The MSA5500 is a streaming integrated amplifier 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 2014. 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 MSA5500 has an MSRP of $8,000.
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 MSA5500 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 MSA5500?
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 MSA5500 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 MSA5500 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.
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the McIntosh MSA5500, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Inputs
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Preamp Outputs
- Pre-out/Main-in Loop
- 1/4 Headphone Output
- Subwoofer Output (Single)
Bluetooth Connectivity
McIntosh MSA5500 features built-in Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Balanced connections
McIntosh MSA5500 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 MSA5500's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
McIntosh MSA5500 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.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 32-bit / 384, 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, so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Streams over the network without a separate streamer: AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Roon.
- ✓Bluetooth (version 5.0) for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Pre-outs (Yes) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓Dedicated subwoofer output (Single).
- ✓Balanced XLR inputs, worth having on a long cable run.
- ✓Headphone output (1/4).
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 3-prong).
- Nothing the published specs count against it.
McIntosh MSA5500 External Dimensions and Weight
McIntosh MSA5500 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 6 x 17-1/2 x 22-1/4 inch (152.4 x 444.5 x 565.2 mm ). The unit weighs
17.24 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 MSA5500 is approximately 2512.3cm2 / 389.4inch2.
- Width: 444.5mm (17-1/2")
- Height: 152.4mm (6")
- Depth: 565.2mm (22-1/4")
- Weight: 17.24 kg (38 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~2512.3cm2 / 389.4inch2
- Volume: ~38.3 liter / 10.1 gallon
Warranty
3 Years of parts warranty and 3 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the McIntosh MSA5500 by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
McIntosh |
| Full Model Name |
McIntosh MSA5500 |
| Release Date |
2014 |
| 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 |
Yes |
| WiFi |
802.11ax |
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
Yes |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
Yes |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
Yes |
| Roon |
Ready |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| Preamp Outputs |
Yes |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
Yes |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
152.4mm (6") |
| Width |
444.5mm (17-1/2") |
| Depth |
565.2mm (22-1/4") |
| Weight |
17.24 kg (38 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |