McIntosh MA8950

2-Channel Integrated Amplifier

CONTACTANOS

Tel. (011) 6796.8944
info@hifiman.com.ar

    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. It replaces the award-winning MA8900 (Secrets of Home Theater 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 McIntosh MA8950 sounds flattering, smooth and detailed, and combines that with impressive muscles." Winner of Integrated Amplifier of the Year Award. - Stereo+ Magazine.

    • 200 Watts x 2 channel
    • 5-band tone control
    • Comes with DA2 Digital Audio Module installed
    • 55% increase in Dynamic Headroom for better music peak reproduction

    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. - AVForums

    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." - Sound Online

    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 precision is high and it is very detailed and brilliantly resolved. With some complicated music such as choir and orchestra, it maintains excellent control over both the small sonorous differences in each individual instrument, and where they are placed in the soundscape. The focus is not excessive, but still super clear and very precise." Awarded 5 stars. Highly Recommended. - Stereo+ Magazine.

    Other McIntosh features included in the MA8950 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, five-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analog adjustment of ±12dB in 2dB increments of your favorite recordings at frequencies of 30Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 2kHz, and 10kHz
    • Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power up and shutdown
    • Gold-plated speaker binding posts that prevent corrosion to ensure a quality signal is sent over your speaker cables to your speakers

    The MA8950 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 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, aluminum end caps and a beautiful polished stainless steel chassis. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

    The HDMI (ARC) input will only play audio from a compatible TV. It will not pass video to or from a TV, or play audio from any non-TV source.

    The terms HDMI, HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.

    Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

    DTS, DTS-HD, the Symbol, & DTS or DTS-HD and the Symbol together are registered trademarks of DTS, Inc. © DTS, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Electronic Specifications

    FTC Power Output Rating
    200 W

    Power Output per Channel
    200 W into 2, 4, or 8 ohms

    Number of Channels
    2

    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

    Connectivity

    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 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 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 to192kHz

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

    Digital MCT 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

    Control

    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

    General Specifications

    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 Weights & Dimensions 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)