Meet McIntosh's Gorgeous MA352 Integrated Amplifier

(September 2, 2019) The king of the green glow – McIntosh – has revealed one of the most gorgeous looking pieces of AV gear launched this year, the all-new MA352 Hybrid Integrated Amp. Taking the place of the MA252, the MA352 offers twice the power using a tube preamp section comprised of dual 12AX7A and 12AT7 vacuum tubes and a 200 watt per channel solid state amplifier (8 ohm). It carries two balanced and three unbalanced inputs plus a Moving Magnet phono input; stereo pre-outs can be used to recruit the help of an outboard amp or feed up to two subwoofers. Overall weight comes in slightly below 70 pounds.

The MA352 cost $6,500 and can be preordered now through Authorized McIntosh dealers. McIntosh says shipping should begin later this month. For more, read the press release from McIntosh (below).


Following the wildly successful and lauded MA252 hybrid integrated amp, McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to announce its newest hybrid integrated amp: the MA352 Integrated Amplifier.

The new McIntosh MA352 Integrated Amplifier is a hybrid design that combines the finest of vacuum tube and solid-state audio design principles. The result is an eye-catching amplifier that enjoys the best of these two opposing audio philosophies all while reproducing music at the highest quality level.

An all analog design, the MA352 has a vacuum tube preamplifier section that is powered by a pair of 12AX7A and a pair of 12AT7 vacuum tubes. Its output stage is a direct coupled solid-state amplifier that outputs 200 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 320 Watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers - double the MA252's power output and more than enough to properly drive virtually any set of loudspeakers. Dual scale McIntosh blue Watt meters give an accurate readout of power output for both speaker impedances.

The MA352 has 2 balanced and 3 unbalanced inputs plus 1 Moving Magnet phono input with adjustable loading. It has gold-plated speaker binding posts to help prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent to the speakers. A stereo preamplifier output is available for connecting a higher-powered amplifier; it can also be used to connect 1 or 2 powered subwoofers for added low frequency performance.

The MA352 is packed with numerous McIntosh technologies including Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks, High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD), 5-band analog tone control (each band adjustable by ± 12dB), Home Theater Pass Through, Power Control, and Data Ports.

The unit sits on a stainless-steel chassis polished to a mirror finish; vintage McIntosh-styled die cast aluminum name badges are affixed to each side. Blue output meters, control knobs, an illuminated logo, and a black glass front panel with direct LED backlighting complete the unit. It can be paired with an assortment of CD players, turntables, tuners, media streamers and speakers to complete a home audio system.

The MA352 will be displayed in early September at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (in room Homestead 4) and 2019 CEDIA Expo (in booth SR-17).

Pricing and AvailabilityOrders for the MA352 can now be placed with Authorized McIntosh dealers with shipping expected to begin to the United States in September 2019 and the rest of the world shortly thereafter.

Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded): $6,500 USD

 

[mechman]

McIntosh makes some good looking gear!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Seriously. I love their stuff... it's just a bit outside of my realm of operation. Fun to look at tho!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I've owned quite a bit of McIntosh gear over the years, but their newer high-end units are a touch out of reach price wise for me.

They are indeed beautiful... not even sure I could close my eyes when listening to music if this unit was in the room with me.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sonnie, you’ve had some great gear in your amazing room. Could you hear the McIntosh difference?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I don't think I've ever had McIntosh in my current room. Most of it was in my great room systems. I came very close to buying a pair of 601's one time, but then backed away.

I had some older McIntosh gear (a processor and a pair of MC-250 amps) and at one time a newer two-channel amp... I may have to dig up what all I had. I remember I had to replace the front glass on the newer unit, and that was a serious challenge.

As far as hearing a difference... back then, I didn't know what I was hearing and certainly didn't have things setup correctly, so it would be irrelevant for the most part.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I’m guessing separates with top-end speakers would make for some amazing sound. If anything, certainly some great eye candy!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I was looking at the 601's... a used set for a very reasonable 6K... for the MartinLogan Montis at the time.

I've heard several rooms at audio shows with ML and McIntosh... they sounded pretty good, but they were limited by the room and the fact they had to set everything up quickly... plus back then Dirac Live was not as easily accessible... especially not DL 2... which is truly phenomenal.

 

[Asere]

McIntosh has always been a very attractive piece of gear but the price is WAY over my budget.

 

[ddude003]

The MA352 Integrated Amplifier looks like a nice Hybrid Integrated system... Hybrid being tubed pre and ss amp... I don't think the MA352 has Autoformers... McIntosh SS Amps , with their Autoformers, have always been a go to amp for Martin Logan Electrostatic speakers... ;^)