Audio T Verdict
The MA9500 is McIntosh integrated amplification on a grand scale. It delivers 300 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8-ohm loudspeakers, yet combines that considerable power with virtually everything you could reasonably want from a serious two-channel control centre.
There are ten analogue inputs, including independently adjustable Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono stages, plus the DA2 Digital Audio Module with USB, optical, coaxial, MCT and HDMI ARC. An eight-band analogue equaliser, High Drive headphone amplifier, external preamp outputs and Home Theater PassThru add even more flexibility.
At nearly 46kg this is no ordinary integrated amplifier. The huge blue Watt meters, polished stainless-steel chassis and 300W Autoformer output stage make the MA9500 feel every inch the luxury McIntosh product, while its sheer breadth of connectivity means it can comfortably form the heart of an extremely ambitious system.
McIntosh MA9500 Integrated Amplifier
The MA9500 is a two-channel solid-state integrated amplifier delivering 300 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8 ohms.
It succeeds the MA9000 and benefits from doubled filter capacity, increasing dynamic headroom from 1.8dB to 2.8dB. The amplifier combines McIntosh's Autoformer-coupled output stage with Power Guard, Sentry Monitor, substantial power-supply reserves and Monogrammed Heatsinks.
With ten analogue and seven digital inputs, dedicated MM and MC phono stages and the DA2 Digital Audio Module fitted as standard, it can accommodate an unusually wide range of sources without requiring a separate preamplifier or DAC.
300 Watts Into 2, 4 or 8 Ohms
McIntosh Autoformers provide separate output connections for 2, 4 and 8-ohm loudspeakers. Whichever nominal impedance is used, the full rated 300 watts per channel remains available.
Serious Power
- 2 ohms: 300W per channel
- 4 ohms: 300W per channel
- 8 ohms: 300W per channel
- Dynamic headroom: 2.8dB
Amplifier Performance
- Power band: 20Hz to 20kHz
- THD: 0.005% maximum
- Damping factor: greater than 40
- Power amp SNR: 114dB A-weighted
Choose the Correct Autoformer Output
The loudspeaker's nominal impedance should be connected to the corresponding 2, 4 or 8-ohm output terminals. If you're unsure which connection is appropriate for your loudspeakers, speak to Audio T before installation.
17 Inputs Including Adjustable MM and MC Phono
The MA9500 provides 17 analogue and digital inputs, allowing it to accommodate a substantial collection of sources.
10 Analogue Inputs
- 2 x stereo balanced XLR
- 6 x stereo unbalanced RCA
- 1 x Moving Magnet phono
- 1 x Moving Coil phono
7 Digital Inputs
- 2 x coaxial
- 2 x optical
- 1 x USB Type-B
- 1 x MCT
- 1 x HDMI ARC
Analogue and digital inputs can be renamed to suit the connected equipment, while source levels can be matched through the setup system for more consistent volume when changing input.
Adjustable Moving Magnet and Moving Coil Phono Stages
The MA9500 treats vinyl as a core source rather than an afterthought, with completely separate MM and MC inputs and adjustable loading for both.
Moving Magnet
- Sensitivity: 3.0mV
- Resistance: 47k ohms
- Capacitance: 50pF to 400pF
- Adjustment: 50pF steps
- Maximum input: 80mV
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 84dB
Moving Coil
- Sensitivity: 0.30mV
- Resistance: 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000 ohms
- Capacitance: 100pF
- Maximum input: 8mV
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 82dB
Separate grounding terminals are also provided, making it possible to connect two suitably equipped turntables at the same time.
Fine-Tuning Cartridge Loading
The adjustable MM capacitance and MC resistance allow the MA9500 to be matched more closely to a particular cartridge. Use the cartridge manufacturer's recommended load as a starting point, taking tonearm and cable capacitance into account for Moving Magnet designs.
DA2 Digital Audio Module
McIntosh's DA2 Digital Audio Module is installed as standard and uses a Quad Balanced, eight-channel, 32-bit DAC.
