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. "An amplifier that can handle almost any spread of sources, power almost any pair of speakers and work comfortably in almost any room." Received Editor's Choice Award for Best High-End Stereo Amplifier 2022. 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. 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, analog 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 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 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."An amplifier that can handle almost any partnering equipment and speaker and deliver outstanding performance and flexibility with all of it. This is how McIntosh makes hifi and the results are sensational... It delivers sparkling performance while offering enormous connectivity and user friendliness."
Features
The McIntosh MA9500 integrates a range of proprietary features to ensure outstanding performance, reliability, and user experience. Its Power Guard® technology continuously monitors input and output signals, dynamically adjusting input levels to deliver maximum output while protecting speakers from distortion and clipping. The fuse-less Sentry Monitor™ short-circuit protection disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe levels and automatically resets once conditions stabilize. The unit employs McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™, crafted from premium materials to optimize thermal conductivity and efficient heat dissipation. For seamless system integration, the Home Theater PassThru allows easy incorporation into a multi-channel setup. The built-in high-drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) adds spatial depth and realism to headphone listening. A discrete, five-band tone control enables analog adjustment of ±12dB in 2dB steps at 30Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 2kHz, and 10kHz, allowing for precise sound tailoring. The Power Control feature sends on/off signals to other connected McIntosh components for unified system control. Additionally, gold-plated speaker binding posts resist corrosion and maintain high signal integrity between your amplifier and speakers.
Technical specifications
Specification
300 W Model
200 W Model
FTC Power Output Rating
300 W
200 W
Power Output per Channel
300 W into 2, 4, or 8 ohms
200 W into 2, 4, or 8 ohms
Number of Channels
2
2
Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20kHz
20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
0.005%
0.005%
Dynamic Headroom
2.8 dB
3.1 dB
Frequency Response (+0, -0.5dB)
20Hz to 20kHz
20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response (+0, -3dB)
10Hz to 100kHz
10Hz to 100kHz
Sensitivity - Phono (Moving Coil)
0.30 mV
0.25 mV
Sensitivity - Phono (Moving Magnet)
3.0 mV
2.5 mV
Sensitivity - High Level (Balanced)
0.6 V
0.5 V
Sensitivity - High Level (Unbalanced)
0.3 V
0.25 V
Sensitivity - Power Amp Input
1.7 V
1.4 V
Signal-to-Noise Ratio - Moving Coil
82 dB
80 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio - Moving Magnet
84 dB
82 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio - High Level
98 dB
95 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio - Power Amp Input
114 dB
113 dB
Input Impedance (Balanced)
10K ohms
20K ohms
Input Impedance (Unbalanced)
22K ohms
20K ohms
Damping Factor
> 40
> 40
Maximum Output - Unbalanced
8 V
8 V
Connectivity (200 W Model Only)
Input/Output
200 W Model
Balanced Inputs
1
Unbalanced Inputs
6
Phono Input (Moving Coil)
1 (adjustable loading)
Phono Input (Moving Magnet)
1 (fixed loading)
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
Yes: DA2
Digital Coaxial Inputs
2
Digital Optical Inputs
2
Digital MCT Input
1
Digital USB Input
1
HDMI (ARC) Input
1
Balanced Variable Output
0
Unbalanced Fixed Output
1
Unbalanced Variable Outputs
2
Headphone Output
1/4" HXD®
Subwoofer Output
0
AM/FM Tuner Option
No
Home Theater PassThru
Yes
Analog Connector Type
Standard
Speaker Binding Posts
Standard
Service Port
1
Digital Audio Specs (200 W Model)
Specification
200 W Model
DAC Type
8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
Coaxial/Optical Input Sample Rate
24-bit / 44.1kHz to 192kHz
MCT Input Sample Rate
16-bit / 44.1kHz (CD), DSD64 (SACD)
USB Input Sample Rate
32-bit / 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM; DSD64–DSD512; DXD352.8/384kHz
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