Marantz AV7005 vs McIntosh MX-120


Hey Audiogoners I need some help and opinions from audiophiles. People who understand that there is a difference between a up converted DVD and a Blu-ray. People who recognize the fact that vinyl on the right system will always beat your damn AWIA mini system!

I’m looking to upgrade my current home theatre preamp. First let me tell you about my current system. This is it: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1332968637&view I’ve since added a HTPC, which is wonderful, and a DVDO scalier/switcher. (http://www.dvdo.com/EDGE.aspx )

Here is the Question/options

Option A: I can get the Marantz AV7005 which handles all the current surround options.

Option B: I can get the McIntosh MX-120. Now the MX-120 can’t handle anything super current as far as surround goes. I can use my DVDO to handle all video switching and then send the audio via HDMI to the McIntosh for decoding. The pro to this set up is the analogue section of the McIntosh for my 2 channel audio is far better than the Marantz.

What do you think?
Ag insider logo xs@2xkenm80

Showing 1 response by o0obillo0o

Kiwi2, great post!

McIntosh does make expensive and high quality products, check to see if there is a firmware update to the MVP881. Then again, ask yourself, "What is missing?" when you demo the gear.

It's no secret, D&M Holdings, the parent company of Denon, Marantz and ,yes, McIntosh shares several internals. However, there is more to the McIntosh than the others. Case in point AV7005 and the MX121, the HDMI board is the same, according to McIntosh, but the power supply, chassis and wiring is all American McIntosh.

What's in a name? :-)