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The MA2375 is McIntosh’s first vacuum-tube integrated amplifier in more than a decade, combining a fully analog vacuum-tube preamplifier and power amplifier in a single polished stainless-steel chassis. It delivers 75 watts per channel through McIntosh Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformers, with dedicated connections for 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm loudspeakers.
Two balanced and three unbalanced inputs support a broad analog system, while the configurable phono input accommodates moving-magnet, low-output moving-coil, and high-output moving-coil cartridges. A five-band analog equalizer, stereo preamplifier outputs, and a mono subwoofer output provide useful adjustment and expansion.
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McIntosh Power Control Cables link compatible McIntosh components so a preamplifier or control center can coordinate system power and meter illumination. The three-conductor cable uses gold-plated 1/8-inch stereo connectors and a durable PVC jacket.
Use the appropriate length between the C55 POWER CONTROL MAIN output and the MC462 POWER CONTROL IN connection. Pearl Audio can confirm the correct route and length for a specific system before installation.
The video contains instrumental music and no spoken narration. The MA2375 features shown on screen are summarized in the following section.
Features at a glance
The five cards below organize the MA2375 around its essential functions: amplification, phono playback, analog control, system integration, and protection with private listening.
01 · Amplification
The circuit uses four KT88 output tubes, four 12AT7 driver tubes, two 12AX7A preamplifier tubes, and two additional 12AT7 preamplifier tubes. A polished stainless-steel chassis frames the illuminated tubes and blue McIntosh Watt Meters.
02 · Phono playback
The MA2375 supports moving-magnet, low-output moving-coil, and high-output moving-coil cartridges. Adjustable capacitance, resistance, and gain let the phono stage be configured around the cartridge.
03 · Analog control
A five-band analog equalizer provides optional tonal adjustment at 30 Hz, 125 Hz, 500 Hz, 2 kHz, and 10 kHz. Two Watt Meters display left- and right-channel output in watts and decibels.
04 · System integration
Full-range stereo preamplifier and mono subwoofer outputs provide expansion paths. Data Ports, RS232, Home Theater PassThru, Power Control, and the included remote support broader system operation.
05 · Protection & headphones
Power Guard SGS® and Sentry Monitor™ protection technologies monitor operation. The High Drive headphone amplifier includes Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®).
The right connection depends on the audio output available on the television and on which component will control volume. Pearl Audio can configure the input, level, and power-control behavior as part of an installation.
Scenario A · Analog audio output
For convenient TV-remote operation, a television with dependable variable analog output can feed an MA2375 input configured for Home Theater PassThru. The MA2375 then acts as the power amplifier, while the television handles volume like a preamplifier. Depending on the television’s volume-control implementation, this may sacrifice some low-level detail. For sound quality, our preferred starting point is the television’s fixed analog output into a normal MA2375 line input, using the MA2375’s volume control. Pearl Audio can confirm the best arrangement and safe levels for your television. Never feed a fixed-level output into a PassThru input.
Scenario B · Optical or coaxial digital output
The McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC combines music streaming with digital inputs for television audio and other sources. Its analog outputs connect to the MA2375.
The DS200 is one example. Many McIntosh CD/SACD players from the past two decades also offer digital inputs and can serve this role when their connections support your television’s output. Check the particular model: a digital output alone is not sufficient. The DS200 adds the useful benefit of music streaming alongside television audio. Pearl Audio can help choose the connection and volume-control arrangement for your system.
Scenario C · HDMI ARC or compatible eARC television
About eARC televisions: the DS200 supports HDMI ARC, not native eARC. An eARC-equipped television must support ARC compatibility for this connection. A standard HDMI port without ARC support will not provide the required television audio return.
The DS200 also adds music streaming to this system. Explore the McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC.
Home Theater PassThru lets the MA2375 and the front left and right loudspeakers serve both a dedicated two-channel music system and a multichannel theater. During theater playback, the surround processor controls the complete system's volume.
