McIntosh MA-252 Integrated Amp $4000, 100×2

McIntosh has had nice success with its MC-275 power amp ($6000, 75×2). MC-275 features a modern electrical design to go with vintage looks. As MC-275 has sold well, a lot of us have been begging for a similar effort in an integrated amp. Voila!!!

Since the mid 2000s most new Macs have run $6-7k. It’s been a long list of terrific products and we’ve been happy to sell them. That price has realistically settled into $7500 per box as of 2018. So when MA-252 was announced at about half the price, we were delighted.

MA-252 obviously looks vintage. That’s great. But it isn’t. It’s a modern product in all regards.

MA-252 is an integrated amp, incorporating four tubes in the preamp section. The power amp section is 100×2 solid state. This is a sage choice because tubes in the preamp can last ages. Power tubes in a power amp… not so much! Hence MA-252 doesn’t have the problems that are invariably associated with tube amps.

I like the CHOICES Mac made on the MA-252. It’s an all analog beast. Inputs include phono (MM), two RCA analogs and even a BALANCED! It has a single RCA out for adding a sub. The front panel has a 1/4” headphone jack, input selector and volume control. It comes with remote which allows you a myriad of features, including tone controls.

You won’t be surprised to hear that MA-252 has a robust, lush, muscular sound. It is conspicuously stronger in bass output and impact than anything else I’ve heard in this range. Virtually all speakers will benefit from being paired with this Mac!

The midrange warmth with pianos and vocals in particular- is a pleasure to hear. You’ll appreciate the character of the voice of the person/instrument, and the ambiance of the space it was recorded in. The spacious & dynamic soundstage is ebullient!

With its “velvet hammer” delivery, MA-252 can drive a wide array of speakers. I particularly like it with GoldenEars and Klipsches (Forte 3 in particular!). Given the efficiency of both brands of speakers, only the abusive listener would ever need more than what MA-252 can bring to the party!