McIntosh MSA5500 – 2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier
The McIntosh MSA5500 is a high-performance 2-channel streaming integrated amplifier that combines powerful solid-state amplification, high-resolution digital conversion and extensive network streaming within a single chassis. It delivers 100 watts per channel into 8-ohm loudspeakers and 160 watts per channel into 4-ohm loudspeakers, while offering a comprehensive selection of analogue, digital and wireless sources. Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Bluetooth, Roon Ready integration, HDMI ARC, USB audio, MM phono and conventional line-level connectivity make the MSA5500 a complete centrepiece for modern stereo Hi-Fi systems.
Key Features
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2-Channel Solid-State Integrated Amplifier: Combines preamplifier, power amplifier, DAC and network streaming functions in one component.
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100W per Channel into 8Ω: Provides substantial continuous output for a wide variety of compatible loudspeakers.
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160W per Channel into 4Ω: Increased power delivery provides greater control with compatible lower-impedance speakers.
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Built-in Music Streaming: Streams directly through Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect.
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Roon Ready & Roon Tested: Certified for integration with compatible Roon music systems.
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Wi-Fi 6: Dual Wi-Fi antennas provide modern high-speed wireless network connectivity.
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Ethernet: Wired network connection provides an alternative to Wi-Fi for streaming.
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Bluetooth 5.0: Supports direct wireless streaming from compatible devices.
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aptX HD & aptX Adaptive: Supports high-quality Bluetooth playback with compatible sources.
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Quad Balanced DAC: Uses an audiophile-grade 8-channel, 32-bit DAC in a Quad Balanced configuration.
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USB High-Resolution Audio: USB input supports native DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz.
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192kHz / 24-bit Digital Inputs: Optical and coaxial inputs support high-resolution PCM audio.
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HDMI ARC: Connects a compatible television and converts supported Dolby and DTS multichannel audio to stereo.
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MM Phono Input: Built-in Moving Magnet phono stage allows direct connection of compatible turntables.
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12 Physical Inputs: Includes 7 digital and 5 analogue source inputs.
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Subwoofer Output: Dedicated output allows integration with a compatible powered subwoofer.
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High Drive Headphone Amplifier: Front headphone output includes McIntosh HXD® Headphone Crossfeed Director.
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Power Guard®: Helps prevent clipping that could potentially damage connected loudspeakers.
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Sentry Monitor™: Fuseless protection circuitry monitors unsafe operating conditions.
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Monogrammed Heatsinks™: Advanced heatsinks manage thermal output from the solid-state amplifier section.
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Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts: High-quality speaker terminals provide secure loudspeaker connections.
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McIntosh Blue Watt Meters: Dual illuminated meters display real-time amplifier output.
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Home Theater PassThru: Allows integration into compatible home-theatre systems.
Amplifier Specifications
| Amplifier Type |
Solid-State Streaming Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Power Output – 8Ω |
100W per Channel |
| Power Output – 4Ω |
160W per Channel |
| FTC Power Output Rating |
100W |
| Rated Power Band |
20Hz – 20kHz |
| Total Harmonic Distortion |
0.005% |
| Dynamic Headroom |
1.8dB |
| Frequency Response (+0 / -0.5dB) |
20Hz – 20kHz |
| Frequency Response (+0 / -3dB) |
10Hz – 100kHz |
Input Sensitivity
| Balanced High-Level Input |
0.5V |
| Unbalanced High-Level Input |
0.25V |
| Power Amplifier Input |
1V |
| Moving Magnet Phono |
2.5mV |
| Moving Coil Phono |
Not Supported |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
| High-Level Inputs |
95dB |
| Moving Magnet Phono |
82dB |
| Power Amplifier Input |
110dB |
Input Impedance & Damping Factor
| Balanced Input Impedance |
20kΩ |
| Unbalanced Input Impedance |
20kΩ |
| Damping Factor – 8Ω |
Greater Than 200 |
| Damping Factor – 4Ω |
Greater Than 100 |
| Maximum Unbalanced Output |
8V |
Analogue Inputs
| Balanced Analogue Input |
1 |
| Unbalanced Analogue Inputs |
4 |
| Moving Magnet Phono Input |
1 – Fixed Loading |
| Moving Coil Phono Input |
No |
| Total Analogue Inputs |
5 |
| Home Theater PassThru |
Yes |
Digital Inputs
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Digital Input |
1 |
| MCT Digital Input |
1 |
| HDMI ARC Input |
1 |
| Total Digital Inputs |
7 |
| Total Physical Inputs |
12 |
High-Resolution Digital Audio
| USB PCM / DXD |
Up to 384kHz |
| USB DSD |
Native DSD up to DSD512 |
| Optical Digital Audio |
