[m8o]

I made few tweaks to Windows Defender which seems to have helped. I'm pretty happy with the integrated DAC right now. Maybe in the future I'll get something else.

What is everyone using as DAC? I need something that stacks will with the MHA100 and sound better than the integrated DAC. I have limited sourc on my desk. Thanks.

I use a NAD M51 now. In love with it. It was on Stereophile's ultimate A+ recommended list for 2 or 3 years. But gets a lot of criticism because the output stage clips if the signal goes even nominally over standard line level. ( the quality is phenomenal. Just doesn't have a high voltage swing) Not a problem for me! A) I split & parallel the unbalanced output fed to an Aphex 124a buffer that has a red overload light that lights up if the output gets even slightly too hot. And B) other than the HDMI input, which is about 6 to 10 db down from USB or SPDIF, I now use Roon for a digital input, which has a digital overload / clipping dsp that lights up to tell me if that signal is too hot. So I never have a problem with the analog output level.

Plus, this keeps the 2ndary market price down. I plan to buy a 2nd, maybe even 3rd, expecting to pay around $750 give or take $50.

For those who are using speaker taps, have you tried the small vs large speaker settings. I'm experiencing with it right now, I feel the sound stage is expanded in the large speaker mode vs small.

Is there a firmware update I'm unaware of? My MHA100 doesn't have a large vs small setting.

I would expect the small setting to categorically apply a highpass filter. Either configurable or an 80hz default.

 

[gordec]

I use a NAD M51 now. In love with it. It was on Stereophile's ultimate A+ recommended list for 2 or 3 years. But gets a lot of criticism because the output stage clips if the signal goes even nominally over standard line level. ( the quality is phenomenal. Just doesn't have a high voltage swing) Not a problem for me! A) I split & parallel the unbalanced output fed to an Aphex 124a buffer that has a red overload light that lights up if the output gets even slightly too hot. And B) other than the HDMI input, which is about 6 to 10 db down from USB or SPDIF, I now use Roon for a digital input, which has a digital overload / clipping dsp that lights up to tell me if that signal is too hot. So I never have a problem with the analog output level.

Plus, this keeps the 2ndary market price down. I plan to buy a 2nd, maybe even 3rd, expecting to pay around $750 give or take $50.



Is there a firmware update I'm unaware of? My MHA100 doesn't have a large vs small setting.

I would expect the small setting to categorically apply a highpass filter. Either configurable or an 80hz default.

The speaker setting should be there. Hold the left knob down, so you see the firmware setting. Turn to the right, you will see speaker setting.

Thanks for the NAD M51. I have a Denafrips Ares coming in will try that. Probably want to get a Holo Spring eventually. I want to see what the whole R2R Nos fuss is all about.

 

[wemedge]

hahaha me 2. came in today. it surely is a merry christmas



May i ask, has anyone experienced usb connectivity issues with mac mavericks?
sometimes if i play flac files using audirvana usb suddenly drops and wont play again unless i restart the mha-100
haven't happened "yet" with iTunes.

Will obrserve mo re if its an isolated case with audirvana.

Did you ever resolve the issue? I recently acquired the MHA 100. Also am experiencing usb drops in Audirvana (latest version).

Thanks!

 

[gordec]

Did you ever resolve the issue? I recently acquired the MHA 100. Also am experiencing usb drops in Audirvana (latest version).

Thanks!

My MHA100 also drops like once or twice a week. I use Windows 10 and Jriver Media. I felt turning off virus scanner may have helped but it may be placebo. I have not found a fix but it's not that frequent to bother me. An external DAC fixes all that.

 

[gordec]

Guys, I just sold the HeK and bought the Susvara. I have been running HeK through the speaker taps with a banana to xlr adapter. Do you guys think I need to get the HE adapter to protect the amp/headphone? I have never figured out what the HE adapter actually does.

 

[wemedge]

My MHA100 also drops like once or twice a week. I use Windows 10 and Jriver Media. I felt turning off virus scanner may have helped but it may be placebo. I have not found a fix but it's not that frequent to bother me. An external DAC fixes all that.

Indeed. I’ve been able to (I think...until it happens again) prevent the disconnect by maximizing the buffer in Audirvana. This was one of the fixes suggested to me by tech support at McIntosh (who were pretty quick in responding to my inquiry).

I also turn off most of the services on my macbook when I’m using it for music. We’ll see. Am considering an external dac as well. I have no usb drop problems when using my meridian prime as the dac into the MHA100.

 

[musicman59]

Guys, I just sold the HeK and bought the Susvara. I have been running HeK through the speaker taps with a banana to xlr adapter. Do you guys think I need to get the HE adapter to protect the amp/headphone? I have never figured out what the HE adapter actually does.

No you don't need it. The adapter is required when your amplifier is tube based or with 100watts/ch or more. At the 50 watts/ch of the MHA100 the amp and headphones will be ok.
I have mine with the same pigtail. Sometimes I run my HEK that way and when I had the HE-6 I always ran them with a Threshold T50 (50 watts/ch class A power) with no problems and boy the sang.

 

[gordec]

No you don't need it. The adapter is required when your amplifier is tube based or with 100watts/ch or more. At the 50 watts/ch of the MHA100 the amp and headphones will be ok.
I have mine with the same pigtail. Sometimes I run my HEK that way and when I had the HE-6 I always ran them with a Threshold T50 (50 watts/ch class A power) with no problems and boy the sang.

Thanks. Just out of curiosity. Why tube based amps requires the extra protection?

 

[musicman59]

I don't remember exactly the reason but it has to be with the discrepancy in impedance and how the tubes circuits react to them. They are design for low impedance (8-16 ohms) and the headphones are higher. The adapter will be making the amplifier see closer to 8 ohms impedance.

 

[gordec]

Any recommendation for DACs between $1000-$2000? I have fully settled on headphone and amp with Susvara and MHA100. The pairing out of the speaker tabs is incredible, and so far I'm happy with the MHA100's integrated DAC, but I feel I haven't squeesed I'm using HE1 as a reference. I want a DAC that sounds very natural/analogue with great soundstage depth. The integrated DAC of the MHA100 actually does pretty well as is in all aspects comparing to popular DACs suchs as iDSD black label and Hugo, but I haven't tried anything external DACs better than the Hugo.

My current shortlist include Gumby, one of the popular R2R NOS DACs such as Holo Spring, and equal offerings from Metrum and Denafrips.

 

[m8o]

I went with a used NAD M51 for under $1k.

 

[gordec]

I went with a used NAD M51 for under $1k.

I'm not sure how many owners tried optical input and coaxial input. They sound significantly better than the USB input. It took me this long to try other inputs. I'm A/Bing against Gumby also fed via coaxial. They are much closer in sound now. It's really surprising how poor USB is as a source. It could be just my PC.

 

[rgs9200m]

There is a used MHA150 for sale ($2995).
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis90871-mcintosh-mha-150-headphone-dac-integrated-solid-state?

 

[musicman59]

It is not your computer. I had the same experience. The coax input is significantly better.

 

[gordec]

It is not your computer. I had the same experience. The coax input is significantly better.

It's just kind boggling how much coax sounds. Initially I thought Gumby is a landmark upgrade, but now I have rca coax connected to Gumby, toslink to MHA100. Since the sound card sends digital signal through both connections simultaneously, I could just turn the input knob from balanced in to optical to AB the 2 DACs. I would have to say the difference is not that significant. The natural and holographic presentation of the Gumby is there with the MHA100. Maybe the amp and Susvara are doing most of the work.