Vacuum tube character with high-current solid-state power
The McIntosh MA352 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier combines a vacuum tube preamplifier with a direct-coupled solid-state power amplifier in one all-analog component. It delivers 200 watts per channel into 8-ohm speakers or 320 watts per channel into 4 ohms, providing substantial output for demanding loudspeakers while preserving the visual and operational character of a McIntosh tube design.
A pair of 12AX7A and a pair of 12AT7 vacuum tubes power the preamplifier section. Dual-scale blue watt meters, a polished stainless-steel chassis, illuminated tubes, black glass and McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks give the MA352 its distinctive appearance.
Please note: The MA352 is intentionally all analog. It does not include a DAC, digital inputs, network streaming, Bluetooth or HDMI. Digital and streaming sources require a separate streamer or digital-to-analog converter connected to one of its analog inputs.
MA352 highlights
- Hybrid Drive design with vacuum tube preamplification and solid-state power
- 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms
- 320 watts per channel into 4 ohms
- Two 12AX7A and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes
- Two balanced analog inputs and three unbalanced analog inputs
- Moving-magnet phono input with adjustable loading
- Five-band analog equalizer with ±12 dB adjustment per band
- Dual-scale blue output meters
- Power Guard and Sentry Monitor protection
- McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks
- High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director
- Home Theater PassThru
- Variable preamplifier output and dual subwoofer outputs
- Power Control, data ports, RS232 and external IR control
Hybrid Drive amplification
The MA352 uses its vacuum tubes at the low-level preamplifier stage and a solid-state output section to drive the speakers. This architecture gives listeners a visible tube signal path without asking the output tubes to supply the amplifier’s full speaker power. The direct-coupled output stage produces more power into 4-ohm loads and is supported by substantial external heatsinks.
McIntosh Power Guard continuously monitors the output signal and makes real-time input adjustments when necessary to help prevent harsh clipping. Sentry Monitor provides fuse-free protection by disengaging the output stage if operating current exceeds safe limits, then automatically restoring operation when conditions return to normal.
Six analog inputs, including adjustable moving-magnet phono
The MA352 provides two balanced XLR inputs, three unbalanced RCA inputs and one moving-magnet phono input. Adjustable phono loading helps match the input to a wider range of moving-magnet cartridges. Listeners using a low-output moving-coil cartridge will need a compatible external moving-coil phono preamplifier or step-up device.
Input Level Match can normalize volume differences between sources, while Home Theater PassThru allows the MA352 and its connected stereo speakers to operate as part of a larger theater system.
Five-band analog equalizer
Five front-panel controls centered at 30 Hz, 125 Hz, 500 Hz, 2 kHz and 10 kHz allow up to ±12 dB of analog adjustment. The tone circuit can be bypassed when a direct signal path is preferred, or used to compensate for recordings, loudspeaker balance and room acoustics.
Headphones, subwoofers and future system expansion
The front-panel High Drive headphone amplifier includes McIntosh Headphone Crossfeed Director technology for more speaker-like spatial presentation during private listening. A variable unbalanced output can feed a separate power amplifier, while two subwoofer outputs support systems that need additional low-frequency extension.
Technical specifications
| Amplifier architecture | Vacuum tube preamplifier; direct-coupled solid-state power amplifier |
|---|---|
| Power output | 200 watts x 2 into 8 ohms; 320 watts x 2 into 4 ohms |
| Channels | 2 |
| Vacuum tubes | Two 12AX7A and two 12AT7 |
| Rated power band | 20 Hz–20 kHz |
| Total harmonic distortion | 0.03% |
| Dynamic headroom | 1.5 dB |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz–20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB; 10 Hz–100 kHz, +0/-3 dB |
| Analog inputs | Two balanced, three unbalanced and one moving-magnet phono |
| Moving-magnet phono sensitivity | 2.5 mV |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 82 dB moving magnet; 93 dB high level |
| Input impedance | 20k ohms balanced and unbalanced |
| Damping factor | Greater than 200 into 8 ohms; greater than 100 into 4 ohms |
| Tone controls | Five-band analog equalizer with bypass |
| Headphone output | 1/4-inch High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director |
| Other outputs | One variable unbalanced preamplifier output and two subwoofer outputs |
| Control connections | RS232, Power Control, two data ports and external IR input |
| Chassis finish | Polished stainless steel with black glass front panel |
| Dimensions | 17-1/2 W x 9-7/8 H x 17-7/16 D inches |
| Unit weight | 66 lb |
| Shipping weight | 75 lb |
| Warranty | McIntosh 3-year limited warranty |
Professional speaker matching and system planning
The correct amplifier choice depends on speaker sensitivity, impedance behavior, room size, listening distance, preferred playback level and source requirements. Audio Exchange in Richmond, Virginia can help compare the MA352 with other McIntosh integrated amplifiers, evaluate speaker compatibility, plan analog sources and subwoofers, and coordinate demonstration, delivery and installation.
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