Audio T Verdict
The MA8950 is the sort of integrated amplifier that makes the word "integrated" feel rather inadequate. Behind those unmistakable blue Watt meters sits a 200W-per-channel McIntosh power amplifier, substantial analogue preamplifier, dedicated MM and MC phono stages, high-resolution DA2 DAC, HDMI ARC and a five-band analogue equaliser.
McIntosh Autoformers deliver the full 200 watts into 2, 4 or 8-ohm loudspeakers, while the MA8950's enlarged filter capacity gives it a substantial 3.1dB of dynamic headroom. Power Guard, Sentry Monitor and Monogrammed Heatsinks complete an amplifier section designed for serious loudspeakers and equally serious listening.
It is luxurious, imposing and exceptionally well equipped, but not complicated for the sake of it. Whether the system revolves around vinyl, streaming, CD, television or a mixture of everything, the MA8950 has the connectivity and flexibility to sit at its centre for many years.
McIntosh MA8950 Integrated Amplifier
The MA8950 is a full-size solid-state integrated amplifier combining McIntosh's Autoformer-coupled power amplification with comprehensive analogue and digital source control.
Its amplifier section delivers 200 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8 ohms, with the full rated output available across each loudspeaker impedance thanks to McIntosh Autoformer technology.
Compared with its MA8900 predecessor, McIntosh doubled the power-supply filter capacity, increasing specified dynamic headroom from 2.0dB to 3.1dB. This gives the amplifier greater reserve for short musical peaks without increasing its continuous 200W rating.
McIntosh Autoformers and 200W Per Channel
Full Power Across Three Impedances
Dedicated 2, 4 and 8-ohm Autoformer outputs allow the MA8950 to deliver its full 200W per channel into each nominal loudspeaker impedance.
3.1dB Dynamic Headroom
Increased filter capacity provides greater short-term power reserve, with McIntosh specifying 3.1dB dynamic headroom.
- Rated power: 200W per channel
- Load impedance: 2, 4 or 8 ohms
- Power band: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.005% maximum
- Dynamic headroom: 3.1dB
- Damping factor: greater than 40
Matching the Autoformer Output
The MA8950 has separate 2, 4 and 8-ohm loudspeaker terminals. The appropriate Autoformer connection should be selected to match the loudspeaker's nominal impedance.
Comprehensive Analogue Connectivity
The rear panel caters for large systems with balanced, unbalanced and dedicated phono connections.
- 1 x stereo balanced XLR line input
- 6 x stereo unbalanced RCA line inputs
- 1 x Moving Magnet phono input
- 1 x Moving Coil phono input
The unbalanced analogue connections use gold-plated solid-brass connectors, while individual inputs can be renamed and level matched to make a system with several different sources easier to operate.
McIntosh specifies 250mV sensitivity for unbalanced line inputs and 500mV for balanced, with a 20k-ohm high-level input impedance.
Dedicated MM and Adjustable MC Phono Stages
Both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil turntables can connect directly to the MA8950 without requiring a separate phono preamplifier.
Moving Magnet
- Sensitivity: 2.5mV
- Loading: 47k ohms / 50pF
- Maximum input: 80mV
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 82dB A-weighted
Moving Coil
- Sensitivity: 0.25mV
- Loading: 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000 ohms
- Capacitance: 100pF
- Maximum input: 8mV
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 80dB A-weighted
The selectable MC resistance can be adjusted from the MA8950's Trim menu, allowing the phono stage to be more closely matched to the cartridge manufacturer's recommended loading.
DA2 Digital Audio Module
The DA2 Digital Audio Module is fitted as standard and uses a Quad Balanced eight-channel, 32-bit DAC.
Seven digital connections are provided:
- 2 x coaxial
- 2 x optical
- 1 x USB Type-B
- 1 x McIntosh MCT
- 1 x HDMI ARC
High-resolution support includes:
- USB PCM: up to 32-bit / 384kHz
- USB DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512
- USB DXD: 352.8kHz and 384kHz
- Coaxial and optical: up to 24-bit / 192kHz
- MCT: PCM and compatible SACD DSD playback
- HDMI ARC: PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS audio
The modular construction also gives McIntosh the ability to offer replacement Digital Audio Modules in the future rather than requiring the entire amplifier to be replaced when digital technology evolves.
