audioFi.net Hi-fi news, reviews and rants
  • Reviews
    • Amplifiers
    • Digital Players/Streamers
    • Digital Processors
    • Loudspeakers
    • Accessories
    • Preamplifiers, phono stages
    • Systems
    • Turntables, cartridges
    • Headphones, headfi, desktop
  • News
  • Rants ‘n Raves
  • Hot Picks
    • Amplifiers
    • Loudspeakers
    • Preamplifiers
    • Systems
    • Turntables, cartridges, etc
  • What’s Up
  • About us
  • Home
  • News
  • McIntosh’s new MA8000 – an amp of the times

McIntosh’s new MA8000 – an amp of the times

September 26, 2013 Written by Editor

THE Joe Average audiophile will most likely not own a McIntosh Labs product in his lifetime, and for a couple of reasons – either affordability or because he’s been persuaded into believing it isn’t purist hi-fi. We here belong to the former category, which also means we get excited every time the American icon launches a new product. Mc-philes, that’s what we are… and here’s announcing McIntosh’s new flagship integrated amp, the MA8000.

The looks don’t break from the proud McIntosh tradition – blue meters highlighting the glass front panel, and surrounded with steel and aluminium – and the technology follows suit in the legendary Autoformer transformers.

Which is all very comforting for the converted, yes, but what’s set to win over new fans is that the MA8000 is very much an amp of the times. The 21st century, that is.

McIntosh MA8000_1

Packing 300 watts per channel, the MA8000 has a whopping 15 inputs – six unbalanced, two balanced, two phono (MM and MC) and five digital (two each coaxial and optical, and one USB). The digital inputs are good for 32-bit/192kHz resolution, and we’re assuming a Sabre chip does the conversion process, as in current McIntosh digital products.

The discrete, analogue eight-band tone control section can be assigned by input, letting you conduct precise adjustments according to your preferences.

The phono section can be adjusted to match a variety of cartridges, a valued addition in this age of vinyl revival. And if you want to incorporate the amp into your AV system, the Home Theater Pass Through feature allows for smooth and seamless integration.

McIntosh MA8000_3

There’s also an output for headphones, and is it optimised for “virtually all headphone types”.

So how much for the stunning fusion of glass and steel? Well, if you have to ask… check with your distributor.
McIntosh MA8000_2

News
Linn… Exakt-ly as recorded digitally
Monitor Audio updates Silver line

1 Ping/Trackback

  1. McIntosh’s new MA8000 amp | Audiophilepure on January 16, 2014 at 4:51 PM

Categories

  • Recent
  • EarMen ST-Amp… for headamp thrills
    January 26, 2023
  • Review: How the MoFi StudioPhono charms vinyl fans
    January 19, 2023
  • The Naim’s the same for the latest Classic Series
    January 10, 2023
  • HiFiMan Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones – playing fast and lively
    December 29, 2022
  • An all-new S3 from Magico
    December 23, 2022

RSS 440Hz.my – Expanding music horizons

  • Gibson acquires Mesa/Boogie January 7, 2021 The Editor
  • The Pandemic, The Arts, and The Situation October 5, 2020 BRENDAN de CRUZ
  • Martin SC-13E… fret not over the higher notes January 17, 2020 The Editor
  • Sadowsky and Warwick announce licensing deal December 17, 2019 The Editor
  • Roland RP302… your family-friendly digital piano December 2, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • The making of a Taylor guitar – a sustainable and ethical process November 28, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • Godin Acoustic Series… keeping it premium November 18, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • Eugene Lee – bringing ’em back to life November 11, 2019 NR Lohan
  • Fender announces the American Ultra series November 6, 2019 The Editor
  • Penang House of Music – still a mountain to climb October 28, 2019 RSMurthi

evolve theme by Theme4Press  •  Powered by WordPress