MHA50 portable DAC/headphone amp
 

Has anyone got one of these? It’s not available anywhere.

I am curious too: I travel a lot with my job and would like to know if it brings any added value when you sit in a plane using noise canceling headphones for instance. I cannot seem to find any review of it anywhere either.

MHA50 portable DAC/headphone amp
 

I am not aware of any noise canceling headphones which “require” dedicated amps. If just to improve SQ, forget it. The noises which cannot be “canceled” will kill your every attempt to improve SQ. I used to travel every week. I once used an iFi DSD micro during flight, but it turned out to be waste of bag room.

Most noise canceling headphones provide about 25db of noise reduction. Depending on the plane and where you’re seated, that can be significant. I haven’t used NC phones in a few years, I switched to IEMs, which can provide 35-40 dB of noise reduction - certainly enough to be able to hear the difference in improved electronics. I spent a lot of time in the air before I retired a year ago, and going from an iPhone to an A&K made a big difference. I would think the Mac would provide a similar improvement.

Apparently McIntosh is waiting on Apple to MFI certify the lightning cable, and Apple seems to be really dragging their heels on this.

Has anyone seen one of the in person yet? Can’t believe it’s been a year and still not available!

I'm curious too. Was thinking this was my path forward for travel, now I'm rethinking the plan with an A&K player.

I used to travel with Bose noise cancelling IEM with the rubber stayhear tips. I now rotate between Shure se846 (with yellow earplug inserts) and my Campfire Andromeda. Both of these options offers a lightning cable for a fee if you plug it into an iphone/pad.

Shure and Campfire are a significant upgrade from the bose N/C in ear product, but I haven't A/B tested either against Bose over ear N/C products.

With the Bose I hear both the noise of the airplane and the noise from noise cancelling.

Haven’t seen one yet. I do have one on order and am looking forward to hopefully seeing one soon��

What’s a good alternative for this product? I am tired of waiting