McIntosh MA12000 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier

Description

The MA12000 includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. It gives you the warm nuances of a vacuum tube preamplifier (or valve preamplifier as some of our friends like to say) combined with the speed and raw power of a solid state amplifier, state-of-the-art digital audio capabilities, and enough analog audio connections for virtually any home music system.

“Even-tempered, effortlessly powerful and very sweet… a striking looking, bang-up-to-date muscle amp with great sound… a one-stop shop for all your audio needs.” Winner of the prestigious Applause Award. – StereoNET UK

The MA12000 is a hybrid design with the preamplifier section powered by (4) 12AX7A vacuum tubes (2 tubes per audio channel), while the 350 Watt power amplifier section employs a solid state design. Our Autoformer™ technology guarantees your speakers will always be capable of receiving that full 350 Watts whether they have 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.

There are 10 analog inputs on the MA12000 consisting of 2 balanced and 6 unbalanced inputs, plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet input for connecting a turntable. Both phono inputs feature adjustable loading for fine tuning the MA12000 to your specific turntable configuration so your vinyl collection sounds just right. All the unbalanced analog connectors are constructed from premium gold-plated solid brass for superior signal handling and grounding. The MA12000 also has 1 balanced and 1 unbalanced output if you ever want to connect to an additional amplifier that’s used in a different part of your residence.

For digital music, the MA12000 comes with our DA2 Digital Audio Module factory installed. Located in the DA2 are 7 digital audio inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 MCT (for use with our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports), and 1 audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)1 connection. The DA2 is powered by a next generation, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). This audiophile-grade DAC features improved dynamic range and improved total harmonic distortion. The DA2 supports high resolution digital audio playback, as the USB input supports native playback of up to DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz, while the coax and optical inputs can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz.

The HDMI (ARC) input allows TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output to be connected to the MA12000 and your home stereo system to bring a new level of audio performance to your TV and movie watching that TV speakers or soundbars just can’t provide. Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® are supported and will be expertly converted to 2-channel audio for proper playback. When CEC communication is enabled in both the MA12000 and your TV, your TV remote can control the power and volume of the MA12000. The DA2 can be replaced by future modules to keep your MA12000 up to date as new digital audio formats and technologies are developed.
The DA2 has received Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs, which can be especially useful if you have an extensive library of digital music. As a Roon Tested partner, McIntosh has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers, and shared information about its design and capabilities.
The top of the MA12000 is highlighted by some updated industrial design elements. The Autoformers and power transformer are now contained in a new glass topped enclosure capped by a glass name plate encircled with a decorative trim ring. Key performance specifications and a detailed block diagram are printed on 5 glass panels.

Other MA12000 features include:

⋅ Power Guard® that monitors the output signal for over driving and makes real time micro adjustments to the input signal to prevent harsh sounding clipping that could potentially damage your speakers
⋅ Our fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit Sentry Monitor™ that disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal
⋅ A pair of peak responding, trademarked “McIntosh Blue” Watt meters that indicate the real time power output of each audio channel
⋅ McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ which are connected to advanced high current output transistors that minimize thermal equilibrium lag (or warm-up) time and help keep the ⋅ MA12000 running cool
⋅ Home Theater PassThru that allows for seamless integration into a home theater system
⋅ Our patented Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts that easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming loose and possibly causing a short; the binding posts are also gold-plated to prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent over your speaker cables to your speakers
⋅ A discrete, eight-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analog adjustment of your favorite recordings
⋅ High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) which can bring an added dimension to headphone listening
⋅ Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power up and shutdown
⋅ Doubling of filter capacity compared to our other integrated amplifiers for even better low frequency performance
⋅ The latest audio-grade circuit components to deliver the best sound possible
⋅ Powerful control microprocessors to improve overall system operation
⋅ Easy operation via front panel controls or the included comprehensive remote control

McIntosh MA12000 is company’s most powerful amplifier ever | What Hi-Fi?

McIntosh MA12000 2-Channel Hybrid Amplifier (Ex-Demo)

McIntosh MA12000 Integrated Amplifier

Press & reviews

StereoNET review of the McIntosh MA12000 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated

HHT buying advice: MA12000 or Diablo 333?

The MA12000 includes the DA2 DAC, MM and MC phono inputs, HDMI ARC for television audio and an eight-band analogue equalizer. Its valve preamplifier feeds a solid-state power amplifier: this is a hybrid, not an all-valve output design. The equalizer adjusts tonal balance; it is not automated room correction.

If you already own a DAC or phono stage, those can still be used through a suitable line input, but deleting the built-in facilities is not a lower-cost factory option. Compare that complete specification with Gryphon’s optional modules in our McIntosh versus Gryphon: MA12000 or Diablo 333?. Speaker matching and an audition should settle the shortlist, not the 350-versus-333-watt headline.