Note: We wrote this blog last year to highlight one of our favorite audio products, the McIntosh MA352. This amplifier was released about two years ago and has proven its worth ever since with discriminating audiophiles and casual audio enthusiasts alike.

It’s no surprise that other amplifiers have been introduced to the market in the past two years, so what’s special about this McIntosh MA352 that makes us still recommend it in 2020? The MA352 is packed with numerous McIntosh technologies. According to Audio Advice, these are some of its most noteworthy, futureproof features:

• Patented Power Guard® technology 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 will disengage the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal.
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ which are connected to advanced high current output transistors that minimize thermal equilibrium lag (or warm-up) time.
• High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
• A 5-band analog tone control allows for manual adjustment of your favorite recordings (each band adjustable by ± 12dB).
• Home Theater Pass Through lets it be seamlessly integrated into a home theater system
• Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power up and shutdown.
• Data Ports to send remote control commands to connected source components.

This blog has now been updated; you can view this updated post here.

Fish or steak? Form or function? Vacuum tube or solid-state? Vinyl or CD? Why are we always faced with so many decisions?

With the MA352 hybrid integrated amplifier, McIntosh Labs has tried to solve some of those decisions. Fish or steak will remain a problematic dinner choice, but the MA352 beautifully balances form and function while giving you the best of both audio worlds—it deftly blends the smoothness of vacuum tube technology with the power of solid-state amplification, while being an audio showpiece you can proudly display at the center of your listening room.

Audio enthusiasts have long argued the merits of traditional audio technologies like vacuum tubes vs. solid-state componentry. Like the vinyl vs. analog or CD vs. digital music debates, it can create heated discussion regarding what constitutes better sound. With the original MA252 integrated amplifier and now with the new MA352, McIntosh uses its seven decades of audio know-how to use each technology for its highest and best use.

The McIntosh MA252 was an instant success at GHT Group when it came out in early 2018. The MA352 promises to be just as popular. If you are planning a two-channel upgrade or new audio system in your favorite Smyrna listening space, you will want to pre-order one now. Read on to see why this is such an exceptional high-fidelity audio product.