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McIntosh MX121 vs. MX119 for 2-channel

I have recently upgraded from an MX119 to an MX121.
My main question is regarding 2-channel music, in Pure Direct mode (no digital signal processing at all), connected with RCA directly to a McIntosh MVP-871 DVD/CD player.
The music on the MX121 sounds wonderful, with great bass management (with or without a subwoofer) however I feel that the vocals are a bit behind the music and are just tad harsher and less "liquid" than the MX119.
Another big difference I noticed is that with the MX119, at the sweet spot, I hear the singer's vocal coming form the center of the room, where the MX121 sounds more like it's coming from L/R speakers.
I know the MX119 Pure Direct circuit is basically identical to a McIntosh C45. 
Could it be that the sound signature of the MX121 is that different? Maybe it's all in my head?
I'd really like to keep the MX121, so it may be a question of getting used to it. I'll run some more A/B comparisons over the weekend and make up my mind.
Any opinions?


yyman23
fmzip's avatar
fmzip
12 posts
 
Thought to bump this thread again....

I only have a 3.1 setup currently using an Anthem Statement D1 processor.

Are you guys saying that the pure direct mode on the MX-119 allows output to the sub, or not?

I would love to see how 2.1 sounds through this preamp but if it’s problematic, I should stay away
yyman23 OP
146 posts
 
Hi fmzip,

While I sold mine over a year ago, as far as I remember it worked in 2-channel mode and only through the digital input.
This processor had some software issues. 
I have since bought a C45.
I hope that helps!
g_nakamoto's avatar
g_nakamoto
348 posts
 
i'm not an audiofile. i only listen to 2 chanell music. i have a mc602 power amp, and i needed a pre-amp tuner to match the looks of my amp. at 'audio classics' the least expensive was the mx132 so i purchased that one.
caphill
667 posts
 
If you guys aren't doing surrounds (multi-channels) why did you guys go with HT preamp surround processors to begin with? Cause both the MX119 & MX121 are HT preamp processors? 

You should get very good quality stereo integrated amp if only doing stereo or 2.1. 
yyman23 OP
146 posts
 
Because the MX119 in stereo has the circuit of a C45 and cost less than half while maintaining the same audio quality in 2- channel.
I used mine for surround as well. 
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