase imop is the $$$$$ hit you will take, and the fact that the resale on the processors sux! So look at it like a long term stock investment, buy it, keep I, use it for a long time and enjoy it. The down side is yep if you do resale huge hit (you will take yes) in Yoda's voice. And you will as time marches on lack the newest features, but it never ends right :)

I am sure if anything like the MX150 the quality is state of the art, but you pay for it.

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[Chad.Wagner]

My only problem with the C500T is you have to power it down to get out of pass through mode.

[Javier M.]

I'm closer to the end. A lot thanks Substance, Djwhog and Chad.

[Javier M.]

My only problem with the C500T is you have to power it down to get out of pass through mode.

Sorry, but i don't undertand what you mean specifically.

[substance]

I think the C500 won't come out of pass through mode unless restarted. Also keep in mind the video section on the 160 isn't as capable as the 122. The upcoming UHD Bluray may not pass through 160 with its full potential. We will know more after March 1st once UHD BD players are out. This is the only part 122 beats 160.

[djwhog]

My only problem with the C500T is you have to power it down to get out of pass through mode.


Not mine, the MX150 turns it on and off just fine? Maybe you have a firmware issue or trigger issue?

[Chad.Wagner]

Not mine, the MX150 turns it on and off just fine? Maybe you have a firmware issue or trigger issue?

The trigger turn the home theater bypass on, but to go back to 2 channel I need to turn the C500 off and back on.

[dixon007]

Well I run the mx150 with 151 firmware and love this thing for surround and is even great for 2 ch too. The brown burr days are very very good, it is dead silent and a hell of a processor. I do use any hdmI for video, but use one to the oppo for sound and the 2nd hdmI from the oppo goes direct to my tv. I also have 500C/T and the 12v trigger works flawless for pass through mode. For my reference best 2 ch mode the 500 is the clear winner, and record playback while good on the mx150 is nowhere near as good as the phono section in the C500 rig. My comments on the 160, I like a lot what it offers, do have a short list of wish it had it's. If I was in the market for a processor I would get the 160, but since I own the 150 I am not upgrading. The other thing you need to figure into you purchase imop is the $$$$$ hit you will take, and the fact that the resale on the processors sux! So look at it like a long term stock investment, buy it, keep I, use it for a long time and enjoy it. The down side is yep if you do resale huge hit (you will take yes) in Yoda's voice. And you will as time marches on lack the newest features, but it never ends right :) I am sure if anything like the MX150 the quality is state of the art, but you pay for it. Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

Good information. How would you compare the versatility of the 2 MX classes with respect to processing external audio sources. Do the MX150/151/160 have an internal DAC that is accessible to play 2-channel hires audio downloads (eg, HDTracks) from a digital source (eg, Mac mini)? I understand the MX121/122 do not have that feature, and require an external DAC to play hires files.