The McIntosh MA252 is a multi-award-winning hybrid integrated amplifier that combines a vacuum tube preamp seamlessly with a solid-state power amplifier, giving you the best of both worlds. It is the very first hybrid integrated amplifier designed by McIntosh and for it to have won so many accolades is really an incredible feat, we are certainly expecting amazing sonic performances from the McIntosh MA252 amp.
In order for the McIntosh MA252 hybrid amplifier to shine, it will definitely need to be paired with the best matching speakers. To do so, we first need to learn more about the integrated amplifier such as its sonic prowess and characteristics. With a better knowledge of the McIntosh MA252, we will be able to prepare a list of the best speakers which you can get to match with this hybrid integrated amplifier. This speaker’s list will be shared with you later on.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of McIntosh MA252
The McIntosh MA252 has that vintage design and retro aesthetics which makes us feel we got something really good here. It would look mesmerizing in any listening room with its vivid color lightings and will aesthetically match with most modern speakers. The McIntosh MA252 certainly looks powerful as well and the rated power outputs do prove it. The power output is 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms. It would be able to drive most bookshelf speakers with ease as well as floor-standers that are not difficult to drive.
The frequency response of McIntosh MA252 is very impressive which is at 10Hz-100kHz (+0, -3dB) and this will accommodate all types of speakers including active subwoofers. There is a dedicated subwoofer (mono) and headphone output. The High Drive headphone amplifier will come in handy for listeners who use high-quality headphones. There are no digital connections and MC phono input though which can be quite a bummer these days. The McIntosh MA252 preamp stage uses 2x 12AX7a and 2x 12AT7 vacuum tubes that are housed inside protective tube cages.
The pleasing sound quality is easy on the ears and you can push the volume higher and higher without worrying about listeners fatigue. As you jack up the volume, the musical presence in the room becomes more prominent and there is that warm feel to it. The open and spacious soundstage fills the room with ease, the imaging of the musicians are highly defined and a warmish quality to their texture. The overall sound reproduction is just silky smooth and has a nice balance as well. The stereo imaging of the McIntosh MA252 is impeccable, precisely positioning the musicians and the separation is equally impressive.
The warm musicality of the MA252 hybrid amplifier is packed with details and accuracy, providing us with a vivid music performance. The bass performance is full-bodied and with great control, giving us the impact and slam when it needs to. The highs are sweet and smooth, the mids are reproduced with emotions, the vocals sounded upfront and distinct. McIntosh MA252 is also capable of projecting holographic music presentation where it is well-layered and has a sense of realism that pulls you into the music. There is plenty of sonic energy and probably adding a high-quality subwoofer will get an even more lifelike performance from the McIntosh MA252 amp.
The overall sound reproduction of the McIntosh MA252 hybrid integrated amplifier is sweet, silky smooth, and warm. We also find it more enjoyable playing them at high volumes as it gives a greater presence and energy. The smooth laid-back presentation of the MA252 will do well for vinyl playbacks. All in all, it is a musical amplifier and excels with music that focuses on vocals and/or classical musical instruments such as violins. We have gathered enough information and have prepared a list of the best speakers to pair with the illustrious McIntosh MA252 hybrid amp which you can find below.
McIntosh MA252 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.03%
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-100kHz (+0, -3dB)
- Inputs: 1 MM Phono input, 2 Unbalanced inputs, 1 Balanced input
- Outputs: Subwoofer output, Headphone output
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 305mm x 194mm x 419mm (12″ x 7.6″ x 16.5″)
- Weight: 12.7kg (28lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with McIntosh MA252
The KEF LS50 Meta is one of the best speakers to pair with your McIntosh MA252 hybrid amplifier. It is a pair of stand-mounters that have won multiple awards and is a worthy match to your MA252. They have the accuracy and transparency to provide you with a faithful music presentation of your favorite tunes. Subtle musical details and nuances are revealed to you with precision, not to mention, delivered in incredibly clean sound quality. The McIntosh MA252 sonic characteristics help to ease any harshness and bring the sound reproduction to a larger scale. They will make a magnificent team and worth your time to check them out.
More Details at Amazon – KEF LS50 Meta – Royal Blue
The Klipsch LA Scala AL5 will be another extraordinary pair of loudspeakers to match with your McIntosh MA252 hybrid integrated amp. The LA Scala AL5’s incredibly energetic performance comes with a massive amount of details which makes instruments sound vivid with realism. The sonic energy along with the musical presence of the MA252 provides a lifelike performance which is as if you are at the venue where the musicians are performing. The 3-dimensional sonic performance delivered by the Klipsch LA Scala AL5 and McIntosh MA252 will make you want to keep feeding them with more of your favorite tunes non-stop.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch La Scala AL5 (Black Satin Ash)
The Q Acoustics Concept 500 is one of the best floor-standing speakers to go with the McIntosh MA252. They are currently the most powerful floor-standers from Q Acoustics and can deliver deep accurate bass effortlessly. Their overall sound reproduction is superb as well, able to dig out plenty of details, has a wide dynamic range, and provides you with a rich music presentation. The Concept 500 will be brilliant for listeners who want precision and musical refinement with neutrality. The McIntosh MA252 can provide more warmth and fuller sound quality into the overall sound reproduction, giving it more weight.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 500 (Silver Ebony)
Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 will be an amazing pair of floor-standing speakers to partner up with the McIntosh MA252 hybrid amp. The clarity in their highs and mids are astonishing, revealing to you plenty of details and intricacies. The expressiveness of the 703 S2 brings out an enthusiastic music delivery where it will add a bit of liveliness to the overall sound reproduction. The McIntosh MA252 is more than sufficient to drive them and also smoothen the hard edges a little, providing a bit more warmth so that it will sound fuller with a tad more authoritative bass performance. The high-resolution music presentation of the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 complements the MA252 too.
The Klipsch Heritage Series Heresy IV will be one of the best loudspeakers to go with the McIntosh MA252. The legendary Heresy series provides its listeners with exceptional sound quality at a modest price. The latest iteration the Heresy IV has inherited all the best from its past predecessors and with some improvements on its own. The level of clarity is astounding and the bass performance is exemplary too, it is very well matched with the McIntosh MA252 hybrid amp. The MA252 easily makes the Klipsch Heresy IV sing, filling the room with high octane musical energy and delivers a large-scale sound.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch Heritage Series Heresy IV (Satin Black Ash)
For subwoofers, we will recommend going with Rythmik Audio or SVS. These 2 brands are well recognized by both audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. They design and make high-performance subwoofers that are sanely priced. If music performance is crucial for you, the Rythmik Audio F12SE will be an excellent choice as it is an award-winning 12″ sealed audiophile subwoofer that can deliver accurate and articulate bass performance. For a more all-rounded performance, the SVS SB-2000 Pro sealed subwoofer will be the ideal choice to go with the McIntosh MA252 hybrid integrated amplifier.
More Information at Amazon – SVS SB-2000 Pro 550 Watt DSP Controlled Subwoofer (Black Ash)
To Sum It Up
The McIntosh MA252 is one of the best amplifiers to go for and to get a taste of what McIntosh amplifiers are capable of without investing too much. The loudspeakers listed here will make great speaker partners for the MA252 and all of them deserve your attention. You can look through the list, pick the ones which suit your preferences, and test them out by arranging an audition. Have a listen and see which speakers sound the best, you might want to do a few rounds of speakers’ auditions just in case.
