McIntosh MA9500
2-Channel Integrated Amplifier
300 Watts x 2 channel
8-band tone control
Comes with DA2 Digital Audio Module installed
55% increase in Dynamic Headroom for better music peak reproduction
Music simply comes to life with the MA9500 Integrated Amplifier and its 300 Watts per channel of clean, effortless power. That power is delivered via a pair of the famed McIntosh Autoformer™ whose unique design guarantees your speakers will always receive the full 300 Watts regardless if they have 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance. The MA9500 replaces the award-winning MA9000 (SoundStage Network 2018 Integrated Amplifier of the Year; Sound + Image 2019 Stereo Amplifier Award Winner; Stereo Sound 2017 Grand Prix Award Winner) and adds additional performance enhancements to an already outstanding stereo 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.
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 Channel300 Watts
Number of Channels2
Speaker Impedance2, 4, or 8 Ohms
Rated Power Band20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion0.005%
Dynamic Headroom2.8dB
Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response, +0, -3dB10Hz 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 Input2
Unbalanced Input6
Phono Input Moving Coil1 (adjustable loading)
Phono Input Moving Magnet1 (adjustable loading)
Upgradeable Digital Audio ModuleYes: DA2
Digital Coaxial Input2
Digital Optical Input2
Digital MCT Input1
Digital USB Input1
HDMI (ARC) Input1
Balanced Variable Output1
Unbalanced Fixed Output1
Unbalanced Variable Output1
Headphone Output1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Subwoofer Output0
AM/FM Tuner optionNo
Home Theater PassThruYes
Unbalanced Analog Connector TypePremium gold-plated solid brass
Speaker Binding Post TypePatented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts
Service Port1
Digital Audio Specifications
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
Digital Optical Input Sample Rate24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
Digital MCT Input Sample Rate16-bit/44.1kHz (CD) DSD64 (SACD)
Digital USB Input Sample Rate32-bit/44.1kHz to 384kHz (PCM) DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
Control
Tone Controls8-Band
Tone Bypass and Input AssignYes
RS232 Control InputYes
Power Control Output1 Main, 2 Trigger
Rear Panel Data Port4
Rear Panel IR Sensor InputYes
Input Level MatchYes
General Specifications
Vacuum Tube or Solid StateSolid State
Output TypeAutoformer™
Output MetersYes
Dual Layer ChassisYes
Chassis FinishPolished stainless steel & black painted steel
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™Yes
Power Requirement120V, 50/60Hz, 6.6A
Standby Power Requirement<0.25 Watts
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 Weight101 lbs (45.8kg)
Shipping Weight134 lbs (60.8kg)
