{"product_id":"mcintosh-ma252-2-channel-hybrid-integrated-amplifier","title":"McIntosh MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe McIntosh MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier combines the dimensional character of a vacuum tube preamplifier with the control, speed, and speaker-driving ability of a direct-coupled solid-state power amplifier.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its open-chassis design draws inspiration from the iconic McIntosh MC275 while providing a streamlined centerpiece for a dedicated two-channel music system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRated at 100 watts per channel into 8-ohm speakers and 160 watts per channel into 4-ohm speakers, the MA252 offers substantial real-world power in a compact 12-inch-wide chassis. It is an excellent fit for listeners who want McIntosh Hybrid Drive performance without the greater size, power, and system complexity of the MA352 or larger McIntosh integrated amplifiers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eVacuum Tube Preamplification and Solid-State Power\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MA252 preamplifier stage uses two 12AX7A and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes, each housed in a protective stainless-steel cage. The tubes provide the signal gain and tonal character of a tube preamplifier before handing the music to a high-current solid-state output stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis hybrid architecture allows the MA252 to preserve natural tonal color, spatial depth, and smooth musical flow while maintaining firm bass control and the ability to drive a broad range of modern loudspeakers. The direct-coupled power amplifier delivers its rated output without an output transformer and reaches operating performance immediately after power-up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Purpose-Built All-Analog Integrated Amplifier\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MA252 is designed for listeners building a focused analog stereo system. It includes two unbalanced RCA line inputs, one balanced XLR input, and one dedicated moving-magnet phono input. Each input can be renamed, and input levels can be matched to reduce abrupt volume changes when switching between sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe MA252 does not contain a DAC, digital inputs, network streaming, Bluetooth, HDMI, or an upgradeable digital module.\u003c\/strong\u003e A separate streamer, DAC, CD player, or other source component is required for digital playback. Its phono stage is intended for moving-magnet and compatible high-output cartridges; a low-output moving-coil cartridge requires an external moving-coil phono preamplifier or suitable step-up device.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpeaker Protection and System Control\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcIntosh Power Guard continuously monitors the output signal and makes real-time adjustments when the amplifier approaches clipping. If Power Guard activates, the tubes associated with the affected channel flash amber and return to green after the overload condition has passed. Sentry Monitor provides fuse-less short-circuit protection by disengaging the output stage before unsafe operating levels can damage the amplifier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks are connected to the high-current output transistors to dissipate heat efficiently. Bass and treble controls allow practical tonal adjustment and can be bypassed when a direct signal path is preferred. A full-range mono subwoofer output makes it possible to extend low-frequency performance with a powered subwoofer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHeadphone Listening and Everyday Operation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA front-panel 1\/4-inch High Drive headphone output supports private listening with a wide variety of headphones. The OLED display shows the selected input, volume level, and setup information, while the included remote controls input selection, volume, balance, tone settings, tone bypass, and input offset.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcIntosh Hybrid Drive vacuum tube preamplifier and solid-state power amplifier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100 watts per channel into 8 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e160 watts per channel into 4 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo 12AX7A and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo unbalanced line inputs and one balanced line input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDedicated moving-magnet phono input with fixed loading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull-range mono subwoofer output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1\/4-inch High Drive headphone output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBass and treble tone controls with tone bypass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcIntosh Power Guard and Sentry Monitor protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput naming and input-level matching\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePolished stainless-steel dual-layer chassis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded remote control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChoosing the MA252 for Your System\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MA252 is especially compelling for a music-focused room where four analog inputs are sufficient and where 100 to 160 watts per channel provides appropriate headroom for the selected loudspeakers. Its relatively compact footprint can make it easier to place than a full-width integrated amplifier, but the exposed tubes and heatsinks still require adequate open ventilation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeaker sensitivity, nominal impedance, room size, listening distance, and preferred playback level all affect the final result. Audio Exchange can help determine whether the MA252 is the right match for your speakers and compare it directly with the more powerful MA352 and other McIntosh integrated amplifier options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eAmplifier type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHybrid Drive: vacuum tube preamplifier and solid-state power amplifier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eChannels\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePower output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 watts per channel into 8 ohms; 160 watts per channel into 4 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRated power band\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20Hz to 20kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTotal harmonic distortion\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.03%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDynamic headroom\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.8dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20Hz to 20kHz, +0\/-0.5dB; 10Hz to 100kHz, +0\/-3dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eVacuum tubes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo 12AX7A and two 12AT7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eAnalog line inputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 balanced XLR and 2 unbalanced RCA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePhono input\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 moving-magnet input with fixed loading; 3.0mV sensitivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDigital inputs \/ DAC\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSubwoofer output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 full-range mono output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHeadphone output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/4-inch High Drive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTone controls\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBass and treble with tone bypass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHigh-level signal-to-noise ratio\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e97dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMoving-magnet signal-to-noise ratio\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDamping factor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreater than 200 into 8 ohms; greater than 100 into 4 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eProtection\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower Guard and Sentry Monitor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eControl connections\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 Power Control output and 1 data port\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 inches W × 7-5\/8 inches H × 16-1\/2 inches D\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eUnit weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eShipping weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e37 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWarranty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-year McIntosh limited warranty when purchased through an authorized dealer; warranty terms may vary by component and region\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExperience McIntosh at Audio Exchange\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailability, demonstrations, system matching, trade-in possibilities, delivery, and setup are coordinated individually. Contact Audio Exchange for current MA252 availability and help designing a complete system around your speakers, turntable, digital sources, and listening space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mcintosh-integrated-amplifiers\"\u003eMcIntosh integrated amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e or view the complete \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mcintosh\"\u003eMcIntosh collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McIntosh","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":45739456167983,"sku":"MA252","price":5000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0235\/1375\/9791\/files\/mcintosh-ma252-hybrid-integrated-amplifier-right-angle.webp?v=1785776684","url":"https:\/\/audio-exchange.com\/products\/mcintosh-ma252-2-channel-hybrid-integrated-amplifier","provider":"Audio-Exchange","version":"1.0","type":"link"}