McIntosh Unveils its Most Powerful Integrated Yet
McIntosh's most powerful integrated amplifier in 70 years has just been announced.
The McIntosh MA12000 is a 350-watt hybrid integrated amplifier that features a valve pre-amp that sports four (two per channel) 12AX7A tubes matched with a high-performance 350-watt solid-state power amplifier employing McIntosh's Autoformer tech. The latter detail, we're told, guarantees the full 350 watts is always delivered, no matter the speakers at the end of the chain.
As well as power, the MA12000 boasts ample connectivity options, too. Firstly, it comes with McIntosh's DA2 Digital Audio Module fitted as standard. The DA2 offers a Quad Balanced, eight-channel, 32-bit DAC accessed by seven digital audio inputs: two coaxial; two optical; one USB; one proprietary MCT (for McIntosh's SACD/CD transports); plus, one audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) to run from your TV. The USB input supports DSD 512 and DXD up to 384 kHz, while the coaxial and optical inputs rise to 24 bit/192 kHz; the DA2 has also received Roon Tested designation.
Turntables can be hooked up directly thanks to the MA12000's full adjustable Moving Coil and Moving Magnet inputs. Further analogue inputs include two balanced and six unbalanced. The MA120000 also has a balanced and unbalanced output to connect to an additional amplifier if you really need to.
Additionally, the MA12000 is equipped with a discrete, eight-band tone control allows for advanced manual analogue adjustment. Furthermore, the company has doubled the filter capacity compared to McIntosh's other integrated amplifiers for even better low-frequency performance, we are informed.
McIntosh has also included its High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD) on its new integrated.
Naturally, the MA120000 has the unmistakable McIntosh industrial design elements. However, the autoformers and power transformer are treated to a new glass-topped enclosure, capped by a glass nameplate encircled with a decorative trim ring. Key performance specifications and a detailed block diagram are printed on five glass panels.
The MA12000 can be ordered now for £16,500 from authorised McIntosh dealers with UK shipping expected to begin in November 2020.
See McIntosh for more information
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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