McIntosh has launched the MX124, a 13.4-channel AV processor designed for high-end home cinema systems. Priced between $15,000 and £16,900 depending on the retailer and region, the unit supports 8K video, advanced immersive audio formats, and extensive custom integration options for professional installations.
The McIntosh MX124 enters the market as a high-performance hub intended for what the company describes as today's most advanced home cinema systems.
While McIntosh did not include pricing details in its official announcement, retailers have listed the processor with significant variance. Some outlets report a price of $15,000 (approximately £11,079 or AU$21,423), while others cite a cost of £16,900 (roughly equating to $23,000 or AU$32,000). The unit is designed to sit at the center of a reference-spec home theater system, handling audio and video sources and routing audio to the appropriate amplifiers via balanced or unbalanced outputs. Visually, the device features a design that McIntosh Labs notes resembles equipment from a 1960s recording studio or a NASA control center.
Audio Processing and Speaker Configuration Capabilities
The MX124 is built to handle complex audio environments, featuring 13 discrete channels and four individual subwoofer outputs—twice as many as its predecessor—to support more sophisticated system layouts and precise bass management. This configuration allows for speaker layouts up to 7.4.6 or 9.4.4. To ensure high-fidelity output, the unit incorporates nine 32-bit digital-to-analog converters. The company states this architecture is designed to deliver exceptional detail, dynamic range, and sonic accuracy,
with additional bass and treble controls for manual sound adjustment. Support for immersive audio formats is extensive, covering Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and MPEG-H Audio.
Video Connectivity and Gaming Features
The device is equipped with seven HDMI inputs and three outputs, including one port with eARC compatibility for television integration. The hardware supports high-bandwidth signals, specifically 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz. Additional video specifications include support for:
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced
- HDCP 2.3, Rec.2020, and 4:4:4 Color Spacing
- Dynamic Lip-sync, 3D Video Passthrough, and Quick Frame Transport
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for gaming
Room Optimization and Professional Integration
For room correction, the MX124 provides users with multiple professional-grade options. It comes with licenses for Dirac Live and Dirac Live Bass Control, and it also supports Audyssey MultEQ XT32. These tools are intended to help optimize speaker integration, bass performance, imaging, tonal balance, and overall clarity while preserving the natural musicality and signature sound quality associated with McIntosh.
For professional integrators, the processor offers several management features designed for custom home theater environments, including:
- Certification for Control4 Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP)
- Web-based configuration, pre-configuration, and file upload capabilities
- Back-up and restore support with RS232 and IP control
- Suitability for rack mounting
The unit also serves as a streaming hub, supporting Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, and Qobuz Connect, with high-resolution audio streaming support up to 32-bit/192kHz. It also includes four digital audio inputs, one balanced and eight unbalanced analog stereo inputs, component and composite video inputs, and dual analog stereo outputs to accommodate two additional listening zones, along with support for Bluetooth headphones.
Sources: Whathifi, techradar.com.
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