McIntosh Laboratory Debuts Eight-Channel MHT100 Multizone A/V Receiver

Company's First-Ever Home Theatre Receiver Brings New Approach To Consumer And Custom Installation Markets

12-Jan-00

McIntosh Laboratory, a world leader in home entertainment systems for over 50 years, introduces the MHT100 Home Theater Receiver, the first integrated home theatre receiver in its history, at the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show. The MHT100 builds upon the success and circuitry of the flagship MX132 Home Theatre Preamp/Processor, and integrates eight channels of amplification and multizone capability. Shown in prototype form at CEDIA EXPO 2000, the MHT100 is now an actual product, with shipping due this quarter.The MHT100 represents a departure from McIntoshís discrete preamp/processor and amplifier approach to the home theatre market. In fact, itís been 12 years since the McIntosh line contained any product that could be called a receiver. Not only does the MHT100 contain extensive on-board audio/video source switching for seven audio and video sources and one internal AM/FM tuner - and state-of-the-art 20-bit DSP DolbyÆ Digital, Dolby Pro LogicÆ and DTSÆ Digital Surroundô decoders - it also contains eight amplifier channels. Six 100-watt channels of legendary McIntosh power drive a 6.1 loudspeaker configuration. Two 100-watt channels power a second remote A/V zone. Home theatre enthusiasts will also appreciate the MHT100ís breakthrough price of $5,000 MSRP.A Global Product ""We spent many months meeting with our reps, distributors, dealers and dedicated customers from around the world and heard the message that now is the right time to re-enter the market with an integrated 'receiverí-type product,"" said Graham Hallet, company President. ""The MHT100 embodies the term ëglobal productí from conception to engineering, manufacturing to marketing. Weíve made it easier and more affordable to achieve McIntosh quality performance in oneís theatre and throughout the rest of the home with this remarkable achievement."" Engineering Vice President Charlie Randall added, ""We really went all out in our efforts to provide maximum performance and system flexibility in the design of the MHT100. We felt it was vital to maintain the McIntosh virtues of dependability and craftsmanship. By building upon the processing platform developed for the MX132 Preamp/Processor we made sure this is a McIntosh in every way.""Tour De ForceThe MHT100 is a tour de force not only in what it can do for a home theatre but also as a flexible multizone control center that allows independent listening or viewing in a second separate ""B zone"" of any of the seven audio or video inputs. Separate tone controls, independent remote control via IR inputs and keypad connections highlight the MHT100ís well-conceived functionality. Zone B amplifier channels will more than adequately drive most whole-house speaker systems, while fully-configurable power amp inputs and outputs allow the user to dedicate as many of the eight onboard power channels as desired for remote zone applications. The MHT is also ""future proof"" by way of its 7.1 audio inputs and outputs for upgrade and expansion. An RS232 dataport allows the MHT100 to be controlled remotely by touchscreen controls made popular by companies like Crestron and AMX/Panja.Features- Zone A (theatre): 6 x 100 watts (4 ohms) or 6 x 80 watts (8 ohms) - six pairs of gold-plated speaker outputs- Zone B (multiroom): 2 x 100 watts (4 ohms) or 2 x 80 watts (8 ohms) - two pairs of gold plated speaker outputs - Seven power amp input connections - configurable amplifier outputs- Wide power bandwidth, ultra low distortion amplifiers- Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System - PowerGuard clipping protection, Sentry Monitor current protection, Thermal Cutout, turn-on delay, Soft Start inrush protection- Fanless convection cooling- 20-bit D/A converters- 20 bit A/D conversion of analog signal sources- Switchable dynamic compression for ""late night"" home theatre- Onboard removable AM/FM tuner module with high performance RAA1 remote AM antenna- Seven audio/video source selections with re-assignable naming- Six assignable digital audio inputs: three optical and three coaxial- Two digital outputs: one optical, one coaxial- 7.1 multichannel audio inputs and outputs- Zone A & B audio/video outputs- S-Video and composite video connections- Two assignable component video inputs- Component video output- Matched and buffered video switching- Automatic Input Level Control (AILC)- Precision optical encoder volume control- Control data output for McIntosh source component turn-on/off- Automatic mode switching between Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS- Expand mode for back 6.1-channel creation- Auto memory recall of last mode setting for each input- LED indicators for mode and PowerGuard- Internal signal source for system calibration- On-screen assistance for speaker size, room calibration and sound enhancements- On-screen adjustable time delay- Remote control of all mode and trim settings or easy setup and calibration- Permanent (non-volatile) memory of all system settings- Independent listening and record selection- Independent remote control of zones A and B- Keypad controller connections- Zone A and B IR inputs (compatible with Xantech sensors)- RS232 control for touch screen system remotes- Remote operation of lights, screens and drapes with McIntosh HC1 Home Controller- Four remote power control outputs: zones A and B, video, accessory- Gold-plated input and output jacks- Modular construction with steel chassis- Glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature- Infrared remote control with backlit buttonsThe MHT100 A/V Receiver will be available this quarter. For more information about McIntosh Laboratory, visit www.mcintoshlabs.com.

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