This new McIntosh integrated looks like a winner

speedbump6
I find your comments regarding the Prima Luna very much in accord with what I just experienced with an Evo 300, a component for which I had high hopes. It proved to be dissapointing.

After years of dealing with various, excellent tube separates, and being on the tube-rolling treadmill, I’m seriously considering the McIntosh 352. I’ve set up a home audition and if I love the MAC, I’ll buy it, sell all the tube gear and my closet-full of spare tubes, except for the 12Ax7s and 12AT7’s. I’ll also change my cartridge from a low to HO MC and sell my phono stage and outboard signal processor, which I use strictly as a balance control, as well.

Perhaps with the MA352, less will indeed prove to be more. It may be time to turn in my official audiophile chaser-of-the-unobtanium membership card and simply go back to enjoying reproduced music in my home.

Keep us updated on the 352. What speakers will you be pairing the unit with?

@aberyclark 

I've Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage and Maggie .7's.  I just spoke to the MAC dealer and he urges me to get an MA8000 instead. (of course, it's more money!) but he swears it sounds (much) better than the MA352.

I may put everything on hold until I've got my Covid vaccinations, at which point (soon I hope) I can go hear these units before making any decisions.  After years of fiddling with tubes, wires, tweaks, etc. I'm more than ready for a great integrated. Turn it on, sit back, relax, and simply listen to music and turn in my audiophile card, finally.

Looking at the amp reminds me of the movie "Back to the Future" with those coils. It may look good but I don't usually make a hifi purchase based on looks. You listen to your hifi with your ears hence sound quality takes precedence over aesthetics.