McIntosh Labs MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier
The MA252 blends tube warmth with solid-state poise, delivering a liquid, revealing midrange, taut bass and immersive instrumental layering. HiFi News admired its timbral insight and space, while What Hi-Fi found it rhythmically controlled and richly musical. Its MM phono stage, capable headphone output and compact, polished build complete an exceptionally involving analog-first amplifier.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Connectivity
89/100
Value for Money
93/100
Pros
Liquid, warm yet detailed midrange reveals vocal timbre, instrumental texture and musical timing.
Strong layering, accurate placement and impressive depth create an immersive, multidimensional presentation.
Thoughtful analog facilities include a capable MM phono stage, high-drive headphone output, subwoofer output and balanced input.
Polished stainless-steel construction, distinctive illuminated tubes and protective Power Guard circuitry give it standout build and visual appeal.
Cons
At very high levels with demanding speakers or in large rooms, dynamics can soften and bass grip can loosen.
Ultimate treble extension, bass slam and soundstage scale trail more powerful or costly rivals.
Purely analog connectivity means no onboard DAC, digital inputs, streaming or MC phono support.
The glossy chassis attracts fingerprints and dust; speaker terminals have been reported as rough in operation.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
The MA252 is widely described as a successful tube/solid-state hybrid, combining a warm, liquid and musically engaging midrange with controlled bass, strong separation and substantial power. It is not presented as the last word in ultimate extension, slam or large-scale spatial reach versus far costlier separates, but reviewers consistently find it richly satisfying and unusually complete in its class.
Transparency Resolution
93/100
What Hi-Fi found the MA252 capable of separating dense musical strands and uncovering the musicianship beneath heavily layered recordings. HiFi News praised its liquid midband, fine detail and space, while Part-Time Audiophile heard strong midband retrieval, albeit with slightly subdued uppermost treble and less leading-edge crispness than much more expensive reference systems.
Tonal Balance Musicality
95/100
Musicality is the MA252's most consistently celebrated quality. Reviewers describe a subtly buttery, warm and smooth presentation with a liquid midrange, realistic timbre and enough solid-state cleanliness to avoid sounding clinical. Voices and acoustic instruments receive particular praise, while several reviewers characterize the amplifier as deeply involving and easy to listen to over long sessions.
Dynamics
91/100
The 100W-per-channel hybrid is repeatedly praised for controlled, driving bass, rhythmic assurance and the ability to play very loudly without becoming hard or audibly clipping. What Hi-Fi found plentiful power and excellent headroom, though HiFi News noted a slight loss of dynamic freedom and bass grip when the amplifier is pushed very hard, and Part-Time Audiophile found less ultimate slam than powerful separates.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Reviewers hear strong layering, accurate placement and convincing depth. What Hi-Fi described a multidimensional presentation rather than a wall of sound, while HiFi News found the MA252 immersive enough to let the listener mentally move around elements in a mix. Its stage is not considered the broadest or deepest available against elite separates, but it is consistently described as spacious, precise and natural.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
The polished stainless-steel chassis, substantial heatsinks, tube illumination and protective Power Guard system earn repeated praise for finish and execution. AudioAdvice calls it built to last for decades, and Part-Time Audiophile cites McIntosh's long-term reliability alongside first-rate fit and finish. The glossy casework is attractive but conspicuously prone to fingerprints and dust.
Features Connectivity
89/100
For an analog-focused integrated amplifier, the MA252 is thoughtfully equipped with balanced and RCA line inputs, an MM phono stage, tone controls, a subwoofer output, remote control and a high-drive headphone amplifier that reviewers find genuinely capable. Inputs can be renamed and the amplifier includes useful speaker-protection systems. There are no digital inputs, streaming facilities, MC phono support or home-theater bypass, so it suits a dedicated analog system rather than an all-in-one digital hub.
