US audio giants McIntosh has set its 2022 stall out by launching two new integrated amplifiers. The new MA8950 at £12,495 replaces the outgoing MA8900 and the MA9500 at £14,995 does likewise for the MA9000.
Both amplifiers benefit from double the filtering capacity of their predecessors, boasting 50% more dynamic headroom and upgraded power supplies.
Each amp also gets McIntosh’s latest Roon tested DA2 Digital Audio Module in place of the older DA1, comprised of a quad balanced, eight-channel, 32-bit DAC with two coaxial, two optical, one USB (supporting DSD up to DSD512) and one proprietary MCT (for SACD data) input, alongside audio-only HDMI.
McIntosh MA9500
The MA9500 offers 300W per channel with analogue inputs spread over two balanced, and six line-level, plus a moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM) input with adjustable loading. Balanced and unbalanced outputs are also part of the package.
McIntosh MA8950
The MA8950 packs 200W per channel with one balanced, six unbalanced, an MC (with adjustable loading) and MM phono input. Its fixed and variable outputs are unbalanced.
Both units also include a dedicated internal headphone amp, benefitting from the brand’s Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD).
Find out more on McIntosh’s website.
