Интегральные усилители — McIntosh MA9500

The MA9500 is a two-channel solid-state integrated amplifier from McIntosh with a built-in digital module and phono stage, offering 17 inputs in total. It follows the MA9000, and an enlarged filter capacitance raises its dynamic headroom from the 1.8 dB of the older model to 2.8 dB. The amplifier is Roon Tested and uses the familiar McIntosh front panel with two blue meters.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 300 W per channel into 2, 4 or 8 ohm. Harmonic distortion is 0.005%, and the damping factor exceeds 40. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB and extends from 10 Hz to 100 kHz within 3 dB. Analogue line inputs are two balanced and six unbalanced, with input impedance of 10 kohm balanced and 22 kohm unbalanced and sensitivity of 600 mV and 300 mV. The phono section provides one MM input with 3.0 mV sensitivity and 84 dB signal-to-noise and one MC input with 0.30 mV and 82 dB. The unit is 445 mm wide, 240 mm high and 502 mm deep, and weighs 45.8 kg.

Engineering and use context

McIntosh Autoformers sit in the output section, which the company says deliver the full rated power to the speaker regardless of its impedance. Both phono inputs have adjustable loading. The DA2 Digital Audio Module supplies seven digital inputs, namely two coax and two Toslink connections accepting up to 24-bit/192 kHz, plus USB, MCT and an HDMI ARC link that carries audio only. It works at up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM, and the USB port also takes DSD up to DSD512 and DXD at 352.8 or 384 kHz, while the MCT input carries DSD64 from SACD and 16-bit/44.1 kHz from CD when used with a McIntosh transport. Power Guard monitors the signal and adjusts the input to prevent clipping, while Sentry Monitor guards against output short circuits without fuses and resets itself once conditions are normal. The Watt meters are peak responding and show power per channel in real time. An 8-band tone control adjusts plus or minus 12 dB in 2 dB steps, and the heatsinks carry the McIntosh monogram. Standby consumption is below 0.25 W, and the unit is factory configured for a specific mains voltage between 100 V and 240 V.

Pairing

A 6.35 mm High Drive headphone output with the HXD crossfeed circuit serves private listening. Balanced and unbalanced variable and fixed outputs allow a subwoofer or separate power amp, and Home Theater PassThru integrates the amplifier into a surround setup.

Alternatives

The McIntosh MA12000 is a hybrid integrated amplifier rated at 350 W per channel, with a 12AX7A tube preamp section.