McIntosh MSA5500 2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier
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McIntosh MSA5500 2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- All-In-One McIntosh Amplification and Streaming
- Works with Apple® AirPlay®, Bluetooth®, Google Cast™, Qobuz Connect, Spotify®
- Connect, and TIDAL® Connect
- Roon Ready and Roon Tested
- 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 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); Qobuz Connect; Spotify® Connect; and TIDAL® Connect. 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 favorite 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-analog converter (DAC) to convert digital signals into the analog 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. It has also received Roon Tested certification as Roon has profiled it to ensure simple setup and effortless daily use.

Enjoy your favorite shows and movies with a sound quality level unmatched by TV speakers or soundbars.
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 our 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 our trademarked McIntosh "Blue" color, 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
- Our 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 Theater PassThru that allows for seamless integration into a home theater system
- Our 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
Specifications
| Electronic Specifications | |
| FTC Power Output Rating | 100 W |
| Power Output per Channel | 100 W into 8 ohms 160 W into 4 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Rated Power Band | 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Total Harmonic Distortion | 0.005% |
| Dynamic Headroom | 1.8dB |
| Frequency Response +0,-0.5dB | 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Frequency Response, +0, -3dB | 10Hz to 100kHz |
| Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil) | N/A |
| Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet) | 2.5mV |
| Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced) | 0.5V/0.25V |
| Sensitivity (Power Amp input) | 1V |
| Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil) | N/A |
| Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet) | 82dB |
| Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level) | 95dB |
| Signal To Noise Ratio (Power Amp input) | 110dB |
| Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced) | 20K/20K |
| Damping Factor | 8 ohms: >200 4 ohms: >100 |
| Maximum Output (Balanced / Unbalanced) | 8V Unbalanced |
| Connectivity | |
| Balanced Input | 1 |
| Unbalanced Input | 4 |
| Phono Input Moving Coil | 0 |
| Phono Input Moving Magnet | 1 (fixed loading) |
| Upgradeable Digital Audio Module | No |
| 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 | 0 |
| Unbalanced Variable Output | 1 |
| Headphone Output | 1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) |
| Subwoofer Output | 1 |
| 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 to 192kHz |
| Digital Optical Input Sample Rate | 24-bit/44.1kHz to 192kHz |
| 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, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz |
| Control | |
| Tone Controls | Bass and Treble |
| Tone Bypass and Input Assign | Yes |
| RS232 Control Input | Yes |
| Power Control Output | 1 Main |
| Rear Panel Data Port | 2 |
| Rear Panel IR Sensor Input | Yes |
| Input Level Match | Yes |
| General Specifications | |
| Vacuum Tube or Solid State | Solid State |
| Output Type | Direct Coupled |
| Output Meters | Yes |
| Dual Layer Chassis | Yes |
| Chassis Finish | Black painted steel |
| McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ | 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 |
| 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) |
Caring for your Speakers and Amplifiers
To Keep your equipment safe these are some best practices to note. Please be advised that this is only to reduce the risk of misuse and is not an exhaustive list.
Speakers
- Speaker terminals are marked red and black, ensure your amplifier to the speakers are wired on the same colours
- Ensure no loose speaker wire from the red touches a loose wire from the black as this will lead to a short circuit and damage either the speaker, the amplifier or both.
- Not all speakers are designed to play at max volume, kindly consider the pairing of your amplifier and speakers
- Speaker cabinets cannot be replaced please handle with care.
AV & Stereo Amplifiers
- If your amplifier has HDMI ports, ensure all devices are off before plugging in the HDMI cable
- Turn off the amplifier before swoping out or adding speaker cable
- Amplifiers generate heat, place them in a well ventilated space. if possible avoid having anything on top of the unit.
- adding a surge protector can assist with power dips which are likely to damage your devices. Isotek and Furman are industry standard.
- Dusty environments can sometimes lead to accumulation of dust in the electronic components that might affect heat regulation
Shipping & Returns
- Free shipping on orders over R500 within the country.
- Standard delivery within 2–5 business days. Delays will be communicated. This might vary slightly depending on your location.
- Return items in original condition for a full refund. (unopened state)
- Returns that are open/unboxed will be subject to a handling fee. Refunds will only be processed after testing the unit.
