McIntosh MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

All-in-one Effortless Music Streaming
The MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier is both a full featured music streamer and powerful integrated amplifier in one. It can serve as the cornerstone of your audio setup, whether it be your first venture into high-fidelity audio, an addition to your existing system, or to use at your office or vacation home. Crafted to perfection and compact in size, the MSA5500 is tailor-made for modern living spaces, making it an ideal choice for those seeking premium audio in more confined environments.

The versatile MSA5500 has a wide assortment of wireless music streaming capabilities plus a variety of physical inputs to connect source components. If all your music is cloud based digital music, a simple addition of speakers is all that's needed to be bathed in elevated sound quality.

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 invites you to simply stream your music directly from your smart device.1 If you've been using a lower quality wireless home sound system, then listening to your favourite tracks through the MSA5500 will be like hearing them again for the first time.

For Bluetooth streaming, the MSA5500 utilizes Bluetooth 5.0; the high bitrate Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standard; Qualcomm® aptX™ HD for hi res audio playback; and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, a robust solution that 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 your 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 huge dynamic range and low distortion. Regardless 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 analogue 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.

Unrivalled TV Sound
The inclusion of an HDMI (ARC) input lets you connect your compatible TV so you can enjoy your favourite 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.

Hear Sound Like Never Before with Uncompromising Mcintosh Amplification
The power amplifier section of the MSA5500 proves that extraordinary sound knows no bounds. Delivering 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers, this amplifier ensures ample power delivery for a diverse array of speakers, such as McIntosh’s vintage styled ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II, XR50 Bookshelf Speakers, XR100 Floorstanding Speakers, or a variety of other speakers. Real-time power output is visualized through fast responding, dual-scale Watt meters in their trademarked McIntosh "Blue" colour, affording insight into the amplifier's performance.

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 over driving and makes real time micro adjustments to the input signal to prevent harsh sounding clipping that could potentially damage your speakers
McIntosh’s fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit Sentry Monitor™ that disengages the output stage before 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 minimize thermal equilibrium lag (or warm-up) time and help keep the MSA5500 running cool
Home Theatre PassThru that allows for seamless integration into a home theatre system
McIntosh’s patented Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts that 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
Accommodates Your Changing Needs
As your audio needs evolve, the MSA5500 can grow with you. Someday you may move into a bigger space or add a larger set of speakers and find that you need more power. If that happens, you could bypass the internal amplifier and connect a bigger external amplifier – all while continuing to use the MSA5500's familiar streaming and preamplifier sections. You can rest assured that the MSA5500 can accommodate your changing needs and be a lifelong partner in your audio pursuits.

Embrace the Iconic McIntosh Experience
Elegantly appointed with timeless McIntosh aesthetics, including blue Watt meters, a sleek black glass front panel with aluminium end caps, rotary control knobs, an illuminated logo, and impeccable build quality, the MSA5500 epitomizes audio sophistication. Contact your local dealer today to embark on your journey of audio discovery.

Specifications

Electronic
FTC Power Output Rating    100W
Rated Power Band    20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB    20Hz to 20kHz
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)    2.5mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input)    110dB
Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced)    8V Unbalanced
Power Output per Channel    100W into 8 ohms
160W 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 (Power Amp input)    1V
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)    95dB
Damping Factor    8 ohms: >200 4 ohms: >100

Connectivity
Balanced Input    1
Phono Input Moving Magnet    1 (fixed loading)
Digital Optical Input    2
HDMI (ARC) Input    1
Unbalanced Variable Output    1
Speaker Binding Post Type    Standard
Unbalanced Input    4
Digital MCT Input    1
Headphone Output    1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Home Theater PassThru    Yes
Service Port    1
Digital Coaxial Input    2
Digital USB Input    1
Subwoofer Output    1
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type    Standard

Digital Audio
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, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
Digital Optical Input Sample Rate    24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz

Control
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    Yes

General
Vacuum Tube or Solid State    Solid State
Dual Layer Chassis    Yes
Power Requirement    100 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.7 amps
110 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.4 amps
120 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.2 amps
220 Volts, 50/60Hz at 1.8 amps
230 Volts, 50/60Hz at 1.6 amps
240 Volts, 50/60Hz at 1.6 amps
Output Type    Direct Coupled
Chassis Finish    Black painted steel
Standby Power Requirement    <0.25 Watts
Output Meters    Yes
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™    Yes

Weights & Dimensions
Dimensions (WxHxD)    444.5mm x 152mm x 206mm
Weight    17.2kg