McIntosh MX200 AC – AV Preamp for Your Home Theater

The McIntosh MX200 AC is an AV preamplifier for home theater systems. It routes the video signal from your player to the TV or projector and prepares the audio for the individual speaker channels. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enable immersive surround sound with height channels, while the included Dirac Live room correction adjusts the playback to your listening room.

McIntosh MX200 AC Features at a Glance

• System configuration: flexible channel processing for surround systems up to 7.2.4.
• Room correction: Dirac Live Full Bandwidth, including license, measurement microphone, and tripod.
• Video and TV audio: HDMI for high-resolution movies and games, as well as eARC for the audio return channel.
• Music sources: digital and analog inputs, including MM phono.
• Operation: remote control, browser-based setup, and integration with compatible home automation systems.
• Installation: low-profile rack design with included mounting brackets.

System Configuration and Power Amplifiers for the McIntosh MX200 AC

As an AV preamplifier, the MX200 AC handles signal processing, not power amplification for passive speakers. External power amplifiers are required for this purpose. The balanced XLR outputs connect the individual speaker channels to suitable amplifiers, while active subwoofers are connected via the separate RCA outputs.

From a classic surround setup to a home theater with height speakers, the channel assignment can be adapted to your existing system. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X require correspondingly encoded content as well as a suitable speaker configuration.

Dirac Live in the McIntosh MX200 AC

A listening room affects how evenly and coherently speakers interact. Dirac Live Full Bandwidth reduces unwanted room effects and allows you to adjust the target curve to your listening preferences.

The license and measurement accessories are included. Before measurement, the speaker channels are configured, and the Dirac application then captures the selected listening positions. This allows the correction to be tailored to a single seat or a larger listening area.

HDMI, Video Sources, and TV Audio on the McIntosh MX200 AC

The HDMI interfaces pass through video signals up to 8K at 60 Hz. 4K at high frame rates is also supported for gaming sources. Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG enable the transmission of corresponding HDR content.

The available image formats depend on the player, screen, and cabling. Ultra High Speed HDMI cables are required for full HDMI functionality.

Via eARC, a compatible TV can return high-resolution multichannel audio through the HDMI cable. This eliminates the need for a separate audio cable for TV audio; both the source and the TV output must also support the desired audio format.

Music and Additional Sources on the McIntosh MX200 AC

In addition to HDMI, optical and coaxial digital inputs are available for additional players. Analog sources can be connected balanced via XLR or unbalanced via RCA.

The MM phono input accepts a turntable with a suitable moving-magnet cartridge. Bass and treble controls also allow you to adjust the sound to your personal preferences.

Operation and Setup of the McIntosh MX200 AC

Source selection and volume can be operated directly via the control knobs or the included remote control. A browser-based interface over the local network is also available for setup.

Configurations can be saved and reloaded, for example before making changes to the speaker setup. With certifications for Control4 and Crestron Home, as well as RS232 control, the preamplifier is also designed for professionally integrated home theaters.

Design and Installation of the McIntosh MX200 AC

The black glass front, illuminated logo, and silver accents match the characteristic McIntosh design. The low-profile enclosure can also be accommodated in an equipment rack; the matching mounting brackets are included.

Suitability and Important Notes for the McIntosh MX200 AC

Who is the McIntosh MX200 AC suitable for?

• Home theater owners with separate power amplifiers and multiple speaker channels.
• Film and music enthusiasts who want to adapt their system to their listening room.
• Individually planned home theaters with professional system integration.

Conclusion

The McIntosh MX200 AC is a central control component for custom-built home theaters. It is particularly suitable for systems where signal processing and power amplifiers are deliberately planned separately.

Company name: McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
Street: 2 Chambers Street
City/State/Zip code: Binghamton, NY 13903-2699
Country: United States of America
Phone numbers: +1-607-723-3512 or +1-800-538-6576
Contact page: https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/about/contactus

EU contact person:
Audio Components Vertriebs GmbH
Leverkusenstraße 3
22761 Hamburg
info@audio-components.de