McIntosh MX 200 Review (short)

I listen to mostly 2.2 channel music from CD (OPP) 104D), Apple streaming and RTR tape (Revox B77). I was looking for an upgrade for an Emotiva XMC --1 pre-pro. I got and installed the MX200.

In a word- it sounds and looks better. Noticeably.

I’ve had 4 DACs (midfi) in and out of the system in the last year and they all sounded more or less the same- surprisingly so. The 200 definitely sounded not only different, but significantly better - broader deeper sound stage and clarity.

It lacks 5.1 channel analog inputs so I cannot compare with the SACD player but I already hear superior decoding via the 200.

Video processing is "crisp". Again could not compare side by side, but from very recent memory (less than 12 hrs) the picture overall was improved.

The lack of XLR sub outputs is an even trade as the XMC did not have them either. I think this issue may be overblown unless yiou have very long runs. I will find out in Feb when the system gets moved into a new larger room.

Programming all done by remote control - I have not hooked up a PC or the DIRAC features yet. The UI is ok- but just. No full screen menu on the TV (that I have unlocked as yet anyway). And I have not been able to relabel the inputs (yet).

In short a not inexpensive upgrade and clearly a diminishing returns exercise, but it definitely a step forward in audio quality which was the main objective. Phew!