MR89 AM/FM Tuner

RETIRED – LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Includes many advancements and new features to make radio listening more pleasurable
60dB output meters show the signal level that's being delivered from the analog outputs
Exclusive radio-frequency circuitry
Advanced low distortion performance
Digital and analog outputs

Eligible for online purchase?

3 Year Limited Warranty

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

Print this page

Ask an Expert

MR89 AM/FM Tuner

3 Year Limited Warranty

Print this page

Ask an Expert

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

While there is no doubting the popularity and permanence of paid music streaming services, there is still plenty of free music being broadcast over the air from thousands of traditional radio stations. And McIntosh has a long and distinguished history with radio and tuners. The McIntosh MR78 from the 1970s is considered by many to be one of the best – if not the best – tuners ever made. The MR89 AM/FM Tuner carries on with this tradition of tuner excellence by letting you enjoy the abundance of free music streaming over invisible airwaves.

The MR89 features exclusive McIntosh radio frequency (RF) circuitry that is capable of receiving both strong FM signals from nearby stations – something that can overload and cause distortion in lesser tuners – while also being able to tune in weaker FM signals located further away with little to no noise. The MR89's advanced signal quality monitor can display detailed signal, multipath, and noise levels of the incoming RF signals to help fine tune optimal placement of your AM or FM antenna. It comes with our RAA2 AM antenna that features a 20-foot (6m) long cable that provides flexibility in placing the antenna for the best possible radio signal reception; your McIntosh dealer will be able to assist you in choosing the correct FM antenna based on your home's location relative to your favorite FM stations. A pair of balanced and unbalanced analog outputs along with one each of digital coax and optical outputs are included to connect the MR89 to your home audio system.

A multitude of advancements have been made in the MR89 to make your radio listening more pleasurable. Sensitivity, Signal to Noise Ratio, Harmonic Distortion, Channel Selectivity, and Stereo Separation were thoroughly analyzed and thoughtfully updated resulting in substantial performance improvements for each. A variety of new features have also been added. To help with lower quality FM stereo broadcasts, Stereo Blending has been upgraded with the introduction of a new High Blend option which blends the high frequency portion of the audio frequency range more aggressively. The new Softmute feature reduces audio output when receiving low quality stations or between-station static and noise. Another added method to reduce noise and enhance your listening experience is the new Highcut function that reduces high frequency audio content. Several aggressiveness settings are available for Stereo Blending, High Blend, Softmute, and Highcut to suit station quality and your listening preferences.

AM and FM radio stations are tuned using the smooth acting tuning knob. The MR89 supports the FM Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS)¹, allowing the display to show various information such as station name, music genre, artist name, and song title (provided such data is transmitted by the station). The RBDS data display can be adjusted or turned off entirely according to your liking. A Seek function is available through either the front panel controls or from the included remote control. The sensitivity of the Seek function is adjustable through setup menus. The MR89 can store up to 20 preset stations in both the AM and FM band.

A pair of 60dB output meters show the signal level that's being delivered from the analog outputs of each channel. While the volume is controlled by your preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or other control device, the meters on the MR89 accurately portray the Left and Right channel audio output generated from the received station. Depending on the program received, the meters are a good indication of the MR89’s excellent stereo separation.

The MR89 can receive the following FM frequencies that are used in the listed regions as well as in many other parts of the world: 87.5MHz – 108.0MHz (Europe); 88.1MHz – 107.9MHz (USA); and 76.0MHz – 108.0MHz (Japan). For AM reception, it can receive 531kHz – 1701kHz (Europe); 530kHz – 1700kHz (USA); and 531kHz – 1629kHz (Japan).

The black glass front panel, meters, knobs, and brushed aluminum end caps are all housed in a stainless-steel chassis polished to a luxurious mirror finish that imparts the timeless McIntosh look. The MR89 can be paired with a variety of amplifiers, turntables, CD players, home theater processors, room correction devices, speakers, and other source components to make a complete home audio system. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

1) RBDS is only available in the United States.

