We have tested the McIntosh MA 8900 stereo integrated amplifier!

We have tested the McIntosh MA 8900 stereo integrated amplifier!

McIntosh MA 8900 Integrated Amplifier Review

Founded in 1949, the American company McIntosh has built a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality audio products. This time, we had the opportunity to test the MA 8900, a premium integrated amplifier that continues the company’s legacy of excellence.

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Main Features

Weighing in at 34.1 kg, the MA 8900 features a 5-band equalizer, modern switching and control technology, and, of course, the classic McIntosh styling that has become synonymous with the brand’s luxury audio products.

This 2-channel amplifier delivers a power output of 200 watts per channel, with a speaker impedance range of 2, 4, or 8 Ohms. The frequency response spans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with an impressive frequency transmission range of 10 Hz to 100,000 Hz, ensuring rich, full-range sound for all audio content.

The brushed stainless steel and black-painted steel housing of the McIntosh MA 8900 amplifier is not only rugged but also highly stable, helping to reduce resonance and ensuring a long service life. The amplifier’s unique black glass plate and chrome cover give it a truly attractive appearance, elevating its design to a premium level.

On the front panel, you’ll find a large blue power meter, which can be turned off if its presence feels too invasive. Additionally, the rotatable knobs and the illuminated logo on the front add to the overall sleek and modern aesthetic.

On the back panel, the amplifier offers an array of gold-plated speaker connectors, 6 digital inputs, 1 balanced XLR, 6 asymmetric RCA sources, 2 coaxial inputs, 2 optical inputs, and 1 USB input, as well as MCT dedicated inputs. The coaxial inputs support 24-bit, 192 kHz signals, while the USB input can handle PCM signals up to 32-bit, 384 kHz.

Additional connectivity options include a headphone connection, RS232, IR, and Data ports. Notably, the analog input is compatible with both magnetic and moving coil turntables, making it a versatile choice for audiophiles.

Flexible Input Options

The inputs can be used independently in various configurations, allowing you to connect virtually any audio source. Input signal level and tone settings can be individually adjusted for each bypass input. The remote control is thoughtfully designed; however, it lacks backlighting.

Advanced Technology

The amplifier features robust power transformers and dual-output autoformers positioned centrally for optimal performance. The McIntosh-branded heatsink is not only designed for effective cooling but also features advanced heat-dissipation materials. Connected directly to the heatsink is a newly developed power-stage semiconductor, allowing the amplifier to operate at peak performance immediately, without needing a warm-up period.

The audio signal is transmitted through electromagnetic switching, ensuring clean, distortion-free sound. Equipped with the DA1 Digital Audio Module, the amplifier supports modern, high-resolution audio formats. The DA1 module incorporates an 8-channel, 32-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) utilizing Quad Balanced topology, ensuring precise and exceptional sound conversion.

McIntosh autoformer

The Autoformator keeps the output transistors at the most linear operating level and delivers power to the impedance of any speaker. For other amplifiers, the output transistors are usually connected directly to the speakers and compensate for changes in speaker resistance.

The electromagnetic circuit results in a low contact resistance, so stable operation and minimal distortion can be expected. Unlike other brands, McIntosh technology prevents smoke, animal hair, dust…, etc., or corrosion from damaging the amplifier. The design engineers of the MA8900 have ensured that the amplifier can safely handle loads that could damage other types of amplifiers.

Additional features:

•  The Power Guard protection system monitors audio signals if it detects distortion or overload, and protects the speakers.
• Sentry Monitor protects against short circuits, protects the output stage.
• Home Theater Pass Thru makes it easy to integrate the amplifier into your home theatre system.
• Headphone Crossfeed Director
• Power Control controls the switching on of several devices as one system.

We tested it!

We tested the McIntosh amplifier in the company of a pair of Dali Oberon’s standing speakers and a Dynaudio subwoofer in the 21-square-foot living room of an old house. Sound-absorbing panels were placed on the walls of the living room, but based on our acoustic measurements, we determined that fewer sound-absorbing panels and more diffuser panels would be needed to create the ideal acoustics.

We watched the movie Public Enemies, a notorious American crime movie, as a start. The film was made in 2009 starring Johnny Depp. The sound of the exciting cinema was vibrant and clear. We had a wide stage picture and experienced spaciousness. We heard balanced mid and high ranges, while the deeps could have been more intense. The subwoofer managed to compensate for this to some extent, but unfortunately the basses range was still not flawless.

Sound Performance

To test the amplifier’s musical capabilities, we chose “Roman Carnival Overture” by the fantastic composer Hector Berlioz. We were satisfied with the amplifier’s dynamics and clarity, although the bass occasionally seemed weaker than desired, causing a loss of finer musical details at times. The MA8900 is characterized by a neutral sound profile, which isn’t inherently problematic, though it sometimes resulted in a somewhat flat listening experience. It’s worth mentioning that suboptimal room acoustics may have contributed to our perception, influencing our assessment of the amplifier’s overall perfection. However, we were pleased with the spaciousness of the soundstage.

Conclusion

The McIntosh MA8900 amplifier is built to last for decades, thanks to continuous innovation, premium materials, and exceptional component quality. The brand places significant emphasis on delivering excellent audio quality, and accordingly, the MA8900 produced spacious, realistic sound with clear and distortion-free performance.

However, there were some drawbacks we must highlight. Occasionally, the sound appeared overly neutral, the bass lacked intensity, and certain fine musical details were missing. The remote control lacks backlighting, the amplifier itself is quite large and heavy, and we would appreciate features like subwoofer crossover control and MQA capability within the DAC. Additionally, the amplifier is relatively expensive.

Overall, we rate this amplifier 4.5 out of 5.