McIntosh MA9500 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier

Filter capacity in the MA9500 has been doubled compared to the MA9000 which has produced a significant increase in dynamic headroom from 1.8dB to 2.8dB, giving the MA9500 greater ability to reproduce musical peaks with less distortion. And while the MA9000 featured great low end bass performance, the MA9500’s increased filter capacity will also help deliver even more amazing bass playback and control.

While the MA9000 included our DA1 Digital Audio Module, the MA9500 comes standard with the DA2 Digital Audio Module. The DA2 offers 7 digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT, and 1 audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)1 connection. The DA2 is powered by an audiophile-grade, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that has improvements in both dynamic range and total harmonic distortion compared to the DAC in the DA1. The coax and optical inputs in the DA2 can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz for playback of high-resolution audio. The DA2 has a McIntosh exclusive MCT input that offers a secure DSD connection to any of our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports to deliver the best possible sound quality of the high-definition audio found on your SACDs.

TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output can be connected to the MA9500 to enjoy your TV’s sound like never before through your home music system. Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® are supported and will be expertly converted to 2-channel audio for proper playback. The MA9500 remote can control the TV’s power and volume when CEC communication is enabled in both the amplifier and the TV. The DA2 also features increased DSD playback support of up to DSD512 via the USB input. And being a modular design, it’s possible to someday replace the DA2 with a newer Digital Audio Module.

The breadth of the analog audio connections is just as impressive as the digital audio connectivity. The MA9500 has 10 analog inputs consisting of 2 balanced inputs, 6 unbalanced inputs, plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono input with separate grounding terminals to connect your turntable(s). Both of the phono inputs feature adjustable loading so you can fine tune the sound of your vinyl records. All unbalanced analog connectors are made from premium gold-plated solid brass for superior signal handling and grounding. All analog and digital inputs can be given custom names for user-friendly system control and configuration. For further flexibility in setting up your home audio system, the MA9500 includes a balanced and unbalanced output that can send the audio signal to another power amplifier.

Upgraded power supply components further reduce noise emissions while also adding more robustness under the most demanding conditions. The MA9500 continues to use powerful control microprocessors for smooth and reliable system operation, as well as some of the latest state-of-the-art audio-grade circuit components to produce the best sound possible.

Other McIntosh features included in the MA9500 are:

• Power Guard that continuously monitors input and output signals and can dynamically adjust input levels to ensure maximum output while avoiding harsh sounding distortion and clipping that could damage your speakers
• Our fuse-less short-circuit protection technology Sentry Monitor™ that disengages the output stage before the current can exceed safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ that are made from high quality materials with excellent thermal conductivity and heat dissipation properties
• Home Theater PassThru that allows for seamless integration into a home theater system
• High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) which can bring an added dimension to headphone listening
• A discrete, eight-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analog adjustment of ±12dB in 2dB increments of your favorite recordings at frequencies of 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 1kHz, 2.5kHz, and 10kHz
• Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power up and shutdown

The MA9500 is one of many McIntosh products to receive Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs. As a Roon Tested partner, McIntosh has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers, and shared information about its design and capabilities.

The MA9500 is wrapped in the classic McIntosh aesthetic featuring a black glass front panel with LED lighting, a pair of peak-responding blue watt meters, control knobs, illuminated logo, aluminum end caps with built-in handles, and a beautiful polished stainless steel chassis.

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS

• Power Output per Channel 300 Watts
• Number of Channels 2
• Speaker Impedance 2, 4, or 8 Ohms
• Rated Power Band 20Hz to 20kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005%
• Dynamic Headroom 2.8dB
• Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz
• Frequency Response, +0, -3dB 10Hz to 100kHz
• Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil) 0.30mV
• Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet) 3.0mV
• Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced) 0.6V/0.3V
• Sensitivity (Power Amp input) 1.7V
• Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil) 82dB
• Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet) 84dB
• Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level) 98dB
• Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input) 114dB
• Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced) 10K/22K
• Damping Factor >40
• Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced) 8V Unbalanced 16V Balanced

CONNECTIVITY

• Balanced Input 2
• Unbalanced Input 6
• Phono Input Moving Coil 1 (adjustable loading)
• Phono Input Moving Magnet 1 (adjustable loading)
• Upgradeable Digital Audio Module Yes: DA2
• Digital Coaxial Input 2
• Digital Optical Input 2
• Digital MCT (DIN) Input 1
• Digital USB Input 1
• HDMI (ARC) Input 1
• Balanced Variable Output 1
• Unbalanced Fixed Output 1
• Unbalanced Variable Output 1
• Headphone Output 1/4″ High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
• Subwoofer Output 0
• AM/FM Tuner option No
• Home Theater PassThru Yes
• Unbalanced Analog Connector Type Premium gold-plated solid brass
• Speaker Binding Post Type Patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts
• Service Port 1

DIGITAL AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS

• Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type 8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
• Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate 24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
• Digital Optical Input Sample Rate 24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
• Digital MCT (DIN) Input Sample Rate 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD)
• DSD64 (SACD)
• Digital USB Input Sample Rate 32-bit/44.1kHz to 384kHz (PCM)
• DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz

WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS

• Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) 17-1/2” (44.5cm) x 9-7/16” (24 cm) x 19-3/4” (50.2cm)
• Unit Weight 101 lbs (45.8kg)
• Shipping Weight 134 lbs (60.8kg)