REVIEW: McIntosh MA252 AMP - LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?

PRODUCER'S NOTE: In this review I mistakenly mentioned that the McIntosh MA252 includes digital inputs. It clearly does not. I apologize for the error!

I know things are starting slower than you hoped but your videos are what I look forward to more than any other content! I dig your style and sense of humor (and humanity) and know that things will take off once YouTube’s algorithm catches up.

Greetings from Binghamton Bob. I had a new MA252 for a few years and traded it in for a new MA5300 which I have now been running for nearly 2 years. I wanted the onboard DAC, meters, and the few extra inputs on the MA5300. I was expecting the sound signature of the MA5300 to be nearly identical to the MA252, which i really loved. I have found that the MA5300 sounds incredibly better to my ears than the MA252 did. I am really delighted that I swapped them out and have not regretted my decision in the least. I also like the slim chassis profile and much lower weight of the direct coupled MA5300 compared to the McIntosh integrateds with autoformers. Great channel BTW. I just discovered it and I'm really glad that I did :)

Just like you said, I have wanted a McIntosh setup since the 70s. 2024 is going to be my year.

I always thought I wanted a McIntosh too. Got a new MAC7200 from a local dealer and it died in two hours. Returned it for a Mark Levinson 5805. So much better. That is real hifi.

i actually bought the Mc ma252.... was not satisfied with it, took it back to my great dealer & i got out of it with the MA352 & a Mc MTII, JUST LOOOOVE IT, great review, good luck ;-}

I listened to the MC462 and the C49 when I was deployed and saved my money and after over 30 years with a JVC receiver and a vintage rack I got them in 2022 and built some open baffle speakers and I’m in heaven😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Hi ! i was watching your video about the mac 252 and wow! it hit me ... i was like you a little disapointed in at first with that amp, but i kept listening to it with my new pair of wharfdale lintons 85th anniversary and my jvc ql-5f turntable with a denon 310 cart , it seemed to me that it lack in sounstage and prescence after 300 hours or so of listening to the tt and the little dac i have i got to say that i can listen to that setup all day long without any fatigue, i love the smooth and soft relaxing sound of the setup now very very much i hope you will too! good listening sir!!

I have the more powerful MA352 with the equalizer and absolutely love it. Streaming from a HiFi Rose 250 into Sonus Faber Sonetto 3’s, I can listen to it all night.

You are very entertaining. Keep it up!!

I love McIntosh too - very fortunate to have a MC-240 and MX-110. Austin is the Capital of The United States of Analog - Great city!

I home tested this amp and a Primaluna all tube. Even though the Mac had more features I wanted I opted for the Primaluna. No regrets, love the Primaluna, has more than enough power.

What I have learned from this video is that there may be no finer feeling than deciding that your $4,500.00 amplifier will have a home in your home...beyond that of a very expensive avant-garde paper weight.

You sucked us in and hit it out the park. Well done, my friend. McIntosh is something I will aspire to in another life when my life takes off, or not. 😂 Enjoy your success and guilty pleasure amp. I hope it grows on you and will one day fulfill your expectations. Perhaps I'll stick to my Marantz or Rotel and continue to ignore McIntosh. 😂 Thanks for your time and efforts to review and share this with us all. Merry Christmas to you and the whole family. All the best.

Been waiting for this review. Thanks Bob.

I like your conversational style and humor. I hope your channel grows!

Good video. I own both the MA252 and the MA352. I understand what you mean about being a little underwhelmed at first, after hearing the 252.   It's very smooth and somewhat laid back. In my opinion the MA352 is much better sounding. It has more authority, power and a better soundstage, plus, it has main outputs, so it can also be used as a preamp, if desired.

Another good one Bob! One day I too will reach the peak of the audio summit aka in our world...McIntosh When I got my first pair of Magnepans I felt I had arrived...then I got the McIntosh bug. Problem is my wallet is like bugspray.

Bob, I loved the intro! I have vintage McIntosh. I have 4 pieces (amps, preamp) all from 67-82. I really love their sound. One of the amps has autoformers, the other direct coupled. The Autoformers amp (MC2155 155 wpc) is very much the warmer but sweet midrange and vocals but the details are there. My other is a MC2002 (200 WPC) is direct coupled. It is much more neutral and def had plenty of power with very punchy bass. You can get these amp-preamp combos for 2500-3000. I love them both. Oh yeah, they have meters too 😎

I appreciate your willingness to give gear a 2nd chance. I've been excited to try new things and have felt that despair with large out of pocket and less than satisfactory sound... It's hard for me to try and demo new gear these days - within my budget I just don't see how things will get a lot better. I want to try new gear, and usually don't just to avoid frustration and lost time. I think the Fortes helped your situation a lot and am happy for you that it's a good pairing.