McIntosh AV Processor MX123A Black

The MX123 A/V Processor marries a long tradition of uncompromising McIntosh sound quality with the latest home theater technologies to bring you an unsurpassed luxury home entertainment experience. The MX123 supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz resolutions and refresh rates. It can also upscale lower resolutions to 8K to produce the best possible picture quality.

To satisfy the video needs of your home cinema, the MX123 has 7 HDMI inputs and 3 HDMI outputs. All HDMI inputs and outputs support HDCP 2.3; Rec. 2020; 4:4:4 color spacing; Dynamic Lip-sync; and 3D Video pass-through. To create the most life-like and realistic picture possible, all MX123 HDMI ports support a myriad of high dynamic range formats: HDR (static HDR); Dynamic HDR; HDR10+; HLG; and Dolby Vision (including low latency). These technologies will ensure every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and color – on a scene-by-scene or even a frame-by-frame basis. Of the 10 HDMI ports, 1 input and 2 outputs are 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz compatible with the rest supporting 4K/60Hz.

The MX123 is also fully compatible with all the leading home theater surround sound and object-based 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos (including Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer); DTS:X Pro; Auro-3D; Sony's 360 Reality Audio, an immersive audio experience utilizing Sony’s spatial sound technology; and MPEG-H Audio. MPEG-H Audio, primarily developed by Fraunhofer IIS, is an open ISO standard and the industry’s most advanced audio system for UHD-TV and streaming. It supports both immersive sound and the ability for users to adjust elements in the audio to their preferences. MPEG-H has been on the air since 2017 on all TV networks in South Korea under the ATSC 3.0 standard. It was also selected for broadcast standards to be launched in Europe, China and Brazil. 

Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) functionality is included on 1 of the HDMI outputs. ARC allows a compatible TV to send audio data to the audio video processor over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for separate audio cables. The more advanced eARC offers greater bandwidth so higher resolution audio formats such as DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Atmos can be sent through the HDMI cable.

The MX123 features upgraded digital audio processing capabilities that results in 2 more discrete audio channels, bringing the MX123 to 13.2 discrete audio channels compared to 11.2 in the previous model. These 13.2 discrete channels are available via both balanced and unbalanced audio outputs that can be used in a variety of home theater speaker configurations; 2 additional unbalanced outputs offer further connection flexibility. DSD and ALAC playback support have been doubled to DSD128 and ALAC 192kHz for better high resolution audio performance.

Additional connections include: 4 digital audio inputs; 1 balanced and 8 unbalanced analog stereo audio inputs (including 1 dedicated as a Moving Magnet phono input to connect a turntable); an unbalanced 7.1 multi-channel audio input; 3 component and 4 composite video inputs; 1 USB Type A input; 2 unbalanced analog stereo outputs; 2 composite video outputs; and 1 component video output.

The MX123 is IMAX Enhanced compatible. IMAX Enhanced is a set of stringent performance standards established by IMAX and DTS to create a consistent and higher bar for image and sound performance on premium devices. It utilizes a sophisticated, advanced algorithm designed to produce the highest-quality, sharpest 4K HDR images. IMAX and DTS will also partner with award-winning Hollywood sound mixers to use a special variant of the DTS:X codec technology included in the MX123 to deliver an IMAX signature sound experience in your home theater.

Music streaming options on the MX123 includes Apple AirPlay 2 along with Bluetooth and Spotify Connect for easy streaming from your mobile devices. AirPlay 2 is an Apple technology designed to control home audio systems and speakers in any room – with a tap or by just asking Siri – right from an iPhone, iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV. It offers multiroom audio, Siri voice control, and enhanced playback. TuneIn is also included for further music streaming options. To assist with wireless streaming performance and reliability, it includes 2.4/5GHz dual band support. An ethernet port that lets you make a hardwired connection to your network is also included to aid in producing the best possible music streaming experience.

Audyssey MultEQ XT32 is included and will calibrate the MX123 to your home theater’s unique acoustical properties, letting it deliver the clearest and most balanced earth-shattering sound possible. Each discrete audio channel has its own 32-bit premium Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) to produce the best audio quality. Bass and treble tone controls plus a 9-band equalizer offer additional fine-tuning. The MX123 also gives you the flexibility to create 2 additional zones in your house and send select audio and/or video to each zone.

