Volume Question - Continued
 

Hey 2-channel and HT people,

The saga continues: I get great sound and volume on my 2-channel listening but when I switch to movies and run my pre-amp in Passtru mode, using the surround processor, the volume is MUCH lower. Sound quality is still great. More details below.

Setup
Surround processor: MX122
Pre-amp: C2600
Amps: 601's
Source: Oppo 205 or Xbox One X
Speakers: B&W 802D

Results
When listening to 2-channel audio, it's heaven. Any volume between 30-45 is very loud and satisfying.

When switching to movies mode, where the MX122 is in control and the C2600 is in Passtru, I need to crank the volume to 80 to get a satisfying result. I feel like I want it to be even louder at times and would raise it to 90.

I thought that something might be wring with my MX122 and called McIntosh to confirm. They were pretty amazing: they replicated my setup in their demo room and performed the same test.
They got back to me reporting that they got the exact same result. 30-44 on the C2600, 80+ on the MX122.

They could not explain why it was doing that but only that this is pretty much by design. They suggested to crank the volume up to 98 if I wanted/needed to.

I just don't understand why is there such a difference between the 2-channel and surround setups. Why does the MX122 lower the volume so dramatically? Is there a way to improve it? I get so much more robustness when I just use the C2600.

Thank you!

Not unusual I would think.

When you use the MX122, think of it is a its own preamp. It does its own thing which requires a certain volume level etc.

One think you could do is to be sure you go thru the MX122 menus and adjust the speaker settings to make sure you get adequate volume.

You could do this by running the Audessy routines using the supplied microphone etc or get a sound meter/smart app meter and do an actual manual test tone of all speakers being used setting the sound level to 75db or so at the main listening position.

As for me, my C500t is usually set at 36-40 and my Marantz PrePro usually is at 80 or so.

Thank you Edward. So it sounds that this is more or less normal behavior. I guess that problem is solved.

What's feeding the MX122? Cable box?

For the life of me considering all your other equipment, why do you have a MX122 and not a MX160? :scratch2:
RoomPerfect alone would make it worthwhile.

Ron

Hey there,

Oppo 205 for DVD playback and access to my video server and also Xbox One X for gaming.

Hey Poppy,

When I bought the 122 I did not really understand what we’re the differences between them. The sales rep could not tell me much and I ended with the 122 which supports everything the 160 does in terms of surround audio formats. There was also a substantial price difference so I never pursued it.

Do you think that the room correction on the 160 would make a difference in volume?

I've had the previous model MX121 and my present MX150/151 with RoomPerfect is a substantial upgrade in sound and transparency. I imagine the MX160 would be the same. It is my understanding that the MX150/151 was all McIntosh vs the MX121 had Marantz HDMI/video/interface components. I assume this would also apply to the MX160 vs MX122.

To me Audyssey always sounded slightly muffled and had an echoing effect to it. RoomPerfect when done properly, has none of that and includes lots of voicing options. You made the comment "I get so much more robustness when I just use the C2600." I am confident the MX160 with RoomPerfect can fix that.

Tell your dealer you are unhappy with the MX122 and maybe he will offer you a MX160 at a good price considering all the equipment you bought.

Sorry, but I don't know the cause of your volume issue. I believe there are others here on AA that have a C2300 and MX150/151, so maybe they will chime in as that equipment should be similar in functionality.

Ron

Just so you know my normal volume on the MX150 is 21-30 for TV and maybe 30-39 for movies should I choose.

Ron

I concur :yes: