£4,995

MA252

The MA252 Integrated Amplifier is the first hybrid integrated amplifier from McIntosh. 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’sboth visually and sonically stunning.

The preamplifierstage uses two 12AX7a and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes housed inside stylish protective cages; 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 design, it comes with 2 unbalanced, 1 balanced and 1 Moving Magnet phono input for turntables. All 4 inputs can be given user-friendly names in order to simplify usercontrol. Bass and treble tone controls help fine tune your music to your personal preferences. A full range subwoofer output is included for use with a powered subwoofer to further enhance low frequencies.

The MA252 features McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ which are connected to advanced high current output transistors. These transistors eliminate the typical amplifier warm-up time so that the MA252 is in peak operating condition from the moment it’s turned on. A powerful control microprocessor is used for smooth system operation, along with some of the latest audio-grade circuit components that deliver the best possible sound.

Thanks to its solid state output, the MA252 is the first product containing vacuum tubes to include the McIntosh patented Power Guard® technology. Power Guard 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. If Power Guard is activated, the 2 vacuum tubes connected to the affected audio channel(s) will flash an amber color; they will return to their normal green color when the clipping has stopped.

Other McIntosh technologies found in the MA252 include Sentry Monitor™, High Drive headphone amplifier and gold-plated speaker binding posts. Input selection, bass, treble, tone bypass, balance and input offset levels can be adjusted using the front panel knobs or the included remote control; all settings and input selection will be shown on the OLED display. The entire unit sits atop a beautiful polished stainless steel chassis with a classic McIntosh-styled die cast aluminum name badge attached to each side.

Specifications

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output per Channel100 Watts into 8 Ohms 160 Watts into 4 Ohms
Number of Channels2
Speaker Impedance4 or 8 Ohms
Rated Power Band20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion0.03%
Dynamic Headroom1.8dB
Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response, +0, -3dB10Hz to 100kHz
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)N/A
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)3.0mV
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)0.6V/0.3V
Sensitivity (Power Amp input)N/A
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)N/A
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)80dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)97dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input)N/A
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)20K/20K
Damping Factor8 Ohms: >200 4 Ohms: >100
Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced)8V Unbalanced
CONNECTIVITY
Balanced Input1
Unbalanced Input2
Phono Input Moving Coil0
Phono Input Moving Magnet1 (fixed loading)
Upgradeable Digital Audio ModuleNo
Digital Coaxial Input0
Digital Optical Input0
Digital MCT (DIN) Input0
Digital USB Input0
HDMI (ARC) Input0
Balanced Variable Output0
Unbalanced Fixed Output0
Unbalanced Variable Output0
Headphone Output1/4" High Drive
Subwoofer Output1 (mono)
AM/FM Tuner optionNo
Home Theater PassThruNo
Unbalanced Analog Connector TypeStandard
Speaker Binding Post TypeStandard
Service Port0
DIGITAL AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) TypeN/A
Digital Coaxial Input Sample RateN/A
Digital Optical Input Sample RateN/A
Digital MCT (DIN) Input Sample RateN/A
Digital USB Input Sample RateN/A
CONTROL
Tone ControlsBass and Treble
Tone Bypass and Input AssignYes
RS232 Control InputNo
Power Control Output1
Rear Panel Data Port1
Rear Panel IR Sensor InputNo
Input Level MatchYes
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Vacuum Tube or Solid StatePreamplifier: Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier: Solid State
Output TypeDirect Coupled
Output MetersNo
Dual Layer ChassisYes
Chassis FinishPolished stainless steel
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™Yes
Power Requirement120V 50/60Hz, 3.7A
Standby Power Requirement<0.5 Watts
WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)12" (30.5cm) x 7-5/8" (19.4cm) x 16-1/2" (41.9cm)
Unit Weight28 lbs (12.7 kg)
Shipping Weight37 lbs (16.8 kg)