Specifications
General Specifications
- Bands
  
  AM/FM
- Rated Output
  
  1Vrms Unbalanced
  2Vrms Balanced
- Output Impedance
  
  100 ohms Unbalanced or Balanced
- Standby Power Requirement
  
  <0.5 watt
FM Specifications
- Tuning Range
  
  87.5MHz - 108.0MHz (Europe)
  88.1MHz - 107.9MHz (USA)
  76.0MHz - 108.0MHz (Japan)
- Channel Spacing
  
  50kHz, 100kHz or 200kHz
- Antenna Input
  
  75 ohms, Type “F” Coax connector
- Useable Sensitivity
  
  2uV
- Signal To Noise Ratio
  
  Mono: 70dB
  Stereo: 68dB
- Frequency Response
  
  ±1dB 20Hz to 18kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion
  
  Mono: 0.1%
  Stereo: 0.3%
- Channel Selectivity
  
  70dB Adjacent Channel
  75dB Alternate Channel
- Stereo Separation
  
  45dB
AM Specifications
- Tuning Range
  
  531kHz - 1701kHz (Europe)
  530kHz - 1700kHz (USA)
  531kHz - 1629kHz (Japan)
- Channel Spacing
  
  9kHz or 10kHz
- Antenna Input
  
  Balanced, RJ45 connector (for use only with supplied McIntosh RAA2 Remote AM Antenna)
- Sensitivity
  
  350uV/m
- Signal To Noise Ratio
  
  55dB
- Frequency Response
  
  ±1dB 20Hz - 1.5kHz
  -6dB 3kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion
  
  0.1%
- Selectivity
  
  45dB Adjacent Channel
Connectivity
- Balanced Fixed Output
  
  1
- Unbalanced Fixed Output
  
  1
- Digital Coaxial Output
  
  1
- Digital Optical Output
  
  1
- AM Antenna Input
  
  1
- FM Antenna Input
  
  1
- Service Port
  
  1
Digital Audio Specifications
- Digital Coaxial Output
  
  0.5V p-p/75 ohm
- Digital Optical Output
  
  -15dbm to -21dbm
- Sampling Frequency
  
  48kHz
Control
- Rear Panel Data Inputs
  
  1
- Rear Panel IR Sensor Inputs
  
  1
- Power Control Inputs
  
  1
- Power Control Outputs
  
  1
- RS232 Control Inputs
  
  1
Weights & Dimensions
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
  
  17-1/2" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.24cm) x 15-7/8" (40.32cm)
- Unit Weight
  
  23 lbs (10.4 kg)
- Shipping Weight
  
  37.5 lbs (17 kg)

Downloads

Product Literature	User Documents
MR89 AM/FM Tuner Brochure (1.39 MB)	MR89 AM/FM Tuner Owner's Manual (2.2 MB) HR085 and HR086 Remote Controls Owner’s Manual (4.23 MB) HR085 Remote Control Learning Guide (0.67 MB)

McIntosh SoHo II home audio music system

MR89 AM/FM Tuner is also part of the SoHo II Music System

DISCOVER MORE

More from Retired Products

C8 2-Channel Preamplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Vacuum Tube
- 5 analog inputs
- Bass and Treble tone controls
- Digital inputs can be added with optional DA2 Digital Audio Module upgrade
C49 2-Channel Preamplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Solid State
- 13 analog and digital inputs
- Includes DA1 Digital Audio Module (optional upgrade to DA2 available)
- Supports 24-bit/192kHz and DSD256 files
- Bass and Treble tone controls
- A certified Roon Tested device
CS200 In-Ceiling Loudspeaker
- Perfect for custom installed distributed audio
- Also great as home theater surround sound speakers
- 15 to 250 Watt Power Rating
MC451 1-Channel Power Amplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Hybrid Drive
- 150 Watts x 1-Channel Vacuum Tube Amplifier and 300 Watts x 1-Channel Solid State Amplifier
- The ultimate solution for bi-amping loudspeakers
- Vacuum tube section powers midranges and tweeters; Solid state section drives power hungry woofers
- Autoformer™, Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformer, Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts
MC830 1-Channel Power Amplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems & Home Theater Systems
- Type: Solid State
- 300 Watts x 1-Channel into 8 Ohms
- 480 Watts x 1-Channel into 4 Ohms
- Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts
MC901 1-Channel Power Amplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Hybrid Drive
- 300 Watts x 1-Channel Vacuum Tube Amplifier and 600 Watts x 1-Channel Solid State Amplifier
- The ultimate solution for bi-amping loudspeakers
- Vacuum tube section powers midranges and tweeters; Solid state section drives power hungry woofers
- Quad Balanced, Autoformer™, Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformer, Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts
MC1502 2-Channel Power Amplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Vacuum Tube
- 150 Watts x 2-Channels
- Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformers
- Sentry Monitor™, Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts
MC2KW 1-Channel Power Amplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems & Home Theater Systems
- Type: Solid State
- 2,000 Watts x 1-Channel
- Tri-chassis design: 2 Power Modules, 1 Output Module
- Quad Balanced, Autoformer™, Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™
- Multiple speaker terminals for bi- and tri-wiring
MC2301 1-Channel Power Amplifier

