McIntosh MA9000, Integrated Amplifier With Built-in D/A Converter : SOLD OUT

McIntosh MA9000, Integrated Amplifier With Built-in D/A Converter : SOLD OUT

--- Ohm-Audio B.V. is official McIntosh dealer ---

EN.

General : The McIntosh MA9000 is a very complete 2 x 300 Watt integrated amplifier with built-in DAC and phono inputs for both MM and MC cartridges. It also features a high-quality headphone amplifier.

Technology : The McIntosh MA9000 is a very complete and stable amplifier with distinctive technology. The McIntosh MA9000 offers plenty of connections for virtually any type of equipment. There are phono inputs and a DAC on board with various digital inputs including a USB input, allowing even DSD signals to be played. The DAC in the McIntosh MA9000 is a module that can optionally be replaced by a later generation DAC module in the future. The MA9000 also has a Pre Output for connecting a subwoofer, active speakers, or optionally a second power amplifier. Compared to the MA7200, the MA9000 offers an additional set of balanced XLR inputs and an additional set of RCA inputs. A unique feature of McIntosh amplifiers is that McIntosh uses output transformers (called Output Autoformer by McIntosh itself) in transistor amplifiers, including the MA9000. Normally you only find output transformers in tube amplifiers; a transistor theoretically doesn't need an output transformer. However, it can offer advantages; a transformer, for example, blocks DC voltage and the transistors have to handle less current, keeping the transistors cooler and making them more efficient in power consumption. Additionally, McIntosh's output transformers have 3 taps for 8 Ohm, 4 Ohm and 2 Ohm speakers, allowing the amplifier to deliver full power at any impedance. The fact that the McIntosh MA9000 barely gets warm is not only due to the output transformers, but also to cooling fins developed by McIntosh itself on the sides of the amplifier. For protection, the McIntosh MA9000 features 'Power Guard' which ensures the amplifier cannot clip, protecting your speakers. In case of overvoltage or short circuit, the McIntosh MA9000 has fuseless protection built in, called 'Sentry Monitor'. By not using fuses, the current is virtually unrestricted, which benefits sound quality. The sound can also be fully personalized through an extensive tone control on the front of the MA9000.

Appearance : You can almost always recognize a McIntosh device from a kilometer away, as with the McIntosh MA9000. The MA9000 features the characteristic glass plate on the front where the McIntosh logo glows green and where 2 analog meters with an illuminated blue background are located. Below that you'll find an LED display that shows the volume and input, and through which you can also open the menu. For those who prefer not to have illuminated equipment, the lights behind the analog meters can be turned off and the intensity of the LED screen can be easily dimmed or made brighter. On the front you'll also find 2 large shiny buttons for volume control and menu/display operation, and 6 equally shiny buttons for tone control. The sides are finished in beautiful, glossy chrome. The McIntosh MA9000 is built very solidly and can drive virtually any speaker on the market. At 44.5cm (W) x 24cm (H) x 50.2cm (D), the size is slightly larger than the MA7200, to accommodate the higher output power and the additional tone control that the MA7200 doesn't have. The MA9000 also has an additional set of balanced XLR inputs. However, the MA9000 weighs no less than 46kg. This makes a stable and sturdy placement a requirement.

Sound : The McIntosh MA9000 has the typical McIntosh character. This means that the MA9000 sounds beautiful, full, detailed and rich. The difference with older McIntosh equipment lies more in the detail and tangibility of the soundstage. The McIntosh MA9000 will never give too much or too little of anything. The sound is very controlled and balanced; even at higher volumes with more demanding music, the McIntosh MA9000 maintains its grip and the sound remains comfortable, so you don't have to rush to the volume control to turn it down. This means that after hours, days, weeks, months or years you can still enjoy the McIntosh MA9000. Although the McIntosh MA9000 sounds quiet and refined, it doesn't sound boring or too tame. Due to this very refined character, the McIntosh MA9000 is suitable for virtually any type of music at virtually any volume on virtually any type of speaker. The McIntosh MA9000 is a clear improvement over the MA7200, which is already excellent. In character it doesn't differ much, but the MA9000 sounds more powerful and has more body, while at the same time the MA9000 also offers more control. In our opinion, a textbook example of how an improvement should be, giving more without sounding forced or excessive. It is also worth mentioning the excellent service that McIntosh provides on its equipment, so you don't have to worry about the future, as parts are readily available in stock and can be manufactured in the future, and McIntosh never leaves its customers in the cold, as it should be.

Ohm-Audio B.V. is official McIntosh dealer. The McIntosh MA9000 can be listened to by appointment without obligation with a delicious cup of coffee; we also have the MA352, MA7200 and MA12000 in stock for comparison.

Specifications of the McIntosh MA9000 :

Brand : McIntosh USA

Model : MA9000

Type : Integrated Amplifier Including DAC

Warranty Fine Sounds BeNeLux : 36 Months

Analog Inputs : 6 x Unbalanced RCA, 2 x Balanced XLR

Phono Input : 1 x RCA for MM, 1 x RCA for MC

Digital Inputs : 2 x SPDIF Coax, 2 x SPDIF Toslink, 1 x USB Audio, 1 x MCT

Analog Outputs : 2 x Pre Out Unbalanced RCA

Speaker outputs : 3 Options Speaker Connections for 8, 4 and 2 Ohm

Output Power : 2 x 300 Watt at 8 Ohm, 4 Ohm & 2 Ohm

Finish : Black

Trade-in : Negotiable