Compact McIntosh Hub for Stereo Systems

The McIntosh MA5300 is McIntosh's smallest solid-state integrated amplifier in terms of output power and chassis size. It is particularly suitable for smaller rooms. Despite its compact design, the MA5300 remains clearly recognizable as a McIntosh: with solid construction, classic design, illuminated watt meters, and features that integrate both analog and digital music sources.

Diverse Connectivity Options for Music Sources

The MA5300 offers a total of twelve inputs: six analog and six digital. Analog connections include four unbalanced inputs, one balanced input, and a moving magnet phono input for turntables. Digital connections include coaxial and optical inputs, USB, and an MCT input for McIntosh MCT SACD/CD transports. The inputs can be individually named, which keeps operation clear even in more extensive systems.

Features and McIntosh Technologies

The MA5300 incorporates several well-known McIntosh technologies and features. These include Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Home Theater PassThru, Power Control, the High Drive Headphone Amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director HXD®, a Moving Magnet Phono input, the DA1 Digital Audio Module, a Quad Balanced DAC, and Bass and Treble Tone Controls. The MA5300 also supports high-resolution digital audio formats such as PCM, DSD, and DXD, and is Roon Tested.

Digital Music Playback with DA1 Digital Audio Module

All digital inputs are housed in the DA1 Digital Audio Module. This module is designed to be replaceable; an optional DA2 Digital Audio Module is available as a retrofittable upgrade. The MA5300 processes digital music via coaxial, optical, USB, and MCT inputs. High-resolution PCM, DSD, and DXD files can be played back via USB.

Integration into Hi-Fi and Home Theater Systems

Home Theater PassThru allows the MA5300 to be integrated into a multi-channel or home theater system. This means the left and right front channels of an A/V system can be reproduced through the MA5300. For compatible McIntosh components, Data Ports and Power Control are also available, allowing for convenient control and power-on behavior within a system.

Operation with Display, Controls, and Remote Control

The front display shows source, volume, audio settings, and setup functions. The illuminated watt meters visualize the output power. The included HR085 remote control operates the MA5300 and can also control functions of connected McIntosh sources via Data Ports. Additionally, settings such as balance, input level, tone control, mono/stereo, display brightness, and meter illumination can be adjusted.

Placement and Integration into Living Spaces

The MA5300 can be freely placed on a table or shelf and can also be integrated into furniture or a cabinet. Sufficient ventilation is important for operation. It should not be placed directly above heat-generating components.

Headphone Operation with HXD®

The front-panel headphone jack works with the High Drive Headphone Amplifier and Headphone Crossfeed Director HXD®. HXD® is a McIntosh feature designed to create a more spatial representation when listening with headphones, similar to what is more typically associated with playback through loudspeakers. When headphones are connected, the loudspeakers are automatically muted.

Awards and Classifications

The MA5300 is documented with several awards and test evaluations. These include the Stereo+ 5 Star Award, its inclusion in The Stereo Times 2020 Most Wanted Components, and the Roon Tested Designation. In addition, quotable assessments from established Hi-Fi media are available, including Stereo+, Enjoy The Music, Stereonet, and HiFi Wigwam.

Specifications

General

• Product type: 2-channel integrated amplifier
• Amplifier principle: Transistor amplifier
• Number of channels: 2
• Output circuit: Direct coupled
• Dimensions W × H × D: 44.45 × 15.2 × 47.6 cm
• Overall dimensions W × H × D including controls, connections and cables: 44.5 × 15.24 × 55.88 cm
• Weight: 17.2 kg
• Shipping weight: 25.2 kg
• Double-layer chassis: Yes
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™: Yes
• Output level indicators: Yes
• Frequency response +0, -0.5 dB: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Frequency response +0, -3 dB: 10 Hz to 100 kHz

Audio

• FTC rated output power: 100 W
• Output power per channel: 100 W into 8 ohms, 160 W into 4 ohms
• Speaker impedance: 8 ohms or 4 ohms
• Rated power band: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005 %
• Intermodulation distortion: maximum 0.005 %
• Dynamic headroom: 1.8 dB
• Damping factor: 8 ohms >200, 4 ohms >100
• Input sensitivity Phono MC: not available
• Input sensitivity Phono MM: 2.5 mV
• Input sensitivity High Level balanced / unbalanced: 0.5 V / 0.25 V
• Input sensitivity Power Amp Input: 1 V
• Signal-to-noise ratio Phono MC: not available
• Signal-to-noise ratio Phono MM: 82 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio High Level: 95 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio Power Amp Input: 110 dB
• Input impedance balanced / unbalanced: 20K / 20K
• Input impedance Phono MM: 47K Ohm; 50 pF
• Maximum output level balanced / unbalanced: 8 V unbalanced
• Tone control: Bass and Treble
• Tone control bypassable: Yes
• Inputs assignable: Yes