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Vacuum Tube
- 300 Watts x 1-Channel
- Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformer
- Quad Balanced, Sentry Monitor™
MC3500 1-Channel Power Amplifier Mk II

Ideal for 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Vacuum Tube
- 350 Watts x 1-Channel
- A tribute to the original MC3500 – the amplifier that powered Woodstock and Inspired a Generation
- Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformer
- Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor™, Sentry Monitor™, Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts
MCD85 2-Channel SACD/CD Player
- 8-channel, 32-bit PCM/DSD Quad Balanced DAC
- Plays commercial and burned CDs; DVD Data Discs
- Fixed analog stereo outputs
- USB Audio input supports up to DSD256
- Coax and Optical digital inputs
MCT500 2-Channel SACD/CD Transport
- Plays CD/DVD Data Discs; USB flash drives
- Balanced, coax, optical, MCT outputs
MDA200 D/A Converter
- Premium Digital Performance
- Add digital music playback to an all analog system or replace an older, outdated converter
- Comes with DA2 Digital Audio Module installed
- Supports up to DSD512 and 24-bit/192kHz
- 7 digital inputs: 2 coax, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT, 1 HDMI (ARC)
- Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
MHA200 2-Channel Headphone Power Amplifier

Ideal for Headphone Listening from 2-Channel Audio Systems
- Type: Vacuum Tube
- Compact footprint: just 6-1/8" (15.6cm) x 9-1/8" (23.2cm)
- 4 selectable headphone impedance ranges
- Balanced and unbalanced analog inputs
- Balanced stereo or dedicated Left & Right outputs
MS500 Music Streamer
- Seamlessly controls your internet based streaming music and your locally stored digital music
- Interfaces to leading streaming services including Pandora^®, Rhapsody^®, SiriusXM^®, Spotify^®, TIDAL and TuneIn
- Internal solid state drive for local storage
MX123 A/V Processor
- 10 HDMI ports: 4K/60Hz; HDCP 2.3; Rec. 2020; 4:4:4 color spacing; Dynamic Lip-sync
- 8K/60Hz & 4K/120Hz on 1 HDMI input & 2 HDMI outputs
- HDR (static HDR); Dynamic HDR; HDR10+; HLG; Dolby Vision
- Quick Media Switching; Auto Low Latency Mode; Quick Frame Transport; Variable Refresh Rate
- 13.2 Audio Channels; eARC/ARC; Apple AirPlay 2; Bluetooth; Qobuz Connect; Spotify Connect; Tidal Connect
- Dolby Atmos; DTS:X Pro; Auro-3D; IMAX Enhanced; 360 Reality Audio; MPEG-H Audio
- Connects with Control4 Certification; Works with Crestron Home Certification
- Audyssey MultEQ XT32
RS150 Wireless Loudspeaker
- Easily add streaming music to any room
- Built-in casting: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Roon Ready
- Control playback directly from your favorite compatible streaming apps - no dedicated control app needed
- Power output doubled
- New, quick responding LED digital meter
RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System
- Easily add streaming music to any room
- Built-in casting: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Roon Ready
- Control playback directly from your favorite compatible streaming apps - no dedicated control app needed
- 650 Watts of total power
- New, quick responding LED digital meters
WS300 In-Wall Loudspeaker
- Fully enclosed speaker that fits in 2x4 walls
- Perfect for distributed audio or home theaters
- Up to 250 Watt Power Rating
WS500 In-Wall Loudspeaker
- Fully enclosed speaker that fits in 2x4 walls
- Perfect for distributed audio or home theaters
- Up to 250 Watt Power Rating
XR50 Bookshelf Loudspeaker
- Ported 3-Way Bookshelf
- 75 to 300 Watts power rating