HDMI ARC and Roon Tested
The DA2's HDMI ARC input allows audio from a compatible television to be routed through the MA8950 and main Hi-Fi loudspeakers.
Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks are converted for two-channel playback, while HDMI CEC can allow compatible televisions to control MA8950 power and volume.
The HDMI connection carries audio only and does not pass video.
The MA8950 is also Roon Tested. It is not a network streamer or Roon Ready endpoint in its own right, so a computer, streamer or other suitable network source is still required.
Five-Band Analogue Equaliser
Five front-panel controls provide a proper analogue equaliser rather than simple bass and treble adjustment.
McIntosh's current product specification lists adjustment at:
- 30Hz
- 250Hz
- 500Hz
- 2kHz
- 10kHz
Each band provides +/-12dB adjustment in 2dB increments. The equaliser can be bypassed completely, with its on/off state remembered independently for each input.
High Drive Headphone Amplifier with HXD
A front-mounted 6.35mm High Drive headphone output is specified for headphones between 100 and 600 ohms.
McIntosh Headphone Crossfeed Director, or HXD, can also be switched on to introduce controlled crossfeed between the channels, giving headphone listening a spatial presentation closer to conventional loudspeaker playback.
Outputs, Bi-Amplification and Home Cinema
The MA8950 provides considerable scope for system expansion, with both fixed and variable unbalanced analogue outputs.
- 2 x stereo unbalanced variable outputs
- 1 x stereo unbalanced fixed output
- Dedicated power-amplifier input
- Removable preamp-to-power-amp jumper connections
The main variable preamplifier outputs are rated at 1.4V, with a maximum output of 8V and an output impedance of 220 ohms.
An external power amplifier can be added for system expansion or bi-amplification, while the removable jumper arrangement also allows the MA8950's internal power stage to be used with a suitable external preamplifier.
Home Theater PassThru provides integration with a compatible AV processor, allowing the MA8950 and main stereo loudspeakers to perform front-channel duties in a combined music and home-cinema installation.
Power Guard, Sentry Monitor and System Protection
McIntosh Power Guard monitors the relationship between the input and output signals and responds as the amplifier approaches clipping, helping prevent heavily distorted signals from reaching the loudspeakers.
Sentry Monitor provides fuse-less short-circuit protection for the output stage and automatically restores normal operation when safe conditions return.
Further integration includes McIntosh Power Control, four Data Ports, RS232 and a rear-panel IR input, allowing the MA8950 to form the centre of a larger McIntosh system or professionally controlled installation.
Classic McIntosh Construction
The MA8950 is unmistakably McIntosh, combining a black-glass front panel, illuminated logo, aluminium end caps, rotary controls and twin blue Watt meters.
The chassis combines polished stainless steel and black-painted steel, with McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks used to manage the output-stage temperature.
- Width: 44.5cm
- Height: 19.4cm including feet
- Published chassis depth: 47.6cm
- Depth including front panel, knobs and cables: 55.9cm
- Weight: 34.1kg
- Shipping weight: 42.3kg
Plan the Installation Carefully
At 34.1kg, the MA8950 needs substantial supporting furniture. Its physical chassis is 47.6cm deep, but McIntosh specifies an overall depth of approximately 55.9cm once the front panel, controls and rear cables are taken into account.
UK Power Specification
Audio T supplies the UK-market MA8950. McIntosh's current owner documentation lists a dedicated 230V AC, 50/60Hz, 2.35A factory configuration.
Mains voltage is configured during manufacture and cannot be converted in the field. The voltage shown on the rear panel should always be checked before the amplifier is connected to the mains supply.
