McIntosh MA12000 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier

350 Wpc hybrid integrated amplifier with tube preamplifier, Autoformers, adjustable MC/MM phono stages, and DA2 digital module

The McIntosh MA12000 combines a vacuum tube preamplifier with a high-power solid-state output stage in the company’s most powerful integrated amplifier. Four 12AX7A tubes handle preamplification, while the power amplifier delivers 350 W per channel into 2, 4, or 8 ohms through McIntosh Autoformers, allowing its full rated power to be delivered across all three speaker impedances.

Ten analog inputs include two balanced, six unbalanced, and dedicated Moving Coil and Moving Magnet phono inputs. Both phono stages offer adjustable loading for matching a wide range of cartridges. An eight-band analog equalizer provides additional tonal adjustment and can be bypassed when not required.

DA2 Digital Audio Module

The factory-installed DA2 Digital Audio Module adds seven digital inputs: two coaxial, two optical, USB, MCT, and an audio-only HDMI ARC connection. Its Quad Balanced eight-channel, 32-bit DAC supports PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz through USB, along with DSD512 and DXD384. Coaxial and optical inputs support PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

HDMI ARC allows a compatible television to feed audio directly to the MA12000, with support for two-channel playback of compatible Dolby and DTS formats. With CEC enabled, a compatible TV remote can control amplifier power and volume. The DA2 module is replaceable, allowing the digital section to be upgraded if McIntosh develops future modules.

McIntosh Power and Protection

Power Guard monitors the output signal and adjusts the input level to prevent clipping, while Sentry Monitor provides fuse-less protection against excessive operating current. Monogrammed heatsinks help dissipate heat from the high-current output transistors, and Solid Cinch speaker binding posts provide secure connections for speaker cables.

A High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD) is included for headphone listening, while Home Theater PassThru allows the MA12000 to be incorporated into a multichannel system. Power Control connections, Data Ports, RS232 control, input level matching, and a rear-panel IR sensor input provide additional system integration options.

Specifications

Power Output per Channel: 350 W into 2, 4, or 8 ohms

Number of Channels: 2

Rated Power Band: 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Total Harmonic Distortion (Preamplifier / Amplifier): 0.03% / 0.005%

Dynamic Headroom: 1.5 dB

Frequency Response (+0, -0.5 dB): 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Frequency Response (+0, -3 dB): 10 Hz to 100 kHz

Phono Sensitivity (MC, MM): 0.30 mV, 3.0 mV

High-Level Sensitivity (Balanced / Unbalanced): 600 mV / 300 mV

Power Amplifier Input Sensitivity: 1.7 V

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (MC, MM): 75 dB, 77 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (High Level / Power Amplifier): 95 dB / 114 dB

Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced): 44 kohms / 22 kohms

Damping Factor: >40

Maximum Output Voltage (Balanced / Unbalanced): 16 V / 8 V

Balanced Inputs: 2

Unbalanced Inputs: 6

Phono Inputs: 1 Moving Coil (adjustable); 1 Moving Magnet (adjustable)

Digital Inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 MCT, 1 USB, 1 HDMI ARC

Balanced Variable Outputs: 1

Unbalanced Outputs: 1 fixed, 1 variable

Headphone Output: 1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD)

DAC: Quad Balanced 8-channel, 32-bit/384 kHz PCM/DSD

Coaxial / Optical Input: PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz

MCT Input: 16-bit/44.1 kHz PCM, DSD64

USB Input: PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz; DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512; DXD352.8, DXD384

Tone Controls: 8-band analog equalizer

Tone Bypass: Yes

Home Theater PassThru: Yes

Power Control Outputs: 1 main, 2 trigger

Rear-Panel Data Ports: 4

RS232 Control: Yes

Vacuum Tubes: 4 x 12AX7A

Output Type: Autoformer

Dimensions (H × W × D): 9-7/16" × 17-1/2" × 19-3/4" (240 × 445 × 502 mm)

Weight: 108 lb. (48.9 kg)