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.

The MA8950's 200 Watts per channel are delivered by a pair of the famous McIntosh Autoformer^™ and is enough power to properly drive virtually all loudspeakers. The unique design of the Autoformer guarantees your speakers will always receive the full 200 Watts regardless if they have 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.

Other McIntosh features included in the MA8950 are:

• Power Guard^® that continuously monitors input and output signals and can dynamically adjust input levels to ensure maximum output while avoiding harsh sounding distortion and clipping that could damage your speakers
• Our fuse-less short-circuit protection technology Sentry Monitor^™ that disengages the output stage before the current can exceed safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks^™ that are made from high quality materials with excellent thermal conductivity and heat dissipation properties
• Home Theater PassThru that allows for seamless integration into a home theater system
• High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD^®) which can bring an added dimension to headphone listening
• A discrete, five-band tone control that allows for advanced manual analog adjustment of ±12dB in 2dB increments of your favorite recordings at frequencies of 30Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 2kHz, and 10kHz
• Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power up and shutdown
• Gold-plated speaker binding posts that prevent corrosion to ensure a quality signal is sent over your speaker cables to your speakers

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)