# McIntosh MA252 vs Arcam A15: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the McIntosh MA252 (McIntosh) and Arcam A15 (Arcam) among integrated amplifiers. Arcam A15 is the cheaper of the two at $1099.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | McIntosh MA252 | Arcam A15 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $5000 | $1099.95 |
| Brand | McIntosh | Arcam |
| Power per channel8 ohm (W) | 100 | 80 |
| Power per channel4 ohm (W) | 160 | 120 |
| Amplifier class | tube-hybrid | AB |
| Thd percent | 0.03 | 0.5 |
| Snr (dB) | 97 | 106 |
| Built in dac | No | Yes |
| Phono stage | MM | MM |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Analog inputs | 3 | 3 |
| Digital inputs | 0 | — |
| Headphone output | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (kg) | 12.7 | 10 |

## Key differences

- Power per channel8 ohm (W): McIntosh MA252 100 vs Arcam A15 80
- Power per channel4 ohm (W): McIntosh MA252 160 vs Arcam A15 120
- Amplifier class: McIntosh MA252 tube-hybrid vs Arcam A15 AB
- Thd percent: McIntosh MA252 0.03 vs Arcam A15 0.5
- Snr (dB): McIntosh MA252 97 vs Arcam A15 106
- Built in dac: McIntosh MA252 No vs Arcam A15 Yes
- Bluetooth: McIntosh MA252 No vs Arcam A15 Yes
- Weight (kg): McIntosh MA252 12.7 vs Arcam A15 10

## Sources

- McIntosh MA252: https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MA252 (mcintoshlabs.com, verified 2026-07-13)
- Arcam A15: https://www.arcam.co.uk/product,radia,integrated-amplifiers,a15.htm (arcam.co.uk, verified 2026-07-13)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/integrated-amplifiers/mcintosh-ma252-vs-arcam-a15/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, McIntosh MA252 ($5000) vs Arcam A15 ($1099.95) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/integrated-amplifiers/mcintosh-ma252-vs-arcam-a15/
License: CC BY 4.0.