Home Theater Systems Buying Guide
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
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Model: MA252 UPC: 842548107168 Item: 169931
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier Overview
McIntosh has combined their famous tube preamp and a quite powerful solid-state power amplifier into one compact and great looking integrated amp in the MA252. The preamp features a low-noise MM PHONO input for vinyl lovers, a Balanced input, and an additional two stereo inputs plus outputs for a powered subwoofer. Bass and treble controls are also included. With 100 Watts per channel into 8-Ohm speakers and 160 Watts per channel into 4-Ohm speakers, the MA252 can easily drive almost any speakers. It’s even fully remote controlled.
Product Information
Product highlights
- Retro style that McIntosh tube amplifiers are known for
- Ultra-low noise and distortion
- Built-in high-current headphone amplifier
- McIntosh’s best volume control design for precise adjustment
- Remote control of all functions including power, volume, mute, tone settings, and channel balance
- Cool running for long life
- Warranty: 3 years – World Wide Stereo is an authorized dealer for every brand we sell
- Included: World Wide Stereo 60-day guarantee and expert product support
Specifications
Specifications
- Power output per channel
- 100W into 8 ohms
- 160W into 4 ohms
- Number of channels: 2
- Speaker impedance: 4 or 8 ohms
- Rated power band: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.03%
- Dynamic headroom: 1.8dB
- Frequency response
- 0, -0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz
- +0, -3dB 10Hz to 100kHz
- Sensitivity phono (Moving Magnet): 3.0mV
- Sensitivity high level (Balanced/Unbalanced): 0.6V/0.3V
- Signal to noise ratio
- Moving magnet: 80dB
- High level: 97dB
- Input impedance (Balanced/Unbalanced): 20K/20K
- Damping factor
- 8 ohms: >200
- 4 ohms: >100
- Maximum output (Balanced/Unbalanced): 8V unbalanced
- Balanced input: 1
- Unbalanced input: 2
- Phono input moving magnet: 1 (fixed loading)
- Headphone output: 1/4" high drive
- Unbalanced analog connector type: Standard
- Speaker binding post type: Standard
- Tone controls: Bass and treble
- Tone bypass and input assign: Yes
- RS232 control input: No
- Power control output: 1
- Rear panel data port: 1
- Input level match: Yes
- Vacuum tube or solid state
- Preamplifier: Vacuum tube
- Power amplifier: Solid state
- Dual layer chassis: Yes
- Chassis finish: Polished stainless steel
- McIntosh monogrammed heat sinks: Yes
- Power requirement: 120V 50/60Hz, 3.7A
- Standby requirement: <0.5W
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 12" x 7 5/8" x 18"
- Weight: 28 lbs.
What's in the Box
What's in the Box:
- MA252 Integrated Amplifier
- Remote control
Reviews
Customer Reviews for McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
5.0 / 5.0
1 Review
A Retro Hybrid Amp with Power to Spare
Have had this unit for about a month now. Very pleased. I always wanted to forge into the world of tube (valve) preamps, but have always felt that Solid state amplifiers control the demands of modern speakers better than all but the most expensive tube (valve) kits. This Mcintosh suits my yearning very well. The MA252 replaced my venerable but aging MA6300 (that had 2 tune-ups in a decade of service and was getting tired).
The sound is warm, retro, with laid back bass. The pre-amplifier and the amplifier appear to be on separate chassis. The preamp portion has the 4 valves in the front which remind me of a mini Stonhedge, attached to the stainless steel pre-amp section. The solid state amplifier section is actually a separate aluminum/steel housing with the trademark ("Mc") heatsinks for each channel. This kit exudes quality from the brass connectors to the smooth detent switches of the input selector. The remote is a modern small (by McIntosh standards) slab with identifiable gold marked buttons.
The amplifier is a take on the Mcintosh standardbearer 100watt--8ohm/160 watt--4ohm unit that has been perfected over the years and has run venerable amplifiers such as the MC-162 and the current MA5300.