The seven digital inputs provide broad compatibility with streamers, CD transports, computers and compatible televisions:
- 2 x coaxial: up to 24-bit / 192kHz
- 2 x optical: up to 24-bit / 192kHz
- USB: PCM up to 32-bit / 384kHz
- USB DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512
- USB DXD: 352.8kHz and 384kHz
- MCT: 16-bit / 44.1kHz CD and DSD64 SACD
- HDMI ARC: compatible television audio
The DA2 is modular, giving McIntosh the option of producing replacement Digital Audio Modules in the future rather than making the entire amplifier's digital section permanently fixed.
HDMI ARC, Roon Tested and MCT
The HDMI ARC connection allows audio from a compatible television to be reproduced through the MA9500 and main stereo loudspeakers. Compatible Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks are converted for two-channel playback.
With HDMI CEC enabled on compatible equipment, the television can also interact with amplifier power and volume control. HDMI ARC is for audio only and does not pass video.
McIntosh's proprietary MCT input provides a dedicated digital connection for compatible McIntosh SACD/CD transports, including transmission of DSD64 from SACD.
The MA9500 is also Roon Tested. It does not contain its own network streamer, so Roon and other network playback still require a suitable external source.
Eight-Band Analogue Equaliser
The eight rotary controls across the fascia form a discrete analogue equaliser with +/-12dB adjustment in 2dB increments.
- 25Hz
- 50Hz
- 100Hz
- 200Hz
- 400Hz
- 1kHz
- 2.5kHz
- 10kHz
The equaliser can be bypassed when not required, with its on/off status stored individually for each input.
High Drive Headphones and System Expansion
A front-panel 6.35mm High Drive headphone output is specified for headphones from 100 to 600 ohms.
Headphone Crossfeed Director, or HXD, can be enabled to introduce controlled crossfeed between the channels for a presentation closer to conventional loudspeaker listening.
The MA9500 is equally flexible at the other end of the system. Balanced and unbalanced variable outputs can feed external power amplification, while a fixed unbalanced output is also provided.
The internal preamplifier and power-amplifier stages are connected through removable jumper connections, allowing the MA9500 to operate with external power amplifiers or, where required, to use its own 300W power stage with another suitable preamplifier.
Power Guard, Sentry Monitor and Home Cinema
Power Guard continuously monitors the relationship between the amplifier's input and output signals. If the output approaches clipping, Power Guard intervenes to help prevent heavily distorted waveforms from reaching the loudspeakers.
Sentry Monitor provides fuse-less protection against unsafe output-stage current and automatically restores normal operation when conditions return to a safe level.
Home Theater PassThru allows the MA9500 to become part of a combined stereo and multichannel system, while RS232, four McIntosh Data Ports, external IR and Power Control provide extensive installation and system-control options.
Classic Full-Size McIntosh Construction
The MA9500 carries all the visual signatures expected of a flagship-class McIntosh integrated amplifier: a black-glass front panel, illuminated logo, aluminium end caps with integrated handles and a pair of large blue Watt meters.
The chassis combines polished stainless steel with black-painted steel, while substantial McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks manage heat from the solid-state output section.
- Width: 44.5cm
- Height: 24cm including feet
- Depth: 50.2cm including front panel and controls
- Weight: 45.8kg
- Shipping weight: 60.8kg
Plan the Installation Before Delivery
The MA9500 weighs 45.8kg before packaging, so substantial supporting furniture and a two-person installation are strongly recommended. Allow additional rear space for the large number of analogue, digital and loudspeaker connections.
UK Power Specification
Audio T supplies the UK-market MA9500. McIntosh's official owner documentation specifies a factory-configured 230V AC, 50/60Hz, 3.3A version.
Mains voltage is configured during manufacture and cannot be converted in the field. Always check the voltage stated on the rear panel before connection.
