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McIntosh MA12000 75th Anniversary Integrated Amplifier

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Since our inception in 1949 under the visionary guidance of Frank McIntosh, we have been unwavering in our commitment to the art of sound reproduction. The year 2024 marks a historic milestone for McIntosh as we proudly celebrate our 75th Anniversary – a testament to our enduring passion for crafting audio experiences that transcend expectations.

 

THE MA12000 75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

In honor of this momentous occasion, we present the special MA12000 75th Anniversary Edition. The Anniversary Edition boasts a distinctive dual anodized laser-engraved badge proudly displaying our 75th Anniversary logo on the top, while each handle is engraved with a graceful “75 years” inscription. This exclusive edition is a celebration of our relentless pursuit of excellence. All performance specifications, functionality, and dimensions of the anniversary edition are the same as the non-anniversary version.

 

The fully loaded, hybrid MA12000 Integrated Amplifier is a product of uncompromising audio engineering and expert craftsmanship. Our most powerful integrated amplifier ever, the feature rich MA12000 offers 350 Watts per channel of clean, high performance power that produces a breathtaking home audio experience. You will think your favorite musicians are playing a live, in-person performance in your house.

 

The MA12000 includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. It gives you 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. Our 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.

 

In honor of this momentous occasion, we present the special MA12000 75th Anniversary Edition. The Anniversary Edition boasts a distinctive dual anodized laser-engraved badge proudly displaying our 75th Anniversary logo on the top, while each handle is engraved with a graceful “75 years” inscription. This exclusive edition is a celebration of our relentless pursuit of excellence. All performance specifications, functionality, and dimensions of the anniversary edition are the same as the non-anniversary version.

 

For digital music, the MA12000 comes with our 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 our 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 highs are always balanced, sweet and don’t draw attention to themselves while also presenting good levels of detail retrieval. Further, the midrange has a solidity and warmth which envelops and provides verisimilitude to male and female vocals without ever sounding sickly-syrupy. And then there’s that bass… a bouncy, nuanced and voluminously powerful statement to match the visual declaration the MA12000 so boldly makes. Yes, the McIntosh MA12000 will make a lasting impression on any audio enthusiast who treasures the integrity of the music. As it did me.” Winner of Product of the Year 2022 Award for Innovation in Design. – SoundStage! Australia

 

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 McIntosh MA12000 has become, in its own right, the new king of integrated amplifiers, somehow, they come to coexist in the same body: the strength, the toughness and the power of Arnold Schwarzenegger, with the finesse and beauty of Grace Kelly.” – Francisco del Pozo (see also his YouTube review)

 

The DA2 has received Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs, which can be especially useful if you have an extensive library of digital music. As a Roon Tested partner, McIntosh has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers, and shared information about its design and capabilities.

 

he 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 McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier is a fabulous performer. As a preamplifier and amplifier, it offers superb power reserves with incredibly full and powerful bass combined with top-to-bottom natural warmth, tone and timbre… It brings together warmth, fullness, smoothness and forgiveness with a clarity, detail, and sufficient treble definition presence to satisfy both music lovers and audiophiles.” – NOVO Magazine

 

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.

 

Other MA12000 features include:

  • 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
  • Our 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
  • Our 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 our 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

Specifications

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS

  • 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

CONNECTIVITY

  • 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 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 AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS

  • 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 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

CONTROL

  • 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

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • 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

WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS

  • Unit Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-1/2” (44.5cm) x 9-7/16” (24 cm) x 19-3/4” (50.2cm)
  • Unit Weight: 108 lbs (48.9kg)
  • Shipping Weight: 141 lbs (63.9kg)

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