The MA5300 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by McIntosh that delivers 100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 160 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in October 2017. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The McIntosh MA5300 has an MSRP of $6,000.
There are 3 McIntosh amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
McIntosh Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The McIntosh MA5300 is rated at 100 watts RMS into 8-ohms. McIntosh provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.005% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 100 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.005%
- 160 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 110dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 100 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the McIntosh MA5300?
100 W into 8 ohms, 160 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
McIntosh MA5300 is rated at 100 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 91 to 120 watts band. The next band up is 121 to 180 watts, which is worth about 1.5dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the 61 to 90 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the McIntosh MA5300 with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the McIntosh MA5300 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the McIntosh MA5300 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Poor |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Average |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the McIntosh MA5300, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
McIntosh MA5300 has total of 5 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
McIntosh MA5300 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 5
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
- USB-B(connect to your computer to playback files)
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- Pre-out/Main-in Loop
- 1/4 Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
McIntosh MA5300 doesn't have bluetooth connectivity feature. In order to stream your music via bluetooth, the easiest way is to connect an external bluetooth receiver to your McIntosh MA5300. Two bluetooth receivers that we recommend are the
iFi Zen Blue V2 and the
Audioengine B1.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Phono Input
McIntosh MA5300 features one Phono Input which is compatible with
MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the
Cambridge Duo or the
iFi ZEN Phono.
Subwoofer Output
McIntosh MA5300 has Stereo RCA preamp outputs which can be used to connect to a powered subwoofer via an RCA cable ( as long as your sub supports this connection).
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with McIntosh MA5300 amp and your speakers.
Balanced connections
McIntosh MA5300 has a balanced XLR input. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more the connection is worth. Whether a balanced connection also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same power either way, so it is worth reading the maker's own wording rather than assuming.
DAC and Digital Music
The McIntosh MA5300's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
McIntosh MA5300 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 160 into 4.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 110dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓Distortion is specified at 0.005%, an order of magnitude below what is generally held to be audible.
- ✓5 analogue inputs, enough for a full rack of sources.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 32-bit / 384 and DSD, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 2 optical, 2 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM), so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Pre-outs (Stereo RCA) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓Balanced XLR inputs, worth having on a long cable run.
- ✓Headphone output (1/4).
- ✓Has VU meters.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 3-prong).
- ✗The phono stage is moving-magnet only; a moving-coil cartridge would need a step-up or an external stage.
- ✗No Bluetooth and no network streaming - everything arrives over a cable.
McIntosh MA5300 External Dimensions and Weight
McIntosh MA5300 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 6inch x 17-1/2inch x 22inch (153.0mm x 445.0mm x 559.0mm ). The unit weighs
17.27 kg (38 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the McIntosh MA5300 is approximately 2487.6cm2 / 385.6inch2.
- Width: 445.0mm (17-1/2")
- Height: 153.0mm (6")
- Depth: 559.0mm (22")
- Weight: 17.27 kg (38 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~2487.6cm2 / 385.6inch2
- Volume: ~38.1 liter / 10.1 gallon
What's in the Box of McIntosh MA5300?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of MA5300:
- Stereo integrated amplifier
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- Owners Manual
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for McIntosh MA5300
Warranty
3 Years of parts warranty and 3 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the McIntosh MA5300 by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
McIntosh |
| Full Model Name |
McIntosh MA5300 |
| Release Date |
October 2017 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
100 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
160 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.005% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
110 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
5 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| USB Type |
USB-B(connect to your computer to playback files) |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
Yes |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
153.0mm (6") |
| Width |
445.0mm (17-1/2") |
| Depth |
559.0mm (22") |
| Weight |
17.27 kg (38 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |