McIntosh MX112

Overview

The McIntosh MX112 is a solid-state AM/FM stereo tuner-preamplifier produced from 1968 through 1971. Rather than being a conventional standalone preamp, it combines a full-featured control center with McIntosh’s FM stereo and AM tuner circuitry in one chassis. That makes it an especially interesting bridge between the company’s tube-era tuner-preamplifiers and the solid-state separates that followed.

Why This Model Matters

The MX112 belongs to the first generation of solid-state McIntosh tuner-preamplifiers. Its black glass faceplate, illuminated tuning scale, chrome chassis, and restrained control layout established a visual language that remains immediately recognizable. It was designed as the front end of a serious component system, offering source selection, tone shaping, tape monitoring, phono playback, and broadcast reception without requiring separate tuner and preamplifier chassis.

McIntosh specified a wide range of control facilities, including separate bass and treble adjustments, multiple high-level inputs, tape connections, and magnetic phono inputs. The tuner section covers both FM stereo and AM, while the preamplifier section provides the flexibility expected from the company’s higher-grade home audio components of the period.

Highlights

• Solid-state AM/FM stereo tuner-preamplifier
• Manufactured from 1968 through 1971
• Magnetic phono inputs for turntable use
• Independent bass and treble controls
• Multiple source and tape-monitoring connections
• Classic McIntosh black-glass and chrome presentation

Who It’s For

The MX112 is well suited to a listener building a period-correct late-1960s or early-1970s McIntosh system, or anyone who appreciates the convenience of a high-quality tuner and preamplifier in one chassis. It is a historically significant McIntosh control component with genuine visual presence and everyday analog versatility.