McIntosh MSA5500 2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier

The McIntosh MSA5500: A Modern Classic Reborn

The McIntosh MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier seamlessly blends the timeless aesthetics of classic McIntosh design with cutting-edge streaming technology. Its exterior proudly displays the brand's enduring "DNA" inherited from the analog era: a black glass front panel with an aluminum top cap, iconic blue Watt meters, rotary control knobs, classic push-button controls, and illuminated brand and model nomenclature. The display screen, though modestly sized, features generously proportioned, classically styled characters for easy readability.

As a streaming device, the MSA5500 incorporates a sophisticated digital-to-analog converter (DAC). This functionality allows both the input selector on the left and the volume control on the right to be pressed, enabling a variety of functions including setup, adjustments, and muting. On the lower left of the front panel, a 6.35mm headphone jack is provided, marked with the “HXD” logo, indicating the inclusion of a Headphone Crossfeed Director circuit, and driven by a high-output headphone amplifier.

Internally, the MSA5500 boasts an audiophile-grade DAC built around a 32-bit, 8-channel main control chip, offering exceptional dynamic range and vanishingly low distortion. Furthermore, the MSA5500 is compatible with a wide range of leading streaming technologies and platforms, including Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect (including TIDAL HiFi lossless streaming).