MA8950 Integrated Amplifier

The McIntosh MA8950 is an integrated stereo amplifier with 200 Watts per channel, extensive analogue and digital connectivity, and the DA2 Digital Audio Module. Its pair of McIntosh Autoformers delivers the full 200 Watts to loudspeakers with 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance, allowing it to drive virtually all loudspeakers.

Filter capacity has doubled, increasing dynamic headroom from 2.0dB to 3.1dB. This allows the MA8950 to reproduce musical peaks with less distortion and improves bass playback, low-frequency performance and bass control. Upgraded power supply components reduce noise emission and improve reliability under demanding conditions. Control microprocessors support smooth system operation, alongside audio-grade circuit components.

The DA2 Digital Audio Module provides 7 digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT and 1 audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) connection. A compatible television with an HDMI ARC output can send its sound through the home music system. Dolby and DTS multi-channel audio formats are supported and converted to 2-channel audio. When CEC communication is enabled in both the amplifier and television, the MA8950 remote can control the television’s power and volume.

USB playback supports DSD512. The DA2 uses a Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analogue Converter, with improved dynamic range and total harmonic distortion compared with the DAC in the DA1. Coaxial and optical inputs decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz. The McIntosh-exclusive MCT input provides a secure DSD connection to MCT series SACD/CD transports for playback of high-definition audio from SACDs. The modular design allows the DA2 to be replaced with a newer Digital Audio Module in future.

Analogue connections comprise 1 balanced and 6 unbalanced stereo inputs, together with 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono input for turntables. The Moving Coil input has adjustable loading for cartridge and vinyl playback setup. All unbalanced analogue connectors are made from gold-plated solid brass. Analogue and digital inputs can be assigned custom names for system control and configuration. An unbalanced fixed output and an unbalanced variable output are provided for sending the audio signal to a second power amplifier.

• Power Guard continuously monitors input and output signals, adjusting input levels to maintain maximum output while avoiding harsh distortion and clipping that could damage loudspeakers
• Sentry Monitor is a fuse-less short-circuit protection system that disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels, then resets automatically when conditions return to normal
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks are made from materials with high thermal conductivity and heat dissipation properties
• Home Theatre PassThru supports integration into a home theatre system
• The High Drive headphone amplifier includes Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD), which adds a further dimension to headphone listening
• The discrete, 5-band tone control provides manual analogue adjustment of ±12dB in 2dB increments at 30Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 2kHz and 10kHz
• Power Control sends power on and power off signals to connected McIntosh components for system start-up and shutdown
• Gold-plated speaker binding posts resist corrosion and maintain signal transfer through speaker cables to the loudspeakers

The MA8950 has Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs. As a Roon Tested partner, McIntosh has provided equipment to Roon for testing with different operating systems and computers, and supplied information about its design and capabilities.

The amplifier has a black glass front panel with LED lighting, blue watt meters, control knobs, an illuminated logo, aluminium end caps and a polished stainless steel chassis.