In a system built around a McIntosh MX124, the MA2375 can power the front left and right loudspeakers for both two-channel music and multichannel theater. The MX124 controls theater volume; a separate Power Control connection can turn on the MA2375 and select its assigned PassThru input automatically.
Overall system
Rear-panel reference
Open either image at full resolution and zoom in to read the rear-panel labels. The connection map below the photographs identifies the jacks without covering the original McIntosh images.
Setup
Think in terms of years of listening, with occasional tube replacement as part of ownership. There is no single expiration date: tube quality, operating hours, ventilation, and how hard the amplifier is driven all affect service life. McIntosh does not specify a fixed replacement interval for the MA2375 in the product information cited below.
The MA2375 uses four KT88 output tubes to supply speaker power, along with 12AX7A and 12AT7 tubes in its preamplifier and driver stages. Output tubes handle the greatest power and heat and generally need attention sooner. Small-signal tubes usually last longer, although their lifespan also depends on their job in the circuit. A noisy tube can need replacement before it loses the ability to amplify. MA2375 tube complement; background on small-signal tube life.
McIntosh’s Unity Coupled circuit makes the output transformer part of the tube stage, taking output from both the plate and cathode. McIntosh specifically identifies cooler-running output tubes as a benefit of this design. Reduced thermal stress can support longer tube life compared with designs that run their output tubes harder. That is a sound reason to value the circuit for longevity, although it does not establish a guaranteed lifespan or a measured advantage over every competing amplifier. McIntosh’s explanation of Unity Coupled circuitry.
The MA2375 adds Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor protection. It monitors output-tube screen-grid current and reduces the input signal when necessary to keep the tubes operating safely. This protects against excessive operating stress; it does not prevent normal aging. MA2375 tube protection.
Two hours of use a day adds up to about 730 hours a year; eight hours a day is about 2,920. Those are very different ownership patterns. Tubes accumulate operating time whenever the amplifier is on, even between songs. Turn it off when you have finished listening, keep its ventilation openings clear, and follow the installation guidance in the MA2375 owner’s manual.
New hiss, crackling, ringing, channel imbalance, or reduced clean output can warrant a check. These symptoms can also have other causes, so replacing every tube is not automatically the answer. Pearl Audio has an Amplitrex AT1000 professional tube tester to help assess tube condition. We can help identify the cause and arrange suitable replacement tubes or service. Have the tubes assessed when performance changes rather than replacing a healthy set simply because another year has passed.
You can buy replacement McIntosh tubes from any authorized McIntosh dealer. Pearl Audio keeps McIntosh tubes in stock and can help you select the correct replacements for your model.
The MA2375 delivers 75 watts per channel into 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm loads using the corresponding speaker terminals. Matching also depends on speaker sensitivity, listening distance, room size, and your preferred volume. Pearl Audio can help assess the pairing and arrange an audition with suitable loudspeakers. McIntosh specifications.
Yes. Connect a music streamer’s analog output to a line input. A digital-only source needs an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The MA2375 has no built-in network streamer or digital audio inputs. McIntosh specifications.
Usually not. The built-in phono input supports moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges, with adjustable gain and loading. Match those settings to your cartridge. If you use an external phono preamplifier, connect it to a line input instead of the phono input. Turntable setup in the owner’s manual.
It provides a line-level connection intended for a powered subwoofer, combining the left and right channels into a mono signal so bass from either channel reaches the sub. The MA2375’s SUB OUT follows listening volume and can be enabled in its output settings. The subwoofer supplies its own amplification. A dedicated output does not, by itself, imply a particular crossover frequency or that bass is removed from the main speakers; follow the amplifier and subwoofer manuals when setting the blend.
Use a spare pair of variable preamplifier outputs. If your powered subwoofer has stereo left/right line inputs, connect both with two RCA cables and let the subwoofer combine the channels internally, as its manufacturer specifies. If it only has a mono input, use a suitable stereo-to-mono summing adapter with resistive isolation or active circuitry.
