MCINTOSH LABS INTRODUCES NEW HEADPHONE AMP MODEL MHA 100
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I doubt there are many in the market yet. It is about a 1 1/2 weeks since dealers and/or reviewers start receiving them. I listen to the one at my dealer on May 8th (2 days after they received it) and placed my order that same day. Mine will not get here until probably the end of the month.
OK but did you listend to it as a "DAC+amp" or did you used an external TOL "Uber-Dac" to feed the McIntosh ? I am afraid that the "DAC inside" might be the weak part and that therefore we End-up With an extensive AMP that need to buy/get an external DAC to get the most of it !
If it is the case, then reviewers might not be too excited to report about it because there are many already proven TOL Headphone Amps to recommand instead in this price range ! ( ALO Studio6, EAR HP4, GSX, Cavalli,...) ?
I did not use the DAC because I am not interested in its internal DAC since I have a Bricasti M1. It was connected to a McIntosh MCD500 through analog XLRs.
I read somewhere that actually the sound using its DAC was very good too but I can not comment on that since I did not try it that way but as a pure amplifier it was excellent with al the headphones I threw at it (PM-1, HD800 and HE-6).
I read somewhere that actually the sound using its DAC was very good too but I can not comment on that since I did not try it that way but as a pure amplifier it was excellent with al the headphones I threw at it (PM-1, HD800 and HE-6).
Just when the MHA100 is released, a new very serious competitor arrives: The Mytek Manhattan: a Balanced DAC/Pré/Headphone AMP
Cheaper than the McINTOSH, but... with balanced Analog-Out, Femto Clock Technology, DSD/DXD support and... a Dual Headphone-out with ZERO Ohm impedance and a 3 positions gain switch.!
if it sounds anything like their Stereo192-DSD DAC or better, we're in for a real treat !
Here is what they says ; "The Manhattan DAC Headphone Preamplifier represents Mytek's finest achievement. We Listen first and foremost, from the quality of our designs to our customers voices. In this vein, we created a device who's look and feel is only surpassed by its sound."
Capable of handling up to DSD 256, DXD, and 32/384 PCM, the Mytek Manhattan will be Available in June 2014, the suggested retail price is pegged at $4,995 with a special introductory price of $3,995 for the first 50 orders.
One more product to follow....
Cheaper than the McINTOSH, but... with balanced Analog-Out, Femto Clock Technology, DSD/DXD support and... a Dual Headphone-out with ZERO Ohm impedance and a 3 positions gain switch.!
if it sounds anything like their Stereo192-DSD DAC or better, we're in for a real treat !
Here is what they says ; "The Manhattan DAC Headphone Preamplifier represents Mytek's finest achievement. We Listen first and foremost, from the quality of our designs to our customers voices. In this vein, we created a device who's look and feel is only surpassed by its sound."
Capable of handling up to DSD 256, DXD, and 32/384 PCM, the Mytek Manhattan will be Available in June 2014, the suggested retail price is pegged at $4,995 with a special introductory price of $3,995 for the first 50 orders.
One more product to follow....
IceClass
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Lovely, though I'm not sure what this has to do with the MHA100.
I'm also still unclear how one can use the Mack as a DAC only.
Just when the MHA100 is released, a new very serious competitor arrives: The Mytek Manhattan: a Balanced DAC/Pré/Headphone AMP
Cheaper than the McINTOSH, but... with balanced Analog-Out, Femto Clock Technology, DSD/DXD support and... a Dual Headphone-out with ZERO Ohm impedance and a 3 positions gain switch.!
if it sounds anything like their Stereo192-DSD DAC or better, we're in for a real treat !
Here is what they says ; "The Manhattan DAC Headphone Preamplifier represents Mytek's finest achievement. We Listen first and foremost, from the quality of our designs to our customers voices. In this vein, we created a device who's look and feel is only surpassed by its sound."
Capable of handling up to DSD 256, DXD, and 32/384 PCM, the Mytek Manhattan will be Available in June 2014, the suggested retail price is pegged at $4,995 with a special introductory price of $3,995 for the first 50 orders.
One more product to follow....
Cheaper just for the first 50 adopters only after that it is more expensive than the Mc. I would also question the re-sell value of this piece compared to a McIntosh piece. Based on what I have seen through the years McIntosh is probably the brand that hold more their value in the used market. If you want a DAC first and a headphone amplifier second then probably this is a better option but if you want an amplifier first (like me) I doubt this piece will beat the MHA100 as a headphone amplifier.
HeyWaj10
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^^ Right, plus the Mytek doesn't power speakers. Another hit against its perceived (and actual) value. Plus, the MHA-100 looks light years more sexy than the Mytek...but that's IMO, of course.
CosmicHolyGhost
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How about this MOON Nēo 430HA ? A worthy contender for the MHA-100? A good thing is that DAC is optional.
http://www.simaudio.com/moonneo430HA.htm
I am leaning more towards MHA-100 because of the speaker taps.
http://www.simaudio.com/moonneo430HA.htm
I am leaning more towards MHA-100 because of the speaker taps.
Now to me this is interesting and with enough power also to drive the HE-6 but I still like the classic look of the MHA-100.
Not sure why the Mytek made this thread. The most interest I have in the MHA-100 is due to the integrated 50W amplifier as well the capability to drive any headphone out there. It could actually be a very nice solution for the HE-6 owners who could use the speakers taps and the headphone output for a second headphone while using the preamp outputs for powered desktop speakers. This flexibility puts it right up there with the best. The closest competitor I guess would actually be a unit like the Wyred4Sound mINT, but based on my demo's of other McIntosh gear the sound quality will certainly be on an entirely different level. McIntosh gear also hold their value incredibly well.
macbob713
500+ Head-Fier
I checked with my dealer, and he ordered one but hasn't recieved it yet. He offered to let me take the MHA100 home for a weekend and I would let them use my Phonitor 2 for comparison. Looking forward to the exchange.
Still no serious listening feedback on the internet ? anyone found some reviews ?
barid
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Just got a call from my dealer and mine has arrived. Will post some thoughts later tonight, though I'm typically not too articulate. More of a broad strokes good/bad type guy
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