Article: McIntosh MA12000 Integrated Amp

[AudioDoctor]

Well, this clears that up!

 

I like the tubes in the Pre section!

[AudioDoctor]

2 hours ago, 992Sam said:

It's funny, but as some of you might recall, I had the MA9000 on order and it arrived with massive damage to the frontal glass... so I took that as the universe telling me to go with my original (more expensive) plan to get separates... so I did.. then they announced this as if to test my resolve...

 

That said, I think for an integrated amp, it's probably one of the best out there from what I can see by the spec's... and especially if you want that tube pre-amp sound.  But for just a bit more,  I'm happier with the separates solution and the extra 100W per channel that affords me.

 

It's a sign!  DO IT!

[AudioDoctor]

3 hours ago, ShawnC said:

I’d be curious to know how many audiophiles use more then 3-4 inputs.  For me, in my main system it’s one, with Roon combining my streaming service.  I’m sure some use a variety of inputs but 10 analog inputs, c’mon. I do have a friend that has a CD player, SACD player, a DAT, Reel to Reel, and 2 two turntables hooked up to a audio research pre but 99% of the time he streams from a Lumin network player. He says he keeps the other devices for show. It does look cool in his setup.  

 

A few of the inputs are redundant, the MM and MC input, and the 2 balanced inputs and 2 of the unbalanced inputs.

 

If I am counting right, that would mean it has 6 analog inputs if you don't count the redundant inputs.

 

Still, 4 more than I need and use.

[AudioDoctor]

On 10/10/2020 at 7:51 PM, PeterG said:

I don't quite get it.  I would expect an integrated to make a bit of a sound quality sacrifice in exchange for easier form factor and lower price than similar separates.  But this thing is massive and I don't see any dollar savings either (compared to Mc separates).

 

As someone that owns a McIntosh Integrated (MAC7200) To me it was about convenience by not having a bunch of boxes around, although that's pretty much a moot point now with my external DAC and Phono Pre, and the built in tuner was a bonus as I didn't need to buy a separate one to listen to FM broadcasts. I had separates before this and the sound difference is negligible and you would need to listen very closely and carefully to hear it, it's basically inconsequential for me.

 

Mine costs half of what this one does as well. I wouldn't be surprised to find out this one sounds better in some ways than mine does, it has the same DAC module that I am not a fan of.

[AudioDoctor]

58 minutes ago, BattleScarze said:

 If McIntosh were to come out with say 100w rms solid state and tube preamp section in a smaller form-not the 252 or the 352 but the 12000 form factor without the DAC or phono and only a couple inputs...brings the price down to say $7-8 grand. THAT would be tempting. 

 

I agree 100%