Choosing the right AVP

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by substance

MX121 has more features and true analog pass through if that matters. The video board on MX121 is from Marantz AV7005 which has the ABT2015 system on chip. ABT2015 is arguably the best de-interlacer for SD video and 1080i Cable/Satellite. It’s upscaling and enhancements are above average too.

MX151 is better only if Room perfect is your preference and interested in digital audio.

Substance..... Thank you, you've given us something to ponder.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by substance

MX121 has more features and true analog pass through if that matters. The video board on MX121 is from Marantz AV7005 which has the ABT2015 system on chip. ABT2015 is arguably the best de-interlacer for SD video and 1080i Cable/Satellite. It’s upscaling and enhancements are above average too.

MX151 is better only if Room perfect is your preference and interested in digital audio.

I haven’t had Mac process my video in 18 years. Way back when, it was Faroudja, today I use Lumagen in both my theaters.

[substance]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I haven’t had Mac process my video in 18 years. Way back when, it was Faroudja, today I use Lumagen in both my theaters.

I believe McIntosh anticipated this and didn’t see the need for video capabilities on their flagship model. They probably figured the target customer for Mx151 will likely have a separate analog pre-amp and didn’t need to include true analog pass through either. It is a very minimalist design besides digital multich audio capabilities.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by substance

I believe McIntosh anticipated this and didn’t see the need for video capabilities on their flagship model. They probably figured the target customer for Mx151 will likely have a separate analog pre-amp and didn’t need to include true analog pass through either. It is a very minimalist design besides digital multich audio capabilities.

Substance..... We're coming from 2-channel stereo world, so "digital" is a fairly new concept for us. Will you please elaborate on the MX151's digital capabilities and, more to the point of the thread, why those particular capabilities set it apart from the MX121.

In our stereo mode testing, thus far, the MX121 holds its own against the MX151 and, in fact, the low end produced by the MX121 definitely has more punch (through our B&W 802s)...so it may be the other differences between the two MX units that tip the scales.

Just like the Kurgan said [God Rest Sean Connery's Soul]: There Can Be Only One!

[substance]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Substance..... We're coming from 2-channel stereo world, so "digital" is a fairly new concept for us. Will you please elaborate on the MX151's digital capabilities and, more to the point of the thread, why those particular capabilities set it apart from the MX121.

In our stereo mode testing, thus far, the MX121 holds its own against the MX151 and, in fact, the low end produced by the MX121 definitely has more punch (through our B&W 802s)...so it may be the other differences between the two MX units that tip the scales.

Just like the Kurgan said [God Rest Sean Connery's Soul]: There Can Be Only One!

They share a lot of similarities. The power supply and input/output designs are identical. They both use the same DAC chips. Same phono section too. MX121 has a true analog pass through when “Direct” mode is enabled. Mx151 will digitize all analog inputs then convert back to analog even in “Direct” mode. If you want to use the RCA or XLR inputs, MX121 is a better choice since it can stay in the analog domain throughout.

MX121 can process up to Dolby Pro-Logic IIz 11.1ch (and DTS Neo:X). Wide and Height channels are matrixed, not discreet as in Atmos. MX151 is limited to 7.1.

MX121 uses Audyssey for its room correction. MX151 uses Room Perfect and has more flexibility in its crossover selection. If room correction is important for you, MX151 is a better choice. If you want to utilize active crossovers, bypassing internal crossovers of your speakers, MX151 is a better choice. MX121 is easier to setup for room correction. You can run the Audyssey auto setup and be done. Room Perfect requires some manual entry for speaker size, distance etc.. Nothing too difficult but a small learning curve for sure if you are new.

MX121 offers video processing and upscaling to 1080p. MX151 only passes through video. MX121 has a built in internet radio and digital music player (via usb or network). MX121 supports AirPlay. MX121 supports XM radio. MX121 has 2 additional audio zones for multi room audio. MX151 can do one additional room.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by substance

They share a lot of similarities. The power supply and input/output designs are identical. They both use the same DAC chips. Same phono section too. MX121 has a true analog pass through when “Direct” mode is enabled. Mx151 will digitize all analog inputs then convert back to analog even in “Direct” mode. If you want to use the RCA or XLR inputs, MX121 is a better choice since it can stay in the analog domain throughout.

MX121 can process up to Dolby Pro-Logic IIz 11.1ch (and DTS Neo:X). Wide and Height channels are matrixed, not discreet as in Atmos. MX151 is limited to 7.1.

MX121 uses Audyssey for its room correction. MX151 uses Room Perfect and has more flexibility in its crossover selection. If room correction is important for you, MX151 is a better choice. If you want to utilize active crossovers, bypassing internal crossovers of your speakers, MX151 is a better choice. MX121 is easier to setup for room correction. You can run the Audyssey auto setup and be done. Room Perfect requires some manual entry for speaker size, distance etc.. Nothing too difficult but a small learning curve for sure if you are new.

MX121 offers video processing and upscaling to 1080p. MX151 only passes through video. MX121 has a built in internet radio and digital music player (via usb or network). MX121 supports AirPlay. MX121 supports XM radio. MX121 has 2 additional audio zones for multi room audio. MX151 can do one additional room.

Substance..... While you're around, I wanted to ask you a simpler question: If stereo listening were much more important to you than surround sound, would you prefer one of these MX units over other?

We haven't procured a device that will speed up our stereo mode A/B testing yet, but, quite frankly we can't hear much of a difference between these two AVPs. If I were pressed, I'd say that the MX-121's low end is a bit more pronounced than the MX151's, but perhaps that will change once the Room Perfect utility is set up?

Perhaps we should be thinking about this differently...Was the Room Perfect correction utility designed strictly with surround sound in mind? If it was, perhaps we're spinning our wheels? Once again, we are stereo listeners, first and foremost.

[thughes]

Was the Room Perfect correction utility designed strictly with surround sound in mind?

Room Perfect is also in the MEN220 which is stereo only.

[irnd]

How about using an HDfury to route sound to MX and pass video through to TV?

[rjinaz86323]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Mac Board.... We've been working on adding 5.1 capability to our Mac 2-channel setup for quite a while now.

Needless to say, the MX130 won't do us much good when it comes to multi-channel processing, but it has proven to be an excellent 2-channel preamp for us for many years now.

I am just getting into McIntosh and only wanting it for 2 channel use. Locally I have a chance to buy either a C28 or a MX130 for close to the same price. Which would be a better way to go, bearing in mind it will only be used for 2 channel.

Thx
Rick (Chino Valley, AZ)

[rjinaz86323]

Well the seller backed out on the sale of the MX130. I was all set to drive down ad pick it up and texted me that he decided to keep it. So my search continues. I have a line on an MX132 for the same price,but not sure, as I would have to pay to have it shipped.