Key Features
- 2-channel solid-state integrated amplifier
- 300W per channel
- Full output into 2, 4 or 8 ohms
- McIntosh Autoformers
- 2.8dB dynamic headroom
- 0.005% maximum THD
- Power Guard
- Sentry Monitor
- Monogrammed Heatsinks
- Solid Cinch speaker terminals
- 17 total inputs
- 10 analogue inputs
- 2 x balanced XLR inputs
- 6 x RCA line inputs
- Adjustable Moving Magnet phono stage
- Adjustable Moving Coil phono stage
- DA2 Digital Audio Module included
- 7 digital inputs
- Quad Balanced 8-channel 32-bit DAC
- PCM up to 384kHz via USB
- Native DSD up to DSD512
- DXD up to 384kHz
- HDMI ARC
- MCT digital connection
- Roon Tested
- Eight-band analogue equaliser
- +/-12dB EQ adjustment
- High Drive headphone amplifier
- Headphone Crossfeed Director
- Balanced variable output
- Unbalanced variable output
- Unbalanced fixed 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
- Three-year limited manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
How powerful is the McIntosh MA9500?
It delivers 300 watts per channel into 2, 4 or 8-ohm loudspeakers.
Why is the power output the same into different impedances?
McIntosh Autoformers provide dedicated 2, 4 and 8-ohm loudspeaker outputs, allowing the full rated 300W to remain available across each nominal impedance.
How many inputs does the MA9500 have?
Seventeen in total: ten analogue and seven digital.
Does it have both MM and MC phono stages?
Yes. Separate Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono inputs are built in, and both offer adjustable loading.
What MM loading is available?
The MM input uses a 47k-ohm resistive load with capacitance adjustable from 50pF to 400pF in 50pF steps.
What MC loading is available?
The Moving Coil input provides 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000-ohm resistance settings with 100pF capacitance.
Is the DA2 DAC included?
Yes. McIntosh fits the DA2 Digital Audio Module to the MA9500 as standard.
Does the MA9500 support DSD512?
Yes. DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512 are supported through the USB input.
Does it have HDMI ARC?
Yes. DA2 includes an audio-only HDMI ARC input for compatible televisions.
Is the MA9500 a network streamer?
No. It includes an extensive digital section and DAC but requires a separate network streamer, computer or other suitable source for streaming.
Is it Roon Ready?
No. The MA9500 is Roon Tested rather than Roon Ready.
Does it have tone controls?
Yes. An eight-band analogue equaliser provides +/-12dB adjustment at eight frequencies between 25Hz and 10kHz.
Does it have a headphone amplifier?
Yes. McIntosh High Drive and Headphone Crossfeed Director are included, with headphones from 100 to 600 ohms specified.
Can I use an external power amplifier?
Yes. Balanced and unbalanced variable outputs are provided for external power amplification.
Can I use the MA9500 as a preamplifier?
Yes. The internal preamp and power-amplifier sections can be separated, allowing the MA9500 to feed suitable external power amplifiers.
Can it be integrated with home cinema?
Yes. Home Theater PassThru allows integration with a compatible AV processor.
Is this the UK version?
Yes. Audio T supplies the UK-market product. McIntosh specifies a factory-configured 230V AC, 50/60Hz, 3.3A version and states that mains-voltage conversion cannot be carried out in the field.
How heavy is the MA9500?
45.8kg before packaging.
What warranty does it have?
McIntosh provides a three-year limited manufacturer warranty.
Related McIntosh Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy McIntosh From Audio T?
The MA9500 is capable of controlling a genuinely ambitious system, and at this level careful loudspeaker, source and cartridge matching becomes particularly worthwhile. Audio T can help configure everything from its Autoformer outputs and phono loading to DA2 digital playback and home-cinema integration.
- McIntosh system demonstrations
- Loudspeaker and Autoformer matching
- Moving Magnet cartridge setup
- Moving Coil cartridge loading advice
- DA2 digital configuration
- HDMI ARC setup
- Streamer and digital-source matching
- Headphone demonstrations
- External power amplifier and 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 MA9500 demonstration or discuss the right system configuration for your requirements.