Inside pictures of an $8000 Mcintosh MX135 pre/pro.

[Tawnos]

Is there any expert hardware tech people on this forum that can "decode" what is inside the MX135 and explain if it is a pay for the name pre/pro? If you need any specific pictures just say so and I will see what I can do.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0632.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0633.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0634.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0635.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0636.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0637.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0638.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0639.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0640.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Tawnos_mac/HPIM0641.jpg

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

You're definitely paying for microprocessors. There's enough to take you to the moon and back. Now, if that translates to $8000, I'm sure it doesn't. You know better than to ask if you're paying for the name, right? FWIW, it sure is a pretty peice of equipment.

 

[Tawnos]

You're definitely paying for microprocessors.

But the denon 5805 has 3 times the processing power.

 

[alphamajor]

I'm actually an Electrical Engineer. I'm not trying to toot my own horn or anything but I'm just going to tell you what I see and can determine just by looking at it.

The main processor board in the middle there is made by Momentum Data Systems. It is their DAE-5 model and is based on a Texas Instruments processor. As far as pricing for that, I'm not sure.

All of the other boards (from what I can see) are designed by McIntosh. The circuitry doesn't look overly complex. I would suspect that some of it is just based on standard designs (such as the support circuitry for the processor) and other parts are things that they have developed over time. Most of those black chips you are seeing are basic parts, nothing fancy at all. Some of the larger chips are more specialized, either meant for driving the display on the front, or having some type of firmware programmed into them (the ones in the brown sockets may be like this).

Now, aside from the processor board, which I would assume costs a few hundred dollars, I would not be surprised at all if the entire thing had less than $800 in parts.

 

[Tawnos]

The main processor board in the middle there is made by Momentum Data Systems. It is their DAE-5 model and is based on a Texas Instruments processor. As far as pricing for that, I'm not sure.

The MX135 runs a Texas Instruments "Aureus" digital processing chip which is also used by yamaha in their mid level receivers if I remember so it is nothing special.

All of the other boards (from what I can see)

I can try and take specific pictures if that would help.

Now, aside from the processor board, which I would assume costs a few hundred dollars, I would not be surprised at all if the entire thing had less than $800 in parts.

Much like the mcintosh speakers I could see a very huge markup.

 

[majorloser]

OK, I admit it, I hate McIntosh. But only because I hate the way they look. The front plates have a very old, dated look. Reminds me of the analog stuff from the 50's.

But that being said, that is one of the cleanest and neatest interiors I've seen.

 

[Tawnos]

But that being said, that is one of the cleanest and neatest interiors I've seen.

We need someone to open up a receiver and take some pictues.

 

[zumbo]

I can't offer anything here, but I do have somethig to say. The inside of that piece of equipment is perfection. However, the outside looks like ancient history. I never was much count at history.(Carl Childres)

 

[zumbo]

We need someone to open up a receiver and take some pictues.

Pick a receiver from any review listed. Most, if not all, will have internal pics.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/index.php

Yamaha 659:

Yamaha 4600:

Denon 3805:

 

[majorloser]

I'm not about to take everything apart from my B&K pre/pro just to take pictures, but I can tell you it looks like spaghetti inside.

Even the ribbon cables are just the right length and laid perfectly flat inside that Mac. When you build a PC that's what you aim for. Neat and open to allow clean air flow.

 

[Tawnos]

The inside of that piece of equipment is perfection.

How can it be perfection if the same parts are being used?

 

[zumbo]

How can it be perfection if the same parts are being used?

Well, cars are made of the same parts. Some are built better than others. Some are built much better than others. All need the same internal parts to make them work.

Example.
Mazda 6
Ford Fusion
Jaguar S-type
All the same car. The Jag is built to a higher standard.

Toyota Camry
Lexus ES

Honda Accord
Acura TL

You get the idea?

A Ferrari takes the same pieces as the cars above. But, is it better? Uh, duh.

