McIntosh MA12000
McIntosh hybrid integrated amplifier combining 12AX7A tube preamplification with a transistor power stage, for 350 W per channel.
Description
The MA12000 is a hybrid integrated amplifier from McIntosh, designed to combine the function of a preamplifier and a power amplifier in a single unit. It is the most powerful integrated model ever produced by the brand, intended to occupy a central place in a Hi-Fi system thanks to its digital capabilities and a substantial number of analogue inputs.
Its hybrid design combines two distinct technologies: the preamplification section relies on four 12AX7A tubes, two per channel, which brings the warm colouration and grain characteristic of valve amplification. The power section, meanwhile, uses a solid-state design and delivers 350 Watts per channel, offering the speed, dynamics and control usually associated with transistors.
McIntosh has fitted the MA12000 with its Autoformer technology, which allows the amplifier to deliver its full 350 Watts of power regardless of the impedance of the connected speakers, whether 2, 4 or 8 ohms. This feature considerably widens the unit's compatibility with demanding speakers or those with an atypical load.
This type of amplifier is aimed at a listener wanting a single central system capable of driving current-hungry speakers while retaining the texture characteristic of tube stages. The MA12000 is suited to a high-end installation where available power and connection flexibility are paramount, for both analogue and digital sources.
Technical specifications
| Power | 350 W per channel |
| Preamplification | 4 x 12AX7A tubes (2 per channel) |
| Power stage | Solid-state |
| Technology | McIntosh Autoformer |
| Compatible impedances | 2, 4 or 8 ohms |
What to check before buying used
The 12AX7A tubes in the preamplification stage wear over time: a test for hum, microphonics or loss of gain at switch-on will reveal their condition, though they remain standard, replaceable parts. The McIntosh Autoformer, robust by nature, nonetheless deserves a check for the absence of noise or distortion depending on the impedance selected. A check of the volume potentiometer and input switches, sometimes prone to crackling after several years of use, completes the inspection.
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