McIntosh MA252

[Mike]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171003/1fdd7ec369e515aeac5bd91eef10f132.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jdandy]

Phew! Can it get any uglier?

[Phishphan]

Phew! Can it get any uglier?

It’s got the Burmester chrome look. I can’t say I like it either


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[watts]

Is it finished? or is that the prototype?

[joeinid]

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=integratedamps&ProductId=MA252

http://www.audioshark.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=21016&stc=1

http://www.audioshark.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=21017&stc=1

[joeinid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BVA-1T41Zo&feature=youtu.be

[jdandy]

From my initial comment above posted a month ago I have to admit this little amplifier is growing on me. Price is attractive, too.

http://file:///C:/Users/Dan/Downloads/MA252+brochure+35107300.pdf



21018 (http://file:///C:/Users/Dan/Downloads/MA252+brochure+35107300.pdf)

[joeinid]

It's growing on me too Dan. I want to hear it.



From my initial comment above posted a month ago I have to admit this little amplifier is growing on me. Price is attractive, too.

21018 (http://file:///C:/Users/Dan/Downloads/MA252+brochure+35107300.pdf)

[rrwmd]

Cute...in a sort of 'runt of the litter' kind of way.:lol:

[Randy Myers]

I actually kind of like the look.

[joeinid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNuk0XPQcYc

[Elberoth]

This is one weird looking amp.

[mhanc]

this too caught my eye. i kind of like the look... but certainly nowhere near as attractive as a their classic styled mc275 amp / c22 preamp pairing.

wonder what the real/perceived benefits are for the hybrid design?

[jdandy]

this too caught my eye. i kind of like the look... but certainly nowhere near as attractive as a their classic styled mc275 amp / c22 preamp pairing.

wonder what the real/perceived benefits are for the hybrid design?

mhanc.......I think the real benefit to McIntosh for this particular amplifier design is to bring a lower price point component to market that will allow younger audio enthusiast on limited budgets to join the McIntosh fold. That first McIntosh purchase can often create a lifetime customer.

[mhanc]

mhanc.......I think the real benefit to McIntosh for this particular amplifier design is to bring a lower price point component to market that will allow younger audio enthusiast on limited budgets to join the McIntosh fold. That first McIntosh purchase can often create a lifetime customer.

thanks dan -- makes total sense. i have been researching a second system and this amp certainly fits the bill for this purpose. the quality and performance one gets for the price seems like a good value. however, i am more of a boutique-manufacturer SET fan so not sure it is for me... but it is quite tempting.

[Sean]

Anybody got time with this yet?

I’m going to try and make it into the local McIntosh dealer this weekend in hopes to check it out; I believe they had one on demo a week or so ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sean]

Finally got around to dropping in for a listen. The MA252 was hooked up to a Sonos server and budget Rega TT. The amp powered a pair of B&W 804 D3’s.

When I sat down, the system was already streaming some digital music (wasn’t familiar with artist) and sounded great. Really smooth and had pleasantly surprised me with the amount of grip it had on the 804 drivers. A salesman helped with setting up the TT and played some Allman Brothers. I was really impressed with the overall sound - enough grunt for my tastes and a really organic and musical flavor, no doubt thanks to the hybrid design.

To boot, the little unit looked pretty neat, even better than the pics, for me. After one session, I feel like the MA252 is just what I was hoping it would be.

[joeinid]

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2018/03/30/review-mcintosh-ma252-tube-solid-state-integrated-amplifier/