The MA8950 comes standard with the DA2 Digital Audio Module instead of the DA1 Digital Audio Module that came in the MA8900. The DA2 offers 7 digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT, and 1 audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)¹ connection. TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output can be connected to the MA8950 to enjoy your TV’s sound like never before through your home music system. Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby^® and DTS^® are supported and will be expertly converted to 2-channel audio for proper playback. The MA8950 remote can control the TV’s power and volume when CEC communication is enabled in both the amplifier and the TV. The DA2 also features increased DSD playback support of up to DSD512 via the USB input. 

With its vast selection of digital audio inputs, analog connectivity has not been overlooked on the MA8950. It comes with 1 balanced and 6 unbalanced stereo inputs plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono inputs for your turntable(s). All inputs can be given custom names for user-friendly system control and configuration. The Moving Coil phono input comes with adjustable loading so you can fine tune the sound of your vinyl records. All unbalanced analog connectors are made from premium gold-plated solid brass for superior signal handling and grounding. All analog and digital inputs can be given custom names for user-friendly system control and configuration. For further flexibility in setting up your stereo system, the MA8950 includes an unbalanced fixed output and an unbalanced variable output that can be used to send the audio signal to a second power amplifier.

Key Features

• 200 Watts per Channel into 2, 4 or 8 Ohms: Thanks to McIntosh’s Autoformer™ technology, the amplifier delivers its full rated output no matter the typical speaker impedance, giving consistent drive and control. 

• Enhanced Dynamic Headroom: The MA8950 doubles the filter capacity compared to its predecessor, boosting dynamic headroom to about 3.1 dB — helping it more effortlessly reproduce musical peaks, transient attacks, and deep bass passages. 

• DA2 Digital Audio Module Built‑In: The included module supports high‑resolution digital formats (up to DSD512, 24‑bit/192 kHz PCM) and features multiple digital inputs including USB, optical/coaxial, MCT, and HDMI ARC for TV integration. 

• Comprehensive Connectivity & Input Options: On the analog side it includes balanced and unbalanced inputs, moving‑magnet and moving‑coil phono stages (with adjustable loading for MC), plus outputs for second power amp, etc. On the digital side the ample inputs make it ready for streaming, TV, vinyl, and CD. 

• Tone Control & Headphone Amplifier: A discrete five‑band analog tone control (±12 dB in 2 dB steps) allows detailed adjustment of 30 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 2 kHz and 10 kHz bands. The built‑in high‑drive headphone output uses McIntosh’s HXD® (Headphone Crossfeed Director) for immersive headphone listening. 

• High‑Quality Build & Protections: Includes Power Guard® (prevents clipping and speaker risk), Sentry Monitor™ (fuse‑less short circuit protection), Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Solid Cinch™ binding posts, and the heritage McIntosh look and feel. 

Technical Specifications

• Power Output: 200 W per channel into 2, 4 or 8 ohms. 

• Number of Channels: 2 (stereo) 

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): ≤ 0.005% (20 Hz–20 kHz) 

• Dynamic Headroom: ~ 3.1 dB (thanks to doubled filter capacity) 

• Frequency Response:

  • +0 / ­0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz 

  • +0 / ­3.0 dB from 10 Hz to 100 kHz 

• Input Sensitivities / Impedances:

  • Phono MC: 0.25 mV sensitivity 

  • Phono MM: 2.5 mV sensitivity 

  • High‑Level Balanced/Unbalanced: 0.5 V / 0.25 V sensitivity 

  • Input Impedance: Balanced/Unbalanced ~ 20 kΩ 

• Signal‑to‑Noise Ratio (S/N):

  • Moving Coil: ~80 dB 

  • Moving Magnet: ~82 dB 

  • High Level: ~95 dB 

• Damping Factor: > 40 

• Analog Inputs: 1 Balanced (XLR), 6 Unbalanced (RCA) 

• Digital Inputs: 2 Coaxial, 2 Optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT, 1 HDMI ARC 

• Tone Control: 5‑Band analog tone control ±12 dB in 2 dB steps at specified frequencies

• Dimensions (W × H × D): ~ 17.5″ × 7.63″ × 18.75″ (44.5 cm × 19.4 cm × 47.6 cm) 

• Weight: ~75 lbs (34.1 kg) net