MCINTOSH MA252 HYBRID INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

Posted on 27th November, 2017
MCINTOSH MA252 HYBRID INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

McIntosh Labs is still most-loved by audiophiles thanks to nearly 70 years in the business, but it's a new generation that is lusting after the infamous McIntosh 'glow'.

For a brand rich in history and prestige, it's not one to rest on its laurels. In fact, McIntosh is a shining example of an innovative company that continues to evolve and invents products that are ideally suited to next-gen customers.

The recently announced MA252 is such a product. An integrated amplifier that is iconically McIntosh, but the first 'hybrid' amplifier the company has ever produced.

McIntosh MA252 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier

"Taking retro design cues from the legendary McIntosh MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier, the MA252 combines the best of vacuum tube and solid state circuit design to create an amplifier that’s both visually and sonically stunning. "

Two 12AX7 and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes inside stylish protective cages feature prominently in the preamplifier stage, while the output stage is a direct coupled solid-state amplifier that delivers 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers.

An all analog affair, the MA252 features two unbalanced inputs and one balanced input, plus a Moving Magnet phono input for vinyl lovers.

Appealing to the tech-savvy all of the inputs can be renamed to a more user-friendly tag which will correspond to the input chosen and displayed on the OLED display.

There's also bass and treble tone controls plus a full range subwoofer output for use with a powered subwoofer to further enhance low frequencies.

McIntosh's own Power Guard technology monitors the output signal for signs of overdriving and "makes real-time micro adjustments to the input signal to prevent harsh sounding clipping that could potentially damage your speakers."

Bringing a bit of high-tech to McIntosh, if Power Guard is activated, the vacuum tubes connected to the affected audio channel will flash an amber color until the clipping has stopped.

There's also a built-in high-drive headphone amplifier for those late night listening sessions.

The MA252 is a highly-capable integrated amplifier that builds on the McIntosh 70-year legacy while adding state-of-the-art technology.

The McIntosh MA252 will sell locally for $6995 RRP.

For more information visit McIntosh.

Gallery

Ma252-back-angle-background-hi-res
Mcintosh-ma252-hybrid-tube-solid-state-integrated-amplifier-4
Mcintosh-ma252-amp
Marc Rushton's avatar
Marc Rushton

StereoNET’s Founder and Publisher was born in England and raised on British Hi-Fi before moving to Australia. He developed an early love of music and playing bass guitar before discovering the studio and the other side of the mixing desk. After a few years writing for audio magazines, Marc saw the future in digital publishing and founded the first version of StereoNET, known at the time as Planet Audio, in 1999.

Posted in: Hi-Fi

JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION

Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the MessageForums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP

applause awards

Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.

Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.

The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.

We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.

00005211