McIntosh MHA 100 / 150

[W9TR]

Does anyone have any personal experience with these headphone amps? There seems to be a lot of them on the secondary market right now, so I'm wondering what's up with them. You know I'm a sucker for blue meters, and I like the concept of an autoformer coupled output.

[PHC1]

I auditioned a dozen of headphones including the Focal Utopia and Audeze LCD-4 at the local dealer using the MHA100. That’s how I came to the decision of buying the Focal in fact. It’s an elegant solution aesthetically speaking. Is it the absolute best solution for your LCD-4? No but It’s quite good.

[PHC1]

Again, the MHA100 has 1W output when Audeze designed an amp for LCD-4 it was 6W. They need overhead power reserve to sound their best. MHA100 was adequate to drive them but I suspect depending on your preferred listening habits in terms of levels and genres of music it may leave some performance on the table when it comes to LCD-4.

[rob_rector]

I have one and I really like it. I bought it mainly to use with my LCD-2's and B&W P7's. I use it for my Preamp/DAC in my main system and really like the blue meters

[Mouse]

I've read about one gripe over and over. It doesn't have balanced headphone outputs.

[W9TR]

Rob,
Thanks for weighing in. I'm glad you like your MHA 150.

Serge,
One thing I found out is that the power rating is specified at the top of each impedance range. For example 1W into 600 ohms. Since the LCD-4's are 200 ohms, the MHA 100/150 will put out 3 times that, or 3W into 200 ohms.

This from Ron C @ Mcintosh:
_____________________________snip_________________ ___________
There are 7 output settings on MHA100. Speakers is first then headphone outputs of 4 to 40 ohms, 40 to 150 and 150 to 600 ohms all at normal power which is 250 mW at the top of each range. Then the same three loadings at high power which is one watt at the top of the range. So if you had a 60 ohm headphone like a Hi-Fi Man it would be over two watts as it is at the bottom of the 40 to 150 Ohm range.
______________________________________snip________ _____________________

Makes sense I guess. Lots of other options to consider, like triode balanced

Tom

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Rob,
Thanks for weighing in. I'm glad you like your MHA 150.

Serge,
One thing I found out is that the power rating is specified at the top of each impedance range. For example 1W into 600 ohms. Since the LCD-4's are 200 ohms, the MHA 100/150 will put out 3 times that, or 3W into 200 ohms.

This from Ron C @ Mcintosh:
_____________________________snip_________________ ___________
There are 7 output settings on MHA100. Speakers is first then headphone outputs of 4 to 40 ohms, 40 to 150 and 150 to 600 ohms all at normal power which is 250 mW at the top of each range. Then the same three loadings at high power which is one watt at the top of the range. So if you had a 60 ohm headphone like a Hi-Fi Man it would be over two watts as it is at the bottom of the 40 to 150 Ohm range.
______________________________________snip________ _____________________

Makes sense I guess. Lots of other options to consider, like triode balanced

Tom

Tom, good deal. Like I said, it was good enough for me to appreciate the Focal Utopia and fall in love so it is definitely a good enough amp. Just looking out for you so you can enjoy your LCD-4 to the fullest.

[W9TR]

Just looking out for you so you can enjoy your LCD-4 to the fullest.

Thank you sir - I definitely appreciate your perspective - this will be a fun ride.

[damacman]

Originally Posted by Mouse

I've read about one gripe over and over. It doesn't have balanced headphone outputs.

What would be the purpose? Headphones by nature are single ended ...

Or, do you men by balanced that each transducer has a unique negative vs common like it is with a TRS male?

[kamiraa]

It's the best headphone amp on the market, it's beyond amazing. I ran mine with the McIntosh headphones. They are by far the best headphones i've ever used, and I tried a lot.

But get the MXA70 or MXA80 instead, because it already can power 50 watts per channel which is plenty, then you get a nice headphone and a nice integrated speaker system for a small to medium room.