Audio T Verdict
The McIntosh MA352 is a wonderful example of why a luxury amplifier can be as enjoyable to own as it is to listen to. Four glowing valves sit proudly in front of the traditional black-glass fascia and twin blue Watt meters, while the mirror-finished stainless-steel chassis makes absolutely no attempt to disappear into the furniture.
Underneath the theatre is a very serious amplifier. McIntosh's Hybrid Drive architecture combines a four-valve preamplifier with a direct-coupled solid-state output stage delivering 200W per channel into 8-ohm loudspeakers and 320W into 4 ohms.
Six analogue inputs, an adjustable Moving Magnet phono stage, five-band analogue equaliser, High Drive headphone amplifier, preamp/subwoofer output and Home Theater PassThru make it considerably more flexible than its traditional appearance suggests. If you want the valves, meters and unmistakable McIntosh character but don't need built-in digital electronics, the MA352 is a particularly appealing proposition.
McIntosh MA352 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier
The MA352 is an all-analogue, two-channel Hybrid Drive integrated amplifier combining two distinct McIntosh technologies in a single chassis.
Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
Two 12AX7A and two 12AT7 valves handle the low-level preamplifier section and are displayed prominently behind protective tube cages.
Solid-State Power Amplifier
A direct-coupled transistor output stage produces 200W per channel into 8 ohms and 320W per channel into 4 ohms.
Unlike McIntosh integrated amplifiers using Autoformers, output from the MA352 increases as loudspeaker impedance falls. Dedicated 4-ohm and 8-ohm loudspeaker terminals are provided to suit the connected speakers.
200W Into 8 Ohms, 320W Into 4 Ohms
McIntosh rates the MA352 across the full 20Hz to 20kHz audio band with both channels operating:
- 8 ohms: 200W per channel
- 4 ohms: 320W per channel
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.03% maximum
- Dynamic headroom: 1.5dB
- Damping factor: greater than 200 into 8 ohms and greater than 100 into 4 ohms
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +0/-0.5dB
- Extended response: 10Hz to 100kHz +0/-3dB
The solid-state section uses high-current ThermalTrak output transistors mounted to McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks. The power supply includes a large transformer, multiple filter capacitors and 60 joules of energy storage.
Power Guard, Sentry Monitor and Thermal Protection
McIntosh's Power Guard technology monitors the amplifier as it approaches clipping. If excessive overdrive is detected, the system intervenes to help prevent a heavily clipped waveform reaching the loudspeakers.
Sentry Monitor provides fuse-less protection for the output stage, while separate thermal protection responds if internal operating temperature becomes excessive.
The valves also become part of the status display. Their illumination is green during normal operation and changes to orange during warm-up or when the amplifier's protection circuitry is activated.
Six Analogue Inputs
The MA352 is deliberately all analogue and provides a generous selection of balanced, unbalanced and phono connections:
- 2 x stereo balanced XLR inputs
- 3 x stereo unbalanced RCA inputs
- 1 x Moving Magnet phono input
Input sensitivity is 500mV balanced and 250mV unbalanced, with a 20k-ohm input impedance for both connection types.
Individual source levels can also be adjusted by +/-6dB in 0.5dB steps, helping to reduce sudden changes in volume when moving between source components with different output levels.
Adjustable Moving Magnet Phono Stage
Vinyl users get considerably more than a basic fixed phono input. The MA352's Moving Magnet stage uses a standard 47k-ohm resistive load with adjustable capacitance from 50pF to 800pF.
- Cartridge type: Moving Magnet
- Input sensitivity: 2.5mV
- Input impedance: 47k ohms
- Adjustable capacitance: 50pF to 800pF
- Maximum phono input: 80mV
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 82dB A-weighted
- Phono-to-speaker-output voltage gain: 84dB
- Turntable ground terminal: Yes
Cartridge Matching
The adjustable capacitance is particularly useful when matching the MA352 to different Moving Magnet cartridges and tonearm cables. Check the cartridge manufacturer's recommended capacitive loading and remember that the tonearm and interconnect also contribute to the total capacitance seen by the cartridge.
A conventional low-output Moving Coil cartridge will require a suitable external MC phono stage or step-up solution.
