MSA5500

The McIntosh MSA5500 is an integrated streaming amplifier for modern living spaces, combining wireless music playback, physical audio inputs and a power amplifier in a compact design. Connect speakers to play cloud-based digital music, or use the range of inputs for additional source components.

Wireless streaming is supported through Apple® AirPlay®, Bluetooth®, Google Cast™ (formerly Chromecast), Spotify® Connect and TIDAL® Connect, including TIDAL HiFi Lossless Quality. Music can be streamed directly from a smart device without a dedicated control app or specialist technical knowledge.1

Bluetooth playback uses Bluetooth 5.0, the high bitrate Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standard, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD for hi-res audio and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive for high-resolution audio over Bluetooth. The MSA5500 has 2 Wi-Fi 6 antennas and 1 Bluetooth antenna for wireless connections, together with an Ethernet port for wired networking.

Digital playback is handled by an audiophile-grade digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). Its Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit design provides high dynamic range and low distortion while converting digital signals into the analogue format required for playback.

The McIntosh MSA5500 is Roon Ready certified by Roon Labs and can operate as an endpoint for the Roon music player. Roon brings music into a single library with biographies, reviews, photographs, lyrics, tour dates and cross-linked credits for performers, songwriters, producers, engineers and composers. Roon Ready network devices contain integrated Roon streaming technology and are certified by Roon for quality and performance in network streaming.

Alongside its streaming functions, the MSA5500 provides 7 digital audio inputs and 5 analogue audio inputs for components such as a CD player or tuner. A Moving Magnet phono input is included for connecting a turntable. The digital inputs support high-resolution digital audio playback, with the USB input accepting native DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz. Coaxial and optical inputs decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz.

An HDMI (ARC) input connects a compatible television for playback of programmes and films through the amplifier. Dolby® and DTS® multi-channel audio formats are converted to 2-channel audio. A subwoofer output allows a powered subwoofer to be added for additional bass output.

The power amplifier delivers 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers. It can be used with speakers including the vintage-styled ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II, XR50 Bookshelf Speakers and XR100 Floorstanding Speakers, as well as other speaker designs. Fast-responding, dual-scale Watt meters show the real-time power output in McIntosh's trademarked blue colour.