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Help! Buy McIntosh MA252?

Hello. Noobie audiophile here who would appreciate some advice.

I currently enjoy my digital audio music collection from PC --> Integra 20.3 --> B&W 683s.  No complaints but it's time to upgrade.  I'm intrigued by the McIntosh MA252 integrated amp.  Sounded pretty great at the store and the reviews seem to be unanimously positive.  I'd be using a EVGA Nu Pro audio card.  The MA252 will be worth more than my entire current setup, PC included, which begs the question, is it overkill in regards to 1. the speakers and 2. the digital audio source? Will the sound quality really be that much better or am I better off spending my hard earned money elsewhere (speakers, external DAC)?

Thanks in advance for your input and advice!

Daniel
dridel
dridel OP
15 posts
 

Hey @mervo ! Thanks for sharing your story.  You're not the first person that recommends upgrading to Gold Lions.  I just looked for them and it seems it's out of stock everywhere.

I enjoyed my MA252 for about a year before I had the opportunity to upgrade my 683s to the 702 Signatures.  Then I found out just how power hungry these speakers are.  After some research, I upgraded to a MA352, and boy they make the 702s sing... Then I got a REL S5/SHO (deal was too good to pass).  So now I am on "just enjoy the music" mode and trying to control my G.A.S.

BTW are you using the sub output or the high-level cable from REL?

Post removed 
mervo
34 posts
 

Dridel:

I am currently using a REL sub (T/9x) with a MA352 in my main kit pushing 703 S2s and they are singing in my mid-size media room. Since I posted, I liked the B&W sound so much I upgraded the KEF LS50 metas for the B&W 705 Signatures and the MA252 is fine in that kit, but to be candid, I have to push it to 55% to full the sound out on the 705s. I can see that the 702s will need the extra power of the MA-352. Hope you're enjoying your kit--sounds impressive.

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