Connections

• Total analog inputs: 6
• Total digital inputs: 6
• Balanced input: 1
• Unbalanced inputs: 4
• Phono input MM: 1, fixed termination values
• Phono input MC: 0
• Phono MM: for Moving Magnet cartridges or High-Output Moving Coil cartridges
• Digital coaxial inputs: 2
• Digital optical inputs: 2
• Digital MCT input: 1
• Digital USB input: 1
• HDMI ARC input: 0
• Balanced variable output: 0
• Unbalanced fixed output: 0
• Unbalanced variable output: 1
• Headphone output: 6.35mm High Drive output with Headphone Crossfeed Director HXD®
• Subwoofer outputs: 0
• AM/FM tuner option: No
• Home Theater PassThru: Yes
• Connection type unbalanced analog connections: Standard
• Connection type speaker terminals: Standard
• Service port: 1
• Preamplifier output: available
• Power amplifier input: available
• Jumper plugs: connect preamplifier output and power amplifier input for normal operation
• Ground terminal: for the ground wire of a turntable

Digital Audio Technology

• Replaceable Digital Audio Module: Yes, DA1
• Optional upgrade: DA2 Digital Audio Module
• Digital-to-Analog Converter: 8-channel DAC, 32 bit / 384 kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced operation
• Signal format coaxial and optical digital input: SPDIF PCM
• Signal format MCT and USB input: PCM, DSD
• Sampling rates coaxial digital input: 24 bit / 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• Sampling rates optical digital input: 24 bit / 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• Sampling rates MCT input: 16 bit / 44.1 kHz CD; DSD64 SACD
• Sampling rates USB input: 32 bit / 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz PCM; DSD64, DSD128, DSD256; DXD352.8 kHz, DXD384 kHz
• Coaxial digital inputs: 0.5 V p-p / 75 ohms
• Optical digital inputs: -15 dBm to -21 dBm, TOS Link
• MCT digital input: 0.5 V p-p / 75 ohms
• USB connection: USB Type B

Operation and Control

• Front display: shows source, volume, audio settings and setup functions
• Wattmeter: blue dual-scale wattmeter
• Bass control: available
• Treble control: available
• Balance control: available
• Input level adjustment per input: available
• Mono/stereo switching: available
• Wattmeter illumination: adjustable
• Display brightness: adjustable
• Headphone HXD®: available
• Input naming: Inputs can be renamed with up to 10 characters
• Data ports: 2
• RS232 control input: Yes
• Power control output: 1 Main
• IR sensor input on rear: Yes
• Input level trim: Yes
• USB Automute: Factory setting On
• Automatic power off for energy saving: available, factory setting activated
• Remote control: HR085

Features and Technologies

• Power Guard®: available
• Sentry Monitor™: available
• Thermal protection: available
• ThermalTrak output transistors: available
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™: available
• Home Theater PassThru: available
• High-Drive headphone amplifier: available
• Headphone Crossfeed Director HXD®: available
• Gold-plated speaker terminals: specified
• Power supply: large power transformer, multiple filter capacitors with 60 joules of energy storage and regulated power supply
• Glass front: illuminated glass front with LEDs
• Roon Tested: Yes

Compatibility and Application Area

• Application area: 2-channel audio systems
• Speaker connection: one 8-ohm or 4-ohm speaker per channel
• MCT input: for McIntosh MCT Series SACD/CD Transports
• USB input: direct connection to a computer
• PC compatibility: Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
• Mac compatibility: Apple Macintosh OS-10.6.8 or later
• Windows USB Audio Software Driver: required
• Apple Macintosh: no additional driver required

Installation and Setup

• Placement: standing on a table or shelf possible
• Installation in furniture or cabinet: possible
• Minimum clearance above when integrated into furniture: 15.24 cm
• Minimum clearance below when integrated into furniture: 5.08 cm
• Minimum side clearance when integrated into furniture: 5.1 cm each side
• Depth behind front panel when integrated into furniture: 50.8 cm
• Clearance in front of mounting panel for controls: 3.66 cm

Power Supply

• Power supply from online specification: 120 V, 50/60 Hz, 2.3 A
• Power supply from owner's manual: factory configured for 100 V 50/60 Hz 3.7 A; 110 V 50/60 Hz 3.0 A; 120 V 50/60 Hz 3.2 A; 127 V 50/60 Hz 3.4 A; 220 V 50/60 Hz 1.8 A; 230 V 50/60 Hz 1.6 A; 240 V 50/60 Hz 1.6 A
• On-site voltage conversion: not possible
• Power consumption in standby: <0.25 W
  
  

Scope of delivery

• McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amplifier
• Remote control
• Power cord
• Adjustment tool
• Documents

• Sicherheitshinweise
• Anleitung
• Broschüre