[musicman59]

I will do that sir! Now back to headphones.....If you could own only one pair of headphones w your MHA100, which ones? I Want a closed pair, so I'm leaning on the MHP1000. Any others you would recommend?

Closed headphones I have owned are: Ultrasone Edition 9, Denon D2000, D5000 and D7000, DX1000, T1, T50 and W11JPN. Close headphones I currently own: W3000ANV, Alpha Prime and MHP1000.
I personally like the MHP1000 over everything else. I really liked the Ultrasone Edition 9 but they were too uncomfortable to use for more than 20-30 minutes. The Alpha Primes are very nice but not to the level of the MHP1000 in my opinion. 
I have never listen to the TH900 or LCD-XC so I cannot speak about them but I did a quick listen to the TH600 I did not like them.
 
The MHP1000 has a level of detail and soundstaging that I have never heard in any other closed headphone so far.

 

[fario]

hi the room
 
for you wich are the best speaker for the MHA100 ?

 

[4N6]

hi the room

for you wich are the best speaker for the MHA100 ?

That's like asking what is the best headphone. Ask 10 people, you'll get 11 different answers!

With that being said, it is only a 50 watt amp. Speakers that are easier to drive (4 ohm and up) and of decent sensitivity (88dB and up) would likely be the best choices. It would also depend upon how loud you want to push it, and the size of the room (likely the smaller the better).

I am getting tremendous sound from my Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento's with the MHA100. Not a good combination in a larger room, but as a desktop system in my small office, it is awesome.

 

[lockjaw]

MHA100 is really a superb amp.  I'm powering KEF LS50s, sound great.  Better than my Amphion Argon 3s and that's saying a lot.
 
HD800s are perfect with the MHA100 as I'm sure you've read over and over.  The highs are tamed, bass full and not bloated.  Just the perfect amp for these very revealing cans.  No need for any mods.  
 
I've tried many amps, all sound good but each with its own annoyance (too bright, not enough bass, too thin..)  The MHA gets it totally right,  You know the three little bears story...    Did my Lehmann SS amp have more wow factor... yeah... crazy detail, but overwhelming after 20 minutes.   
 
I have no regrets about spending such a sum of money on the MHA 100, you'll never need to ask "what if?, should I have purchased a ____ "  you get the idea.
 
-Steve

 

[lextek]

I'd really like to add a Mcintosh to my system. If can pulled double duty as an integrated for speakers. That would be awesome. Not much talk about it, except here.

 

[barid]

...As far as the speaker pairing.  I've only tried the MHA100 with the Harbeth P3esr and the KEF LS50.  Both are nice, but I've come  down on the side of the Harbeth's.  I like the tone better. 
 
The LS50's have better extension on both ends and sound more open, but lack some of the detail and timbre of the P3esr.  They can come off as a bit hard/metallic in comparison.
 
All comes down to preference.  I could live with either.  If anyone is interested in my LS50's at a good price let me know

 

[Jpbas1]

It drives my Penaudio Cenyas to an unbelievable place. This is coming from a 2-channel speaker guy. I've owned many integrated amps and monitor/bookshelf designs. This pairing is amazing and for a one box system rated at 50 WPC. I just began breaking in a pair of Scansonic MB-1s and the jury is still out given the number of hours required to breaking them in. In summary, HPA/DAC/integrated amp... A no brainer.

 

[lockjaw]

MHA-100 drives speakers beautifully, but one really needs to stick with bookshelves or sensitive floor standers.  The sound quality and tone are almost identical to the larger Mac amplifiers.  I'm really impressed with how much they've put into the MHA100.  Doesn't sound like corners have been cut.  The only possible issue is the DAC, which I still think is very good, though some have had issues when compared to much higher-end external dedicated units.  I will eventually do an AB with the Ayre USB DAC (when I get the time).  I'm sure the Ayre will be better considering separate power supply, separate enclosure, less RF... etc...  the question is if the difference is enough, not sure it will be.

 

[Jpbas1]

Plenty of power for my Audeze's as well...

 

[findthomas]

I've been lurking on this thread for the past couple weeks, reading all the postings (all 50 pages of it). The MHA-100 looks very appealing (drool...)  
 
Is anybody organizing a group-buy for the MHA-100?

 

[musicman59]

  I've been lurking on this thread for the past couple weeks, reading all the postings (all 50 pages of it). The MHA-100 looks very appealing (drool...)  
 
Is anybody organizing a group-buy for the MHA-100?

You cannot buy directly from McIntosh. The purchase needs to be through an authorized dealer and McIntosh has a very strict policy regarding discounts so I doubt a group buy will be applicable or successful to obtain a significant discount.

 

[21qz]

For those using a pair of bookshelf speakers, what speaker cables are you using?

Also i watch movies from my MAC through the MHA100, so what headphones work best for films in your opinion?

 

[griff609]

I'm using Wireworld Oasis 7 cables going to a pair of XR50 speakers from the MHA100. I have always like my HD650's for movies and video games, to me they are comfortable. For tv/movie watching comfort comes first over accuracy. I do want to try the HD700's to compare comfort though.

 

[lockjaw]

I couldn't help myself!!!
 
Added the Ayre DAC DSD
 
Sweet!!!!
 
Right off the bat it's better that then MAH100 on-board DAC.  It's not overwhelmingly better, but you can hear that extra refinement, better bass, wider soundstage, micro detail.
It's not a game changer and I didn't expect it to be.  Still, if you are fanatical, it's a nice upgrade.
 
Steve
 

 

[findthomas]

Thanks musicman59 -- I guess that makes sense. The dealers do need to keep their cut of the deal.