Value for Money
93/100
At its original $3,500 asking price, Part-Time Audiophile called the performance a minor miracle, and AudioAdvice considered its value and appeal difficult to beat. What Hi-Fi similarly viewed it as an accessible route to authentic McIntosh quality without the brand's loftier prices. It remains a premium-priced analog integrated, but reviewers generally see the blend of performance, phono stage, headphone capability and McIntosh execution as well justified.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- FTC Power Output Rating
- 100 W
- Power Output per Channel
- 100 W into 8 ohms160 W into 4 ohms
- Number of Channels
- 2
- Rated Power Band
- 20Hz to 20kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- 0.03%
- Dynamic Headroom
- 1.8dB
- Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB
- 20Hz to 20kHz
- Frequency Response, +0, -3dB
- 10Hz to 100kHz
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
- N/A
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
- 3.0mV
- Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 0.6V/0.3V
- Sensitivity (Power Amp input)
- N/A
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
- N/A
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
- 80dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
- 97dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input)
- N/A
- Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 20K/20K
- Damping Factor
- 8 ohms: >2004 ohms: >100
- Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 8V Unbalanced
- Balanced Input
- 1
- Unbalanced Input
- 2
- Phono Input Moving Coil
- 0
- Phono Input Moving Magnet
- 1 (fixed loading)
- Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
- No
- Digital Coaxial Inputs
- 0
- Digital Optical Inputs
- 0
- Digital MCT Inputs
- 0
- Digital USB Input
- 0
- HDMI (ARC) Input
- 0
- Balanced Variable Output
- 0
- Unbalanced Fixed Output
- 0
- Unbalanced Variable Output
- 0
- Headphone Output
- 1/4" High Drive
- Subwoofer Outputs
- 1 (mono)
- AM/FM Tuner option
- No
- Home Theater PassThru
- No
- Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
- Standard
- Speaker Binding Post Type
- Standard
- Service Port
- 0
- Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type
- N/A
- Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate
- N/A
- Digital Optical Input Sample Rate
- N/A
- Digital MCT Input Sample Rate
- N/A
- Digital USB Input Sample Rate
- N/A
- Tone Controls
- Bass and Treble
- Tone Bypass and Input Assign
- Yes
- RS232 Control Inputs
- No
- Power Control Outputs
- 1
- Rear Panel Data Ports
- 1
- Rear Panel IR Sensor Inputs
- No
- Input Level Match
- Yes
- Vacuum Tube or Solid State
- Preamplifier: Vacuum TubePower Amplifier: Solid State
- Output Type
- Direct Coupled
- Output Meters
- No
- Dual Layer Chassis
- Yes
- Chassis Finish
- Polished stainless steel
- McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™
- Yes
- Power Requirement
- 120V 50/60Hz, 3.7A
- Standby Power Requirement
- <0.5 Watts
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
- 12" (30.5cm) x 7-5/8" (19.4cm) x 16-1/2" (41.9cm)
- Unit Weight
- 28 lbs (12.7 kg)
- Shipping Weight
- 37 lbs (16.8 kg)
Manufacturer's Description — McIntosh Labs
- Type: Hybrid Drive
- Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and Solid State Power Amplifier
- 100 Watts x 2-Channels into 8 Ohms
- 160 Watts x 2-Channels into 4 Ohms
- Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, Monogrammed Heatsinks™
- 4 analog inputs
- Bass and Treble tone controls
The MA252 Integrated Amplifier is the first hybrid integrated amplifier from McIntosh. Taking retro design cues from the legendary McIntosh MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier, the MA252 combines the best of vacuum tube and solid state circuit design to create an amplifier that’s both visually and sonically stunning.
This beautifully crafted integrated amplifier includes our Hybrid Drive technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. The preamplifier stage uses two 12AX7a and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes housed inside stylish protective cages; the output stage is a direct coupled solid state amplifier that delivers 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers. An all analog design, it comes with 2 unbalanced, 1 balanced and 1 Moving Magnet phono input for turntables. All 4 inputs can be given user-friendly names in order to simplify user control. Bass and treble tone controls help fine tune your music to your personal preferences. A full range subwoofer output is included for use with a powered subwoofer to further enhance low frequencies.
The MA252 features our McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks which are connected to advanced high current output transistors. These transistors eliminate the typical amplifier warm-up time so that the MA252 is in peak operating condition from the moment it’s turned on. A powerful control microprocessor is used for smooth system operation, along with some of the latest audio-grade circuit components that deliver the best possible sound.
Thanks to its solid state output, the MA252 is our first product containing vacuum tubes to include our patented Power Guard technology. Power Guard monitors the output signal for signs of over driving and makes real time micro adjustments to the input signal to prevent harsh sounding clipping that could potentially damage your speakers. If Power Guard is activated, the 2 vacuum tubes connected to the affected audio channel(s) will flash an amber color; they will return to their normal green color when the clipping has stopped.
Other McIntosh technologies found in the MA252 include Sentry Monitor, High Drive headphone amplifier and gold-plated speaker binding posts. Input selection, bass, treble, tone bypass, balance and input offset levels can be adjusted using the front panel knobs or the included remote control; all settings and input selection will be shown on the OLED display. The entire unit sits atop a beautiful polished stainless steel chassis with a classic McIntosh-styled die cast aluminum name badge attached to each side. Contact your local dealer to learn more.
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- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Acoustic Designs Inc. — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Advance Audio — in-store — Wichita, Kansas, United States (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Ajasom — online and in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
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