The MA252 does compromise in the way of inputs, yet its 4 inputs have more than enough for this audiophile. A Moving Magnet Phono input, 2 unbalanced RCA connections and a Balanced input round out the show.
But never fear, my Retro loving friends, the Marantz ND8006 connected to this unit, creates more inputs that rival the Digital Pack 2 upgrade for the MA 5300 and only adds $1,500 to the $4,500.00 base price for this bit of kit, including HEOS, digital radio and a high CD player.
I'm living in the best of worlds and my LS50 Metas (with REL sub) sing like a system costing thousands more. What a great time to be alive in Audiophile land.
Cheers....
The sound is warm, retro, with laid back bass. The pre-amplifier and the amplifier appear to be on separate chassis. The preamp portion has the 4 valves in the front which remind me of a mini Stonhedge, attached to the stainless steel pre-amp section. The solid state amplifier section is actually a separate aluminum/steel housing with the trademark ("Mc") heatsinks for each channel. This kit exudes quality from the brass connectors to the smooth detent switches of the input selector. The remote is a modern small (by McIntosh standards) slab with identifiable gold marked buttons.
The amplifier is a take on the Mcintosh standardbearer 100watt--8ohm/160 watt--4ohm unit that has been perfected over the years and has run venerable amplifiers such as the MC-162 and the current MA5300.
The MA252 does compromise in the way of inputs, yet its 4 inputs have more than enough for this audiophile. A Moving Magnet Phono input, 2 unbalanced RCA connections and a Balanced input round out the show.
But never fear, my Retro loving friends, the Marantz ND8006 connected to this unit, creates more inputs that rival the Digital Pack 2 upgrade for the MA 5300 and only adds $1,500 to the $4,500.00 base price for this bit of kit, including HEOS, digital radio and a high CD player.
I'm living in the best of worlds and my LS50 Metas (with REL sub) sing like a system costing thousands more. What a great time to be alive in Audiophile land.
Cheers....
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February 16, 2022
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Q&A
Customer Q & A
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I own vintage Klipsch Cornwalls. Paired with Mac 4100. How would the Ma 252 work with the CWs ? I play mainly vinyl. Thanks
Thanks for your inquiry. The MA252 is a hybrid design that has significant design and sonic improvements over the vintage MAC4100. The MA252 will work very well connected to Klipsch Cornwall speakers.
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- Inaccurate
- Mike K Staff on Jan 23, 2023
Can this drive my B&W 802 S3s? They need a lot of power. Also, since this is 100% analog, would I get good performance from my rotel CD11 MKII with the dac engaged?
Thanks for your inquiry. The MA252 features Power Guard which prevents the amplifier from being overdriven and clipping at very high volumes. The (Matrix) 802 S3 Power Handling is 50W 250W unclipped program. MA252 will drive the B&Ws quite sufficiently.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Mike K Staff on Sep 25, 2023
Whats the difference between a McIntosh252 and the marantz 7055amp?
Thank you for your inquiry. The Marantz MM7055 is a five-channel power amplifier designed to connect to a home theater preamp/processor and 5 speakers in a home theater setup. The McIntosh MA252 is a stereo (two channel) integrated amplifier, designed to be the center piece of a two channel stereo system. It has multiple inputs to connect a turntable, tuner, and more, and connects to one pair of speakers.
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- Inaccurate
- Mike K Staff on May 8, 2023
What's is the price?
Thanks for your inquiry. This product is only available for purchase in one of our PA showrooms and our experts would love to help. They can be reached at either of our retail showroom locations-- 215-368-8343 for Montgomeryville, PA or 610-649-7002 for Ardmore, PA and can offer advice on products, pricing and availability. Thanks again for finding us.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Mike K Staff on Oct 21, 2019
How does this compare to AMP's rated for 300-500 watts (Nova)? My speakers (R11's) are rated at 300-watts yet this is just 100 watts. Many speakers, like B&W 800-series say amps are crucial. Some dealers say 10-watts high output are better than 500+ watts.
