McIntosh MA12000

[RaceCarDriver]

MA9000 is $11,000. That includes the DA1 module. The DA2 is $1,000 upgrade so you are at $12,000 right there.

The additional $2,000 to the MA12000 gets you 350 watts per channel instead of 300, tubes and updated autoformer cover.

Interestingly the dynamic headroom headroom drops from 1.8dB with the 300 watt amp to 1.5 with the 350 watt amp.

I’d be willing to guess the power between the two is very similar. The price difference is the tube pre and updated cosmetics. Tube replacement is probably handled by taking off the top cover.

I dig it.

[Uberbrown]

I like it, but would prefer it without the 'cup holder' on the top as well.

[RaceCarDriver]

Yea I’m not a cup holder fan... I’m hoping a 2301 update doesn’t include it..

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Uberbrown

I like it, but would prefer it without the 'cup holder' on the top as well.

That's so visitors have place to set their cup of envy.

[Ankkor]

Beautiful! I wish my 2600 had its tubes in the front to glow and delight.

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by Ankkor

Beautiful! I wish my 2600 had its tubes in the front to glow and delight.

Agree! Love the front tube window.

[jayvis1]

They must have gotten a great deal on glass.

[W9TR]

If you are McIntosh, what do you do to top the MA 9000?

You do this.

And it will sell like tires. $14k?

It’s a bargain.

I was going to post details about crazy stupid pricing for magical cables having no technical merit whatsoever, but that would be unkind.

I’ve always wanted an 8000, 9000, etc. Now this.

[Logan Nolag]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

Question: How do you get to the valves should one of them fail?

Yeah I've always had this question as well. McIntosh always seems to make it so you have to completely open their preamps to change out the tubes. Weirder if you read the owners manual they don't even consider the tubes to be a user replaceable part.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by W9TR

If you are McIntosh, what do you do to top the MA 9000?

You do this.

And it will sell like tires. $14k?

It’s a bargain.

I was going to post details about crazy stupid pricing for magical cables having no technical merit whatsoever, but that would be unkind.

I’ve always wanted an 8000, 9000, etc. Now this.

I'm in for 10K on the MA8000. A few years ago...best thing since sliced bread. Then the 9000 came along adding the interchangeable DAC and a nice looking heatsink design. But, it only added $500 to the price tag. Now the MA12000 comes along and ups the game at a rather substantial price increase.

For my money guys, I'd rather go separates, spend a bit more and get the C2700 and MC462 instead.

Originally Posted by Logan Nolag

Yeah I've always had this question as well. McIntosh always seems to make it so you have to completely open their preamps to change out the tubes. Weirder if you read the owners manual they don't even consider the tubes to be a user replaceable part.

I don't know if there's some printing on the top plate that says "no user serviceable parts inside," unless Mc comes out with a statement on that, I'd bet a buck that's the case.