- The McIntosh CR106 can create and control six independent audio zones
- Link five units to create up to 30 audio zones
- $ 5,500 / £ 6 999
Money no object
We like to give practical purchase advice on the latest gadgets here in Techradar. But sometimes what we even like more is to engage in the most upscale, cutting -edge and advanced luxury technology on the planet. This is what we bring to you in these silver columns without object – you can read the whole series here.
If you are looking for a high-end pre-amplifier and multi-piece audio matrix for potentially massive home installation systems, McIntosh just has the thing. The new CR106 offers up to six audio zones independent in a single unit, and it can be in a network with others to provide up to 30 different, customizable and controllable areas.
The CR106 combines a pre -amplifier and audio matrix – essentially a traffic controller for audio, offering you the possibility of defining personalized audio adjustments for different zones – and it works with a wide range of ampliers and speakers. It can be mounted in a standard AV rack, where it will occupy a modest 2U of rack space.
McIntosh CR106: Key characteristics and price
The CR106 is controlled via the McIntosh Connect application for Apple and Android, via a web interface or via its front panel. The application offers many zone customization tools, allowing you to name each area, group together several areas together, selecting audio sources for different areas and configuring their subwoofer settings as well.
There are four analogues and four unbalanced digital inputs, and if you have a large house or a budget, you can follow up to five CR106 units together via the Dante network interface to create up to 30 two -channel zones.
In addition to the hardware entries, there is also Bluetooth with AAC, Aptx HD and adaptive APTX, so that you can pass through one of these units, and send it to one of the connected wired configurations.
Each area it supports has two sets of unbalanced outputs and dedicated subwoofer outputs.
The CR106 will be available worldwide from McIntosh dealers from August 2025. The PDSF is $ 5,500 / 6,999 £.
