McIntosh MA12000, Integrated Amplifier With Built-in D/A Converter

McIntosh MA12000, Integrated Hybrid Amplifier With Built-in D/A Converter
Retail price : € 21.990,00

--- Ohm-Audio B.V. is an official McIntosh dealer ---

EN.
General : The McIntosh MA12000 is the most powerful integrated amplifier from McIntosh. The McIntosh MA12000 is a very complete 2 x 350 Watt integrated amplifier with built-in DAC and phono inputs for both MM and MC cartridges. It also features a high-quality headphone amplifier built in.

Technology : The McIntosh MA12000 is a very complete and stable amplifier with distinctive technologies. The McIntosh MA12000 offers more than enough connections for virtually any type of equipment. For example, there are inputs for phono equipment, and there is a DAC on board with several digital inputs, including a USB input, so that even DSD signals can be played back. An HDMI ARC connection is also available. The DAC in the McIntosh MA12000 is a module that can be replaced by a later generation DAC module in the future. The MA12000 also has a Pre Output for connecting a subwoofer, active loudspeakers or possibly a second power amplifier. Compared to the MA7200, the MA12000 offers an extra set of analog XLR inputs and an extra set of RCA inputs. The McIntosh MA12000 uses hybrid technology: the preamplifier section consists of 2 pieces of 12AX7A per side, 4 in total. The output stage is a high-quality and powerful class A/B solid state amplifier. A unique feature of McIntosh amplifiers is that McIntosh uses autoformers in transistor amplifiers, and the MA12000 is no exception. This keeps the transistors cooler and makes them more efficient in power consumption. The output transformers of McIntosh also have 3 taps for 8 Ohm, 4 Ohm and 2 Ohm loudspeakers, so the amplifier can deliver full power at any impedance. The fact that the McIntosh MA12000 hardly gets warm is due not only to the autoformers, but also to the heat sink fins on the side of the amplifier, which were developed by McIntosh itself. For protection, the McIntosh MA12000 features 'Power Guard', which ensures that the amplifier cannot clip, so your loudspeakers are not at risk. For overvoltage or short circuits, the McIntosh MA12000 has a built-in fuseless protection called 'Sentry Monitor'. Because no melting fuses are used, the current is hardly restricted at all, which benefits sound quality. The sound can also be fully personalized through an extensive tone control on the front of the MA12000.

Appearance: A McIntosh unit can almost always be recognized from a kilometer away, and the McIntosh MA12000 is no exception. The MA12000 features the signature glass panel on the front, where the McIntosh logo glows green and where 2 analog meters with an illuminated blue background are located. Below that you will find an LED display that shows the volume and input, and you can also use it to open the menu. For people who are not fond of illuminated equipment, the lights behind the analog meters can be switched off, and the brightness of the LED display can easily be dimmed or made brighter. The tubes have their own visible compartment and have LED lights at the tube bases. These glow orange while the tubes are warming up, and turn green when the MA12000 is ready for use. These LED lights can also be switched on or off easily. On the front you will also find 2 large shiny knobs for volume control and operating the menu/display, and 6 equally shiny small knobs for tone control. The sides are finished in chrome for a stylish overall look. The McIntosh MA12000 is very solidly built and can drive almost any loudspeaker on the market. At 44.5 cm (W) x 24 cm (H) x 55.8 cm (D), its size is the same as the MA9000, but larger than the MA7200. The MA12000 weighs no less than 49 kg, so a stable and sturdy placement spot is essential.

Sound: The McIntosh MA12000 has the typical McIntosh character. That means the MA12000 sounds rich, detailed and full. The difference with older McIntosh equipment lies mainly in the detail and tangibility of the soundstage. The McIntosh MA12000 never gives too much or too little of anything. The sound is very controlled and balanced, and even at higher volumes with heavier music the McIntosh MA12000 keeps its grip and the sound remains comfortable, so you do not have to rush to the volume control to turn it down. This means you can enjoy the McIntosh MA12000 for hours, days, weeks, months or years. Although the McIntosh MA12000 sounds calm and refined, it does not sound dull or too tame. Thanks to this very refined character, the McIntosh MA12000 is suitable for almost any type of music, at almost any volume, with almost any loudspeaker. The McIntosh MA12000 is a clear improvement over the MA7200 and MA9000, which are already excellent. In terms of character, the MA12000 has a touch of tube sound thanks to the built-in tube preamplifier. The MA12000 therefore sounds slightly smoother, and the soundstage is slightly more tangible than that of the MA7200 & MA9000. But the MA12000 also sounds more powerful and has more body, while at the same time offering more control. In our opinion, it is a textbook example of how an improvement should be: giving more without sounding forced or becoming too much. It should also be mentioned that McIntosh offers excellent service on its equipment, so you need not worry about the future, because parts are well stocked and can be manufactured again in the future, and in this way McIntosh never leaves its customers out in the cold, as it should be.

Ohm-Audio B.V. is an official McIntosh dealer.

Specifications of the McIntosh MA12000:

Brand: McIntosh USA
Model: MA12000
Type: Integrated Hybrid Amplifier with DAC
Warranty Fine Sounds BeNeLux: 36 Months
Analog Inputs: 6 x Unbalanced RCA, 2 x Balanced XLR
Phono Input: 1 x RCA for MM, 1 x RCA for MC
Digital Inputs: 2 x SPDIF Coax, 2 x SPDIF Toslink, 1 x USB Audio, 1 x MCT, 1 x HDMI ARC
Analog Outputs: 2 x Pre Out Unbalanced RCA, 1 x Headphone Out
Speaker Outputs: 3 Options Speaker Connections for 8, 4 and 2 Ohm
Output Power: 2 x 350 Watt at 8 Ohm, 4 Ohm & 2 Ohm
Finish: Black
Trade-in: Negotiable