[kentj1948]

I got an email today from McIntosh announcing a new amp.  The MA 252 is a hybrid--tubed input and solid state power.  It is rated at 100/160 WPC.  It includes bass and treble controls and a phono input.  There are three line inputs as well, one of which is XLR.  I have no idea of cost but I would assume at least $6000.

Here is the link:  http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=integratedamps&ProductId=MA252

Kent

[danabunner]

$3500

http://robbreport.com/gear/audio/mcintosh-ma252-first-hybrid-integrated-amplifier-2756516/

[Scott F.]

That's pretty sexy 

[FullRangeMan]

12AX7 12AT7, even not using 6SN7 its a interesting amp,
I just dont understand why tone controls?
The amp need it or the speaker need it?

[JohnH12]

12AX7 12AT7, even not using 6SN7 its a interesting amp,
I just dont understand why tone controls?
The amp need it or the speaker need it?

Where did you see the tone controls?  Pretty cool amp.

[FullRangeMan]

Where did you see the tone controls?  Pretty cool amp.

You have to read the site.

[danabunner]

I hate those green LEDs under the tubes.  Looks so unnatural.  I've read they can be turned off. 

I suspect there will be people who love this integrated.

[FullRangeMan]

The leds will heat the tubes even more.

[electricbear]

A lot of the Mac preamps have tone controls. It seem to be a popular feature amongst their followers. I think you have to push in the input select and it brings up the tone controls on the display.

[FullRangeMan]

Maybe via remote control

[Bob in St. Louis]

The leds will heat the tubes even more.

You're saying that light emitting diodes have enough energy that they're capable of increasing the normal operating temperature of a vacuum tube?

[Don_S]

From the online PDF manual.  There is more information on adjusting bass and treble but you get the idea.


TONE CONTROL
The Tone Controls default setting is On. The TRIM
TREBLE and BASS Settings may be adjusted for the
currently selected Input Source. When the Tone Controls
are Disabled the previous settings for Treble and
Bass are bypassed from the signal path. To deactivate
Tone Controls perform the following:

1. Select the desired Input Source.

2. Press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Control
until “TONE CONTROLS, On” appears on
the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 61.

3. Press ◄ (Left) directional Push-button to deactivate
the Tone Controls. Refer to figure 62.
Note: When the TONE CONTROLS Setting is Off, the
BASS and TREBLE Controls will be inactive.

FullRangeMan,  Green LEDs are cool. It is the red ones that are hot.    Seriously???

[FullRangeMan]

From the online PDF manual.  There is more information on adjusting bass and treble but you get the idea.


TONE CONTROL
The Tone Controls default setting is On. The TRIM
TREBLE and BASS Settings may be adjusted for the
currently selected Input Source. When the Tone Controls
are Disabled the previous settings for Treble and
Bass are bypassed from the signal path. To deactivate
Tone Controls perform the following:

1. Select the desired Input Source.

2. Press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Control
until “TONE CONTROLS, On” appears on
the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 61.

3. Press ◄ (Left) directional Push-button to deactivate
the Tone Controls. Refer to figure 62.
Note: When the TONE CONTROLS Setting is Off, the
BASS and TREBLE Controls will be inactive.

FullRangeMan,  Green LEDs are cool. It is the red ones that are hot.    Seriously???

This is a shame, if this amp need tone controls to sound properly it keep the amp in the Mid-Fi grade, it seems more suited to the Life Style category imo.

[RDavidson]

I think tone controls are fine and may help McIntosh sell more. Most people buying McIntosh aren't necessarily purists...and that's completely OK in my book. If someone told me they bought McIntosh purely for the name and esthetics, I think this is totally acceptable. It's not my $. To each their own. I'd find solace in the fact that at least McIntosh stuff is pretty well made and performs well (some models better than others). There are far worse choices out there, including stuff that doesn't have tone controls.

[FullRangeMan]

I think tone controls are fine and may help McIntosh sell more. Most people buying McIntosh aren't necessarily purists...and that's completely OK in my book. If someone told me they bought McIntosh purely for the name and esthetics, I think this is totally acceptable. It's not my $. To each their own. I'd find solace in the fact that at least McIntosh stuff is pretty well made and performs well (some models better than others). There are far worse choices out there, including stuff that doesn't have tone controls.

Ah Mac is not Hi-Fi, now I understand.

[RDavidson]

Yes, you can understand what you choose and formulate your own definition of "Hi-Fi" to fit your personal biases. That is correct.

[Scott F.]

This is a shame, if this amp need tone controls to sound properly it keep the amp in the Mid-Fi grade, it seems more suited to the Life Style category imo.


.....Ah Mac is not Hi-Fi, now I understand.

You clearly have never listened to a Mac amp before.

The use of tone controls is a choice, not a requirement...but go ahead, exclude a BIG chunk of music out there because it sounds like hammered shit on your "Hi-Fi" system. Me, I think I'll crank the bass up a bit or trim the treble a tad with my tone controls so I can enjoy ALL of my music regardless of the recording quality....on my mid-fi rig 


 

[daves]

Scott, you are just a beer drinking, midfi sort of guy at heart!

[FullRangeMan]

It was said the tone controls are the standard default, obviously at the amp front end microchip preamp circuit.

[Scott F.]

Scott, you are just a beer drinking, midfi sort of guy at heart!

That describes me to a "T"