Интегральные усилители — McIntosh MSA5500

The MSA5500 is a solid-state two-channel streaming integrated amplifier from McIntosh that merges a network streamer with a stereo amplifier, so it can run as a complete system or as one part of a larger setup. It sits in the lower power tier of the current McIntosh integrated range, and it is the only integrated model in that range listed with built-in wireless streaming.

Key specs that matter

Output is 100 W per channel into 8 ohm and 160 W into 4 ohm, with 1.8 dB of dynamic headroom and total harmonic distortion of 0.005%. Response is +0, -0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and +0, -3 dB from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. The damping factor exceeds 200 into 8 ohm and 100 into 4 ohm. Analog inputs number one balanced XLR, four unbalanced RCA and one moving magnet phono input with 2.5 mV sensitivity, and signal-to-noise is 95 dB for the line stage and 82 dB for phono. Coaxial and optical digital inputs, two of each, accept up to 24-bit/192 kHz, one USB, one MCT and one HDMI ARC. Outputs include a variable RCA output up to 8 V, a subwoofer output and a 6.3 mm headphone jack. The case is 44.5 cm wide, 15.2 cm tall and 47.6 cm deep, and weighs 17.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

The streaming side supports Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect including lossless, TIDAL Connect including TIDAL Max, and Qobuz Connect, and the unit is both Roon Ready and Roon Tested. Bluetooth 5.0 adds aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, and the network link runs over Wi-Fi 6 with two antennas or a wired Ethernet port. With the vertical antennas fitted, height grows to about 20.6 cm and depth to about 56.5 cm. Decoding uses an 8-channel 32-bit/384 kHz Quad Balanced DAC, and the USB input reaches DSD256 and DXD. Protection comes from Power Guard against clipping and Sentry Monitor, a fuse-less short-circuit protection. The front has dual-scale blue watt meters, a black glass panel with aluminium end caps and an illuminated logo. Tone controls can be bypassed, input levels can be matched, and RS232 and power control connections allow integration into automated installations. The mains section accepts 100 to 240 V, and standby consumption is under 0.25 W.

Pairing

With power rising as the load impedance falls, the amplifier suits most stand-mounts and towers. A turntable with an MM cartridge connects directly, the sub output feeds a powered subwoofer, and the HDMI ARC input handles television audio.

Alternatives

The McIntosh MA5300 matches its power ratings and adds digital inputs, but it has no built-in network streaming.