A plain Y cable is not a summing adapter. It can split one output into two inputs, but using it backward to join left and right outputs connects those output circuits directly together. This can cause distortion or damage. Pearl Audio can help select a suitable adapter and check the output loading. Why a proper summing circuit matters.
For either approach, use a volume-controlled output and configure the subwoofer’s level, low-pass filter, and phase to blend with the main speakers. Some LFE inputs bypass the subwoofer’s low-pass filter, so check the input instructions rather than assuming all mono inputs behave alike. MA2375 owner’s manual.
Give it generous open space. McIntosh specifies at least 19 inches above the unit and 6 inches at the front, rear, and sides. Install it upright on a solid surface, keep its feet fitted, and provide a path for cool air to enter below and warm air to escape above. A tightly enclosed cabinet is unsuitable without meeting those airflow requirements. See the ventilation instructions on page 5.
Both approaches give you a tube preamplifier and Unity Coupled tube power amplification. The choice is between the convenience of one integrated component and the flexibility of separate components. This comparison refers to the current C22 Mk V and MC275 Version VI.
Two different generations of McIntosh design: the original C22 dates to 1963. The current C22 Mk V was introduced in 2020, carrying that heritage into a later design. The MA2375 was introduced in 2026. These are documented introduction years, rather than unpublished engineering-development dates.
The MA2375 delivers 75 watts per channel with fewer boxes and interconnects to accommodate. Its Home Theater PassThru, dedicated powered-subwoofer output, and five-band equalizer make it especially convenient for a system shared between music and television. The tradeoff is that the preamplifier and power amplifier are one purchase: you cannot turn the MA2375 into a 150-watt-per-channel amplifier by adding a second unit. MA2375 specifications.
A C22 preamplifier with one MC275 amplifier starts at 75 watts per channel. Separates let you change the preamplifier or power amplifier independently and place them where they best suit your system. The C22 also offers separate moving-magnet and moving-coil phono inputs and traditional bass and treble controls.
The disadvantages are additional shelf space, interconnects, and power connections. A compatible powered subwoofer may still be connected through an appropriate full-range output arrangement, but its filtering and connections require planning.
The C22 does not have Home Theater PassThru/bypass or dedicated subwoofer outputs.
You can add a second compatible MC275 later, configuring each amplifier for mono parallel operation: one drives the left speaker and the other drives the right. This doubles rated power from 75 to 150 watts per channel. McIntosh rates the current MC275 for 150 watts into a 2-, 4-, or 8-ohm load in mono mode. The upgrade provides about 3 dB more power headroom, rather than twice the perceived loudness, and adds cost, heat, space, and another set of tubes to maintain. MC275 stereo and mono ratings.
The MA2375 weighs 93 pounds and measures 17 13/16 inches wide × 9 15/16 inches high × 20 7/16 inches deep. The MC275 weighs 67 pounds and measures 16 1/2 inches wide × 8 1/2 inches high × 12 inches deep. That makes the MA2375 26 pounds heavier, as well as wider, taller, and substantially deeper: it is a bulkier single component to lift, move, and position on a shelf. With separates, the MC275 and preamplifier can be moved individually, although the complete system needs space for both. These are component dimensions; allow additional room for cables and ventilation clearances.
The MA2375 combines a preamplifier and power amplifier in one component. The C22 Mk V and C2800 require a separate power amplifier, such as the MC275. Each row compares the same function.
