2. amps-preamps
  3. 150911-10803

Can someone figure out the gain of this amp?

The new Mcintosh MA352 has a tube pre section and solid state section, by looking at the specs below, can someone figure out what the gain is? Most amp specs I see, if listed, are usually around 28db or so. Just curious for this new integrated amp. Thanks ahead of time

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
  • Power Output per Channel200 Watts into 8 Ohms
    320 Watts into 4 Ohms
  • Number of Channels2
  • Speaker Impedance4 or 8 Ohms
  • Rated Power Band20Hz to 20kHz
  • Total Harmonic Distortion0.03%
  • Dynamic Headroom1.5dB
  • Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB20Hz to 20kHz
  • Frequency Response, +0, -3dB10Hz to 100kHz
  • Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)N/A
  • Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)2.5mV
  • Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)0.5V/0.25V
  • Sensitivity (Power Amp input)N/A
  • Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)N/A
  • Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)82dB
  • Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)93dB
  • Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input)N/A
  • Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)20K/20K
  • Damping Factor8 Ohms: >200
    4 Ohms: >100
  • Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced)8V Unbalanced

aberyclark
aberyclark OP
1,355 posts
 
Thanks Al, so to get a comparable gain of my current system, I should add the gain of my BHK Pre ( not certain gain) and my Nuforce STA200 ( which has 34.5 dB if gain)?
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Yes, that’s correct.

I see that the BHK Signature preamp has a specified "sensitivity" of 1.3 volts, and a specified "output level" of 4.0 volts. Presumably that means that an input of 1.3 volts would result in an output of 4 volts, if the volume control is set at max. (Preamp gains are usually defined based on the volume control being at max). That corresponds to a gain of about 10 db, which would add to the 34.5 db gain of your Nuforce amp and result in almost exactly the same overall gain as the MA352.

db of gain = 20 x log(Vout/Vin) = 20 x log(4/1.3) = 9.76 db, or about 10 db.

("log" = the base-10 logarithm)

Regards,
-- Al


aberyclark OP
1,355 posts
 
Ahhh. So since I have to use a passive pre ( between pre and amp) to lower the gain (super high tube hiss) with my system now( Zu Omen def speakers), I’m looking at super high hiss with the Mac but without a way to lower the gain. That changes things a lot since I love my Zus.
mrdecibel
3,062 posts
 
Abery, I am not sure why you do not just try a " better quality " passive pre ( my Luminous is totally invisible, and fabulous ). I am not stating additional gain ( preamp ) is bad, but speakers such as yours, and the high gain of the STA200 ( not to mention, 1 less pair of ic's ), would be killer....I use my Luminous with a dozen or so rotating amplifiers ( not just the Nuforce ) and I get plenty of gain on every one of them. You seem to be all over the map, looking into every new product coming out. Contact Tim Stinson at Luminous ( tell him I sent you to him, as I was a beta tester for him, and I get nothing from this ), and he will discuss with you, with complete straight forwardness and honesty, the truth...( my unit is single ended, has 3 pr. of inputs, 2 pr. of outputs, has remote, and is silent ). ( Maybe, he can give you a 30 - 60 day trial, IDK ). The Luminous requires, ime, a few hundred hours of break in, as I believe, ime, everything does ) It is " night and day " superior to your Schiit SYS. Stop the insanity. Enjoy ! MrD. 
aberyclark OP
1,355 posts
 
I was actually looking at the Hattors at one time
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