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New McIntosh MA252

Wondering if anyone has listened to the new MA252. I have an MA6500 pushing 200 watts into my SF Olympica llls which I think sound great. Question - would the tube preamp on the new MA252 add noticeable warmth, richness, sound stage presence? Thanks. 

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beyondarkness
24 posts
 
Has anybody compared the 252 to any of the “top dog” solid state integrateds from Mc, such as the MA8900 or 7900 or 8000, etc.? Not features-wise, as I realize the 252 does not have a Dac, HT passthrough, etc., but exclusively sound-wise.
ladyaudio
1 posts
 
Have had my MA 252 since February (my 50th birthday gift!) As an audiophile with discerning taste I will say that my baby blows most other integrated amps away with its pure clean analogue...to say this little amp with it’s beautiful green glowing tubes is worth every penny and is a beautiful addition to our audio gear is an understatement...nicely paired with Focal 836s, Chord Qutest DAC, Rega p6 with Hana EL cart (using a Rega MC phono but the on board phono stage is terrific....have done some reference testing with MM) and RB 330 arm, Cambridge CXN, lovely Nordost Silver Shadow IC...nice to look at, beautiful sound
hybrid81
32 posts
 
Any other folks have updates here? The MA6500 has been a great amp and I’ve no need to move on from it, but that tube glow is calling to me..
manishe
12 posts
 
I was curious about the MM Phono Input. I currently am running a Hegel amp, Pro-Ject Debut, and new B&W 707 S2's.

I wanted to upgrade my turntable to a Rega P6 with the Ania MC cartridge. But I noticed the MA252 has a MM Phono Preamp.

Should I get a P6 with MM cartridge instead then? Otherwise I have to buy a whole other MC phono preamp. And why didn't McIntosh build this in? I noticed the McIntosh MT2 & MT5 are MC, so you can't even connect those out of the box to the MA252.
cbucki
69 posts
 

"Has anybody compared the 252 to any of the “top dog” solid state integrateds from Mc, such as the MA8900 or 7900 or 8000, etc.?"

I went from an MA252 to a MAC7200(200wpc).

The increase in power really creates a more realistic listening experience, IMO. Bass and drums now have a "weight" to them that I didn't have with my MA252. Also, the three-dimensional imagery is now equal or better.

I loved the MA252. Fantastic piece for the money. MANY recording playbacks were "best-ever-in-room" and previous integrateds include the Bat VK3000se and a Cary 300SEI among others.

I did have a hard time finding a speaker match for the MA252. I did not like Focal 1028BEs (way sharp, probably the be tweeters), and the amp could not drive McIntosh or ATC offerings without a lot of "orange" (clipping) happening. It loved my current speakers, JBL4429 monitors.

Ultimately, if the MA6500 behaves similarly to the MAC7200, you (OP)really won't be in a better world from a warmth, richness, sound stage presence standpoint. But it does look cool!

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