Key Features
- 2-channel solid-state integrated amplifier
- 200W per channel
- Full power into 2, 4 or 8 ohms
- McIntosh Autoformers
- 3.1dB dynamic headroom
- 0.005% maximum THD
- Increased filter capacity
- Power Guard
- Sentry Monitor
- Monogrammed Heatsinks
- 1 x balanced XLR line input
- 6 x unbalanced RCA line inputs
- Moving Magnet phono input
- Moving Coil phono input
- Adjustable MC loading
- DA2 Digital Audio Module included
- Quad Balanced 8-channel 32-bit DAC
- 2 x coaxial digital inputs
- 2 x optical digital inputs
- USB audio
- MCT input
- HDMI ARC
- PCM up to 384kHz via USB
- Native DSD up to DSD512
- DXD up to 384kHz
- Roon Tested
- Five-band analogue equaliser
- +/-12dB EQ adjustment
- High Drive headphone amplifier
- Headphone Crossfeed Director
- 2 x variable analogue outputs
- 1 x fixed analogue output
- Separate power-amplifier input
- Home Theater PassThru
- RS232 control
- 4 x McIntosh Data Ports
- McIntosh Power Control
- Twin blue Watt meters
- Polished stainless-steel chassis
- UK 230V factory configuration
- Handcrafted in the USA with US and imported parts
- Three-year limited manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
How powerful is the McIntosh MA8950?
It delivers 200 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8-ohm loudspeakers.
Why does the MA8950 produce the same power into different impedances?
McIntosh Autoformers provide separate 2, 4 and 8-ohm loudspeaker outputs, allowing the amplifier's full rated power to be available across all three nominal impedances.
What is the dynamic headroom?
McIntosh's current product specification gives the MA8950 3.1dB of dynamic headroom.
Does the MA8950 have both MM and MC phono stages?
Yes. Separate Moving Magnet and Moving Coil inputs are included.
Can I adjust the Moving Coil cartridge loading?
Yes. MC resistance can be set to 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000 ohms.
What is the Moving Magnet loading?
The MM input uses fixed loading of 47k ohms and 50pF.
Is the DA2 Digital Audio Module included?
Yes. DA2 is fitted as standard.
Does the MA8950 support DSD512?
Yes. The USB input supports DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512.
Does it have HDMI ARC?
Yes. The DA2 module includes an audio-only HDMI ARC connection for compatible televisions.
Is the MA8950 a network streamer?
No. It has extensive digital inputs and a high-resolution DAC, but network streaming requires a separate streamer, computer or other suitable source.
Is it Roon Ready?
No. The MA8950 is Roon Tested rather than Roon Ready.
Does it have tone controls?
Yes. A bypassable five-band analogue equaliser provides +/-12dB of adjustment.
Can I use an external power amplifier?
Yes. Two variable preamplifier outputs are provided, and McIntosh also documents configurations for bi-amplification with an external power amplifier.
Can I use the MA8950 purely as a power amplifier?
Yes. The internal preamplifier and power-amplifier stages are linked by removable rear-panel jumpers, allowing a suitable external preamplifier to feed the power-amplifier input.
Does the MA8950 have a headphone amplifier?
Yes. The front-panel High Drive headphone connection includes Headphone Crossfeed Director and is specified for headphones from 100 to 600 ohms.
Can it be incorporated into a home-cinema system?
Yes. Home Theater PassThru is provided for integration with a compatible AV processor.
Is this the correct UK version?
Yes. Audio T supplies the UK-market product. McIntosh specifies a factory-configured 230V AC, 50/60Hz, 2.35A version and states that field voltage conversion is not possible.
How heavy is the MA8950?
34.1kg before packaging.
What warranty does the MA8950 have?
McIntosh provides a three-year limited manufacturer warranty.
Related McIntosh Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy McIntosh From Audio T?
The MA8950 can accommodate everything from a serious vinyl front end to high-resolution digital sources and home-cinema integration. Audio T can help make sure each part of that system is configured to take full advantage of the amplifier.
- McIntosh system demonstrations
- Loudspeaker and Autoformer matching
- Moving Magnet cartridge advice
- Moving Coil cartridge loading setup
- DA2 digital configuration
- HDMI ARC setup
- Streamer and digital-source matching
- Headphone demonstrations
- Bi-amplification guidance
- Home Theater PassThru setup
- Installation and ventilation advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a McIntosh MA8950 demonstration or discuss the right system configuration for your requirements.