 

[Tawnos]

Well, cars are made of the same parts. Some are built better than others. Some are built much better than others. All need the same internal parts to make them work.

Wrong! How can you say something like that? Are you trying to say that becuase the mcintosh MX135 is built to a better standard that is sounds better?

Example.
Mazda 6
Ford Fusion
Jaguar S-type
All the same car. The Jag is built to a higher standard.

Ford owns mazda and jaguar so what is your point? Just becuase mazda and ford use the same basic 2.3 and 3.0 engines does not mean anything and only the low end jag uses the 3.0.

 

[zumbo]

Wrong! How can you say something like that? Are you trying to say that becuase the mcintosh MX135 is built to a better standard that is sounds better?



Ford owns mazda and jaguar so what is your point? Just becuase mazda and ford use the same basic 2.3 and 3.0 engines does not mean anything and only the low end jag uses the 3.0.

So, you answered your own question. The Jag, being the same car and company, is the upper-end. And, it offeres larger more powerful engines. As you stated, the top engine in the Fusion is the bottom engine in the Jag. And, not only is the engine option better, the build quality and materials are superior.

 

[Tawnos]

The MX135 uses the digital audio engine 5 from momentum data systems at http://www.mds.com/products/product.asp?prod=DAE%2D5 and is based around the texas instruments aureus DSP. So all you have to do is find a receiver with this setup and you can have your very own MX135 for a LOT cheaper.

 

[Tawnos]

So, you answered your own question. The Jag, being the same car and company, is the upper-end. And, it offeres larger more powerful engines. As you stated, the top engine in the Fusion is the bottom engine in the Jag. And, not only is the engine option better, the build quality and materials are superior.

The only thing that is similar in the jag is the 3.0 engine used and who in their right mind would order a jag with a 3.0 V6? Everything else on the jag is different form the brakes, wheels, interior, body, exhaust.

 

[zumbo]

The only thing that is similar in the jag is the 3.0 engine used and who in their right mind would order a jag with a 3.0 V6? Everything else on the jag is different form the brakes, wheels, interior, body, exhaust.

It's the same car. The sum of it's parts are higher quality, and built to a higher standard. I don't see what is so hard to understand.

Do I think the Mac/Jag is worth it's price? No.

Would I buy another product to save money? Yes.

Is the Mac/Jag superior to others/Ford? Most.

Is Mac/Jag 8000 superior? No.

I would answer the questions the same if you sub with Ford & Jag.

 

[zumbo]

The MX135 uses the digital audio engine 5 from momentum data systems at http://www.mds.com/products/product.asp?prod=DAE%2D5 and is based around the texas instruments aureus DSP. So all you have to do is find a receiver with this setup and you can have your very own MX135 for a LOT cheaper.

So, if you want a Jag 3.0, you can get a 6/fusion a LOT cheaper.

 

[Tawnos]

It's the same car. The sum of it's parts are higher quality, and built to a higher standard. I don't see what is so hard to understand.

No it isn't. http://www.jaguarusa.com/us/en/s-type/models_pricing/models.htm there are many differences!

 

[Tawnos]

http://edageek.com/2006/11/07/ti-aureus-audio-dsp/

Availability, Packaging and Pricing
The new DA710 devices with 133 MHz memory interface are available now in an industry standard GDH package. The 300 MHz DA710 costs $21.63 each, while the 275 MHz DA710 costs $16.05 each, both in quantities of 10,000 or more. The 266 MHz DA708 with a 133 MHz memory interface is available in an RFP package and costs $13.52 each in quantities of 10,000 or more.

The DA710 and DA708 also are available for automotive applications that are Q100 qualified and rated for operation in extended temperatures. The DA710 for automotive applications provides 275 MHz, while the DA708 offers 250 MHz. Both devices have the enhanced 133 MHz SDRAM interface.

I find this funny becuase the price for the DSP used in the MX135 is the same and costs the same as many other receivers yet mac charges huge amounts for theirs.