• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

McIntosh MSA5500 2-Channel Streaming Amplifier Announced

ban25

Major Contributor
Joined
Nov 5, 2022
Messages
1,149
Likes
1,163


Interesting to see a new integrated streamer from McIntosh. It appears to have the DA2 DAC module builtin, judging by the digital section on the back supporting HDMI as well as USB, MCT, etc. That would imply it has the ES9028PRO on-board in quad-balanced configuration. 160W into 4R, no autoformers. Also Roon Ready!

Seems a bit small compared to some of their bigger iron, but suitable for an office or vacation home as they state.
 
A face that only a mother could love.
Blue, green, red, teal, black, grey, white; digital and analog; 4-5 distinct fonts; antennas. It really has it all..


1733551150987.png
 
I really don’t get the appeal of this brand. :facepalm:
 
A face that only a mother could love.
Blue, green, red, teal, black, grey, white; digital and analog; 4-5 distinct fonts; antennas. It really has it all..


View attachment 412035



this is EXACTLY how it looked in my head

BUT this truly is form over function

we know that streaming amps preamps benefit from a LCD type display like the $329 Wiim Ultra and the $900 DMP-A6

and so why would these guys persist in using a quaint blue dot matrix display? in 2024?

we also know that companies like wiim and eversolo got the streaming thing down pat and my expectation is *most* companies inc. this Bose subsidiary will be behind the eight ball when other companies like wiim bet their farm on streaming

if you buy a DMP-A6 and a matching high performance amp like a Audiofonics then you are already besting this McIntosh

mcintosh insist on screwing that doorknob
 
if you buy a DMP-A6 and a matching high performance amp like a Audiofonics then you are already besting this McIntosh
For that 10k one can better buy a set of genelec 8361 or neumann kh420 and a streamer.
 
I really don’t get the appeal of this brand. :facepalm:
Same. Also, combining green and blue is exactly a no-go. Simply disgusting. Just like the ridiculous price-tag. But hey, that’s just me. Everyone else - enjoy.
 
Back
Top Bottom