McIntosh’s $15,000 MX124 packs 13.4 channels and 7 HDMI inputs

McIntosh has launched the MX124 A/V Processor, a high-end home theater hub aimed at “today’s most advanced home cinema systems.” Retailers are listing it at $15,000 — about £11,079 / AU$21,423 — and that price does not include the external amplification you’ll need to power its speaker setups.

The headline feature is support for 13.4 audio channels, enabling Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Pro layouts of up to 7.4.6 or 9.4.4. McIntosh pairs that with four individual subwoofer outputs and both balanced and unbalanced outputs for routing audio to separate amplifiers.

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On the video side, the MX124 includes seven HDMI inputs and three outputs, one of them with eARC for TV audio. All HDMI inputs support 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, IMAX Enhanced, HDCP 2.3, Rec.2020, 4:4:4 Color Spacing, Dynamic Lip-sync, 3D Video Passthrough, ALLM, VRR, and Quick Frame Transport.

Connectivity is extensive elsewhere too: four digital audio inputs, one balanced and eight unbalanced analog stereo inputs, plus component and composite video inputs. There are also dual analog stereo outputs for two additional listening zones.

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For streaming, McIntosh includes AirPlay, Bluetooth, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Roon Ready, with hi-res audio streaming up to 32-bit/192kHz.

Room tuning is another major part of the package. The MX124 ships with licenses for Dirac Live Room Correction and Bass Control, and it also supports Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for buyers who prefer that calibration system.

McIntosh says the unit is built with custom installation in mind. It is Connects With Control4 certified, includes RS232 for automation control, and is suitable for rack mounting.

The company did not include pricing in its official announcement, but at $15,000 before amps, the MX124 is clearly positioned as a reference-tier processor rather than an all-in-one AVR.