McIntosh MA8950 and MA9500 Amplifiers: 55% more Dynamic Headroom

11/02/202211/02/2022 hifinext.com 433 Views McIntosh

The McIntosh portfolio is a double update. Two integrated amplifiers at once – MA8950 and MA9500 – will replace the MA8900 and MA9000 models. New amplifiers received upgraded power supplies. According to McIntosh, the strengthened storage capacitor banks will provide “a 50 percent increase in dynamic headroom.”

200 and 300 Watts x 2 channel

As a result, the McIntosh MA8950 produce up to 200W, and the top model MA9500 – one and a half times more – 300W. Both amplifiers received on-board tone blocks, the MA8950 has a 5-channel, and the MA9500 has an 8-channel, with a depth of adjustment of ±12dB.

McIntosh DA2 Digital Audio Module

Both Amplifiers are equipped with a digital audio module McIntosh DA2 instead of the previous DA1. It is factory installed, based on an 8-channel 32-bit DAC and is Roon ready. In addition, both devices will be very loyal to compatible TVs thanks to the HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel – audio return channel).

Switching new products is diverse: for example, the McIntosh MA9500 has ten analog inputs, two balanced, six unbalanced, as well as a phono stage input for MM/MC cartridges – both with adjustable load. The MA8500 is not far behind in this regard: one balanced and six unbalanced inputs, and adjustable load is available only for MC cartridges.

McIntosh’s Power Guard technology

Both Amplifiers are still equipped with McIntosh’s Power Guard technology, which dynamically adjusts the signal at the input of the final stages for maximum output power without harsh distortion or clipping.

The Sentry Monitor’s short circuit protection eliminates the need for fuses and will automatically shut down when parameters are reset to normal. Both devices are outwardly similar in the corporate brutal design, complemented by McIntosh Blue power indicators.