[Jpbas1]

As a proud Mac owner since 2006; separates and various integrated designs for my two-channel systems...  I've never had a problem with functionality or resale at close to MSRP years later....

 

[Bartez75]

Nothing is constant. Might be something to do that the owner is changed now? It belongs to Italian owner now?

 

[IceClass]

  Our local McIntosh dealer admits that they get an unacceptable number of new McIntosh equipment back for repairs or replacement.
Much more than any other brand they sell.

 
Mcintosh simply wouldn't be able to stay in business were this true.

 

[m8o]

This thread seems to be winding down, which is weird for such an acclaimed and new product. Hope everyone's just taking a break.

To the owners so far (or extended auditioners) ... would you do it again? (Ok, that only makes sense for the owners)

I'm a little put off that neither of the buttons of the demo unit I auditioned was working right. While the explanation of how to correct it seems sound, should that have really happened already?

But more bothersome is not having balanced out at such an elivated price. Nor a pre-out/amp-in loop.

So owners ... if you would do it again, I'd very much appreciate a few comforting words to essentially talk me into it! :*/

 

[4N6]

This thread seems to be winding down, which is weird for such an acclaimed and new product. Hope everyone's just taking a break.

To the owners so far (or extended auditioners) ... would you do it again? (Ok, that only makes sense for the owners)

I'm a little put off that neither of the buttons of the demo unit I auditioned was working right. While the explanation of how to correct it seems sound, should that have really happened already?

But more bothersome is not having balanced out at such an elivated price. Nor a pre-out/amp-in loop.

So owners ... if you would do it again, I'd very much appreciate a few comforting words to essentially talk me into it! :*/

Yes, I would do it again. I love the amp and it sounds terrific with my Audeze and McIntosh headphones and my Sonus faber speakers. Sounds fabulous with the HD800's I have used as well.

As for the buttons not working on floor models in stores, that can be attributed to all the idiots, I mean "customers" not being careful with what they are playing with. (and yes, the HXR button on the MHA100 I used at the Magnolia HiFi in Fairfax, VA last weekend was not working well either. The buttons on my amp have worked perfectly so far.)

Not having a balanced out for headphones is only important if you believe all the marketing hype that balanced headphones are significantly better sounding than single ended. I did at first but don't anymore. In my experience of owning two top-shelf balanced headphone amps (Millet 307a and Ray Samuels B52), switching back-and-forth between balanced and unbalanced made for minimal difference (at best).

It does have a pre-out. Furthest output jacks on the right ride.

The MHA100, IMHO, is one of the finest solid state headphone amps going, and likely one of the finest amps period. This is especially true when you consider the great sounding speaker amplifier that is also onboard.

 

[griff609]

I would definitely buy again. I bought it mainly for the headphone amp but I'm currently listening to the speaker amp side of things more so. I wouldn't worry too much about issues with a demo unit. Red flag is when you said Demo Unit. Not many owners have complained of issues in the thread which is a good sign.

There are amps just as costly if not more expensive that offer far less and have only single ended output. I listened to a few but the overall experience of this amp has been the most enjoyable for me. I can say this little amp gets a lot of attention when guests come over.

For the thread winding down, it's an expensive amp. It's not an exclusive headphone brand so a lot of headfi'rs immediately dismiss it for being what it is. Plus the majority of news and reviews on this have been more on stereo audio forums, websites, and blogs.

 

[musicman59]

I love my amp too. I have a Stax (SRM-727II/SR-009) and a Woo Audio WA5-LE fully loaded and I find myself listening to the MHA-100 more than the other two by a large margin.

 

[MickeyVee]

I love my McIntosh but would I do it again, now? Probably not given the current pricing in Canada.
 
I got mine at the Toronto AV Show at a crazy good price (under $4K taxes in and that was a real stretch) .  Now, In Canada, it retails for $5500 plus 13% tax in my area.  Not worth it to me at that price.
 
