McIntosh announces MA12000 integrated amplifier

High quality grunt

by Andy Bassett
Hi-Fi News

5

McIntosh announces MA12000 integrated amplifier

McIntosh, the US maker of high end audio products, has introduced the most powerful integrated amplifier in its 71 year history - the MA12000.

Boasting 350W, the MA12000 is a powerful integrated amplifier with a ‘best of both worlds’ hybrid design.

The preamp section is powered by four 12AX7A valves (two per audio channel) and combines with a high-performance 350-watt solid-state power amplifier employing McIntosh's Autoformer technology, which guarantees the full 350 watts is always delivered, regardless of speaker.

The MA12000 comes with McIntosh’s DA2 Digital Audio Module factory-installed and this provides a wealth of connectivity options including 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) for movie and TV sound with compatible HDMI enabled TVs. Home Theater PassThru™ allows for seamless integration into a home theatre system.

McIntosh announces MA12000 integrated amplifier

Designed to be fully upgradeable as audio technologies progress, the DA2 features an advanced, Quad Balanced, eight-channel, 32-bit DAC and delivers improved dynamic range. The DA2 supports Hi-Res audio, too with its USB input compatible with DSD 512 and DXD up to 384 kHz, while the coaxial and optical inputs support up to 24 bit/192 kHz; the DA2 has also received Roon Tested designation.

But the MA12000 is not just about digital sources as there’s a total of 10 analogue inputs which cover two balanced and six unbalanced, plus Moving Magnet and Moving Coil connections for turntable owners. There's also a discrete, eight-band tone control which allows for advanced manual analogue adjustment. Furthermore, with a balanced and unbalanced output, an additional amplifier can be hooked up if (heaven forbid!) even more power is needed. 

McIntosh announces MA12000 integrated amplifier

A pair of peak-responding ‘McIntosh Blue’ watt meters indicate the real time power output of each audio channel and, as well as providing visual cues, the MA12000 features proprietary technologies to help safeguard the system. These include Power Guard which monitors the output signal for over driving and makes real-time micro adjustments to the input signal to prevent harsh-sounding clipping, while McIntosh's fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit, Sentry Monitor, disengages the output stage in the event of a problem.

Additionally, further system maintenance is provided by the McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks which connect to advanced high-current output transistors that minimise warm-up time and help with cool running, while gold plated Solid Cinch binding posts guard against shorts, prevent corrosion and ensure a good-quality signal output. 

There’s a High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director for those that favour solo or late night listening sessions and Power Control sends power on/off signals to other connected McIntosh components when it's finally time to go to bed.

McIntosh announces MA12000 integrated amplifier

Meanwhile, powerful control microprocessors improve the overall system operation and low frequency performance is enhanced by a doubling of filter capacity compared to McIntosh's other integrated amplifiers.

McIntosh products all feature a distinctive design and the MA12000 is no exception having the classic black glass front panel, rotary control knobs, illuminated logo, aluminium end-caps and mirror-finish stainless-steel chassis. It also encases the autoformers and power transformer within 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 McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier is handmade in the company’s New York factory and is expected to ship to the UK in November priced at £16,500

Source: Press Release
Image Source: McIntosh

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