It is hardly a "weak" link if you have to pay eight grand to better a five grand product.
It seems most of the MHA's critics are slamming it for being something that it is not rather than the product that it is.
To recap:
- It should have been tube based.
- It should have been released sans DAC
- It should have a DAC built-in that costs thousands more than the final product price.
In essence: It should have been a completely different product.
yes, yes, no and yes... it should have been tube based and without a DAC (since they released the phenominal D100 before it) and therefore doesn't require the thousands more DAC but could have been in fact sold for perhaps a thousand less (or the same assuming the tubes cost more). it should have been a completely different product which is why i haven't bought one and am still hoping they release what it should have been.
Which Pass Labs amplifier? just curious - I know they released a new Headphone amp but as far as I know it does not have speaker out. I wished MHA-100 would be more like a Schitt Ragnarok where is a high performance balanced headphone and speaker amp. I am sure the speaker amp section on the MHA-100 is way better than the Schiit but don't think the headphone amps is as good. I guess It all depends on priorities on what the user wants.
Yes, I am talking about the new Pass headphones amplifier. You are correct the Pass does not have speakers output. I have no experience with the Ragnarok but I can tell you that the headphones section of the MHA100 is better than its speakers output starting with having the autotransformer technology applied to the headphones but not to the speakers.
I am a huge fan of Nelson Pass and love the old Threshold amplifier and the new Pass but this new Pass headphones amplifier was not designed by Nelson Pass.
My only experience with Schitt Audio was a Lyr when it came out and at list that unit was very noisy so it pushed me away for the brand.
The MHA100 headphones output has the same sound signature than my MC601 monoblocks. It is very dynamic and transparent. I have used it from easy to drive headphones like the W3000ANV to the hard to drive HE-6 and in all cases it has enough power to drive them with no issues. Fo far based on its performance and looks I have not been able to find another solid state amplifier that I would like to have instead of the MHA100.
yes, yes, no and yes... it should have been tube based and without a DAC (since they released the phenominal D100 before it) and therefore doesn't require the thousands more DAC but could have been in fact sold for perhaps a thousand less (or the same assuming the tubes cost more). it should have been a completely different product which is why i haven't bought one and am still hoping they release what it should have been.
Yes, I am talking about the new Pass headphones amplifier. You are correct the Pass does not have speakers output. I have no experience with the Ragnarok but I can tell you that the headphones section of the MHA100 is better than its speakers output starting with having the autotransformer technology applied to the headphones but not to the speakers.
I am a huge fan of Nelson Pass and love the old Threshold amplifier and the new Pass but this new Pass headphones amplifier was not designed by Nelson Pass.
My only experience with Schitt Audio was a Lyr when it came out and at list that unit was very noisy so it pushed me away for the brand.
The MHA100 headphones output has the same sound signature than my MC601 monoblocks. It is very dynamic and transparent. I have used it from easy to drive headphones like the W3000ANV to the hard to drive HE-6 and in all cases it has enough power to drive them with no issues. Fo far based on its performance and looks I have not been able to find another solid state amplifier that I would like to have instead of the MHA100.
Have you had the opportunity to try out any of the Wells Audio headphone amp? Curious to see if there's any thoughts on a comparison from a head amp perspective.
Have you had the opportunity to try out any of the Wells Audio headphone amp? Curious to see if there's any thoughts on a comparison from a head amp perspective.
Would be interested in your impressions if you care to share them. I haven't been able to fully wrap my head around the description they share, but they look to produce sexy head amps. For example, I haven't a clue what Bybee is...
In response to something touched upon earlier in the thread.
You know, I'm as big a fan of the headphone output thru the autoformers on the middle setting as any ... I really I am.
But when I want defending volume, and head shaking bass, and like I'm there at the stage in the front row, or standing in front of really well done speakers on the dance floor ... with endless headroom and zero distortion ... you can't beat the Mr Speakers Ether or HiFiMan He-1000 (but especially the Ether) driven by the headphone taps of this amp.
... simply remarkable!
I'm kind of amazed I haven't smoked one or both of them as it is.
I'm also very impressed with the DAC. It stands up really well if not better than everything else I have (I typically drive it via aes/ebu). Beyond what I have in my signature (not visible to mobile posters like me, pardon the auto uncorrect typos ) I recently picked up an old Classe CD/DVD-1. And it's become my benchmark. As much as it may excel at musicality,the MHA-100 DAC closely matches that with a tilt towards a smidge more precision.
Good day folks. Im considering getting this amp and was hoping if someone can chime in on how it sounds compared to the Woo Audio WA7+tp. I have a HE1000 and love how the wa7 sounds through it, seems I love the tube warm/fat sound. I'd love to audition this amp but I would have to go out of country to do so. Seems this amp is highly recommended in the HE1000 thread and I'm seriously considering this and the WA5-LE.
Maelob is right -- I own and enjoy both the MHA100 and the WA7+tp. And I probably wouldn't keep the McIntosh if not for the very useful speaker output.
Maelob is right -- I own and enjoy both the MHA100 and the WA7+tp. And I probably wouldn't keep the McIntosh if not for the very useful speaker output.
Well, the WA7+tp combo sounds a tad more natural to my ears, and the human voice in particular seems to have more "presence" and "air." Whereas McIntosh seems to resolve more detail, and is "smoother." Or at least that's how I remember it.
I've only heard the HE1000 once, so I can't comment on that particular combo. But when using Audeze planar headphones, I prefer the Woo Audio unit.
However, I love the speaker out on the McIntosh, which I pair with my Kef LS50s. And since I like to move around and not be tethered to one spot, the McIntosh gets the most usage.
Good day folks. Im considering getting this amp and was hoping if someone can chime in on how it sounds compared to the Woo Audio WA7+tp. I have a HE1000 and love how the wa7 sounds through it, seems I love the tube warm/fat sound. I'd love to audition this amp but I would have to go out of country to do so. Seems this amp is highly recommended in the HE1000 thread and I'm seriously considering this and the WA5-LE.
It sounds to me that you like the warm sound of tubes. I own the MHA100 and also the WA5-LE.
They are very different amplifiers. Both great but different from each other. The MHA100 is totally transparent to the point that at first listening you may think of it as bright but IMO it is not bright it is just neutral and transparent just like the sound of their newer spkeare amps. The WA5-LE depends of the tubes you use. If you use EAT 300B it wil sound more close to SS but if you use EML 330B Mesh then it will be more lush. The same with the drivers and rectifier tubes.
Another new tube amplifier option is the ModWright Tryst. I just got it and with the GE 12B4A and the Mullard ECC88 it reallysounds great.
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