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Home / Integrated Amplifiers / MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier

MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier

  • Includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance
  • Vacuum tube preamplifier and solid state power amplifier
  • 100 Watts into 8 Ohms
  • 160 Watts into 4 Ohms
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MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier

3 Year Limited Warranty
Print this page
COMPARE
Ask an Expert
Share
Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist
BUY ONLINE
  • Diapason d'or 2018 HiFi Award logo
    Winner of Diapason d'Or 2018 Hi-Fi Award
  • McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier ON Magazine Top Audio Award
    Winner of ON Magazine Top Audio Award
  • HiFi Live 2018 High Quality Award logo
    Winner of HIFI Live Magazine High Quality Award
  • McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier Stereo+ 5 Stars
  • Lyd & Bilde 5 Star review
  • The Stereo Times 2020 Most Wanted Components logo

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’s both visually and sonically stunning.

"The McIntosh MA252 offers an alluring combination of tube romanticism and solid-state resolution and authority... The ability to connect the listener to the music makes this tube-solid state integrated a special component by any standard. I could happily listen to the MA252 for a long, long time." - Part Time Audiophile

McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier

"If you’re looking for a definition of a ‘musical’ sound, the MA252 is it personified." - Audio Esoterica

This beautifully crafted integrated amplifier includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. The preamplifier stage 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 user control. 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.

"Carved like a boat designed to surf all the waves of music." Listening to it proved it to be "fast, powerful, precise... but without losing the sublime McIntosh charm." Presented with ON Magazine Top Audio Award. - ON Magazine

A "beautifully designed amplifier" with a "relaxing approach to the music, but still it plays with control and power." It is "pure pleasure for the ears." Awarded 5 Stars. - Stereo+

The MA252 features our 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.

McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsink.

The McIntosh MA252 amplifier "is not only appealing to look at, it sounds great too. Far bigger than its size should indicate, and there is no reason to doubt the power, because it kicks hard." Awarded 5 Stars. - Lyd & Bilde

McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier

"The McIntosh MA252 is not only a time machine that allows you to travel 30 or 50 years ago [when listening to classic albums], but it also takes you to the future: you spend from morning to afternoon or from evening to night with it in what seems like an instant. It sonically fills 25 square meters [270 square feet], does its job and disappears from the room." Presented with HIFI Live Magazine High Quality Award. - HIFI Live Magazine

Thanks to its solid state output, the MA252 is our first product containing vacuum tubes to include our patented Power Guard® technology. Power Guard monitors the output signal for signs of over driving 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.

"The MA252 is a component worthy of consideration as the core to an audio system that will allow the user to listen for hours without fatigue. And, based on McIntosh's reputation for long-term reliability and service, possibly listen for decades." - Stereo Times

"The McIntosh MA252 is an amplifier that will prove hard to replace. It will allow you to find speakers that are the best suited to your tastes, and it will pamper them appropriately. A first-class amplifier." - Son-Vidéo

McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier

"Once again, McIntosh presented us a high quality product, embracing the wonderful philosophy of the brand. The expectations were big on our end and from what I heard during these listening sessions, I can, without a doubt, affirm that McIntosh succeeded the test on all points." - TED Magazine

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. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

  • Specifications

    Electronic Specifications

    • FTC Power Output Rating
      100 W
    • Power Output per Channel
      100 W into 8 ohms
      160 W into 4 ohms
    • Number of Channels
      2
    • Rated Power Band
      20Hz to 20kHz
    • Total Harmonic Distortion
      0.03%
    • Dynamic Headroom
      1.8dB
    • Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB
      20Hz to 20kHz
    • Frequency Response, +0, -3dB
      10Hz 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 Factor
      8 ohms: >200
      4 ohms: >100
    • Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced)
      8V Unbalanced

    Connectivity

    • Balanced Input
      1
    • Unbalanced Input
      2
    • Phono Input Moving Coil
      0
    • Phono Input Moving Magnet
      1 (fixed loading)
    • Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
      No
    • Digital Coaxial Input
      0
    • Digital Optical Input
      0
    • Digital MCT Input
      0
    • Digital USB Input
      0
    • HDMI (ARC) Input
      0
    • Balanced Variable Output
      0
    • Unbalanced Fixed Output
      0
    • Unbalanced Variable Output
      0
    • Headphone Output
      1/4" High Drive
    • Subwoofer Output
      1 (mono)
    • AM/FM Tuner option
      No
    • Home Theater PassThru
      No
    • Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
      Standard
    • Speaker Binding Post Type
      Standard
    • Service Port
      0

    Digital Audio Specifications

    • Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type
      N/A
    • Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate
      N/A
    • Digital Optical Input Sample Rate
      N/A
    • Digital MCT Input Sample Rate
      N/A
    • Digital USB Input Sample Rate
      N/A

    Control

    • Tone Controls
      Bass and Treble
    • Tone Bypass and Input Assign
      Yes
    • RS232 Control Input
      No
    • Power Control Output
      1
    • Rear Panel Data Port
      1
    • Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
      No
    • Input Level Match
      Yes

    General Specifications

    • Vacuum Tube or Solid State
      Preamplifier: Vacuum Tube
      Power Amplifier: Solid State
    • Output Type
      Direct Coupled
    • Output Meters
      No
    • Dual Layer Chassis
      Yes
    • Chassis Finish
      Polished stainless steel
    • McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™
      Yes
    • Power Requirement
      120V 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 Weight
      28 lbs (12.7 kg)
    • Shipping Weight
      37 lbs (16.8 kg)
  • Downloads

    Product Literature User Documents
    • MA252 Integrated Amplifier Brochure (1.48 MB)
    • MA252 Integrated Amplifier Owner's Manual (6.84 MB)
    • Important Additional Operation Information Guide - Lithium Batteries (4.91 MB)
  • Reviews & Awards

    Reviews & Awards
    • MA252 Review ON Magazine (France) December 29, 2017
    • MA252 Review Lyd & Bilde (Norway) February 23, 2018
    • MA252 Review PartTimeAudiophile March 30, 2018
    • MA252 Review Stereo Times May 2018
    • MA252 Review HIFI Live Magazine (Spain) June 28, 2018
    • MA252 Review TED Magazine (Canada) May-June 2018 (in French) (3.55 MB)
    • MA252 Review Stereo+ Magazine (Norway) July 2018 (2.18 MB)
  • Videos

    Videos
    • Overview: MA252 Integrated Amplifier
    • SoundStage! Shorts - McIntosh Laboratory MA252 Integrated Amplifier (November 2017)
    • How To Set Up Your McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier For The Best Audio Quality
    • McIntosh's Guide: Troubleshoot C8 Preamp, MA252 Integrated Amplifier & MHA200 Headphone Amplifier
    • McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier Overview | Tubes + Solid-State Power? A Magical Combo. (Video by McIntosh dealer Audio Advice)

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