Could you use a "Y RCA Cable" with a single output from the Syn to both inputs on the center channel amp? I agree that I'd consider 2 stereo, and one mono Rekkr for the fronts, rears, and center. Somebody REALLY needs to post a listening impression with this setup. Though I LOVE the idea of a...

So I've been waiting for a product like Syn for years. I've hated every AVR I've ever owned, and would gladly swap them out for Syn and 5 cheap amps (probably some of the new Schiit amps) However, I really don't understand how the outputs work on Syn; 1) I get that the Main L&R channel...

So I'm putting together a home theatre system and I'm very intrigued with the idea of using 5 Gjallarhorn's to drive in ceiling speakers. The limiting factor for me is finding a reasonably priced (~$500?) DSP. I don't need anything fancy, I don't need tons of modes, just something that can...

I find the above post fascinating, and as a non-engineer, I'm curious about the comment about modern class-D circuits making tubes (valves) sound silly. Silly as in class-D literally sounds better? Or silly from an engineering standpoint. I solidly straddle the fence on the...

The "wobbly" nature of the volume control is only noticed because the rest of the amp exudes tremendous amounts of quality and bulletproof construction...so it's only "cheap feeling" in relation to the rest of the amp, which is jewel-like. Sound quality is evident if you read this thread -...

So 500mW of power really doesn't tell the whole story when it comes to the MHA200, as it puts out 500mW into ANY load, due to the unique transformer topology. Demanding headphones like the 1266 TC need lots of power, because most amps dip far below their rated power (2W, 4W, etc.) during...

I'm curious...is the hissing/crackling due to the BH7a power tubes, or due to the CV4024 tubes? Can it be from either?

Yeah...my second set of 1 month old Mac power tubes has just gone a tad hissy as well...may try the Electro Harmonix BH7a's... FWIW I also recently installed a set of Mullards per the Postive Feedback review...I don't know that it made any significant difference in sound...

So...it's true that the amp sounds best when fully warmed up, I find it sounds best after about 30 min. But to save the tubes, which will burn out like a light bulb over time, you should probably turn it off when done listening...unless you want to go through tubes fast!

Thanks Jason - interestingly, can't find a price online for the JJ 12BH7A that is cheaper than what McIntosh is charging...guess I'll stick with stock.

Yup - it turns out one of the 12BH7a's went bad. When I swapped the 12BH7a's from left to right, the static moved from left to right...though once the amp is warmed up for about 30 min, the static is almost completely gone. Stock tubes are about 6 months old...but full disclosure, I accidently...

OK...so my MHA-200 has developed significant static in the left channel on startup...it goes away once the amp in warmed up after 30 min... I suspect a bad tube... Question...do the tubes just "pull out" on the MHA-200? Any special considerations when pulling tubes? Plan to swap the left and...

I think that's the point...there's probably very minimal benefit to jumping from Bifrost to Gugnir...most folks are going to be very happy with Bifrost. Jason admits that he has a Bifrost, not a Yggy or Gumby on his desk...

You are correct sir! Total speculation - but fun! :smile: My *guess* (and it is totally that, a guess) is that Ygggy OG probably already outsells Gumby by a hefty margin, despite the higher price. Jason's decision to double down on cheaper Yggy options reinforces this in my mind. A slower...

Don't count on it...I predict Gumby will be knifed and be essentially replaced by "Less is More". Predicted the death of Gugnir when Mjolnir was knifed - I think the Mjolnir/Gumby combo was just too much of an in-between product line. Mjolnir at least distinguished itself as Schiit''s high end...

Nice write up. I think the "richness" you correctly identify with the MHA200 is the signature McIntosh midrange that defines much of their tubed product line. I also agree that the MHA200 make a great pairing with Focal cans. I'm using OG Clears with the MHA 200. I find the MHA200 adds the...

Hmmm...so haven't heard the c1100 pre-amp, and don't know how much effort McIntosh put into the headphone portion - maybe Jason can weigh in (if he's not exhausted by this thread yet!). However, it looks like it has selectable headphone load impendences just like the MHA200, so it looks like...

I don't think the above comment is fair...IMHO Jason has been nothing but transparent and fair in all his replies to the issues with the MHA200 posted here. He's acknowledged the shortcomings very clearly in the past, and frankly he's directly communicated these issues to McIntosh and even set...

For someone integrating the MHA200 into an existing system with a pre-amp, I agree the VC issues are a non-issue as you will leave it at unity. For the average desktop user whose path looks like this: Computer>>DAC>>MHA200>>Headphones, it unfortunately is an issue... I've completely fixed...

Same issue for me....

Intriguing idea using the Jot 2 pre-outs. You could save even more money and use an Asgard 3 - but then you're stuck with a single ended signal path. However, my suspicion is that the pre-amp stage of the Jot/Asgard is probably similar to the Schiit Sys, which is definitely the cheapest...

I'm a bit allergic to expensive cables, and I'd rather get another set of cans before I spent 4-figues on a cable!. I got a fantastic XLR cable for my OG Focal Clear's from Norne Audio, custom made with a ton of options, very, very reasonable prices and a complete upgrade from the stock cables...

So I just found a fairly nice solution to my gripes regarding the overly sensitive volume knob on the MHA200: Microsoft Surface Dial This is a Bluetooth knob that can be programmed to do many things on any Windows 10 computer - including volume control. It has a nice heft and feel to it, and...

Thanks Jason...VERY interested in the pairing of the DCA Stealth and MHA-200 as it's on my list. In particular, a comparison to the open Utopia and Empy would be appreciated. I think many of us would opt for the closed Stealth if the SQ equals that of other open TOTL cans (I know I would!)...

A constant 500mW into any load is MORE than enough to drive almost any headphone. They reason that a non-autoformer, “conventional” 500mW amp can seem anemic is that load of a headphone can change during transients with certain music and the amp can run out of power at these times, impacting...