How to Pick a McIntosh Integrated Amp - MA252 vs MA352
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มี.ค. 2023
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I have a MA8900 and use it quite often as a power amp, driven by an Audio Research SP-3c tube preamp. I’m the original owner of the SP-3 and had it re-engineered two years ago. ARC told me when they agreed to do it, that this is the last “3C” that will ever be made. This combination sounds beautiful! It’s been 50 years since I bought the SP-3 for $550 and it still looks brand new.
I love this channel. I have my eyes on some vintage integrated amps SkiFi sells. And I think it's totally cool how laid back Fernando is in these videos.
Great Video! I own the C8 preamp & MC830 monoblocks having the similar look but separates. Great products
Great video! Thanks for sharing. I have a MA352. Have you done some tube rolling to one of these Macs?
Great review
They look awesome
I have a minty MA6100 integrated that is absolutely phenomenal!
Great overview. I own the 252 deployed in a secondary system, in a very small room driving a pair of bookshelf speakers. Use it every day, got to say I love it. Small footprint, decent power, reliable, and great sound to boot. If I had the space, I would upgrade to the 352 for sure. With that amp you do get more of what the 252 can do. Really enjoyed it in a recent audition. Nonetheless, the 252 is no slouch and is something I would highly recommend. Whether or not you want to use it as part of a main or office system.
Hey, RF…My total admiration. I was heading that direction- upstairs listening spot. Our crazy 2yo 🐕 is a challenge when I open up the record room. Yep, had to put a door on the room when he was a pup…(Sweet mid-80’s Mc rig w/XRT18’s…oh that dog). I was going vintage or BT RS250. Ended up taking a flyer on Klipsch 5’s powered set. Wow…was not expecting to be gobsmacked. They’re perfect. Keep enjoying that gorgeous 252. What are those bookshelves, BTW? Sounds like your well on your way down RT352….”tell us how you do”…🍻
@@jimmyBside Currently use a pair of Technics SB-C700-K Bookshelf Speakers. Something that does not require ideal placement and for a little bookshelf I get a decent bass down to 40hz.
@@ridirefain6606 Just gave them a google…Super cool. Little KEF-ish. Must sound amazing. Big fan of Technics. Glad to see them going strong. So is my work horse SL-J2. Sorry I missed the 50th anniversary Red 1200’s, when they came out. Now they’re going for a premium…Catch you on the b-side.👍
Three weeks ago, I listened to the 252 and said what the heck. Let’s order the 352. 30 to 60 day wait and I’m so excited! It’ll be driving my walnut Sonus Faber Sonetto 3’s
I also have the Sonus Faber Sonetto 3 and I'm about to upgrade from my Rega Elex Mk4 amp. As you should have been listening to your 352 for quite a few months now, what do you think about it? Does it pair well with the Sonetto 3s? Would you recommend this combo? And what other amps had you been considering or listening to before you went for Mcintosh? I would really appreciate your opinion, thanks in advance and a happy new year 🙂
@@Entitaet69, The MA352 is unbelievable!!! I STRONGLY suggest that you get two REL subwoofers as soon as you can. My two T5X’s help create this massive wall of sound. I also recently purchased the HiFi Rose 250 streamer and shocked at how much better it is over the Blusound Node. I wouldn’t even consider any other component.
I like the 252 but those vu meters are so nice. Do they pair well with Klipsch Heresy IV?
I bought a MA352 a few months ago and I love it. The looks and performance are top notch. II am running a pair of Klipsch La Scala speakers and two 12" subs. It will rock your world!
Wow a perfect combo indeed. The Scalas are amazing with the MA352, nice job picking William.
Hello William, i also own MA352 and La Scalas, what sub do use or recomand ? Can you elaborate on what is gives you ?
@@nicolaslachcar Hey. The 2 subs I'm using are Klipsch 12" that I paid about $200 a piece for. Not the quickest, but they do give plenty of bottom and punch. I've wondered about Rel or SVS, but I'm having too much fun with what I've got to spend that much $.
@@williambaker3912 Good, can you tell me more about how you connect them to the MA352 ?
@@nicolaslachcar RCA sub cable from the amp to a "Y" connector then into the RCA inputs on the sub. One for each side since I"m running 2 subs. For one sub just run 2 RCAs for the amp into the sub.
Curious, given the similar specifications would these amps sound the same at low to moderate listening levels? Or does the 352 come into its own when driving less efficient speakers or at higher listening levels
Boas....
Que pena viver em Portugal.....
Ficaria maravilhado se visitasse a sua loja....material muito bom e, muito importante, com a revisão feita por super profissionais...
Abraço....👌
Looks like a scanspeak tweeter I had in proac 1sc. The concept look a lot like that speaker. Just with a much better box and crossover. Not bad the 1sc is one of the best 2ways I have heard, And belive the price for that was 2000 dollars 20 years ago.