| Feature | MA2375 | C22 Mk V | C2800 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power amplification | Built in: 75 watts per channel. | Separate power amplifier required. | Separate power amplifier required. |
| Analog line inputs | 2 balanced pairs; 3 RCA pairs. | 2 balanced pairs; 3 RCA pairs. | 3 balanced pairs; 4 RCA pairs. |
| Phono inputs | One input, selectable for moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridges; adjustable loading. | One moving-magnet and one moving-coil input; adjustable loading. | Two inputs, each selectable for moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridges. |
| Phono gain | Adjustable phono gain. | 40 dB moving-magnet; 60 dB moving-coil. | Selectable from 40 to 64 dB in 6 dB steps. |
| Built-in DAC | None; use an external DAC or a source with analog outputs. | None; digital sources need an external DAC or analog outputs. | DA2 Digital Audio Module included. |
| Digital inputs | None. | None. | 2 optical, 2 coaxial, USB, MCT, and HDMI ARC. |
| Television audio | Requires a source with analog output. | Requires a source with analog output. | HDMI ARC accepts audio from a compatible television. |
| Home theater bypass | Home Theater PassThru on an assigned analog line input. | Not included. | Home Theater PassThru on an assigned analog line input. |
| Variable preamp outputs | 1 RCA stereo preamp output. | 2 stereo sets, each with balanced and RCA connections. | 3 stereo sets, each with balanced and RCA connections. |
| Subwoofer connection | Dedicated powered-subwoofer output. | No dedicated subwoofer output; use a compatible full-range output arrangement. | Output 2 is configurable for mono or stereo subwoofer use. |
| Output crossover controls | Use the powered subwoofer’s crossover controls. | No built-in output crossover. | Adjustable high-pass/low-pass filtering on Main and Output 1. |
| Tone controls | 5-band analog equalizer with bypass. | Bypassable bass and treble; 2 dB steps. | Bass and treble; 1 dB steps and per-input bypass memory. |
| Headphone listening | 1/4-inch High Drive headphone output with HXD crossfeed. | 1/4-inch High Drive headphone output with HXD crossfeed. | 1/4-inch High Drive headphone output with HXD crossfeed. |
| Remote and app control | Included remote; no network app control. | Included remote; no network app control. | Included remote plus McIntosh Connect app control over a network. |
| Built-in music streaming | No; add a music source. | No; add a music source. | No; the network connection supports control and updates, not a built-in streamer. |
| Front-panel meters | Blue power-output meters. | No output meters. | Blue output meters. |
Based on McIntosh’s published specifications for the C22 Mk V and C2800.
Our guidance: choose the MA2375 for a simpler installation with convenient theater and subwoofer integration. Choose the C22 and MC275 if independent upgrades and the option of adding a second MC275 are priorities. An audition can help you decide which approach best fits your speakers and listening habits.
Both approaches combine tube preamplification with Unity Coupled tube power. The MA2375 puts them in one component; a C2800 preamplifier and MC275 amplifier separate those roles, adding digital connectivity and more freedom to upgrade.
The C2800 includes McIntosh’s DA2 Digital Audio Module, giving you a built-in DAC with optical, coaxial, USB, MCT, and HDMI ARC connections. Compatible digital sources can connect directly without a separate DAC. HDMI ARC also offers a convenient television-audio connection. The DA2 is not a music streamer; network streaming still requires a source component. The MA2375 is all-analog and needs an external DAC or a source with analog outputs for digital music. DA2 capabilities.
Unlike the C22, the C2800 has Home Theater PassThru. A surround processor’s variable front-left and front-right outputs can feed an assigned analog input, allowing the processor to control theater volume while the MC275 powers the front speakers. Phono and digital inputs cannot be assigned to PassThru. The MA2375 also offers PassThru, so both approaches can share the front speakers between music and theater. C2800 PassThru setup.
One MC275 supplies 75 watts per channel, matching the MA2375’s rated stereo power. You can later add a second compatible MC275 and configure both for mono parallel operation, one per speaker, for 150 watts per channel into supported 2-, 4-, or 8-ohm loads. That doubles rated power and adds about 3 dB of headroom. Separates also let you replace the preamplifier or amplifier independently.
The MA2375 weighs 93 pounds and measures 17 13/16 inches wide × 9 15/16 inches high × 20 7/16 inches deep. The MC275 weighs 67 pounds and measures 16 1/2 inches wide × 8 1/2 inches high × 12 inches deep. That makes the MA2375 26 pounds heavier, as well as wider, taller, and substantially deeper: it is a bulkier single component to lift, move, and position on a shelf. With separates, the MC275 and preamplifier can be moved individually, although the complete system needs space for both. These are component dimensions; allow additional room for cables and ventilation clearances.
