Thread: New McIntosh Integrated Amplifiers

New Upgraded Versions of Two of our Award-Winning Integrated Amplifiers

The New MA9500 and MA8950 Offer Additional Performance Benefits
The MA8950 (left) and MA9500 Integrated Amplifiers.
We are proud to unveil the new MA9500 and MA8950 Integrated Amplifiers, which replace the award-winning MA9000 and MA8900 and add performance enhancements to these already outstanding products.

Highlights of the MA9500 and MA8950:

Come standard with our advanced DA2 Digital Audio Module with an HDMI input and support for DSD512
Filter capacity has been doubled which has produced significant increase in dynamic headroom of over 50%
Increased filter capacity also helps deliver even better bass performance
Upgraded power supply components further reduce noise emissions while also adding more robustness under the most demanding conditions

The MA9500 Integrated Amplifier.

Music simply comes to life with the MA9500 through its 300 Watts per channel of clean, effortless power. It features 10 analog inputs: 2 balanced, 6 unbalanced, plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono input that both offer adjustable loading. It also includes a balanced and unbalanced output that can send the audio signal to another power amplifier. McIntosh's innovative Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts will easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming loose; the binding posts are gold-plated to prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent to the speakers. The MA9500 includes a discrete, eight-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analog adjustment of ±12dB in 2dB increments at frequencies of 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 1kHz, 2.5kHz, and 10kHz... Read More

The MA8950 Integrated Amplifier.

The MA8950 offers 200 Watts per channel and combines McIntosh's amplification expertise and preamplifier technologies into one comprehensive stereo sound system component. It comes with 9 analog inputs: 1 balanced, 6 unbalanced, 1 Moving Coil (with adjustable loading), and 1 Moving Magnet phono input. It also includes an unbalanced fixed output and an unbalanced variable output along with a discrete, five-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analog adjustment of ±12dB in 2dB increments at frequencies of 30Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 2kHz, and 10kHz... Read more
DA2 Digital Audio Module shown on the back panel of the MA8950 (also included in the MA9500).
The MA9500 and MA8950 both include a variety of McIntosh technologies including Autoformers™, Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Home Theater PassThru, Headphone Crossfeed Director®, and Power Control.
Ordering

The MA9500 replaces the MA9000 and has an MSRP of $12,000 USD. The MA8950 replaces the MA8900 and has an MSRP of $9,000 USD. Both can now be ordered at your local authorized dealer. Shipping to the United States and Canada is expected to begin in February 2022 and to the rest of the world shortly thereafter. Contact your dealer to learn more about the MA9500 and MA8950.

Interesting they are bringing back the EQ, although they call it tone controls. I see people asking about EQ's on some pages but they usually aren't the type to spend 9 to $12k.

I do think a HDMI input is a good thing.

Welcome to the forum Andrew, thank you for joining.

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Interesting they are bringing back the EQ, although they call it tone controls. I see people asking about EQ's on some pages but they usually aren't the type to spend 9 to $12k.

I do think a HDMI input is a good thing.

The previous models also had tone controls. tone controls are nothing new on Mac products.

I felt they were useful when I owned the C2300 preamp. When the recording was good, you don't use them and switch them out of the signal.

I really like the built in phono preamps in my C49. I previously had the SimAudio 310LP and an external McIntosh MHP100. I feel that the built in one on my new pre-amp is better than both although McIntosh told me that the external and the built in are about the same thing. Maybe it is being built in and not dealing with separate wiring and power cables .

Ordered a new 8950 in early June.

Looking for a 1 box solution with an internal upgradeable DAC (replacing my MA6600 and D100).

Dealer says few more weeks!

still patiently (almost) waiting for delivery.

if it takes much longer may just keep my MA6600 and upgrade my DAC (stick with a 2 box solution, I guess)

It looks like the only difference between these new integrated amps and their predecessors is the DA2 module and more dynamic headroom via larger power supply filter caps. Anything else?

yeah, price!

Hang in there Dogs!
The wait will become a memory that's a part of your upgrade provenance.

John

Mine arrived at the dealer.

Pick up on Thursday.

Meet the new boss...

same as the old boss...

kinda


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James comes to investigate

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Have any of you guys heard the new MC3500’s ..?



Regards

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Have any of you guys heard the new MC3500’s ..?



Regards

Yes

Originally Posted by DogsPart2

Meet the new boss...

same as the old boss...

kinda

How ya' likin' the sounds Dog?

John

So far, so good. Sounds warmer (ie. typical McIntosh sound) than the MA6600 it replaces, but then again it could just be the honeymoon phase.

The DA2 is a big improvement, at least to my tired ole ears, over the aging D100. The D100 was no slouch either, and I may just keep it for a secondary headphone system.

"The Boss" has granted me approval to upgrade my speakers.

