MSA5500 2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier
MSA5500: £9995
All-In-One McIntosh Amplification and Streaming
Works with Apple® AirPlay®; Bluetooth®; Google Cast™; Spotify® Connect; TIDAL® Connect
A certified Roon Ready endpoint device
Dedicated turntable input
HDMI (ARC) input for unparalleled TV sound
100 Watts into 8 Ohm speakers
160 Watts into 4 Ohm speakers
ALL-IN-ONE EFFORTLESS MUSIC STREAMING
The MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier combines a fully-featured music streamer and a powerful integrated amplifier into one device. It can be the foundation of your audio setup, whether you're new to high-fidelity audio, adding to your existing system, or using it in your office or vacation home. Designed with precision and compact in size, the MSA5500 is perfect for modern living spaces, making it an excellent choice for those who seek high-quality audio in more confined environments.
The versatile MSA5500 offers a wide range of wireless music streaming capabilities and various physical inputs to connect source components. If your music is cloud-based digital, a simple addition of speakers is all you need to enjoy elevated sound quality.
COMPATIBLE WITH:
ENDLESS STREAMING POSSIBILITIES AWAIT
The MSA5500 is compatible with a multitude of leading streaming technologies and platforms, including Apple® AirPlay®; Bluetooth®; Google Cast™ (formerly Chromecast); Spotify® Connect; and TIDAL® Connect (including TIDAL HiFi Lossless Quality). No special control app or technical skills are needed; the easy-to-use MSA5500 lets you stream your music directly from your smart device.1 If you've been using a lower-quality wireless home sound system, listening to your favourite tracks through the MSA5500 will be like hearing them again for the first time.
For Bluetooth streaming, the MSA5500 uses Bluetooth 5.0, the high-bitrate Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standard, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD for hi-res audio playback, and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive. This robust solution delivers high-resolution, uninterrupted audio over Bluetooth. Two Wi-Fi 6 antennas and one Bluetooth antenna provide stable wireless connections, while an Ethernet port is also available for wired connections.
STREAMED MUSIC HAS NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD
To elevate the auditory experience of your digital music, the MSA5500 employs an audiophile-grade digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) to convert digital signals into the analogue format needed for playback. This next-generation, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit DAC features a huge dynamic range and low distortion. Regardless of the file format, you can expect a transcendent audio experience with pristine sound reproduction.
The MSA5500 has received Roon Ready certification from Roon Labs, making it an endpoint device for use with the Roon music player. Roon brings all your music together and adds tons of data – bios, reviews, photos, lyrics, tour dates, and cross-linked credits for performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and composers. Roon Ready network devices have Roon streaming technology built in and are certified by Roon to provide the highest level of quality and performance in network streaming.
ALL THE CONNECTIONS YOU NEED
In addition to all its streaming capabilities, the MSA5500 also comes 7 digital and 5 analog audio inputs to connect audio components, such as a CD player or tuner, plus a Moving Magnet phono input to connect a turntable. The digital inputs support high resolution digital audio playback; the USB input supports native playback of DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz, while the coax and optical inputs can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz.
UNRIVALED TV SOUND
The inclusion of an HDMI (ARC) input lets you connect your compatible TV so you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies with a sound quality level that TV speakers or soundbars just can't provide.2 Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® will be expertly converted to two-channel audio for proper playback. The subwoofer output allows for a powered subwoofer to be added for extra punch so you can feel every bass and low-end note.
An arsenal of other McIntosh technologies is included that will contribute to the MSA5500's longevity and reliability:
Power Guard® that monitors the output signal for overdriving and makes real-time micro-adjustments to the input signal to prevent harsh-sounding clipping that could potentially damage your speakers
Our fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit Sentry Monitor™ that disengages the output stage before the current exceeds safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™, which are connected to advanced high current output transistors that minimise thermal equilibrium lag (or warm-up) time and help keep the MSA5500 running cool
Home Theater PassThru that allows for seamless integration into a home theatre system
Our patented Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming loose and possibly causing a short; the binding posts are also gold-plated to prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent over your speaker cables to your speakers
High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®), which can bring an added dimension to headphone listening
Power Control to send power on/off signals to connected McIntosh components for easy system power-up and shutdown
MSA5500 2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
FTC Power Output Rating:
100 W
Rated Power Band:
20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB:
20Hz to 20kHz
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet):
2.5mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil):
N/A
Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input):
110dB
Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced):
8V Unbalanced
Power Output per Channel:
100 W into 8 ohms
160 W into 4 ohms
Total Harmonic Distortion:
0.005%
Frequency Response, +0, -3dB:
10Hz to 100kHz
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced):
0.5V/0.25V
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet):
82dB
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced):
20K/20K
Number of Channels:
2
Dynamic Headroom:
1.8dB
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil):
N/A
Sensitivity (Power Amp input):
1V
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level):
95dB
DAMPING FACTOR:
8 ohms: >200
4 ohms: >100
WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOUR:
3 Years
CONNECTIVITY SPECIFICATIONS
Balanced Input:
1
Phono Input Moving Magnet:
1 (fixed)
Digital Optical Input:
2
HDMI (ARC) Input:
1
UNBalanced Variable Output:
1
AM/FM Tuner option:
No
Speaker Binding Post Type:
Standard
Headphone Output:
1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Subwoofer Output:
1
Unbalanced INPUT:
4
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module:
No
Digital MCT Input:
1
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type:
Standard
Unbalanced Fixed Output:
0
Service Port:
1
Phono Input Moving Coil:
0
Digital Coaxial Input:
2
Digital USB Input:
1
UNBALANCED VARIABLE OUTPUT:
0
Home Theater PassThru:
Yes
DIGITAL AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type:
8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
Digital MCT Input Sample Rate:
16-bit/44.1kHz (CD)
DSD64 (SACD)
Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate:
24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
Digital USB Input Sample Rate:
32-bit/44.1kHz to 384kHz (PCM)
DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
Digital Optical Input Sample Rate:
24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz
CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
Tone Controls:
Bass and Treble
Power Control Output:
1 Main
Input Level Match:
Yes
Tone Bypass and Input Assign:
Yes
Rear Panel Data Port:
2
RS232 Control Input:
Yes
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input:
1
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Vacuum Tube or Solid State:
Solid State
Dual Layer Chassis:
Yes
Power Requirement:
230V, 50/60Hz, 1.6A
Output Type:
Direct Coupled
Output Meters:
Yes
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™:
Yes
Chassis Finish:
Black painted steel
Standby Power Requirement:
<0.25 Watts
Weights & DIMENSIONS
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D):
17-1/2" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.2cm) (8-1/8” (20.6cm) with vertical antenna) x 18-3/4” (47.6cm) with vertical antenna (22-1/4" (56.5cm) with horizontal antenna)
Unit Weight:
38 lbs (17.2 kg)
SHIPPING Weight:
55.5 lbs (25.2 kg)