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See the complete review of the MVP901 A/V Disc Player, MX122 A/V Processor, MC205 Five-Channel Power Amplifier

MVP901 Audio Video Player, MX122 AV Processor, and MX205 Five-Channel Solid-State Amplifier

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McIntosh’s MVP901 Audio Video Player, MX122 A/V Processor, and MX205 Five-Channel Solid-State Amplifier form the “economy end” of their home theater lineup. With its “stream, play, and take no prisoners” attitude, the disc player can be a network or internet receiver and a “play mostly anything” disc device. It even plays MKV files with 5.1 audio from a CD/DVD+RW disc! The MX122 A/V processor duplicates those stream-and-play capabilities while adding wireless, Bluetooth, and Audyssey room correction. The processor’s generous information screens even helped me identify an audio problem I didn’t even know I had! The MX205 amp, despite lacking the traditional McIntosh output autoformers, runs with the best of the breed while producing 200 watts-per-channel into four or eight ohms. The components look good while doing their voodoo, sporting traditional McIntosh glass faceplates, and big blue meters for the amplifier. So, are the “baby Macs” worth their prices? More importantly, do they deserve a place in McIntosh iconography? Read the upcoming review to find out!

Secrets Sponsor

See the complete review of the MVP901 A/V Disc Player, MX122 A/V Processor, MC205 Five-Channel Power Amplifier

Glenn Young

I learned to play the guitar in high school, hoping to persuade Berma Sanchez to date me, but alas, no such luck! In the late 1970s, a neighbor who was the station engineer for the local PBS network took me under his wing and taught me the electronics of audio reproduction. Throughout college, I used that knowledge to modify Dynaco vacuum tube equipment for friends. After graduation from LSU, I took a job in the chemical manufacturing industry, learning about industrial hygiene and the mechanics of hearing. In the 1990s I learned to write, initially as the newsletter editor for my local Safety Engineering chapter. In the early 2000s, I had my first book published (I’m now working on my third). A few years ago, the Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity website issued a call for authors. I responded and was excited to be selected. Over the years, I’ve published a number of equipment reviews and am honored, in 2019, to be given the title of “Senior Editor.” But none of the above offers the “why” of my interest in home audio. My musical tastes are highly diverse, and my love of music (acquired probably in the church choir of Grace Baptist Church) has been passed on to my daughter, who got her B.S. degree in music and her M.S. in violin performance and music education before being switching gears and then going on to graduate from Harvard Law. Although the majority of my extended group of friends and family prefer hobbies such as hunting, fishing, football games, etc., I’ve found that I still greatly enjoy time with my audio system and discovering new music. At some time in the fairly near future, my hearing will decline and I’ll no longer be able to listen analytically. But so long as my audiograms show acute hearing, I’ll keep doing what I enjoy best - listening to wonderful music and sharing my thoughts and impressions with like-minded friends.

View Comments

  • They should make an LS50p. Powered only with wireless connection between the speakers.

  • Frankly, I tire of Mc's look. At the price there is no reason they cant update at minimal the display, maybe some OLED stuff. Sound quality can carry you so far these days.

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