McIntosh MA2375: First Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier in a Decade
McIntosh has launched the MA2375, its first vacuum tube integrated amplifier in over a decade — and the company is framing it as a statement rather than a stopgap. This is an all-analog signal path design delivering 75 watts per channel, powered by a complement of classic glass: four KT88 output tetrodes, four 12AT7 driver tubes, two 12AX7A preamp triodes, and two more 12AT7 tubes in the preamplifier stage.
Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformers
The heart of the MA2375’s power section is McIntosh’s proprietary Unity Coupled Circuit (UCC) output transformer topology — the same fundamental approach that has defined McIntosh tube amplifiers for generations. The UCC transformers allow the MA2375 to drive speaker loads of 4, 8, and 16 ohms without switching, presenting a stable interface to virtually any loudspeaker. Rated power across all three impedances remains a constant 75 watts per channel.
Tube Protection Technologies
Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor (SGS) continuously monitors the current flowing through each KT88 and dynamically attenuates the input signal in real time if excessive current is detected — protecting the output tubes from thermal stress that shortens their life. Sentry Monitor, McIntosh’s fuseless short-circuit protection system, adds a second safeguard against speaker cable faults and output stage overloads. Together these systems are designed to give the tubes a longer service life and the user a degree of confidence that other tube designs may not offer.
Connectivity and Features
For an all-tube design the MA2375 is generously specified. Analogue inputs include two balanced (XLR) and three unbalanced (RCA) connections alongside a configurable Moving Coil/Moving Magnet phono stage with adjustable gain, capacitance, resistance loading, and RIAA equalization. A subwoofer output enables a powered sub to be added without disrupting the main signal path.
Signal processing is handled entirely in the analogue domain: a 5-band analogue equaliser provides tonal shaping, and a Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD) headphone output adjusts the stereo image for over-ear listening. The chassis is polished stainless steel with open tube presentation and McIntosh’s classic dual blue watt meters — a design that is immediately recognisable as a McIntosh product from across the room.
Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Output power | 75 W × 2 (4, 8, 16 Ω) |
| Output tubes | 4× KT88 |
| Driver tubes | 4× 12AT7 |
| Preamp tubes | 2× 12AX7A, 2× 12AT7 |
| THD | ≤0.5% (20 Hz–20 kHz) |
| Balanced inputs | 2× XLR |
| Unbalanced inputs | 3× RCA |
| Phono input | 1× MC/MM configurable |
| Headphone output | Yes (HXD) |
| Subwoofer output | Yes |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 45.2 × 25.2 × 51.9 cm |
| Weight | 42.2 kg |
Price and Availability
The McIntosh MA2375 is priced at £16,900 in the United Kingdom. Global availability is through McIntosh’s authorised dealer network.