As far as problems go, the delaer had a MHA100 and MXA70 and I went through both.  The MHA100 was losing setting and locked up once a week.  Full reset and setup from scratch was requred.  Setting up was quite difficult due to unresponsive button pushes and the serial number did not show up.  So I took it back and got the MXA70.  Same problem with setup on the MXA70 but now that that's done, day to day operation is smooth and simple.  The told me that the MHA100 was sent in and no problems were found. When I checked it out again, the serial number was still not showing up. Not fixed as far as I was concerned so I kept the MXA70. Running the MXA70 with Martin Logan Vista speakers (just for fun) was interesting. After about 1/2 an hour, the righ channel dropped by 7 db.  Might be too much of a load for the Mc to handle long term.  Right now, I have it setup on my office desk with the matching Mc MXA70 speakers and the HD800 with no problems.
 
Glad I got it when I got it at the price I got it for. Sound quality wise, unbeatable!! Love it!!

 

[magneto1964]

Definitely would buy it again. I have had no issues running for several months, and the sound is fantastic. Gave new life to my 15 year old hifi system and ten year old headphone (HD600). Just need to add a closed headphone (maybe MHP1000) and a new turntable (maybe MT5) to connect to the amp, and everything is complete.

 

[musicman59]

 
Definitely would buy it again. I have had no issues running for several months, and the sound is fantastic. Gave new life to my 15 year old hifi system and ten year old headphone (HD600). Just need to add a closed headphone (maybe MHP1000) and a new turntable (maybe MT5) to connect to the amp, and everything is complete.

If you want a high end closed headphones the MHP1000 is IMO and sound taste the best option out there. Have them with the MHA100 and love them. Clearly worth giving them a listen.

 

[m8o]

Super glad to hear the love affair / honeymoon period continues, sans buyer's remorse.

It's between this and the likes of the eddie current balancing act or other such class-a rated amp. And in that sense on a purely bang for the buck scale, this amp is an absolute bargain. As I'd then still have to get a modern dac like the Mc d100 or d150 If I go separates.

I know it has pre-out. I was talking about the ol' pre-out/power-in jumper integrated amps often have. So I could loop in my perreaux tc2; love that thing. And these aging higly affected ears usually need that thing. Score one for separates in that sense.

 

[CongeeBear]

Been away from this thread for a while now.  Just got this hooked up to a pair of LS50's, and it sounds great -- no surprise at all why it's an oft-mentioned combination.  Even non-audiophiles have commented on the quality.
 
I have run into an issue however.  When playing music from Spotify, the songs will pause or skip from time to time (usually around the beginning or towards the end of each track).  It is hugely annoying, and doesn't happen when using the built-in speakers on my iMac w/Spotify. Nor does it ever happen with iTunes. I haven't tried testing if the same thing happens with other DAC/amp combos, but has anyone else run into similar issues?
 
I'm inclined to think it's a Spotify issue, but who knows...

 

[HiFiGuy528]

  Been away from this thread for a while now.  Just got this hooked up to a pair of LS50's, and it sounds great -- no surprise at all why it's an oft-mentioned combination.  Even non-audiophiles have commented on the quality.
 
I have run into an issue however.  When playing music from Spotify, the songs will pause or skip from time to time (usually around the beginning or towards the end of each track).  It is hugely annoying, and doesn't happen when using the built-in speakers on my iMac w/Spotify. Nor does it ever happen with iTunes. I haven't tried testing if the same thing happens with other DAC/amp combos, but has anyone else run into similar issues?
 
I'm inclined to think it's a Spotify issue, but who knows...

 
the DAC in MJA-100 takes a second or so to lock.  It may be that Spotify is dropping data each time the song ends.  So yeah, it's likely a Spotify issue.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

  If you want a high end closed headphones the MHP1000 is IMO and sound taste the best option out there. Have them with the MHA100 and love them. Clearly worth giving them a listen.

 
I am dying to try the MHP1000 in my system.  

 

[musicman59]

   
I am dying to try the MHP1000 in my system.  

You need to try them Mike!