Steve Withers discovers McIntosh’s AVR mixes
old-school know-how with cutting-edge tech
What do hippies as much as their knees in mud at Woodstock and followers tripping in entrance of The Grateful Lifeless’s notorious ‘Wall of Sound’ have in widespread? Each had been experiencing music cranked as much as severely unhealthy volumes due to energy amplifiers manufactured by US firm McIntosh.
Based by Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow in 1949 in Maryland, earlier than transferring to Binghamton, NY a few years later, the model has constructed a reputation for itself over the past seven many years by making highly effective high-performance amplifiers which might be well-liked with professionals and customers alike. The Grateful Lifeless’s sound system was composed of 48 McIntosh MC2300 fashions, and able to delivering an eardrum-shattering 28,800W.
And whereas McIntosh’s popularity is based totally on its iconic amplifiers (together with each tube and solid-state designs), the model has branched out into quite a few different areas, together with loudspeakers, DACs, turntables, CD gamers, and media gamers. It even launched the primary THX-certified AV system within the Nineteen Nineties.
Excessive-end
Point out the identify McIntosh to anybody with even a passing curiosity in house audio, and two phrases most likely spring to thoughts: ‘beautiful’ and ‘costly’. The brand new MHT300 seven-channel AV receiver actually ticks each these packing containers with its elegant seems to be and nine-grand price ticket.
Clearly, at this value level the MHT300 is geared toward well-heeled house cinema fans and the high-end customized set up market. It is also the one AV receiver in McIntosh’s present lineup, though the model does provides a trio of equally fairly AV processors.
So what do you get for all that wonga? Properly, the MHT300 packs seven channels of Class D energy, plus it may well decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X at as much as 7.2.4 with the assistance of added energy amps. McIntosh stresses the onboard juice is able to delivering 120W into 8ohm with all seven channels pushed concurrently, slightly than pegging that determine to a single-channel (or stereo) measurement.
Nonetheless, it is a disgrace there aren’t extra channels by way of each amplification and spatial audio decoding. A 7.2.4 setup is enough for many, however as that is an aspirational product the channel-count might sound stingy in comparison with rivals that may run 13- or 15-channel setups.
The MHT300 delivers a number of ‘firsts’ for McIntosh. Considered one of these is the inclusion of Dirac Dwell, which is welcome as a result of it is top-of-the-line room correction programs round. In a pleasant contact there is a mic stand within the field, however observe the provided microphone itself connects on to the MHT300 through a 3.5mm jack, so you may’t swap it out for a high-quality USB different.
Above McIntosh’s chunky gold-plated speaker outputs are preout RCAs for 4 extra channels, and twin subwoofers
One other new function is the inclusion of HDMI 2.1 connectivity for the primary time on a McIntosh AVR, with all
connections supporting 8K/60 and 4K/120, together with each flavour of HDR, plus eARC on the output. And, sure, that’s output singular, alongside solely 4 HDMI ins. Once more, competitor merchandise present extra.
The remaining supply choices are digital-only, with two optical and two coaxial inputs. There is a USB port however that is just for energy or firmware updates, and McIntosh follows the ‘efficiency first’ ethos by providing no wi-fi connectivity. Nonetheless, Ethernet and RS232 connections are there for installers, together with an IR enter and 12V triggers.
Unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs are supplied for every of the seven built-in channels, which come pre-fitted with jumper connectors. There are additionally unbalanced RCA outputs for the 4 peak channels, in addition to two devoted subwoofer outputs.
When it comes to different options there’s an FM tuner, though you may want to supply your individual aerial, and that is about it. That is an AV receiver that depends on its trademark McIntosh seems to be, weapons-grade construct high quality, and efficiency to justify its value premium, and on this respect it delivers.
Black magnificence
It is not typically I get to say this about an AVR, however the MHT300 is severely attractive. The black glass faceplate is beautiful, with its golden lettering, teal illumination, and silver finish plates. This elegant and minimalist design is so stunning it is a disgrace that given its goal market the MHT300 might be destined for an gear rack.
There’s a big and informative show within the centre, with lights beneath to point which channels are getting used, or when Dirac Dwell, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are engaged. On both facet of the show are an identical multi-function dials for management and setup. There’s additionally an equally elegant distant.
Setup both includes the entrance show together with the dials or zapper, or utilizing McIntosh’s web-based interface. The latter is unquestionably the popular possibility, laying out all of the menu selections in a transparent and intuitive vogue.
The inherent simplicity of this receiver makes setup straightforward. You must handle the speaker format and particular person crossovers within the menus, however you run Dirac on a laptop computer linked to the MHT300 over your community. The user-friendly nature of the software program makes it a breeze to combine any subs, stability out the soundstage, and scale back the extra egregious elements of your room.
I initially examined the MHT300 in a 7.2 configuration, earlier than transferring on to a 5.2.2 setup, which is the one immersive possibility out there out of the field. I then added 4 additional channels to get a deal with on the receiver’s full 7.2.4 object-based capabilities.
