Audio Video News

McIntosh Launches End-All, Be-All A/V Processor

McIntosh is one of the most ambitious companies when it comes to introducing new audio gear, much of it two-channel with a vintage if not exotic twist. But every now and then a baller piece of A/V gear like the MX180 processor comes along.

At $17,000, the MX180 doesn’t come cheap, but it’s loaded with cutting-edge features and boasts 16 balanced outputs to accommodate a variety of speaker layouts, including 15.1 or 9.1.6 surround-sound configurations, all while retaining the classic Mac look. The processor is equipped to decode the Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, and Auro-3D formats in addition to supporting 8K video at 60 frames per second (fps) and 4K video at 120 fps on all of its seven ultra-high-speed HDMI ports — five inputs and two outputs, one of which features Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) functionality.

All of the MX180’s HDMI connections also support the Rec. 2020 color space with 4:4:4 sampling, HDCP 2.3 copy protection, dynamic lip-sync, and 3D-video passthrough in addition to the HDMI 2.1 features gamers look for — Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), Quick Media Switching (QMS), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).

Apart from its arsenal of HDMI ports, the MX180 provides a variety of digital inputs, including a balanced (AES/EBU) connector and USB port plus four optical and three coaxial connections, each of which accepts 24-bit/192kHz signals. On the analog side, there’s a moving-magnet phono input and a 7.1-channel connection plus two balanced and four unbalanced inputs. A Zone B output for sending stereo audio to a second listening area is also included. All analog and digital devices can be custom-named to simplify system operation and levels can be matched to eliminate abrupt changes in volume when switching sources.

The processor uses Lyngdorf’s RoomPerfect room-correction technology to compensate for acoustic anomalies and accommodates all of the major high dynamic range (HDR) formats — HDR10, Dynamic HDR, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. McIntosh says new advancements in processing enables the MX180 to run cooler than its predecessors. Classic McIntosh design features include the iconic black-glass front panel with silver-ringed control knobs, an illuminated logo, and aluminum end caps. For more information, visit mcintoshlabs.com.

Como Offers Vinyl Option with Bluetooth Music System

Como Audio, the Boston-based maker of compact music systems, has introduced a new system that embraces the simplicity of Bluetooth streaming and real stereo.

The Como Blu Stereo ($399) remembers up to five paired Bluetooth devices and comprises a pair of two-way speakers, each of which mates a fabric-dome tweeter and dual-voice-coil woofer in an MDF cabinet finished in walnut or hickory real-wood veneer. The left speaker is the brains of the operation, housing a 2 x 30-watt power amplifier and providing a simple set of controls along with a digital clock display, and (around back) an auxiliary input and stereo headphone output.

Como provides a cable for connecting the right speaker and offers an optional battery pack ($30) with a rated battery life of 8 hours for converting the system into a true portable.

For an additional $399, you can bring vinyl into the fold with the addition of the Como’s Analog Turntable, which features a factory-mounted Ortofon phono cartridge and integrated phono preamp so you can just plug the table into the Blu system’s auxiliary input (cable included). The table has a belt-drive mechanism with a steel platter and a solid MDF base wrapped in walnut or gloss black vinyl. A dust cover is included. For more information, visit comoaudio.com.

Wireworld’s New Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable ‘Exceeds Industry Standards’

Wireworld Cable Technology, the Florida-based company specializing in high-performance AV cables, says its new Sphere 48 HDMI cable exceeds the industry standards for 48Gbps transmission to ensure support of all HDMI 2.1 capabilities, including 8K resolution, Dynamic HDR, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), HDCP2.3 copy protection, and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC).

The cable is said to improve the quality of audio and video through the use of an improved version of the company’s proprietary Uni-Path design, which uses three layers of shielding to minimize interference. The cable also uses the third generation of Wireworld’s Composilex insulation, which is said to minimize “triboelectric noise” generated by the interaction of conductors and insulation material within the cable. The new insulation is described as durable and highly flexible, which helps ease installation.

The Sphere 48 cable is UL-CL2/FT4-rated for in-wall installation and offered in five lengths: 2 feet/0.6 meters ($60), 3.3 feet/1m ($70), 6.6 feet/2m ($90), 9.8 feet/3m ($110), and 16.4 feet/5m ($190). For more information, visit wireworldcable.com.