McIntosh has announced the MA9000 Integrated Amplifier. Their largest integrated in both size and power, it offers 300 Watts per channel and combines amplifier and preamplifier into one unit.

McIntosh went on to tell us: “There’s enough inputs and outputs on the MA9000 to last a lifetime. The 10 analogue connections are comprised of 2 balanced and 6 unbalanced inputs plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono inputs. Both phono inputs feature adjustable loading for fine tuning of vinyl playback. All unbalanced analogue connectors are made from premium gold-plated solid brass for superior signal handling and grounding. On the digital side, 2 coax, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 MCT input are all housed in our new DA1 Digital Audio Module; the DA1 can be easily replaced by future modules to keep the MA9000 up to date as new digital audio formats and technologies are developed. The DA1 utilizes a powerful 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) used in Quad Balanced mode. High resolution DSD256 and DXD 384kHz is supported via the USB input while the coax and optical inputs will decode music up to 24-bit/192kHz. All inputs can be given custom names for user-friendly system control and configuration”.

The MA9000 features also features their new McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ that are made from “high quality materials with excellent thermal conductivity properties”. They are “so efficient at dissipating heat that they warrant bearing the McIntosh “Mc” logo”. They also have a higher quality finish thanks to a new manufacturing process. They are connected to advanced high current output transistors that eliminate thermal equilibrium lag time (or warm-up time).

New, more powerful control microprocessors have been used in the MA9000 to improve overall system operation. Some of the latest audio-grade circuit components have also been utilised. At 300 Watts per channel, the MA9000 has enough power to properly drive “virtually all loudspeakers” and the McIntosh Autoformer guarantees the speakers will always receive that full 300 Watts regardless if they have 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance. Other McIntosh features included in the MA9000 are:

• Power Guard® that monitors and adjusts the sound wave to prevent harsh sounding distortion and clipping that could damage the speakers
• Sentry Monitor™ is McIntosh’s fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit that disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal
• Home Theatre PassThru that allows for integration into a home theatre system
• High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
• A discrete, eight-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analogue adjustment of favourite recordings
• Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power up and shutdown
• Patented Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts that easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming loose and possibly causing a short; the binding posts are also gold-plated

The entire unit is wrapped in the classic McIntosh aesthetic with blue watt meters, a black glass front panel, control knobs, illuminated logo, aluminium end caps with built-in handles and a polished stainless steel chassis.

Pricing and Availability
Now accepting orders for the MA9000 with shipping expected to begin in July.

Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded): $10,500 USD