Mission to Mars
Kicking issues off with the Blu-ray launch of the newly restored Ziggy Stardust filmthis AVR did not disappoint with its rendition of the freshly minted 5.1 soundtrack. It is a full-bodied affair that showcases the Spiders from Mars on the peak of their powers in what turned out to be their final dwell present, and McIntosh’s many years of amassed amplifier expertise is apparent in a supply that is highly effective, responsive and revealing. The movie’s combine is front-heavy, and this AVR expressed it as a visceral wall of sound that assaults you with thumping drums and wailing guitars.
Mick Ronson’s solo in ‘Moonage Daydream’ was nothing in need of magnificent, sounding like a caged animal howling to be let out. The percussive kicks on the drums loved expertly timed bass, and the person devices could possibly be picked out with ease, particularly Woody Woodmansey’s over-zealous use of the hi-hat. The dealing with of Bowie’s vocals, from the epic freak-out of ‘Width of a Circle’ to the fragile acoustic rendition of ‘My Dying’, was equally slick.
The MHT300 is McIntosh’s first AV receiver with Dirac
Dwell room calibration
I used my 4K disc of Kong: Cranium Island to start placing the MHT300 by its Atmos paces, however earlier than I’m going into element I’ve a fast statement. Whereas you’ll get a style of spatial immersion utilizing 5.1.2, the dearth of again audio system leaves a gap within the processing’s acoustic bubble. I might advocate not less than a 7.1.2 setup, which makes it a disgrace that McIntosh hasn’t not less than gone for 9 amp channels.
Anyway, Kong… has a posh Dolby Atmos combine that makes full use of the peak layer proper from the off. Two dogfighting planes fly throughout and above you in the course of the opening credit, earlier than each crash from overhead in spectacular vogue. As their two pilots face off towards each other, the titular ape makes a dramatic entrance, accompanied by a large entrance soundstage that is underscored by prodigious quantities of LFE.
This receiver proved able to creating an exhilarating sense of scale, even when all seven channels are pushed concurrently. There is a maturity to the supply right here, a clear and clear sound, plus enough headroom to make sure the simian bedlam is dealt with with out breaking a sweat.
In direction of the movie’s climax Samuel L. Jackson units a entice for the monster monkey by surrounding him in flames, however quickly realises he is bitten off greater than he can chew as Kong towers over him. The MHT300 did a incredible job of selecting out the sounds of burning jungle, whereas the heights had been successfully used to carry added scale to Kong as he dwarfs his human opponent.
Rome destroyed in a day
A newer addition to my assortment is Quick X (4K BD). Whilst you would not anticipate a delicate soundtrack from any movie on this franchise, the opening Rome set-piece is a tour de drive of manic sonic design. As an enormous metallic ball bomb bounces across the metropolis, Dom and crew race across the streets in a determined try to cease it.
The entire sequence performs out prefer it was designed by a child on a weight loss program of fizzy pop and Skittles, and the soundtrack enhances the mayhem with joyous abandon. By way of the MHT300, all of the channels had been stuffed with revving engines and squealing tires, whereas every bounce of the bomb was enhanced by a hefty bass bump.
Dirac actually performs its half in making a soundscape that is composed and balanced regardless of all of the carnage, with a easy low-end that is properly built-in. When the bomb truly explodes there is a wave of low-frequency vitality that spreads out by the room, and the power to set crossovers for every speaker permits them to seamlessly hand off to the subs within the system.
Energy up
McIntosh’s MHT300 is an impressive multichannel AV receiver, able to producing a posh and highly effective soundstage with an emphasis on sheer scale. Its amplification is extremely conscious of dynamic peaks, and the entire efficiency is shot by with readability and precision. It is an actual disgrace extra channels aren’t in-built, although, and the worth of entry is excessive…
HCC Verdict: 4.5/5
McIntosh MHT300
Value: £8,995
www.mcintoshlabs.com
We are saying: This elegant AV receiver lacks a number of options discovered on extra inexpensive rivals, however there is no denying its sonic pedigree because it effortlessly delivers exhilarating soundscapes.
Specs
DOLBY ATMOS: Sure DTS:X: Sure IMAX ENHANCED: No MULTICHANNEL INPUT: No
MULTICHANNEL PRE-OUT: Sure. 11.2 MULTICHANNEL OUTPUT (CLAIMED):
7 x 120W (into 8 ohms, all channels pushed, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.05% THD)) MULTIROOM: No HDMI: Sure. 4 x inputs; 1 x output OF INPUTS: 4 x digital audio (2 x optical and a couple of x coaxial) DIMENSIONS: 445(w) x 508(d) x 157(h)mm WEIGHT: 12.2kg
FEATURES: Class D amplification; web-based setup and management; Dirac Dwell room correction; FM tuner; microphone and stand provided; IR enter; 2 x 12V set off; Ethernet; USB port (service); RS232; HDM1 2.1 with HDCP 2.3, 8K/60, 4K/120, HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient passthrough; bass and treble tone controls; Energy Guard sign overload sensing; Sentry Monitor short-circuit safety;
7 x 32-bit DACs
