Mcintosh releases mha150 headphone amplifier

[Springbeg]

Apologies in advance if the next question is naive but according to the press releases........when paired with the MCT450 SACD/CD Transport, it offers a secure DSD connection for playback of the high definition audio on SACDs.......but will it read the sacd layer from my MCD550 ?

[j3brow]

Nope

[Springbeg]

But surely the sacd layer is decoded by the MCD550's on board DAC rather than defaulting to the headphone amp's DAC ? My point is that I should be able to listen to the sacd layer on a disc using the headphone amp providing I don't set it to default to the amp's DAC.......and presumably that could only happen if I used the headphone amp's digital connections.

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by Mfirst

Couple of simple questions:
1) How much?
2) Given the digital inputs - why can't this be used as a DAC/digital pre-amp like the D100/D150?

-michael

1) Too much. But that's just my pocketbook talking.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Springbeg

But surely the sacd layer is decoded by the MCD550's on board DAC rather than defaulting to the headphone amp's DAC ? My point is that I should be able to listen to the sacd layer on a disc using the headphone amp providing I don't set it to default to the amp's DAC.......and presumably that could only happen if I used the headphone amp's digital connections.

I misunderstood. Yes, it will work. Mha150 accepts analog (xlr or RCA) inputs in addition to a slew of digital inputs. Hook 550 up to mha150 with xlr/RCA analog cables. That will bypass the mha150 DAC. If you want to compare 550 DAC vs mha150 DAC for red book CDs spinning in the 550, then add a digital connection. Cheers.

[leftside]

Originally Posted by j3brow

If you want to compare 550 DAC vs mha150 DAC for red book CDs spinning in the 550, then add a digital connection. Cheers.

I'd be very interested in that comparison.

[Humbuster]

Anyone get one of these yet?

Thinking about one for my PC/Headphone system.

Wonder if I use it primarily as a headphone amp, if there will be any issues with no load (ie. no speakers connected) to the power amp?

[Mouse]

I'm wondering who has the MHA150, and how it does in your home/office and what it pairs well with.

[Dylan Morris]

Recently purchased a pair of MHP1000 headphones and I’m using the onboard headphone socket on my MA8000 and wondered if there would be much (if any) improvement acquiring a separate headphone amplifier ? How good is my onboard headphone amp ? A Mac dealer told me a while back it’s really an after thought and if I’m seriously going to get into headphones I’d be better off with a dedicated headphone amp. Haven’t heard any yet but looking at internet reviews would perhaps consider the MHA150 or perhaps a Moon 430HA. Or should I just save the money and be happy with my MA8000 ?

(Can’t seem to put any info on my profile yet as I’m still a Junior Member but rest of my kit
comprises MCD1100 CD player, MA8000 integrated amp, Naim DVD5 player, speakers Monitor Audio PL200 Mk11, speaker cables Atlas Asimi, XLR interconnect Atlas Asimi, power chords Audioquest NRG-10 x 4, mains conditioner Audioquest Niagara 1000)