McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier

The McIntosh MA252 is McIntosh’s most accessible integrated amplifier and the entry point to the Hybrid Drive lineage — a vacuum tube preamplifier stage (with the same exposed-tube aesthetic as the MA352 and the MA12000 flagship) paired with a 100-watt-per-channel solid-state power amplifier. Compact chassis, striking design, and the tube-plus-solid-state character in a package priced for listeners entering the McIntosh world.

The preamplifier stage uses two 12AX7a and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes housed inside stylish protective cages. The output stage is a direct-coupled solid-state amplifier delivering 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 160 watts per channel into 4 ohms. An all-analog design with two unbalanced, one balanced, and one Moving Magnet phono input for turntables. All four inputs can be given user-friendly names to simplify control.

Bass and treble tone controls. Full range subwoofer output for use with a powered subwoofer. As Alistair Kaye of Hi-Fi News described it: “Carved like a boat designed to surf all the waves of music.” The MA252 is the McIntosh gateway for listeners drawn to the Hybrid Drive concept at the most accessible tier — the same fundamental architecture as the MA352 mid-tier and MA12000 flagship, delivered at the entry price the concept becomes accessible at.

At $5,000 in current McIntosh pricing, the MA252 is available for audition at the Tempe showroom. Compact enough to sit in a real living-room environment while still delivering the McIntosh amplification character in one chassis. Walk in during business hours or book ahead for a prepared listening session against the specific loudspeakers you are considering pairing it with.