MA-252 inbound

How would you describe the synergy with KEF?

I truly don't know how to describe that. It seems like the MA252 controls the four bass drivers very well. McIntosh has always seemed to match very well with British speakers in my view! They almost seem like they are made for each other but so did the T+A. German manufactures and McIntosh seem to both work well with British and German speakers :).

I know, way too generalized :D.
 
Congratulations Randy and welcome home ;)

Thank you sir. I am really enjoying this amplifier!

I am still surprised how cool running this sucker is. I mean running all day and I can place my hands on the tube cages and feel almost no heat. The heat sinks are not even warm... None of the amplifiers I have had run so cool as this McIntosh!
 
...I am still surprised how cool running this sucker is. I mean running all day and I can place my hands on the tube cages and feel almost no heat. The heat sinks are not even warm... None of the amplifiers I have had run so cool as this McIntosh!
And that's why they last forever!
 
I like the look without the little tube cages... the cages serve no purpose other than looks. It is not like you can get burned from these. I have never seen cooler running tubes. Literally barely warm!

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I have been playing around comparing phone stages. The built in McIntosh is very good but I think the SimAudio is a little better! Since I do not ever spin a silver disk (always rip them) I decided to keep the SimAudio attached instead of the Oppo. I turned off the phone input and renamed the other unbalanced input to Vinyl. A bit of a pain to do but when it is set there is no reason to play further :).
 
The MA252 sure does make life simple. Great sound just makes it a winner!
 
I agree, the MA252 really makes things easier and it sounds fantastic!

The other night I compared the built in phono stage with the external SimAudio again. Even though the built in is very good the SimAudio is very special. When I tried the McIntosh built in again, after having the SimAudio hooked up for a couple of weeks it sounded rather dry; I wouldn't say lifeless but certainly without that spark that grabs ya. I hooked the SimAudio again and it was amazing how evident the difference was. Dynamic, very alive sounding, open, more depth. I was surprised at how big of a difference I heard actually :).

So the McInotsh MA252 with the external SimAudio phono stage is definitely a winner!
 
I am sure the T+A would be better depending on the pre-amp being used. I currently do not have a pre-amp to use. I could use the T+A DAC which has a reasonably good pre-amp section but it is not as good as many separate pre-amps. The real differences would probably be more or less masked running it in that manner.

What amazes me is how little is known about how good T+A equipment is here in the US. Otherwise with the price I am offering the amplifier would have long since been sold. In my view, it is by far the finest amplifier that could be purchased at this price.
 
I just read a review on some T+A gear in T.A.S.. It was quite good. Maybe they will get some traction... I've owned many, but I'm thrilled with my T+A... Took a while though..
 
I have seen a few reviews lately. Hopefully it will increase their exposure and reputation. I really love the T+A pieces I have. My DAC is not going anywhere. Unfortunately the amp is just sitting here not being used. It is far to go to be sitting in its box :(...

If I could afford their pre-amp/dac unit it would be game over... but that is simply is not in the cards.
 
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