The MX123 has received Connects with Control4 Certification from Control4, a leading global provider of smart home automation solutions, with the implementation of their Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP), allowing it to be effortlessly integrated into Control4 automation systems to further enhance the user experience. It has also received Works with Crestron Home certification from Crestron, a global leader in advanced smart home technology. Crestron Home unlocks the full potential of a smart home. It’s the complete package for any size project, delivering a simpler, smarter user experience for homeowners, remarkably fast configuration and deployment for integrators, and the confidence that comes with renowned, best-in-class Crestron control hardware. The MX123 can be paired with a variety of home theater amplifiers such as our MC303, MC255, MC257, MC8207, MI347, MI254, or MI128 amplifiers and any of the McIntosh floor standing, in-wall or in-ceiling speakers to create an enviable and enjoyable cinema experience in the comfort of your home. Front panel buttons or a comprehensive remote control allow for easy system operation. It’s complete with McIntosh design fundamentals of a backlit black glass front panel with an illuminated logo, control knobs, an easy to read display, and aluminum end caps. 

Features:

• Quick Media Switching (QMS) that eliminates the delay that can result in blank screens before content is displayed.
• Enhanced HDMI video features to improve gameplay performance by bringing an added level of smooth and seamless motion and transitions, including:
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) that allows the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity.
• Quick Frame Transport (QFT) that reduces latency for smoother no lag gaming, and real time interactive virtual reality.
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) that reduces or eliminates lag, stutter and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay.

General Specifications:

• Channel Formats: 13.2, 7.1, 5.1, Stereo
• Unique Crossover Frequency, Each Speaker
• Network Features: Wi-Fi dual band 2.4/5GHz, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect
• Special Features: Rear Panel USB-Apple Dock, HDMI in standby, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect
• Microphone and stand included
• Overall Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-1/2” (44.45cm) x 7-5/8” (19.37cm) including feet x 19-1/2” (49.53cm) including the front panel, knobs & cables
• Weight: 31 lbs (14 kg) net, 55 lbs (25 kg) in shipping carton

Connectivity:

• Inputs: 7 HDMI Inputs (six 4K, one 8K), 1 pair balanced XLR Inputs (AES/EBU), 8 pairs RCA analog stereo Inputs including one MM (moving magnet) RCA stereo pair and ground connection, 2 coaxial digital audio Inputs, 2 Toslink optical Inputs, 4 RCA video Inputs, 3 sets of three component video RCA jacks, 7.1 CH Input with eight analog RCA jacks, 1 USB port to supply power, 1 USB port to connect storage, 1 10baseT LAN connector, 1/8 inch jack for microphone Input, 1/8 inch jack for RS232 connector, 1/8 inch jack for wired IR Input, 1 AC power connector
• Outputs: 3 HDMI Outputs (2 MON 8K, ZONE 2 4K), 15 balanced XLR audio Outputs, 17 unbalanced RCA Outputs, 2 1/8 inch jack Power Control (trigger) Outputs, 2 RCA stereo pairs Output to two additional zones, 1 set of three component video RCA Outputs, 2 RCA video Outputs, 1/8 inch Data Output jack

HDMI features:

• Resolution and Refresh Rates: 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz on 1 HDMI input and 2 HDMI outputs (4K/60Hz on all other ports)
• HDCP: 2.3
• Rec. 2020 (BT.2020)
• 3D video pass-through
• ARC: on 1 output
• eARC: on 1 output
• High Dynamic Range (HDR): HDR (static HDR), Dynamic HDR, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision (including low latency)
• Quick Media Switching (QMS): on 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz ports
• Quick Frame Transport (QFT): on 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz ports
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): on 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz ports
• 4:4:4 Color
• Dynamic Lip-sync
• Video Scaling: 8K Upconversion
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): on 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz ports

Processing:

• Total Harmonic Distortion (DSP Bypass): 0.005%
• Auro Processing: Auro 3D, Auro-Matic, Auro 9.1, 10.1
• Dolby Processing; Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround Upmixer
• DTS Processing: DTS-X, Neural:X Surround Upmixer, DTS Virtual:X
• Pure Stereo DSP Bypass Mode
• MPEG-H Audio
• IMAX Enhanced
• 360 Reality Audio
• Room Correction: Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dynamic EQ / Dynamic Volume, DSX

Control:

• Third Party Control: RS232, Web IP, IR Input
• Tone Controls: 9 Band Equalizer, Bass and Treble
• OSD Overlay on HDMI Output
• Input-Output Format Indicators: 9 in and 9 out
• Control of McIntosh Sources: Yes, by handheld remote, 1 Data Out, 2 Power Control Trigger jacks