McIntosh MA12000

A truly stunning aesthetic in its elegance and power is the calling card of the MA12000, an extraordinarily complete stereo integrated amplifier that perfectly reflects McIntosh's commitment to engineering and craftsmanship at the highest level.

The MA12000 is a hybrid design combining a vacuum tube-based preamplifier section (two 12AX7A per channel) with power amplifier circuitry equipped with McIntosh's unique Autoformer technology, ensuring that its 350 watts continuous per channel are delivered in full whether the impedance of the associated loudspeakers is 8, 4 or 2 ohms.

In terms of analogue connectivity, the most opulent of McIntosh 's stereo integrated amplifiers includes a total of 10 inputs split into 2 balanced line, 6 unbalanced line, 1 phono for moving magnet (MM) and 1 phono for moving coil (MC) cartridges, plus balanced and unbalanced outputs.

In terms of digital connectivity, the MA12000 comes standard with McIntosh's advanced DA2 module, which combines six digital inputs (2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 MCT) with an ARC (Audio Return Channel) compatible HDMI input for easy viewing of TV programmes using a single digital connection.

In addition, the DA2's DAC functionality supports DSD512 (22.4 MHz) and DXD recordings at 384 kHz sampling rate, thanks to the use of an audiophile-grade 8-channel D/A conversion chip with 32-bit technology set to Quad Balanced mode to maximise dynamic range and minimise distortion.

In addition, McIntosh 's unique MCT input allows for a secure DSD connection to any of the brand's CD/SACD transport mechanics and optimises the sound quality of SACDs.

The MA12000 also features two of McIntosh 's unique Monogrammed Heatsinks to ensure perfect thermal stability of the advanced high-current, high-response rate transistors in its output section, plus a high-current Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD) headphone amplifier, powerful electronic protection and two iconic elements: the treated glass front panel and two stylish blue-backed analogue vumeters.

Features:

• Absolute reference stereo integrated amplifier with built-in DAC.
  
• Equipped with the DA2 digital module from McIntosh.
  
• Hybrid design: tubes in preamp and transistors in output stage.
  
• Output power immune to loudspeaker impedance variations.
  
• Power Guard and Sentry Monitor protection systems exclusive to McIntosh.
  
• ARC-compatible HDMI input for connection to a television.
  
• USB DAC section compatible with DSD512 encoded files.
  
• Executed with the highest quality components.
  
• Roon Tested approved.
  
• Separate phono inputs for turntables equipped with MM and MC capsules.
  
• Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analogue inputs and outputs.
  
• Solid Cinch speaker connection terminals exclusive to McIntosh.
  
• High-precision, high-speed response analogue displays.
  
• Dedicated headphone amplifier exclusive to McIntosh.
  
• 2x350 W RMS power at 8, 4 or 2 ohms.
  
• Frequency response 10-100,000 Hz, +0 dB, -3 dB.
  
• Line inputs sensitivity/impedance: 600 mV/44 kOhm (XLR).
  
• Phono input sensitivity: 3 mV on MM and 0.3 mV on MC.
  
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 114 dB Line, 77 dB/Phono MM and 75 dB/Phono MC.
  
• Dimensions: 445 x 240 x 502 mm (W x H x D).
  
• Weight: 48.9 kg.