Mcintosh MA8950 Integrated Amplifier
Mcintosh MA8950 Integrated Amplifier
Mcintosh MA8950 Integrated Amplifier
Mcintosh MA8950 Integrated Amplifier
Mcintosh

MA8950 Integrated Amplifier

The MA8950 Integrated Amplifier offers 200 Watts per channel and combines McIntosh’s amplification expertise and preamplifier technologies into one comprehensive stereo sound system component.

3 Years

£12,495In-store purchase only.

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Description

The MA8950 replaces the award-winning MA8900 (Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity 2017 Best Stereo Integrated Amplifier) and adds additional performance enhancements to an already outstanding stereo integrated amplifier.

Dynamic headroom has increased from 2.0dB to 3.1dB in the MA8950 as a result of its filter capacity being doubled. This gives the MA8950 even greater ability to reproduce musical peaks with less distortion. The increased filter capacity will also help deliver more amazing bass playback, low end performance, and overall bass control.

The MA8950 comes standard with the DA2 Digital Audio Module instead of the DA1 Digital Audio Module that came in the MA8900. 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. TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output can be connected to the MA8950 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 MA8950 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.

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 the MCT series of SACD/CD Transports to deliver the best possible sound quality of the high-definition audio found on your SACDs. And with its modular design, it’s possible to someday replace the DA2 with a newer Digital Audio Module.

With its vast selection of digital audio inputs, analogue connectivity has not been overlooked on the MA8950. It comes with 1 balanced and 6 unbalanced stereo inputs plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono inputs for your turntable(s). All inputs can be given custom names for user-friendly system control and configuration. The Moving Coil phono input comes with adjustable loading so you can fine tune the sound of your vinyl records. All unbalanced analogue connectors are made from premium gold-plated solid brass for superior signal handling and grounding. All analogue and digital inputs can be given custom names for user-friendly system control and configuration. For further flexibility in setting up your stereo system, the MA8950 includes an unbalanced fixed output and an unbalanced variable output that can be used to send the audio signal to a second power amplifier.

Other updates include upgraded power supply components for even lower noise emission and added reliability under the most demanding conditions. The MA8950 continues to use powerful control microprocessors for robust and smooth system operation, as well as some of the latest state-of-the-art audio-grade circuit components to produce the best sound possible.

The MA8950’s 200 Watts per channel are delivered by a pair of the famous McIntosh Autoformer™ and is enough power to properly drive virtually all loudspeakers. The unique design of the Autoformer guarantees your speakers will always receive the full 200 Watts regardless if they have 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.

The MA8950 is one of many McIntosh products to receive Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs. It has been profiled and tested by both Roon and McIntosh for maximum compatibility. Roon will recognize it and send it audio optimized for its capabilities. No fiddling with checkboxes or dropdowns, Roon Tested devices are automatically identified and configured out of the box for a superior customer experience.

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

Power Output per Channel
200 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
3.1dB

Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB
20Hz to 20kHz

Frequency Response, +0, -3dB
10Hz to 100kHz

Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
0.25mV

Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
2.5mV

Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
0.5V/0.25V

Sensitivity (Power Amp input)
1.4V

Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
80dB

Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
82dB

Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
95dB

Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input)
113dB

Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
20K/20K

Damping Factor
>40

Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced)
8V Unbalanced

Balanced Input
1

Unbalanced Input
6

Phono Input Moving Coil
1 (adjustable loading)

Phono Input Moving Magnet
1 (fixed 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
0

Unbalanced Fixed Output
1

Unbalanced Variable Output
2

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
Standard

Speaker Binding Post Type
Standard

Service Port
1

Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type
8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced

Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate
24-bit/44.1kHz to192kHz

Digital Optical Input Sample Rate
24-bit/44.1kHz to192kHz

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

Tone Controls
5-Band

Tone Bypass and Input Assign
Yes

RS232 Control Input
Yes

Power Control Output
1 Main, 2 Trigger

Rear Panel Data Port
4

Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
Yes

Input Level Match
Yes

Vacuum Tube or Solid State
Solid State

Output Type
Autoformer™

Output Meters
Yes

Dual Layer Chassis
Yes

Chassis Finish
Polished stainless steel & black painted steel

McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™
Yes

Power Requirement
120V 50/60Hz, 4.4 amps

Standby Power Requirement
<0.25 Watts

Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
17-1/2″ (44.5cm) x 7-5/8″ (19.4cm) x 18-3/4″ (47.6cm)

Unit Weight
75 lbs (34.1 kg)

Shipping Weight
93 lbs (42.3 kg)