The MA2375 combines a preamplifier and power amplifier in one component. The C22 Mk V and C2800 require a separate power amplifier, such as the MC275. Each row compares the same function.
| Feature | MA2375 | C22 Mk V | C2800 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power amplification | Built in: 75 watts per channel. | Separate power amplifier required. | Separate power amplifier required. |
| Analog line inputs | 2 balanced pairs; 3 RCA pairs. | 2 balanced pairs; 3 RCA pairs. | 3 balanced pairs; 4 RCA pairs. |
| Phono inputs | One input, selectable for moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridges; adjustable loading. | One moving-magnet and one moving-coil input; adjustable loading. | Two inputs, each selectable for moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridges. |
| Phono gain | Adjustable phono gain. | 40 dB moving-magnet; 60 dB moving-coil. | Selectable from 40 to 64 dB in 6 dB steps. |
| Built-in DAC | None; use an external DAC or a source with analog outputs. | None; digital sources need an external DAC or analog outputs. | DA2 Digital Audio Module included. |
| Digital inputs | None. | None. | 2 optical, 2 coaxial, USB, MCT, and HDMI ARC. |
| Television audio | Requires a source with analog output. | Requires a source with analog output. | HDMI ARC accepts audio from a compatible television. |
| Home theater bypass | Home Theater PassThru on an assigned analog line input. | Not included. | Home Theater PassThru on an assigned analog line input. |
| Variable preamp outputs | 1 RCA stereo preamp output. | 2 stereo sets, each with balanced and RCA connections. | 3 stereo sets, each with balanced and RCA connections. |
| Subwoofer connection | Dedicated powered-subwoofer output. | No dedicated subwoofer output; use a compatible full-range output arrangement. | Output 2 is configurable for mono or stereo subwoofer use. |
| Output crossover controls | Use the powered subwoofer’s crossover controls. | No built-in output crossover. | Adjustable high-pass/low-pass filtering on Main and Output 1. |
| Tone controls | 5-band analog equalizer with bypass. | Bypassable bass and treble; 2 dB steps. | Bass and treble; 1 dB steps and per-input bypass memory. |
| Headphone listening | 1/4-inch High Drive headphone output with HXD crossfeed. | 1/4-inch High Drive headphone output with HXD crossfeed. | 1/4-inch High Drive headphone output with HXD crossfeed. |
| Remote and app control | Included remote; no network app control. | Included remote; no network app control. | Included remote plus McIntosh Connect app control over a network. |
| Built-in music streaming | No; add a music source. | No; add a music source. | No; the network connection supports control and updates, not a built-in streamer. |
| Front-panel meters | Blue power-output meters. | No output meters. | Blue output meters. |
Based on McIntosh’s published specifications for the C22 Mk V and C2800.
Choose the MA2375 for simplicity: one chassis, fewer cables, a built-in phono stage, five-band equalizer, and dedicated subwoofer output. Choose the C2800 and MC275 for flexibility: built-in digital conversion, theater integration, and an independent amplifier upgrade path. The separate system requires more shelf space, interconnects, and power connections; adding a second MC275 also adds expense, heat, and more tubes to maintain. Neither arrangement guarantees better sound in every system. Pearl Audio can help compare them with your speakers and sources.
The MA2375 weighs 93 lb (42.2 kg) net. Its packaged dimensions are 25.25 × 23.25 × 14.5 in (64.1 × 59.1 × 36.8 cm), and its packaged weight is 103 lb (46.7 kg).
McIntosh purchases begin with an in-store consultation and audition at Pearl Audio. After your visit, arrangements may be completed at the store or later by phone or email, with pickup at Pearl Audio or local delivery and installation available within the Portland, Oregon service area. McIntosh products are not available for carrier delivery to customer addresses.
Reference materials
Explore the MA2375 in greater detail or keep the operating information close at hand.
McIntosh LabsMcIntosh Labs
McIntosh Power Control Cable