Would be cool if they did a “ murdered or stealth” limited series. Black with the logo in light gray with amber meters , bras knobs. Like Klipsch’s copper drivers ( not heritage) it’s a little much. Like a band that’s so distinct in sound you can only take in small portions. Now that would be cool.
Wich int amp would you pair with the B&W 704s3? Sensibility 88dB. Do you think the MA 252 would be enough for a 35m2 room?
I own 352 it is awesome!!!
I like that the TH-camr prefers audio gear to sound and look good. Some technical enthusiasts only care about sound, which I find a little disappointing. But here we have someone with passion for good looks as well. :)
Funnily enough, my first encounter with Mcintosh was my piano teacher's amp in the early seventies when I was 14. His amp had it split exactly the opposite way it is today. A fantastic sounding MA 230 with a very early transistor preamp and a tube power amp with 7591 end tubes for a whopping 30 watts. Full in a world of big Klipsch horn speakers. In the past the motives were different. Transistor power amps were not really good in 1963 with high distortion at small but important SPL and also not durable but germanium transistor preamps were "trend-setting". Today the motive is probably to prepare the customer to get out of energy intensive amps. At least here in Europe everything possible is banned, every day something new. Why not tube power amps soon....
BTW good that all have withstood the earthquake in minute 8:30🤠
They really need power control inputs for people that want to connect them through a DAC like the D1100 when you have both the 252 and 352 in your system.
Great video, I’m running the Macintosh MA 6600 use to have the MA 6200 wish I had kept it, need a firmware update on the 6600, it’s a 2011 so has the V2.52
Hope that solves a few of the issues that pop up now and then. Hard to find
a dealer here in Montreal that has done the update. Heard of some having trouble
doing it. One local shop refused to even try. Wish I was near you guys. Thanks 🙏
Qual o valor deste aparelhos
I got linn 350 klimax passive speakers. I was wondering what McIntosh amplifier would you recommend to pair with those speakers? Thank you.
What is the efficiency?
Thanks for informative contribution. I’m doubting between MA252 and 352.
I have Atohm GT1 HD & Opera Callas bookshelves, KEF KC62 sub and a 3,3x4,5m listening room. I’m “afraid” the MA352 is a bit overkill/overspend…? Looking for some expert advice. Cheers
What are the sensitivity of your speakers? I have a 252 in a 11x12 foot room driving speakers with only 81db sensitivity, and at 60%, I get low 90s dB level. More than adequate. I'm sure speakers that are more efficient would really rock.
Unless you need the extra power or the extra inputs or the Moving coil cartridge input, the bigger amp is a waste. Mcintosh engineers have confirmed that the two options sound the same except for the above, so spending double the money gets you VU meters and 5 band EQ instead of two.
I use the MA252 with some Wharfedale Elysian 3 speakers which are rated at 91db, and seldom have the Amp above 45% unless it's a particularly quite recording in which case I might hit 60%.
If I were buying new I'd pick the 252 to try at home and only consider moving up to the 352 if you are struggling to achieve the SPL's you want at home.
I realise this reply is probably too late to assist you, but I hope it might assist someone else having the same questions...
Thank for your advice, much appreciated
I think I prefer the look of the 252. Is the sound quality similar to its bigger brother?
I would say they sound the same and would pick based on the efficiency of your speakers and budget. Cheers.
I always wanted sonic frontiers
Can those ghey @$$ green tube lights be turned off?
The lights are LED's built into the tube sockets. Orange indicates that the tubes are in warmup mode, and green means they tubes are ready for use. The tube light LED's can be completely switched off on the 352, but I don't believe they can be switched off on the 252.
@@Mark-rw3kw I have a 252 and yes you can switch the lights off - though I'd personally never do that!
I don’t know about that look. Tubes in front of the meters? Awful. Sticking with VTL. Way too much hype like Rolex.
Thats a great analogy. I think McIntosh has alot to learn from Rolex in terms of brand management but is on the right path. Folks want both tubes AND meters, its a proven fact. Not sure how else you would execute. This happens to be one of their best sellers. Thanks for the feedback
I wish all receivers and amps had power meters. I don’t get why they don’t. It’s not hard to do. As a kid I used to love watching the power meters on my dad’s Sansui G9700. It was driving a pair of power hungry Dahlquist DQ10s.
No idea why people want useless meters anyway - I hate them and only bought a 252 because for once I could get that mcintosh sound without the silly VU's. I agree the design of the 352 is pretty stupid, but Mcintosh can't help themselves, stupid meters on everything.
As for sound, I've been an audiophile for 40 years, the 252 replaced a much more expensive Naim power amp, but the sound quality, with that slightly romantic warmth and lovely transparency is exactly what I've been searching for. This is likely my forever amp, but I've been doing this too long to make definitive statements :)
Over priced, & overrated!