MCINTOSH MA8950 AND MCINTOSH MA9500 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS LAUNCHED

McIntosh has announced the McIntosh MA8950 and McIntosh MA9500 Integrated Amplifiers.

McIntosh has launched two new integrated amplifiers for 2022, the McIntosh MA8950 and McIntosh MA9500.

The McIntosh MA8950 and McIntosh MA9500 Integrated Amplifiers

MCINTOSH MA8950 AND MCINTOSH MA9500

The new models are direct replacements for the MA8900 and MA9000, and McIntosh says they have a whole load of performance improvements over their predecessors.

McIntosh MA8950

The new amplifiers benefit from a doubling in filter capacity for a 50 per cent increase in dynamic headroom, upgraded power supply components for lower noise, plus a Roon-Tested McIntosh DA2 Digital Audio Module offering range and distortion improvements. Dynamic headroom has been increased in both models giving a greater ability to reproduce musical peaks with even less distortion than before. The increased filter capacity also helps deliver greater bass performance and overall control.

McIntosh MA9500 Integrated Amplifier

MCINTOSH DA2 MODULE

The upgraded, factory-installed McIntosh DA2 Digital Audio Module (the MA9000 and MA8900 featured the DA1) benefits from an audiophile-grade, Quad Balanced, eight-channel, 32-bit DAC and offers two coaxial, two optical, one USB and one proprietary MCT (for SACD data) input, plus the addition of an audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) connection. DSD playback support is increased from DSD256 to DSD512 via USB.

MCINTOSH MA9500 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

The MA9500 offers 300 watts per channel and ten analogue inputs: two balanced, six unbalanced, plus an MM/MC input with adjustable loading. Balanced and unbalanced outputs are also included. The MA9500 includes a discrete, eight-band tone control that allows for manual analogue adjustment of ± 12 dB (in 2 dB increments) across a wide range of frequencies. McIntosh’s innovative gold-plated Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts are also included.

Front and back of the McIntosh MA9500 Integrated Amplifier

MCINTOSH MA8950 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

The MA8950 offers 200 watts per channel and comes with nine analogue inputs: one balanced, six unbalanced, plus a MC (with adjustable loading) and a MM phono input. It also includes an unbalanced fixed output and an unbalanced variable output, along with a discrete, five-band tone control of ±12dB, again in 2 dB increments.

Front and back of the McIntosh MA8950

SHARED FEATURES

Both devices feature several proprietary McIntosh technologies including McIntosh Autoformer™, which ensures loudspeakers will always receive full power regardless of impedance, McIntosh Power Guard® technology that continuously monitors input and output signals and can dynamically adjust input levels to avoid clipping, and Sentry Monitor™ fuse-less short-circuit protection technology.

The amps also include McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™, which have thermal conductivity and heat dissipation properties, Home Theater PassThru for seamless integration into a home theatre system, and McIntosh’s High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®). Power Control is available to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components.

Deatil of the MA9500

MCINTOSH MA8950 AND MCINTOSH MA9500 PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Orders for the MA8950 and MA9500 can now be placed with shipping expected to begin in February 2022 (United States and Canada), and the rest of the world, shortly thereafter. MA8950: £12,495; or $9,000 MA9500: £14,995 or $12,000.

HiFi Pig Says: The classic McIntosh styling with lots of upgraded features is sure to prove a hit with the brand’s loyal fans in the USA and further afield.

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