MA8950 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier
 
200 Watts x 2 channel
5-band tone control
Comes with DA2 Digital Audio Module installed
55% increase in Dynamic Headroom for better music peak reproduction
 
The MA8950 Integrated Amplifier offers 200 Watts per channel and combines McIntosh's amplification expertise and preamplifier technologies into one comprehensive stereo sound system component. It replaces the award-winning MA8900 (Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity 2017 Best Stereo Integrated Amplifier) and adds additional performance enhancements to an already outstanding stereo integrated amplifier.
 
Dynamic headroom has increased from 2.0dB to 3.1dB in the MA8950 as a result of its filter capacity being doubled. This gives the MA8950 even greater ability to reproduce musical peaks with less distortion. The increased filter capacity will also help deliver more amazing bass playback, low end performance, and overall bass control.
 
"The McIntosh MA8950 sounds flattering, smooth and detailed, and combines that with impressive muscles." Winner of Integrated Amplifier of the Year Award. - Stereo+ Magazine
 
The MA8950 comes standard with the DA2 Digital Audio Module instead of the DA1 Digital Audio Module that came in the MA8900. The DA2 offers 7 digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT, and 1 audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)1 connection. TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output can be connected to the MA8950 to enjoy your TV’s sound like never before through your home music system. Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® are supported and will be expertly converted to 2-channel audio for proper playback. The MA8950 remote can control the TV’s power and volume when CEC communication is enabled in both the amplifier and the TV. The DA2 also features increased DSD playback support of up to DSD512 via the USB input. 
 
"An amplifier that can handle almost any spread of sources, power almost any pair of speakers and work comfortably in almost any room." Received Editor's Choice Award for Best High-End Stereo Amplifier 2022. - AVForums
 
The DA2 is powered by an audiophile-grade, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that has improvements in both dynamic range and total harmonic distortion compared to the DAC in the DA1. The coax and optical inputs in the DA2 can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz for playback of high-resolution audio. The DA2 has a McIntosh exclusive MCT input that offers a secure DSD connection to any of our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports to deliver the best possible sound quality of the high-definition audio found on your SACDs. And with its modular design, it's possible to someday replace the DA2 with a newer Digital Audio Module.
 
Specifications
 
Electronic Specifications
FTC Power Output Rating
200 W
Power Output per Channel
200 W into 2, 4, or 8 ohms
Number of Channels
2
Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005%
Dynamic Headroom
3.1dB
Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB
20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response, +0, -3dB
10Hz to 100kHz
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
0.25mV
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
2.5mV
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
0.5V/0.25V
Sensitivity (Power Amp input)
1.4V
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
80dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
82dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
95dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input)
113dB
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
20K/20K
Damping Factor
>40
Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced)
8V Unbalanced
 
Connectivity
Balanced Input
1
Unbalanced Input
6
Phono Input Moving Coil
1 (adjustable loading)
Phono Input Moving Magnet
1 (fixed loading)
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
Yes: DA2
Digital Coaxial Input
2
Digital Optical Input
2
Digital MCT Input
1
Digital USB Input
1
HDMI (ARC) Input
1
Balanced Variable Output
0
Unbalanced Fixed Output
1
Unbalanced Variable Output
2
Headphone Output
1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Subwoofer Output
0
AM/FM Tuner option
No
Home Theater PassThru
Yes
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
Standard
Speaker Binding Post Type
Standard
Service Port
1
 
Digital Audio Specifications
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type
8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate
24-bit/44.1kHz to192kHz
Digital Optical Input Sample Rate
24-bit/44.1kHz to192kHz
Digital MCT Input Sample Rate
16-bit/44.1kHz (CD)
DSD64 (SACD)
Digital USB Input Sample Rate
32-bit/44.1kHz to 384kHz (PCM)
DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
 
Control
Tone Controls
5-Band
Tone Bypass and Input Assign
Yes
RS232 Control Input
Yes
Power Control Output
1 Main, 2 Trigger
Rear Panel Data Port
4
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
Yes
Input Level Match
Yes
 
General Specifications
Vacuum Tube or Solid State
Solid State
Output Type
Autoformer™
Output Meters
Yes
Dual Layer Chassis
Yes
Chassis Finish
Polished stainless steel & black painted steel
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™
Yes
Power Requirement
120V 50/60Hz, 4.4 amps
Standby Power Requirement
<0.25 Watts
 
Weights & Dimensions
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
17-1/2" (44.5cm) x 7-5/8" (19.4cm) x 18-3/4" (47.6cm)
Unit Weight
75 lbs (34.1 kg)
Shipping Weight
93 lbs (42.3 kg)