The McIntosh MA9500 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier combines a high-current 300-watt-per-channel solid-state power amplifier, a comprehensive analog preamplifier and McIntosh’s modular DA2 Digital Audio Module in one substantial stereo component. Designed as the centerpiece of a reference two-channel system, it provides extensive support for loudspeakers, turntables, digital sources, televisions, headphones and home-theater integration.
300 Watts Per Channel Into 2, 4 or 8 Ohms
The MA9500 produces 300 watts per channel into 2-, 4- or 8-ohm loudspeakers. McIntosh Autoformers™ help deliver the amplifier’s full rated output across these common speaker impedances, providing flexibility when matching the MA9500 with demanding floorstanding or stand-mount speakers.
Compared with the preceding MA9000, the MA9500 doubles power-supply filter capacity and increases dynamic headroom from 1.8dB to 2.8dB. This additional energy reserve helps the amplifier reproduce musical peaks and low-frequency transients with control while maintaining a rated total harmonic distortion of 0.005% from 20Hz to 20kHz.
17 Analog and Digital Inputs
The McIntosh MA9500 offers an unusually broad selection of inputs for a modern integrated amplifier. Its 10 analog inputs include:
- Two balanced stereo inputs
- Six unbalanced stereo inputs
- One moving-magnet phono input with adjustable loading
- One moving-coil phono input with adjustable loading
Separate MM and MC phono stages make it possible to connect a wide range of turntables and cartridges without requiring an external phono preamplifier. Adjustable loading allows the phono inputs to be more precisely matched to compatible cartridges.
DA2 Digital Audio Module Included
The standard DA2 Digital Audio Module adds seven digital audio inputs:
- Two coaxial digital inputs
- Two optical digital inputs
- One USB audio input
- One McIntosh MCT input
- One audio-only HDMI ARC input
The DA2 uses an audiophile-grade, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit digital-to-analog converter. Coaxial and optical sources are supported up to 24-bit/192kHz. The USB input supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD64 through DSD512 and DXD 352.8/384kHz. The proprietary MCT input provides a secure digital connection from compatible McIntosh SACD/CD transports.
The HDMI ARC input allows a compatible television to send audio to the MA9500 and can support TV power and volume control through HDMI-CEC. It is an audio-only ARC connection; it does not pass video and is not intended as a conventional HDMI input for disc players, streamers or game consoles.
Because the DA2 is modular, the digital section can potentially be replaced by a future compatible McIntosh Digital Audio Module rather than making the entire amplifier obsolete when digital standards evolve.
Eight-Band Analog Equalizer
A discrete eight-band analog equalizer provides manual adjustment at 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 1kHz, 2.5kHz and 10kHz. Each band can be adjusted by up to ±12dB in 2dB increments or bypassed when tonal correction is not needed.
System Expansion and Home Theater Integration
The MA9500 includes balanced and unbalanced variable outputs for connecting an additional power amplifier, along with a fixed unbalanced output for compatible recording or distribution applications. Home Theater PassThru allows selected inputs to operate at a fixed volume level when the MA9500 is incorporated into a surround-sound system controlled by an AV processor or receiver.
Protection, Headphones and Control
- Power Guard® monitors input and output signals to reduce clipping and potentially damaging distortion.
- Sentry Monitor™ provides fuse-less short-circuit protection and automatically resets after normal operating conditions return.
- McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ help dissipate heat from the high-current output stage.
- Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts provide secure connections for 2-, 4- and 8-ohm speaker taps.
- High Drive headphone amplification with HXD® provides a dedicated 1/4-inch headphone output with Headphone Crossfeed Director.
- Power Control, data ports, IR and RS232 support coordinated operation with compatible McIntosh components and control systems.
Roon Tested, Not a Built-In Streamer
The MA9500 is designated Roon Tested, meaning Roon has tested its compatibility with supported computers and operating systems. It is not Roon Ready and does not contain an internal network streamer, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay or Spotify Connect. Network music playback requires a separate computer, streamer or other digital source.
McIntosh MA9500 Specifications
| Amplifier type | Solid-state integrated amplifier with Autoformers™ |
|---|---|
| Power output | 300 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8 ohms |
| Channels | 2 |
| Rated power band | 20Hz–20kHz |
| Total harmonic distortion | 0.005% |
| Dynamic headroom | 2.8dB |
| Frequency response | 20Hz–20kHz, +0/-0.5dB; 10Hz–100kHz, +0/-3dB |
| Damping factor | Greater than 40 |
| Balanced analog inputs | 2 stereo pairs |
| Unbalanced analog inputs | 6 stereo pairs |
| Phono inputs | 1 moving magnet and 1 moving coil, both with adjustable loading |
| Digital module | Included DA2, modular and upgradeable |
| Digital inputs | 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT and 1 HDMI ARC |
| USB formats | PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz; DSD64–DSD512; DXD 352.8/384kHz |
| Coaxial/optical support | Up to 24-bit/192kHz |
| Analog outputs | 1 balanced variable, 1 unbalanced variable and 1 unbalanced fixed |
| Tone controls | Eight-band analog EQ, ±12dB in 2dB steps |
| Headphone output | 1/4-inch High Drive with HXD® |
| Home Theater PassThru | Yes |
| Dimensions | 17.5 W × 9.4375 H × 19.75 D inches |
| Unit weight | 101 lb |
| Shipping weight | 134 lb |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
Speaker and System Matching
The MA9500’s combination of high output, Autoformer speaker taps, separate MM and MC phono stages, high-resolution DAC, HDMI ARC and home-theater integration makes it a flexible centerpiece for a serious stereo system. Speaker sensitivity, impedance behavior, room size, listening distance, source requirements and cartridge compatibility should still be considered when planning the complete system.
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