McIntosh MA12000 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amplifier

The MA12000 gives you the best of all worlds with the warm nuances of a vacuum tube preamplifier (or valve preamplifier as some of our friends like to say) combined with the speed and raw power of a solid state amplifier, state-of-the-art digital audio capabilities, and enough analog audio connections for virtually any home music system.

The MA12000 is a hybrid design with the preamplifier section powered by (4) 12AX7A vacuum tubes (2 tubes per audio channel), while the 350 watt power amplifier section employs a solid state design. McIntosh Autoformer™ technology guarantees your speakers will always be capable of receiving that full 350 Watts whether they have 2, 4, or 8 ohm impedance.

There are 10 analog inputs on the MA12000 consisting of 2 balanced and 6 unbalanced inputs, plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet input for connecting a turntable. Both phono inputs feature adjustable loading for fine tuning the MA12000 to your specific turntable configuration so your vinyl collection sounds just right. All the unbalanced analog connectors are constructed from premium gold-plated solid brass for superior signal handling and grounding. The MA12000 also has 1 balanced and 1 unbalanced output if you ever want to connect to an additional amplifier that's used in a different part of your residence.

For digital music, the MA12000 comes with Mc’s DA2 Digital Audio Module factory installed. Located in the DA2 are 7 digital audio inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 MCT (for use with the MCT series of SACD/CD Transports), and 1 audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)1 connection. The DA2 is powered by a next generation, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). This audiophile-grade DAC features improved dynamic range and improved total harmonic distortion. The DA2 supports high resolution digital audio playback, as the USB input supports native playback of up to DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz, while the coax and optical inputs can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz.

The HDMI (ARC) input allows TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output to be connected to the MA12000 and your home stereo system to bring a new level of audio performance to your TV and movie watching that TV speakers or soundbars just can't provide. Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® are supported and will be expertly converted to 2-channel audio for proper playback. When CEC communication is enabled in both the MA12000 and your TV, your TV remote can control the power and volume of the MA12000. The DA2 can be replaced by future modules to keep your MA12000 up to date as new digital audio formats and technologies are developed.

The DA2 has received Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs, which can be especially useful if you have an extensive library of digital music. It has been profiled and tested by both Roon and McIntosh for maximum compatibility. Roon will recognize it and send it audio optimized for its capabilities. No fiddling with checkboxes or dropdowns, Roon Tested devices are automatically identified and configured out of the box for a superior customer experience.

The top of the MA12000 is highlighted by some updated industrial design elements. The Autoformers and power transformer are now contained in a new glass topped enclosure capped by a glass name plate encircled with a decorative trim ring. Key performance specifications and a detailed block diagram are printed on 5 glass panels.

The entire unit is wrapped in the classic McIntosh aesthetic with a pair of blue watt meters, a black glass front panel, rotary control knobs, illuminated logo, aluminum end caps with built-in handles and a beautiful stainless steel chassis polished to a mirror finish. The MA12000 can be paired with a variety of turntables, CD players, music streamers, and speakers.

• Power Guard® that monitors the output signal for over driving and makes real time micro adjustments to the input signal to prevent harsh sounding clipping that could potentially damage your speakers
• Fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit Sentry Monitor™ that disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal
• A pair of peak responding, trademarked "McIntosh Blue" Watt meters that indicate the real time power output of each audio channel
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ which are connected to advanced high current output transistors that minimize thermal equilibrium lag (or warm-up) time and help keep the MA12000 running cool
• Home Theater PassThru that allows for seamless integration into a home theater system
• Patented Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts that easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming loose and possibly causing a short; the binding posts are also gold-plated to prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent over your speaker cables to your speakers
• A discrete, eight-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analog adjustment of your favorite recordings
• High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) which can bring an added dimension to headphone listening
• Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power up and shutdown
• Doubling of filter capacity compared to Mc’s other integrated amplifiers for even better low frequency performance
• The latest audio-grade circuit components to deliver the best sound possible
• Powerful control microprocessors to improve overall system operation
• Easy operation via front panel controls or the included comprehensive remote control

• Power Output per Channel: 350 Watts
• Number of Channels: 2
• Speaker Impedance: 2, 4, or 8 Ohms
• Rated Power Band: 20Hz to 20kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: Preamplifier: 0.03% / Amplifier: 0.005%
• Dynamic Headroom: 1.5dB
• Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB: 20Hz to 20kHz
• Frequency Response, +0, -3dB: 10Hz to 100kHz
• Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil): 0.30mV
• Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet): 3.0mV
• Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced): 600mV/300mV
• Sensitivity (Power Amp input): 1.7V
• Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil): 75dB
• Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet): 77dB
• Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level): 95dB
• Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input): 114dB
• Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced): 44K/22K
• Damping Factor: >40
• Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced): 8V Unbalanced / 16V Balanced
• Balanced Input: 2
• Unbalanced Input: 6
• Phono Input Moving Coil: 1 (adjustable loading)
• Phono Input Moving Magnet: 1 (adjustable loading)
• Upgradeable Digital Audio Module: Yes: DA2
• Digital Coaxial Input: 2
• Digital Optical Input: 2
• Digital MCT (DIN) Input: 1
• Digital USB Input: 1
• HDMI (ARC) Input: 1
• Balanced Variable Output: 1
• Unbalanced Fixed Output: 1
• Unbalanced Variable Output: 1
• Headphone Output: 1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
• Subwoofer Output: 0
• AM/FM Tuner option: No
• Home Theater PassThru: Yes
• Unbalanced Analog Connector Type: Premium gold-plated solid brass
• Speaker Binding Post Type: Patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts
• Service Port: 1
• Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type: 8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
• Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate: 24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
• Digital Optical Input Sample Rate: 24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
• Digital MCT (DIN) Input Sample Rate: 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD) / DSD64 (SACD)
• Digital USB Input Sample Rate: 32-bit/44.1kHz to 384kHz (PCM) DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
• Tone Controls: 8-Band
• Tone Bypass and Input Assign: Yes
• RS232 Control Input: Yes
• Power Control Output: 1 Main, 2 Trigger
• Rear Panel Data Port: 4
• Rear Panel IR Sensor Input: Yes
• Input Level Match: Yes
• Vacuum Tube or Solid State
• Preamplifier: Vacuum Tube
• Amplifier: Solid State
• Output Type: Autoformer™
• Output Meters: Yes
• Dual Layer Chassis: Yes
• Chassis Finish: Polished stainless steel & black painted steel
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™: Yes
• Power Requirement: 120V, 50/60Hz, 6.6A
• Standby Power Requirement: <0.25 Watts
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-1/2” (44.5cm) x 9-7/16” (24 cm) x 22” (55.88cm) including knobs, connectors and cables
• Weight: 108 lbs (48.9kg)
• Shipping Weight: 141 lbs (63.9kg)