McIntosh Labs MA5200 stereo amp includes three-input DAC

McIntosh MA5200

Here's another slice of high-end hi-fi from McIntosh Labs, in the form of its new £4995 MA5200 solid state stereo amp designed to act as the 'hub' of your hi-fi system.

It comes with a three-input DAC, built-in headphone amp and a dedicated moving magnet (MM) phono input. The digital-to-analogue converter can handle audio files up to 32-bit/192kHz played from connected devices, which can be hooked up via the optical, coaxial or asynchronous USB inputs.

Power output is a claimed 100W per channel, delivered from its compact 15cm-tall chassis.

The MA5200 retains McIntosh's familiar 1950s styling with glass-fronted fascia, retro controls and blue power meters.

MORE: McIntosh MT5 turntable arrives in the UK

Headphone users can take advantage of the 'High Drive' headphone amp which McIntosh says offers increased gain and power for use with every type of headphone, from in-ear to over-ear.

Additional features include Home Theatre Pass Through, for seamless integration into existing multichannel systems, and McIntosh's Power Guard technology.

The latter is a waveform comparison circuit that continuously monitors both input and output signals, dynamically adjusting them when necessary, in order to avoid clipping.

The McIntosh MA5200 is available in the UK now for £4995.

By Andy Clough

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.