Integrated amplifiers — McIntosh MA252

The MA252 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC and phono stage from McIntosh, built with an exceptional damping factor. The MA252 brings McIntosh's considered engineering to a complete, feature-rich integrated chassis.

Key specs that matter

One balanced XLR input and two single-ended inputs are provided. Input sensitivity is 600mV via XLR or 300mV via RCA. Input impedance is 20,000 ohms on both connections. Output power is 100W into 8 ohms, rising to 160W into 4 ohms. Frequency response spans a genuinely wide 10Hz to 100,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Signal-to-noise ratio is 97dB, with total harmonic distortion plus noise at 0.03%. Damping factor exceeds an extraordinary 200 - a genuinely remarkable figure indicating exceptional control over loudspeaker cone motion. At 305 x 194 x 419mm and 12.7kg, the MA252 maintains a genuinely manageable, feature-complete integrated amplifier chassis.

Sound and use context

Expect the powerful, richly detailed character McIntosh's broader legendary catalogue is celebrated for, with the extraordinary over-200 damping factor combined with the substantial 160W-into-4-ohms output, and the built-in DAC and phono stage covering both digital and analogue vinyl sources directly.

Pairing

The built-in DAC and phono stage cover both digital and analogue vinyl sources directly, and the extraordinary over-200 damping factor suits genuinely demanding loudspeaker loads with excellent bass control.

Alternatives

McIntosh's broader integrated amplifier catalogue offers alternatives at different tiers for buyers wanting a different balance of features. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this amplifier, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with McIntosh before finalising any purchase. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this product, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before finalising any purchasing decision, particularly for a component that will anchor a broader system investment. Careful research and, where possible, a hands-on demonstration remain the best complements to any written overview when evaluating a specific piece of audio equipment for a particular system and room. Ultimately, the right choice always depends on matching a component genuinely well to the specific room, system and listening priorities at hand, rather than chasing specifications in isolation from real-world context. Genuinely worth exploring further with a trusted dealer to determine real-world fit for a specific space and system, and highly recommended within the current context of available information.