McIntosh MX170 & MX123 Processors

[AZmcman]

Sorry fans, the unit does not have ROON.

Not a very clean backside - too many inputs left over from the old analogue world. HDMI and balanced outs are all that is needed in the digital environment.

Knew McIntosh was about to release the 170 and got a preview of the unit - decided to go with the Trinnov Altitude 16 which does have Roon and a much better organized backside and front.

Excellent 4K UHD players can be had quite reasonably. There are no incentives for the high end manufactures to build them.

[Paret]

Originally Posted by AZmcman

Sorry fans, the unit does not have ROON.

Not a very clean backside - too many inputs left over from the old analogue world. HDMI and balanced outs are all that is needed in the digital environment.

Knew McIntosh was about to release the 170 and got a preview of the unit - decided to go with the Trinnov Altitude 16 which does have Roon and a much better organized backside and front.

Excellent 4K UHD players can be had quite reasonably. There are no incentives for the high end manufactures to build them.

Roon operates on its own. Saying Mcintosh does not have Roon is misleading.
Mcintosh is Roon tested and works fine with Roon. That’s how I use mine. Of course you need a Core to have Roon and then interface with your systems.

https://roonlabs.com/partners.html

The clean backside comment makes zero sense to me. Have you seen the units you are referring to?

[AZmcman]

There are a number of McIntosh devices that are ROON tested but not the 170 (see the ROON website).

I run ROON in two locations: on my Linn Klimax DS which is attached to my C1000 in my two channel room, the other is in my HT. In the HT, my Trinnov provides connection to the NAS and ROON Nucleus by means of ROON functionality embedded in the Trinnov operating system - there is no need for a second media streamer. The 170 does not have this ROON capability embedded in its operating system. A stand alone media streamer is required.

For an understanding of the question of back and front end real estate, call up the Trinnov and the McIntosh web sites and note the differences the two manufacturers have taken in their designs. In my opinion, the Trinnov user interface is the more modern of the two.

Note: my MX135 was traded in for the Trinnov and was a trusted member of the family for over 15 years. Sorry to see it go but the lack of HDMI capability drove the decision.

Take care and Happy New Year.

[substance]

Originally Posted by TOBZDV

Can someone share the differences between the MX160 and MX170? Trying to decided if a upgrade is needed or not. thanks

MX160:

9GHz (10.2 Gbps) HDMI 2.0 /HDCP 2.2 Inputs/Outputs
11.1 discreet channels + 4 aux for additional subs or matrix surrounds

MX170:

18GHz (18 Gbps) HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 Inputs/Outputs
15.1 discreet channels

Note:
9 GHz is enough bandwidth for 4K24 @12bit 4:4:4 and HDR but some devices require 18GHz inputs for HDR. It is enough for 4K60 @8bit 4:2:0. Almost all 4K material is in 4K24.

[substance]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Does Mc ever say which DAC chips are used in different HT models?
I wonder is the DAC chip in the MX122 is the same on the new 123, and if 170 uses a better chip.

Both MX160 and MX170 have 8x ES9018 DACs. I believe even the zone b output gets its own ES9018. On paper way more impressive than both Datasat and Trinnov on the analog end (better power section than these two too). Very impressive indeed.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by substance

Both MX160 and MX170 have 8x ES9018 DACs. I believe even the zone b output gets its own ES9018. On paper way more impressive than both Datasat and Trinnov on the analog end (better power section than these two too). Very impressive indeed.

Thanks! I confirmed with McIntosh too. The MX160 to MX170 is the same DAC, and the MX122 to MX123 is the same DAC; although they didn't care to tell me which DAC it is in the MX122 I don't care for as much. MX122 still sounds fantastic compared to all big box mass market brands I've heard, but I was wowed by the MX160 which is why I blind bought the MX122.

[substance]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Thanks! I confirmed with McIntosh too. The MX160 to MX170 is the same DAC, and the MX122 to MX123 is the same DAC; although they didn't care to tell me which DAC it is in the MX122 I don't care for as much. MX122 still sounds fantastic compared to all big box mass market brands I've heard, but I was wowed by the MX170 which is why I blind bought the MX122.

MX121/2/3 likely have cirrus logic or akm dacs. Power sections are similar among the MX160/70 and MX121/2/3 if not the same. MX121/2/3 borrows the digital section (DSP/Streaming/Control/Video) from the Marantz 7xxx series. MX121/2/3 models have true analog pass through which makes it a good analog pre-amp as well.

[W9TR]

Originally Posted by substance

Both MX160 and MX170 have 8x ES9018 DACs. I believe even the zone b output gets its own ES9018. On paper way more impressive than both Datasat and Trinnov on the analog end (better power section than these two too). Very impressive indeed.

Hi Substance,
Could you elaborate on the paper differences between the Trinov and McIntosh pre/pros, please? I have an MX-151 and will be upgrading when I add height channels and object-based audio. I am interested in the differences pros and cons of the McIntosh hardware and Trinnov hardware.

[Yamaki]

Subscribed.

I just found out my MX135 cannot be repaired and I'll be looking for another pre-amp / processor for my system. In the mean time the old Integra DTC-9.4 will be put back into service.

[RaceCarDriver]

Originally Posted by substance

MX121/2/3 likely have cirrus logic or akm dacs. Power sections are similar among the MX160/70 and MX121/2/3 if not the same. MX121/2/3 borrows the digital section (DSP/Streaming/Control/Video) from the Marantz 7xxx series. MX121/2/3 models have true analog pass through which makes it a good analog pre-amp as well.

I think the MX123 is different as the AV7705 is an 11ch processor and the AV8805 is a 13 channel processor.

Looking at pictures the MX123 seems to share the same HDMI/Network/USB ports as the 8805. The component ports looks to fit the 7705.

While the AV8805 has 15 unbalanced and balanced outputs. The 123 has 15 unbalanced and 13 balanced outputs, you lose the height 4/front wide XLR outputs.

The 123 also has XLR inputs like the 8805, which the 7705 doesn’t offer.

I have had the AV8805 for 2 years now and it’s been an absolute treat! I have a 123 on the way and can only hope it’s as trouble free. It will be my first McIntosh processor which I only took the jump based on the familiarity I have had over the last decade of Marantz pre/pros.

The Marantz AV7705 weighs 23 lbs, the 8805 weighs 30, MX123 31 lbs. All the mentioned above leads me to believe there is more 8805 in the 123 than the 7705.

You lose some features it seems, app control, AM/FM tuner, Heos (thank god). I am really looking forward to seeing how the 123 compares to my 8805.
Guess we will see.