Five-Band Analogue Equaliser
The five rotary controls across the front panel form a proper analogue equaliser rather than simple bass and treble adjustment.
Each band provides up to +/-12dB adjustment at:
- 30Hz
- 125Hz
- 500Hz
- 2kHz
- 10kHz
The equaliser can be bypassed completely, and the MA352 remembers whether EQ is enabled or disabled for each input. This gives you the option of leaving one source untouched while applying correction to another.
High Drive Headphone Amplifier with HXD
The front-panel 6.35mm headphone connection uses McIntosh High Drive technology and is specified for headphones with impedances from 100 to 600 ohms.
Headphone Crossfeed Director, or HXD, can also be engaged. HXD introduces a carefully controlled degree of crossfeed between the left and right channels to produce a presentation closer to listening through loudspeakers rather than having each channel isolated completely at each ear.
Preamp Output, Subwoofers and System Expansion
The rear Output 2/SUB connection is a stereo unbalanced variable preamplifier output. It can be used with an external power amplifier or with powered subwoofers.
Output 2 can be configured for either stereo or mono operation, allowing the MA352 to accommodate one or two powered subwoofers depending on the system.
- Rated Output 2 level: 1.4V
- Maximum output: 8V
- Preamplifier output impedance: 500 ohms
- Output 2 mode: Stereo or Mono
The internal loudspeaker output and Output 2 can also be switched independently, adding flexibility for systems using external amplification or subwoofers.
Home Theater PassThru and McIntosh System Control
Home Theater PassThru allows the MA352 to be integrated into a compatible multichannel system, with a selected line-level input assigned to the left and right front channels of an AV processor. The phono input cannot be assigned as the PassThru input.
Further system-control connections include:
- RS232 control
- External IR sensor input
- 2 x assignable McIntosh Data Ports
- 1 x 12V Power Control output
- Dedicated PassThru Power Control input
- Remote control included
McIntosh Power Control can switch compatible partnering equipment on and off with the amplifier, while the Data Ports allow basic functions of supported McIntosh source components to be operated from the MA352 remote.
Pure Analogue by Design
The MA352 contains no DAC, HDMI input, network streamer or upgradeable Digital Audio Module. It is an entirely analogue amplifier.
That makes it particularly attractive if you prefer to choose and upgrade digital sources independently. A streamer, CD player or DAC simply connects through one of the line-level XLR or RCA inputs, while a suitable turntable can connect directly to the built-in Moving Magnet phono stage.
Classic McIntosh Construction
The MA352 combines the open valve architecture seen on models such as the MA252 with the more traditional visual language of McIntosh's full-width amplifiers.
A mirror-finished stainless-steel chassis supports four visible valves, while the fascia uses McIntosh black glass, illuminated branding and a pair of dual-scale blue Watt meters calibrated for both 4-ohm and 8-ohm operation.
Vintage-style die-cast aluminium McIntosh name badges sit at each side, with substantial Monogrammed Heatsinks behind the front section housing the solid-state output devices.
- Width: 44.5cm
- Height: 25.1cm including feet
- Physical unit depth: 44.3cm
- Depth including cables: approximately 52.1cm
- Weight: 29.9kg
Allow Plenty of Ventilation
McIntosh recommends at least 15.3cm of clearance above the MA352, 5.1cm at each side and 1.6cm underneath. For an enclosed installation, allow approximately 55.9cm of depth for airflow and cable connections.
At almost 30kg, the supporting furniture should also be suitably rated before installation.
UK Power Specification
Audio T supplies the UK-market MA352. McIntosh manufactures the amplifier in several factory-configured mains versions, including a dedicated 230V AC, 50/60Hz, 3.3A configuration suitable for the UK.
The mains voltage is configured at the factory and cannot be converted in the field. Always check the voltage stated on the rear panel before connecting the amplifier to the mains.