As much as I enjoy my Bryston Mini-T, giving serious thought to pairing the 8950 with one of the following:

Vandersteen Treo CT
McIntosh ML1 Mkii
Spendor D9.2

yes, I understand that McIntosh speakers are not highly regarded by many, however the speaker compliment intrigues me. Another benefit is that I can audition the ML1 and Treos locally, while the Spendors I cannot.

The Brystons, are often looked down upon due to their relationship with Axiom, mostly by folks, who have never heard a pair.
Great speakers, IMHO. One of the reasons I am looking forward to hearing the new ML1

Originally Posted by DogsPart2

"The Boss" has granted me approval to upgrade my speakers.

As much as I enjoy my Bryston Mini-T, giving serious thought to pairing the 8950 with one of the following:

Vandersteen Treo CT
McIntosh ML1 Mkii
Spendor D9.2

yes, I understand that McIntosh speakers are not highly regarded by many, however the speaker compliment intrigues me. Another benefit is that I can audition the ML1 and Treos locally, while the Spendors I cannot.

The Brystons, are often looked down upon due to their relationship with Axiom, mostly by folks, who have never heard a pair.
Great speakers, IMHO. One of the reasons I am looking forward to hearing the new ML1

I recently heard the Vanersteen Trio's and they were very, very good speakers. I would definitely urge you to check them out.

When buying something unknown auditions are priceless. It's a shame you can't here the Spender, that would make a nice match IMO. I'm not a Vandie fan, them and Mac together sounds like sleepy time. What do I know though I use horns, LOL

Bryston is coming out with a new speaker line and calling the current line Classic. If you like Bryston you might wait to see what the new line sounds like, sounded like if it's not available now it will be soon.

A couple years ago I heard a smaller Mac driving the JBL L100's I thought that was a good sound. Just a brief show listen though nothing critical.

Originally Posted by DogsPart2

"The Boss" has granted me approval to upgrade my speakers.

As much as I enjoy my Bryston Mini-T, giving serious thought to pairing the 8950 with one of the following:

Vandersteen Treo CT
McIntosh ML1 Mkii
Spendor D9.2

yes, I understand that McIntosh speakers are not highly regarded by many, however the speaker compliment intrigues me. Another benefit is that I can audition the ML1 and Treos locally, while the Spendors I cannot.

The Brystons, are often looked down upon due to their relationship with Axiom, mostly by folks, who have never heard a pair.
Great speakers, IMHO. One of the reasons I am looking forward to hearing the new ML1

I am a big fan of the "British Sound". I have been a fan/owner of KEF speakers for a long time now. If space and budget would allow for it, the Blades (II) would be high on my list. The combo I have is what I have heard KEF reps call the stand mount Blades. Obviously not in the ballpark of the Blades but they work beautiful in my smallish space.

I have always felt that McIntosh and KEF is a match made in heaven!

Stereo (282).JPG

The Spendors are out.

Potential list revised as follows

1. Vandersteen Treo CT
2. McIntosh ML1- MkII
3. Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III

Concerned the ML1 may be to old school, still want to hear them.

I hope the Treo CT and Nova III may provide the best sound stage.
Will audition all 3 in a few weeks.

Have listened the to the Treo CT and loved them

Will audition the Nova III in a few weeks.

I have eliminated (or I should say the wife did) the McInotsh ML1 NKII- she thinks they are ugly as sin.

Now a new possible contender:

I may have an opportunity to purchase an open box pair of Harbeth 40.3 XD at a great price. I cannot audition them, however may have a 60 day return window (local sale so no shipping costs involved



Are the 40.3XD as great as everyone says they are?

Originally Posted by DogsPart2

Have listened the to the Treo CT and loved them

Will audition the Nova III in a few weeks.

I have eliminated (or I should say the wife did) the McInotsh ML1 NKII- she thinks they are ugly as sin.

Now a new possible contender:

I may have an opportunity to purchase an open box pair of Harbeth 40.3 XD at a great price. I cannot audition them, however may have a 60 day return window (local sale so no shipping costs involved



Are the 40.3XD as great as everyone says they are?

From what I understand they are a VERY different sound than what you heard with the Treo CT's.

If you have a 60 day return I don't see how you can lose with a listen. Out of what you have listed the Harbeth would be my choice.

Originally Posted by DogsPart2

Have listened the to the Treo CT and loved them

Will audition the Nova III in a few weeks.

I have eliminated (or I should say the wife did) the McInotsh ML1 NKII- she thinks they are ugly as sin.

Now a new possible contender:

I may have an opportunity to purchase an open box pair of Harbeth 40.3 XD at a great price. I cannot audition them, however may have a 60 day return window (local sale so no shipping costs involved



Are the 40.3XD as great as everyone says they are?

As far as amplification goes I'm now all in with Mcintosh. When I look at what hi end companies are charging and hear what the Mc611's are doing for my Kef Blade 1's I'm hooked.

Originally Posted by steve59

As far as amplification goes I'm now all in with Mcintosh. When I look at what hi end companies are charging and hear what the Mc611's are doing for my Kef Blade 1's I'm hooked.

It's always great when you find a sound that you love!