Thank you for your question.
Amplifier power ratings can be as confusing as speaker power ratings. The typical speaker has a rated efficiency spec how loud is it in dB when driven with one watt and measured one meter from the speaker. The speaker maximum power rating id how many unclipped watts it will handle. Think of it like a maximum capacity. The point to ponder is the physics of amplification vs. loudness. Increasing the volume a barely perceptible 3 dB will double the amplifier power. Music is dynamic from soft to loud. So an amp playing low volume music may be using an average of 2 watts. Increase the volume in 3 dB increments and the power will go from 2 watts to 4watts the 4 to 8, then 16 then 32 then 64 then 128 then 256 then 512 watts. Average amp output is typically well below 10 watts. For the ear to perceive a doubling in loudness is a 10dB increase in power.
Turning up the volume too much on a 50 watt amplifier will result in the amplifier being overdriven in to a clipped waveform. Without getting even more into the physics suffice it to say that any amp that is overdriven can damage the speaker, starting with the tweeters. My amp at home is rated 120 watts into 8 ohms and over 200 watts into 4 ohms. If I exceed its power by turning it up too loud I can hear the clipping distortion in the tweeters. They would rapidly fail if subjected to clipping lasting more than 5 seconds. Underpowering is the primary cause of fried speakers.
McIntosh developed a patented circuit that prevents an amplifier from being overdriven more than about 1.2dB. Its called powerguard. So a McIntosh MA252 will play louder than any other non McIntosh 100watt amp.
Amplifier power ratings can be as confusing as speaker power ratings. The typical speaker has a rated efficiency spec how loud is it in dB when driven with one watt and measured one meter from the speaker. The speaker maximum power rating id how many unclipped watts it will handle. Think of it like a maximum capacity. The point to ponder is the physics of amplification vs. loudness. Increasing the volume a barely perceptible 3 dB will double the amplifier power. Music is dynamic from soft to loud. So an amp playing low volume music may be using an average of 2 watts. Increase the volume in 3 dB increments and the power will go from 2 watts to 4watts the 4 to 8, then 16 then 32 then 64 then 128 then 256 then 512 watts. Average amp output is typically well below 10 watts. For the ear to perceive a doubling in loudness is a 10dB increase in power.
Turning up the volume too much on a 50 watt amplifier will result in the amplifier being overdriven in to a clipped waveform. Without getting even more into the physics suffice it to say that any amp that is overdriven can damage the speaker, starting with the tweeters. My amp at home is rated 120 watts into 8 ohms and over 200 watts into 4 ohms. If I exceed its power by turning it up too loud I can hear the clipping distortion in the tweeters. They would rapidly fail if subjected to clipping lasting more than 5 seconds. Underpowering is the primary cause of fried speakers.
McIntosh developed a patented circuit that prevents an amplifier from being overdriven more than about 1.2dB. Its called powerguard. So a McIntosh MA252 will play louder than any other non McIntosh 100watt amp.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Mike K Staff on Dec 9, 2019
will the McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier drive stacked (four) original Advent loud speakers? These are often referred to as wall of sound.
Will 6 tower speakers rated at 30 to 500 watts work well with this amplifier ?
Absolutely! This amp would do a wonderful job with your speakers. With the ability to run 4-8 ohm speakers without breaking a sweat, you will get a phenomenal experience with your towers.
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- Inaccurate
- Andrew P Staff on Feb 20, 2019
will the MA252 drive the old school speakers such as the AR 90s its rated 50wpc min and 300wpc max ?
How long did it take to receive it after it was ordered ?
Most McIntosh gear, including this unit, are only available in store and cannot be shipped. This particular unit is brand new, and only went into production in November. We were one of the first companies to place a pre-order for our stock, and we expect them to arrive any day now!
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- Inaccurate
- Andrew P Staff on Dec 6, 2017
