McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier PUNISHED - Brooks Berdan Ltd.
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2024
- In a sequel to our first MA252 video, watch Tom Carione push the MA252 on his work bench!
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Song played during video: Snarky Puppy - Shofukan
We do not own the copyright or master recording to this song.
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 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.
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I have owned the Mcintosh MA252 for 6 months and it is the KING of audio. Once dialed in with my B&W 603 and 608 sub it is pure bliss and all day listening. Dont waste your money or time just get a Mcintosh. One problem is you wont want to turn it off..... Sweet.
So, I asked my dealer about this b/c I loved the sound when I heard it but had read about the issues online-- apparently the more recently manufactured units haven't had any problems (and they've sold 40 of these). My own unit has zero humming and I'm using a fancy power conditioner.
I hear the MA252 and sound very well to me, this is it a small amplifier.
Best Regards.
thx for the helpful insight on this amp. I am demoing it now with my Cornwalls at home and it sound lovely, gotta take the display back but I am planning on buying this beauty.
How’s this amp with your Cornwall?
@@Gadgeteverything They work together very well. The Cornwalls take very little to drive. I also tried the MA252 w/some Dynaudio Focus 340, great sounding but def seem more power hungry.
@@earthless3827 I’m thinking about buying these for my Cornwalls. Do you recommend this or something else?
@@Gadgeteverything I think it’s a good combo. I don’t have any other experience with tubes aside from this, for the types of music I listen to (lots of Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Jazz, Funk/soul, 60’s stuff) it works well for my ears and doesn’t seem to color anything at all. I think for its price you get a really nice unit.
@@earthless3827 I’ve been on a quest to find the right sound.
We have DALI OPTICON 8 speakers which have a 4 ohm impedance and 89dB sensitivity driven by the MA252, it starts cliping (blinking yellow) at 70% of volume level. SPL is high but not extreme.
I get clipping at 72%. So we are in the same ballpark. I’m running ls50metas
Is the phono stage driven by the tubes?
Thanks for your question. The Phono input gets its initial signal gain from an audiophile RIAA equalized solid state circuit, then passes through the Tubes of the line stage preamp. The sound quailty of the Phono Stage is one of if not the best of the features on this model. It sounds as good or better than many units from the competition costing much more.
Hello & How are you?
I have SF Sonetto V speakers and would like to ask you for your advice?
If you had to choose between the following McIntosh Integrated amplifiers MA8950, MA352 and MA5300, to drive these Sonetto V speakers, which one would you pick and why?
Thanks in advance.
If your budget allows, I would choose the MA 8950 because it has more features, it has more power and a better build quality.
You are meant to halve your P-P voltage and multiply by 0.707 then divide by your speaker Ohms
top👍
Can I use it as a preamp ?
No
I get clipping at 72% driving Kef ls50
It sounds like you are over driving your little speaker.
@@BrooksBerdanLtd sure did. Now I have it set up with magnepan 1.7s.
Would the MA252 be able to handle Martin Logan Impression 11a's? Everyone says electrostats need as much power as possible and I think they sound great with my current setup (emotiva pt100 + monoprice monolith 2) but I really want a more simplified setup and I love the look of the MA252 but I'm worried it won't be able to handle the electrostat load. Do you think the 100w/160w power will handle the 11a's okay?
I’ve got ML Sources and I was considering the 352 which is 200 watts.
@@roomfulofblues3173 I actually have the ma352 now. I’ve had it for a year. Absolutely wonderful unit.
Devon, I am also fronting a pair of 11a and your question is pertinent to my current dilemma as I too also am looking at a tube amp for a driver.
What what your evaluation in the end? Did this tube amp have the power needed for the 11a ‘s?
@@stephenbates5237 Yes it did...I ended up getting the MA252 and then upgraded to the MA352. Both powered the 11A's just fine. The 352 were just beefier and I'm a sucker for the blue meters. You should be fine with the MA252 though. The 11A's are sneakily efficient, imo (and experience).
@@DevonConnelly thanks for the response Devon.. Fantastic. Can I ask how do you find the synergy or sound signature? I have a reservation about McIntosh, how is the treble.. is it soft and rolled off! How is detail retrieval? Is it endgame…
Thanks for the review! How would the ma252 compare with the primaluna's?
The PrimaLuna beats the MA252 hands down. I had the Mac but it was beaten hands down by the PL.. the MA252 sounds good but not much different than many integrateds but the PL is more musical and enjoyable over all. Plus I tube rolled my PL and with Tungsram 12AU7s and Svetlana -C- EL34s the thing is awesome.
I have owned the Mcintosh MA252 for 6 months and it's better than I would imagine. I auditioned the Prima Luna before buying my MC and the Mc 252 blows the Prima luna away, no contest. Prima Luna is hype. Mcintosh is the best... My speakers are B&W 603 with B&W 608 sub. This system is pure love...
woody mystro glad yours worked for you. My Focal Utopias and 1028s in two different systems run well with the PL gear. I wanted the Mac to work but may settle for the MC275 with a Mac pre someday. I had restored a pie of MC40s that I ran for about 10 years before I sold for a profit. The 252 looks nice but is a far cry from the proper McIntosh gear. Just my opinion!
Would the MA252 be able to run the Kef Reference 1s well? It's rated from 50-200w at 8ohms
Hello Alex! The MA252 would run the Kef Reference's extremely well.
With lots of Current available and very close to 130 watts of power, it would be awsome.
most awkward ending on youtube? or close to it.
It's a lovely ending
Why do you have the Marantz in the test bench? I'm learning.
We just needed a solid piece of workhorse style equipment to hook up things we are repairing to, it is familiar and we have used it for years.
To tell you the truth we just had it lying around the shop and it was the amplifier we could most afford to loose by installing it on our test bench. It has a sound that we know well and like. The sound is far from the bast that we have, but still easy to listen to. Because we know what it sounds like it is easy to spot when it sounds bad, thats the equipment that we have hooked up to it.
Brooks Berdan Ltd.
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