McIntosh MX122 – 11.2-Channel Home Theater A/V Processor

Pre-owned Item!  Ships free in the US. Original Packaging 

Product Description

The McIntosh MX122 is an 11.2-channel home theater processor designed to bring immersive surround sound, comprehensive source connectivity and McIntosh audio engineering to a dedicated cinema or premium media room. With support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D, it offers flexible multichannel processing for a range of home theater speaker configurations.

Seven HDMI inputs, three HDMI outputs and support for 4K Ultra HD video provide extensive connectivity for compatible video sources. Audyssey room correction helps optimize playback for the listening environment, while balanced XLR outputs allow the MX122 to be paired with McIntosh or other compatible multichannel power amplifiers.

The MX122 also incorporates a moving magnet phono input, network audio features and multizone operation, making it a versatile control center for both movies and music. Its classic black-glass front panel, illuminated McIntosh logo and machined aluminum side panels complete the design.

Immersive 11.2-Channel Surround Sound

The MX122 supports up to 11.2-channel processing, providing the flexibility to create a surround sound system with overhead or height speakers and two subwoofer channels.

Dolby Atmos delivers object-based audio for compatible movie soundtracks, allowing effects to move throughout the listening space, including above the audience. DTS:X and Auro-3D provide additional immersive audio options for supported content.

With its range of surround decoding and processing modes, the MX122 can accommodate conventional multichannel recordings as well as immersive soundtracks. DTS:X and Auro-3D functionality were offered through upgrades, so their availability should be confirmed on an individual unit.

Audyssey Room Correction

The MX122 incorporates Audyssey room correction to help compensate for the interaction between the loudspeakers and the listening environment.

During setup, microphone measurements are used to analyze the room and adjust the system's response. This helps address frequency-response irregularities and improve the integration of the front speakers, surround channels and subwoofers.

The processor also supports Audyssey DSX processing, which can expand the surround presentation using additional speaker channels.

For a dedicated home theater, these capabilities provide a foundation for calibrating a multichannel system around its actual speaker positions and room acoustics.

4K Ultra HD Video and HDMI Connectivity

Seven HDMI inputs accommodate multiple video sources, including compatible Blu-ray players, media players and game consoles. Three HDMI outputs provide flexibility when connecting displays or distributing video to an additional zone.

The MX122 supports HDMI 2.0a, HDCP 2.2 and 4K Ultra HD video at up to 60Hz. It also supports HDR formats identified in McIntosh's legacy product information, including HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG.

Analog and digital video scaling allows lower-resolution sources to be upconverted to 4K for output over HDMI.

These capabilities reflect the MX122's original generation. It is not an 8K or HDMI 2.1 processor, so installations requiring 4K/120Hz gaming, 8K video or eARC should use a compatible newer processor.

Balanced Outputs and Flexible Amplifier Matching

The MX122 provides 13 balanced XLR and 15 unbalanced RCA output connections, configured to support an 11.2-channel system.

Its balanced outputs make it suitable for installations with separate multichannel power amplifiers or individual amplifiers assigned to specific speaker channels. Balanced connections can also be useful when the processor and amplifiers are installed in separate equipment racks.

Rated output levels of 5V balanced and 2.5V unbalanced provide compatibility with a wide selection of suitable power amplifiers.

The MX122 is a processor, not an AV receiver. External amplification is required to drive passive loudspeakers.

Analog Audio, Vinyl and Network Playback

Beyond its home theater capabilities, the MX122 offers a wide range of audio inputs for integrating traditional and modern music sources.

A dedicated moving magnet phono input allows a compatible turntable to be connected without a separate MM phono preamplifier. Additional analog inputs include balanced stereo and 7.1-channel multichannel connections.

Digital connectivity includes optical and coaxial inputs, while network capabilities provide internet radio and supported media streaming. Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth add wireless playback options for compatible devices.

This combination allows the MX122 to manage music playback and movie soundtracks within the same system.

Multizone Audio and Video

The MX122 supports three-zone operation, allowing the main theater system to be integrated into a larger residential entertainment installation.

Zone 2 provides independent audio/video source selection for a secondary space, while Zone 3 offers an additional audio-only listening zone.

RS-232, network control and power-control triggers provide integration options for compatible home automation systems and associated components.

These features make the MX122 suitable for installations where a dedicated theater is part of a broader whole-home entertainment system.

Technical Specifications

Experience McIntosh at The Grid HiFi

Explore McIntosh home theater components at The Grid HiFi in Houston, Texas. As a McIntosh Reference Dealer, we help clients design premium surround sound systems with carefully matched processors, power amplifiers, loudspeakers and subwoofers.

From upgrading an existing media room to designing a dedicated private cinema, our team provides equipment selection, system integration, speaker placement and professional home theater installation.