McIntosh Launches $6K MX200 11.2CH A/V Processor w Missing Features?

McIntosh has just launched a new and surprisingly compact home theater preamp/processor called the MX200 A/V Processor ($6,000). It appears to be a replacement for the MX100 ($5,500) which launched in 2022. The company describes the MX200 as a “powerhouse” that merges cutting-edge technology and high performance, with the goal of redefining “the boundaries of at-home cinema entertainment.” As marketing jargon goes, that’s not terribly helpful to the potential customer trying to decide if the MX200 is worth $6K, so allow me to translate. The MX200 is a great-looking and unusually svelte 11.2-channel processor with McIntosh’s signature aluminum and glass front panel, and enough features under the hood (and connectivity options on the back) for a very good living room system, though it may fall short of what enthusiasts want for a dedicated home theater. It only has four HDMI inputs and one output, which also performs eARC duty. All are capable of 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video, and all support HDCP 2.3; Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG HDR; 4:4:4 color spacing; Rec. 2020; and 3D video pass-through. Other inputs include two coax and two optical, moving-magnet phono, and two stereo aux inputs, one balanced (XLR) and one unbalanced (RCA). The main 11 channels of analog output are available only on XLR — doubling them on RCAs wasn’t an option because there’s simply no room given the unit’s small size. The two subwoofer outputs are independently adjustable (yay), but they’re on RCA, not XLR which is disappointing at this price and prestige level for the brand. The MX200 maxes out at a 7.2.4-channel setup, which is enough to appreciate the benefits of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and all that most folks will need. If you’re a power-user who demands 16+ channels and 4 independent subwoofers, you will need to look elsewhere. Note that the MX200 does not offer Auro-3D processing, nor IMAX Enhanced support.

McIntosh says that there are seven premium 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) providing audiophile-grade processing inside the MX200. The company does not specify which chips are being used, but I’d wager they’re from ESS, since that’s what the MX100 used. For some users, the most notable difference between the MX100 and MX200 will be the latter’s more advanced HDMI capabilities and higher transfer speeds (40 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). Gamers should take note, however, that Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) are NOT currently supported. For those who focus more on sound than on video, the presence of Dirac Live room correction on the MX200 will be the most significant upgrade over the MX100. Regarding Dirac, the good news is that the MX200 includes a Dirac Live Full Bandwidth license, so you won’t have to cough up extra cash to use the feature, as you would on the $7K Marantz AV 10. The bad news is that, unlike the Marantz, the McIntosh does not support Dirac Live Bass Control, which is a shame. Given that it has two independent subwoofer outputs, the MX200 could take advantage of the multi-sub version of Dirac Live Bass Control, which can deliver significant performance benefits. It’s always possible that McIntosh will add this feature in the future (but I’m not holding my breath).

McIntosh announced the launch of the MX200 just weeks before the CEDIA 2024 Expo, so it’s no surprise that the company focused on the MX200’s installer-friendly features, from its 2U rack size and included rack mounting brackets, to its more high-tech custom installation selling points. Integrators can pre-configure the MX200 and then simply load the configuration file at the installation site. Integrators can also backup the configuration file onto a computer or USB stick, giving the end user the freedom to experiment with different settings, while being safe in the knowledge that the original setup can be reinstalled. The MX200 can be easily incorporated into a home automation system via RS232, and it has received both “Connects with Control4” certification from Control4 and “Works with Crestron Home” certification from Crestron.

The MX200 comes with a 3-year warranty and is available now through authorized McIntosh dealers, like our friends at Audio Advice.

Given that the MX200 lacks some key features found on competitor AV processors as noted in this article, is this still the ideal AV processor for brand enthusiasts or is it just overpriced? Please feel free to drop some comments in the related forum thread below.

More information: McIntosh MX200

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