McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
- Free Mainland UK Shipping on orders over £100
- Official Hi-Fi Retailer since 1973
- Usually in stock and dispatched in 1-5 working days
We offer free delivery on all orders over £100 to mainland UK. Orders under £100 are subject to a £6.50 shipping charge.
Delivery is available across mainland UK. If you are located outside mainland UK and would like a shipping quote, please get in touch before placing your order.
We aim to dispatch in-stock items as soon as possible provided that we physically have the stock - but please note that sometimes we have to order from our supplier for certain products, in which case delivery should take place within 1-5 working days of the order being placed.
Tracking details or estimated delivery timescales will be provided once your order has been processed. If there are any delays due to stock availability, we will contact you as soon as possible with the option to wait or receive a full refund.
Please note that certain products may be subject to specific distance selling or delivery regulations. If you are unsure about a product or its delivery terms, we recommend contacting us before purchase.
You can cancel your order within 14 days of receiving your goods, in line with UK distance selling regulations. Once you’ve notified us, you have a further 14 days to return the item. Please contact us by email, phone or in writing before sending anything back.
Items must be returned in original condition and packaging, including all accessories, manuals and any promotional items. The cost of return is your responsibility and we strongly recommend insuring the goods, as refunds cannot be issued for damaged or incomplete returns. If items show excessive handling, are missing components, or cannot be resold as new, a reasonable deduction may be made.
Please note that used headphones (for hygiene reasons) and custom or special-order items cannot be returned. If you need assistance arranging a return, we’re always happy to help.
Product Summary
The McIntosh MA252 is a premium hybrid integrated amplifier designed for customers who want some of the tonal charm and visual appeal of valve equipment, but with the control, convenience and speaker-driving confidence of a solid-state output stage. As McIntosh’s first hybrid integrated amplifier, it combines a vacuum tube preamplifier section with a solid-state power amplifier in a design that feels both classic and highly usable in a modern hi-fi system.
A major part of the MA252’s appeal is how naturally it balances musical character with everyday practicality. With 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms, it has the power to work confidently with a wide range of speakers, while its all-analogue layout, moving magnet phono stage and balanced and unbalanced inputs make it a strong choice for customers building a music-first system around both vinyl and line-level sources.
The MA252 also has the sense of occasion many customers want from McIntosh. Its exposed valves, compact footprint, illuminated logo and polished stainless steel chassis give it real visual presence without the size of some larger models. For customers who want an integrated amplifier that blends valve character, strong power delivery and long-term ownership appeal in one elegant chassis, the MA252 is a very compelling option.
Key Benefits
- Hybrid valve and solid-state design helps combine musical warmth and texture with strong grip and speaker control
- 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms gives your system the headroom to sound confident and dynamic
- Moving magnet phono input makes it easy to build a quality vinyl system without adding a separate phono stage
- Balanced and unbalanced inputs make system matching easier with a wide range of source components
- Bass and treble tone controls allow you to fine tune the sound to better suit your room, speakers and personal taste
- High Drive headphone amplifier with HXD supports more immersive private listening without needing another component
- Power Guard and Sentry Monitor technologies help protect the amplifier and speakers for more reassuring long-term ownership
- Compact design makes it easier to place in premium furniture and smaller hi-fi spaces than many full-size alternatives
- Distinctive McIntosh styling with exposed valves and polished chassis gives it real visual presence as well as ownership appeal
- 3 years manufacturers' warranty
Technical Specifications
Amplifier Section
- Product Type: Hybrid integrated amplifier
- Amplifier Design: Vacuum tube preamplifier with solid-state power amplifier
- Valve Complement: 2 x 12AX7A and 2 x 12AT7
- Power Output: 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms; 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
- Channels: 2
- Rated Power Band: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.03% maximum
- Dynamic Headroom: 1.8dB
- Frequency Response: +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz; +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
- Technology: Hybrid Drive, Power Guard, Sentry Monitor, Monogrammed Heatsinks
Inputs & Connectivity
- Total Analogue Inputs: 5
- Balanced Inputs: 1
- Unbalanced Inputs: 3
- Phono Input: 1 moving magnet input
- Headphone Output: 1/4 inch High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD)
- Tone Controls: Bass and treble
- Subwoofer Output: Yes
- Home Theater PassThru: Yes
- Control Features: Input trim, input assign, data ports, IR input and power control output
General
- Output Type: Direct coupled
- Chassis Finish: Polished stainless steel
- Standby Power Consumption: Less than 0.5 watt
- Power Requirements: Factory configured for regional mains voltage
Weight & Dimensions
- Dimensions: 30.5 x 19.4 x 41.9 cm (W x H x D)
- Weight: 12.7 kg net
- Shipping Weight: 16.8 kg
What’s in the Box
- McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
- Remote control
- AC power cord
- Owner’s manual and product documentation
