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Meet the McIntosh MX124: The Next Generation of Home Theater

The heart of any home theater is your pre-amp processor. Your amplifier, sources, speakers, video display etc.are all important, but your processor plays a huge role in system performance.  One of audio’s most iconic brands just updated their current flagship AV processor: McIntosh MX124.

McIntosh has been sounding good for 75 years, building finished products in the USA since 1949. Nobody else has been able to create their back-lit black glass, offset by iconic blue meters. The look sets this brand apart. Those fortunate enough to own McIntosh praise both its sound quality and longevity. McIntosh products are often bequeathed to children, and hold their resale value remarkably well. 

Let’s compare the new MX124’s upgrades to the out-going MX123, which has been a workhorse for us in higher end systems. MX123 has been both great sounding, and also reliable, especially the HDMI video switching, which is hugely important in multichannel / home theater applications.

With the MX124, you’ll get more audio processing, @11.4 channels balanced, and 15.4 channels un-balanced, an upgrade from the13.2 processing in MX123. You’ll have as many as 15 main / surround / height speaker channels, plus up to four independently controllable subwoofer channels, for a more immersive sound experience.

The extra two subwoofer channels offer huge flexibility, as the toughest acoustic room problems are typically in the bass range. With four subs you get not simply more bass, but better sounding, more even bass that isn’t too loud or too weak, but solid and natural.

All ten of MX124’s HDMI ports are future-ready; 7 HDMI inputs, and 3 HDMI outputs, all supporting 8K / 60 Hz, 4K / 120Hz, a big upgrade vs. MX123. In fact MX124 offers loads of back-panel connectivity. There is a full set of balanced outputs along the bottom, plus 8 RCA analog source inputs, including a moving magnet phono stage for your turntable. That’s key, as not all vinyl lovers also have a separate stereo system.

Multi-room audio is included via zone 2 and 3 outputs; perhaps a master bedroom zone, and an outdoor zone for relaxing on the deck. MX124 even has component video and composite video inputs, a nice plus for those who still own legacy sources like DVD and VHS. 

Left and right XLR balanced inputs are included, and we love balanced connections. You get connections for RS 232 control, your room EQ set-up mic, a pair of 12 v trigger inputs for automatic turn-on of multiple components, plus IR input and data out for control systems. Digital audio and optical connections, USB connection, plus your network connection, and a pair of Bluetooth antenna sockets are included.  

Might you want a great streaming hub as part of your A/V system? MX124 connects you to nearly every premium streaming service, at high-resolution 32 bit, 192kHz: Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect including Tidal Max, Spotify Connect including Spotify Lossless, Apple Airplay. MX124 is certified Roon Ready, and handles Bluetooth too. You can even connect Bluetooth headphones for late-night listening without disturbing others.  

A nice upgrade are the MX124’s multiple room correction options. The room is often one of the big obstacles to hearing clear movie dialog and great music. Like the MX123, MX124 features Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction. 

But McIntosh MX124 also adds Dirac Live Room Correction with Bass Control, helping you deal with the fact that living rooms and other viewing/listening areas are rarely built with an acoustical engineering view. The licenses are included at no cost, too. You have more ways to get all the sound you paid for, even in rooms with serious acoustical issues.

How does Dirac Live Room correction help you? There is no perfect listening room. Every room in which we install a home theater or 2-channel stereo to some extent distorts your sound, echoing back and exaggerating certain sounds, while “swallowing up” others —  not what the artist intended.  

Dirac Live Room Correction software analyzes your room and, understanding the acoustic issues, electronically corrects for problems. Typically, you’ll hear clearer dialog on movies, better imaging and soundstage with music, and a more enjoyable overall experience.   

Dirac Bass Control works in conjunction with Dirac Bass Correction, correcting for uneven sound by adjusting your subwoofer tuning. Instead of seat-to-seat variation, with boomy bass at one seat, and weak bass at another, you’ll hear bass more evenly placed. Often that also means clearer midrange, with better placement of sounds in relation to each other. We don’t want our attention called to what the subwoofer(s) are doing. We want our subs integrated with the main speakers. Dirac Bass Control helps you get a great blend of your speakers and subwoofer(s). 

Is the McIntosh MX124 the right A/V processor for you?  If you’re building a premium home theater, with high performance speakers, power amps etc., you’ll want MX124 on your short list. It offers the legendary McIntosh build quality and sound quality, with up to 15 channels of processing and 4 independently controllable subwoofers. All the HDMI connections are 8K future ready. It’s a great music streaming hub, supporting loads of high-res music streaming. You can fine-tune your system with Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dirac Live, and Dirac Bass Control for the best sound in your room, and it even supports two other zones. Thank you for reading this, and please reach out to us if we can answer any questions for you: ask@gramophone.com.  We hope to see you in our stores soon!