The McIntosh MA12000 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier combines a vacuum-tube preamplifier with a high-current solid-state power amplifier in one flagship two-channel component. It delivers 350 watts per channel through McIntosh Autoformers, providing its full rated output into 2-, 4- or 8-ohm speakers.
Four 12AX7A tubes handle the preamplifier stage, while the solid-state output section supplies the control and current required by demanding loudspeakers. The result is a fully integrated McIntosh system center for vinyl, digital sources, television audio, headphones and traditional line-level components.
McIntosh MA12000 highlights
- 350 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8 ohms
- Hybrid Drive design with four 12AX7A preamplifier tubes
- McIntosh Autoformers for consistent rated power across common speaker impedances
- Ten analog inputs, including adjustable moving-magnet and moving-coil phono inputs
- DA2 Digital Audio Module with seven digital inputs and audio-only HDMI ARC
- USB playback up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM, DSD512 and DXD 384kHz
- Eight-band analog equalizer
- High Drive headphone output with Headphone Crossfeed Director
- Home Theater PassThru, Power Control, Data Ports and RS232 integration
- Power Guard, Sentry Monitor and Solid Cinch speaker binding posts
Analog, vinyl and digital connectivity
The MA12000 provides two balanced and six unbalanced line-level inputs, plus separately adjustable moving-magnet and moving-coil phono inputs. The installed DA2 module adds two coaxial, two optical, USB, MCT and HDMI ARC connections. HDMI ARC is intended for television audio and does not pass video.
USB supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD512 and DXD 384kHz, while the coaxial and optical inputs support up to 24-bit/192kHz. The MA12000 is Roon Tested, meaning Roon has verified its USB compatibility; it is not a built-in network streamer or a Roon Ready endpoint.
Power, control and system integration
McIntosh Power Guard monitors the output signal to help prevent clipping, while Sentry Monitor provides protection against operating conditions outside the amplifier’s safe range. Home Theater PassThru allows the MA12000 and its connected front speakers to operate as part of a multichannel system, and the eight-band analog equalizer provides adjustment at 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2.5kHz and 10kHz.
Key specifications
| Amplifier type | Hybrid integrated amplifier |
|---|---|
| Power output | 350 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8 ohms |
| Preamplifier tubes | Four 12AX7A |
| Analog inputs | 2 balanced, 6 unbalanced, 1 adjustable MM phono and 1 adjustable MC phono |
| Digital inputs | 2 coaxial, 2 optical, USB, MCT and audio-only HDMI ARC |
| Digital resolution | USB: PCM 32-bit/384kHz, DSD512 and DXD 384kHz; coaxial/optical: 24-bit/192kHz |
| Equalizer | Eight-band analog equalizer with bypass |
| Headphone output | High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director |
| Dimensions | 17.5 in W × 9-7/16 in H × 19-3/4 in D |
| Weight | 108 lb net; 141 lb shipping |
Consultation and system matching
Audio Exchange is an authorized McIntosh dealer in Richmond, Virginia. Contact our team to discuss speaker matching, phono-cartridge compatibility, digital-source integration, private demonstrations, delivery and professional system setup.