Key Features
- 2-channel Hybrid Drive integrated amplifier
- All-analogue design
- Vacuum tube preamplifier
- Direct-coupled solid-state power amplifier
- 2 x 12AX7A vacuum tubes
- 2 x 12AT7 vacuum tubes
- 200W per channel into 8 ohms
- 320W per channel into 4 ohms
- 0.03% maximum THD
- 1.5dB dynamic headroom
- McIntosh Power Guard
- McIntosh Sentry Monitor
- Thermal protection
- ThermalTrak output transistors
- McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks
- Dual-scale blue Watt meters
- 2 x stereo balanced XLR inputs
- 3 x stereo RCA line inputs
- Adjustable Moving Magnet phono stage
- 47k-ohm MM loading
- 50pF to 800pF adjustable capacitance
- Five-band analogue equaliser
- +/-12dB equaliser adjustment
- High Drive headphone amplifier
- Headphone Crossfeed Director
- Variable preamplifier output
- One or two powered subwoofers supported
- Home Theater PassThru
- Input level matching
- RS232 control
- External IR input
- 2 x McIntosh Data Ports
- McIntosh Power Control
- Mirror-finished stainless-steel chassis
- Black-glass front panel
- UK 230V factory configuration
- Three-year limited manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the McIntosh MA352 a valve amplifier?
It is a Hybrid Drive amplifier. Its preamplifier uses four vacuum tubes, while the power-amplifier section is direct-coupled solid state.
Which valves does the MA352 use?
Two 12AX7A and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes.
How powerful is the MA352?
McIntosh specifies 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 320 watts per channel into 4 ohms.
Does the MA352 use Autoformers?
No. It uses a direct-coupled solid-state output stage, which is why its rated power differs between 8-ohm and 4-ohm loads.
How many inputs does it have?
Six analogue inputs in total: two balanced XLR, three unbalanced RCA and one Moving Magnet phono input.
Does the MA352 have a Moving Magnet phono stage?
Yes. The built-in MM input uses a 47k-ohm load with capacitance adjustable from 50pF to 800pF.
Can I use a Moving Coil cartridge?
The MA352 does not include a dedicated MC input. A conventional low-output Moving Coil cartridge will normally require a suitable external phono stage or step-up solution.
Does it have digital inputs?
No. The MA352 is an entirely analogue design with no built-in DAC, USB audio, optical, coaxial or HDMI inputs.
Does it have tone controls?
Yes. Its five-band analogue equaliser provides +/-12dB adjustment at 30Hz, 125Hz, 500Hz, 2kHz and 10kHz and can be bypassed.
Does the MA352 have a headphone amplifier?
Yes. The 6.35mm High Drive headphone output includes McIntosh Headphone Crossfeed Director and is specified for headphones from 100 to 600 ohms.
Can I connect a subwoofer?
Yes. The stereo Output 2/SUB connection can be used with one or two powered subwoofers and can be configured for stereo or mono operation.
Can I add another power amplifier?
Yes. Output 2 can also feed an external power amplifier.
Does the MA352 support home cinema integration?
Yes. Home Theater PassThru allows a suitable line-level input to be assigned for use with an AV processor. The phono input cannot be assigned as the PassThru input.
What are the blue meters showing?
The two Watt meters display left and right channel amplifier output and use dual scales for the MA352's 4-ohm and 8-ohm power ratings.
Is the valve illumination switchable?
Yes. The tube lighting can be switched on or off through the MA352's controls. It also provides colour indication during warm-up and protection operation.
Is this the correct UK version?
Yes. Audio T supplies the UK-market product. McIntosh specifies a factory-configured 230V AC, 50/60Hz, 3.3A version and states that mains-voltage conversion cannot be carried out in the field.
How much does the MA352 weigh?
29.9kg before packaging.
What warranty does the MA352 have?
McIntosh lists a three-year limited manufacturer warranty.
Related McIntosh Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy McIntosh From Audio T?
The MA352 sits firmly in the territory where system matching matters. Audio T can help demonstrate the amplifier with suitable loudspeakers and sources, configure its phono loading correctly and make sure its considerable size, heat and power are properly accommodated.
- McIntosh system demonstrations
- Loudspeaker and amplifier matching
- Moving Magnet cartridge matching
- Phono capacitance setup guidance
- External Moving Coil phono-stage advice
- Streamer, CD player and DAC matching
- Subwoofer integration
- Headphone demonstrations
- Home Theater PassThru guidance
- Installation and ventilation advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a McIntosh MA352 demonstration or discuss the right partnering equipment for your system.