Up to 24-bit / 192kHz |
| Coaxial Digital Audio |
Up to 24-bit / 192kHz |
| High-Resolution Audio |
Yes |
DAC
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Architecture |
Quad Balanced |
| DAC Channels |
8 |
| DAC Resolution |
32-bit |
| USB DSD Capability |
Up to DSD512 |
| USB DXD Capability |
Up to 384kHz |
| Optical / Coaxial PCM |
Up to 192kHz / 24-bit |
Network Streaming
| Apple AirPlay |
Yes |
| Google Cast |
Yes |
| Spotify Connect |
Yes |
| Spotify Lossless |
Supported Through Spotify Connect |
| TIDAL Connect |
Yes |
| TIDAL Max |
Supported |
| Qobuz Connect |
Yes |
| Roon Ready |
Yes |
| Roon Tested |
Yes |
Wi-Fi & Ethernet
| Wi-Fi |
Yes |
| Wi-Fi Generation |
Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi Antennas |
2 |
| Ethernet |
Yes |
| Wired Network Connection |
Yes |
| Wireless Network Streaming |
Yes |
Bluetooth
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| Bluetooth Version |
5.0 |
| AAC |
Yes |
| aptX HD |
Yes |
| aptX Adaptive |
Yes |
| Bluetooth Antenna |
1 |
| Wireless Audio Streaming |
Yes |
HDMI ARC & TV Integration
| HDMI ARC |
Yes |
| TV Audio Playback |
Yes |
| Dolby Audio Support |
Yes – Compatible Multichannel Formats Converted to 2-Channel |
| DTS Audio Support |
Yes – Compatible Multichannel Formats Converted to 2-Channel |
| Video Switching |
No |
| Home Theatre Integration |
Yes |
Moving Magnet Phono Input
| Built-in Phono Preamplifier |
Yes |
| Supported Cartridge Type |
Moving Magnet (MM) |
| Input Sensitivity |
2.5mV |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
82dB |
| Loading |
Fixed |
| Moving Coil Support |
No Direct MC Input |
| External Phono Stage Required for MM |
No |
Audio Outputs
| Unbalanced Variable Output |
1 |
| Balanced Variable Output |
No |
| Fixed Analogue Output |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
1 |
| Speaker Outputs |
2-Channel Stereo |
| Headphone Output |
Yes |
Subwoofer Integration
| Subwoofer Output |
1 |
| Powered Subwoofer Compatible |
Yes |
| 2.1-Channel System |
Supported |
| Primary Application |
Additional Low-Frequency Extension |
Headphone Amplifier
| Headphone Output |
1 × 1/4" / 6.35mm |
| High Drive |
Yes |
| Headphone Crossfeed Director |
HXD® |
| Built-in Headphone Amplifier |
Yes |
| Private Listening |
Yes |
Power Guard®
| Power Guard® |
Yes |
| Function |
Real-Time Output Signal Monitoring |
| Purpose |
Helps Prevent Amplifier Clipping |
| Speaker Protection |
Helps Protect Connected Loudspeakers from Clipping Distortion |
Sentry Monitor™
| Sentry Monitor™ |
Yes |
| Protection Type |
Fuseless Short-Circuit Protection |
| Function |
Disengages Output Stage if Current Exceeds Safe Operating Levels |
| Automatic Reset |
Yes |
Speaker Connections
| Speaker Binding Posts |
McIntosh Solid Cinch™ |
| Supported Output Loads |
4Ω / 8Ω |
| Stereo Speaker Configuration |
Yes |
| Power – 8Ω |
100W × 2 |
| Power – 4Ω |
160W × 2 |
McIntosh Watt Meters
| Output Meters |
Yes |
| Number of Meters |
2 |
| Meter Colour |
McIntosh Blue |
| Scale |
Dual Scale |
| Function |
Real-Time Power Output Display |
Construction & Thermal Management
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Heatsinks |
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ |
| Output Transistors |
High-Current Solid-State Devices |
| Speaker Terminals |
Solid Cinch™ |
| Front Panel |
McIntosh Glass Front Panel |
| Watt Meters |
Dual McIntosh Blue |
Power Requirements
| 100V Version |
100V AC, 50/60Hz, 3.7A |
| 110V Version |
110V AC, 50/60Hz, 3.4A |
| 120V Version |
120V AC, 50/60Hz, 3.2A |
| 220V Version |
220V AC, 50/60Hz, 1.8A |
| 230V Version |
230V AC, 50/60Hz, 1.6A |
| 240V Version |
240V AC, 50/60Hz, 1.6A |
| Standby Consumption |
Less Than 0.25W |
| Field Voltage Conversion |
Not Supported |
Dimensions & Weight
| Width |
17.5" / 44.5cm |
| Height |
6" / 15.2cm Including Feet |
| Height with Vertical Antennas |
8.125" / 20.6cm |
| Depth with Vertical Antennas |
18.75" / 47.6cm |
| Depth with Horizontal Antennas |
22.25" / 56.5cm |
| Net Weight |
38lb / 17.2kg |
| Shipping Weight |
55.5lb / 25.2kg |
General Specifications
| Brand |
McIntosh |
| Model |
MSA5500 |
| Product Category |
2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier |
| Amplifier Type |
Solid State |
| Channels |
2 |
| Output – 8Ω |
100W × 2 |
| Output – 4Ω |
160W × 2 |
| Total Physical Inputs |
12 |
| Analogue Inputs |
5 |
| Digital Inputs |
7 |
| Phono Input |
Moving Magnet |
| DAC |
8-Channel 32-bit Quad Balanced |
| USB Audio |
DSD512 / DXD up to 384kHz |
| Streaming |
AirPlay / Google Cast / Qobuz Connect / Spotify Connect / TIDAL Connect / Roon |
| Wi-Fi |
Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth |
5.0 with AAC / aptX HD / aptX Adaptive |
| HDMI |
ARC |
| Subwoofer Output |
Yes |
| Headphone Output |
High Drive with HXD® |
| Power Guard® |
Yes |
| Sentry Monitor™ |
Yes |
| Home Theater PassThru |
Yes |
| Net Weight |
17.2kg |
System Integration
The McIntosh MSA5500 can function as the complete centre of a modern 2-channel or 2.1-channel Hi-Fi system. Passive loudspeakers connect directly to its amplifier section, which provides 100 watts per channel into 8-ohm loads or 160 watts per channel into 4-ohm loads. Music can be streamed directly through supported network services, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Bluetooth or Roon without requiring a separate network streamer. A compatible Moving Magnet turntable can connect directly to the phono input, while CD players, transports, televisions, computers and other sources can use the extensive analogue, optical, coaxial, MCT, USB and HDMI ARC connections. The dedicated subwoofer output allows a powered subwoofer to be added, while Home Theater PassThru enables integration into a larger AV system.
