[m8o]

I got mine. Smiles so far. I got to where I needed to get to today an hour and a half late because I could not pull myself away...

 

[ab_ba]

>> I am testing the HE-1000 later this month and I have high hopes for them with my MHA100. <<
 
Hey musicman,
 
That's exactly my current "dream combination". Will you have a chance to demo them together? If so, please please let us know what you think!

 

[musicman59]

  >> I am testing the HE-1000 later this month and I have high hopes for them with my MHA100. <<
 
Hey musicman,
 
That's exactly my current "dream combination". Will you have a chance to demo them together? If so, please please let us know what you think!

Yes, I own the MHA100 and I am part of the "beta test" of the HE1000. I have not been notified when I will get them but I will report back as soon as I do some listening.

 

[m8o]

Yes, I own the MHA100 and I am part of the "beta test" of the HE1000. I have not been notified when I will get them but I will report back as soon as I do some listening.

@musicman59 , what are your thoughts? Is the MHA100 up to the task driving the ultra revealing HE1000?

 

[musicman59]

@musicman59 , what are your thoughts? Is the MHA100 up to the task driving the ultra revealing HE1000?

I just started to do some more critical listening because the HE1000 took over 120 hours of burn-in to get to the point I heard them before. 
The MHA100 have done a great job so far (better than my WA5-LE IMO). At Normal 40-150 ohms set I have the volume at about 47% and at High 40-150 ohms I have it at around 38-39%. I normally have it on High.
 
The speed,transparency,impact,tone and soundstage is all there. The HE1000 are very reviling so all strengths and weaknesses in your audio chain and recording will be shown for sure.

 

[Gr8Desire]

  4500 dollars, are you kidding me, for a headphone amp? Why would anyone spend that kind of money?
 
...
 
I hope this review wasn't too useless.  If you're on the fence about spending this much money, I totally understand.  Don't even try rationalizing the price such as: calculating total cost per minute of listening over 10 years, stellar re-sale value, or the cool-as-hell dancing blue meters!  For me it's been worth every penny.
 
Thanks!   -Steve
 

Perhaps the best subjective review I have ever read.

I don't think I could justify $4500 for an amp.  Yet your reasoning is compelling and your criteria is well chosen.  OK, Maybe I could justify it $$

.


Enjoy - and thanks. 

 

[IceClass]

  It's a lot of money, no doubt.  I was able to sell my old McIntosh tube amp to pay for it.  One paid for the other, so that was nice.  Mac stuff really holds its value nicely.

 
This makes me sad. I can't help but wonder how the MC275 would perform hooked up to the MHA100's preamp output.

 

[deadie]

Perhaps the best subjective review I have ever read.I don't think I could justify $4500 for an amp.  Yet your reasoning is compelling and your criteria is well chosen.  OK, Maybe I could justify it $$

.
Enjoy - and thanks. 

 
Agreed, great review by Steve.  I've heard the MHA-100 numerous times at shows, my local dealer, etc and I'm in solid agreement with his impressions.  
 
It's funny, I need to live vicariously through these types of reviews b/c I'm not sure if I'll ever get a "reference point" amp like the MHA100, Liquid Gold, Rag, GSX, etc.  It's not so much that I can't afford them.  It's that once I get one, my amp journey would be over... well at least for a good long time.  
 
I've come to accept my sickness in this hobby, I love the churn and discovery of new tech.  I've nailed down my preferred cans (at least for now) in the LCD-X, HD800, and maybe Ether.  I love my Hugo DAC.  And I love trying out loads of different amps to try to find that *one* with abundant power balanced with refinement and musicality.  
 
I'd be happy and satisfied with any of the amps I listed above.  But the fun is the search for that unicorn bang for the buck wonder.  If only Mac made a $2k dedicated HP amp, no DAC, no speaker outs, but with Mac's robust, smooth, refined house sound.  

 

[Wildcatsare1]

   
Agreed, great review by Steve.  I've heard the MHA-100 numerous times at shows, my local dealer, etc and I'm in solid agreement with his impressions.  
 
It's funny, I need to live vicariously through these types of reviews b/c I'm not sure if I'll ever get a "reference point" amp like the MHA100, Liquid Gold, Rag, GSX, etc.  It's not so much that I can't afford them.  It's that once I get one, my amp journey would be over... well at least for a good long time.  
 
I've come to accept my sickness in this hobby, I love the churn and discovery of new tech.  I've nailed down my preferred cans (at least for now) in the LCD-X, HD800, and maybe Ether.  I love my Hugo DAC.  And I love trying out loads of different amps to try to find that *one* with abundant power balanced with refinement and musicality.  
 
I'd be happy and satisfied with any of the amps I listed above.  But the fun is the search for that unicorn bang for the buck wonder.  If only Mac made a $2k dedicated HP amp, no DAC, no speaker outs, but with Mac's robust, smooth, refined house sound.  

It's a never ending journey my Friend, your ride is just beginning

..

 

[Sal1950]

Old thread I know but I just ran across it and was compelled to make a few comments.
First many are screaming about $4500 for a headphone amp.  It not just a headphone amp but a complete audio system at or near SOTA in all reviewed aspects. Just add appropriate cans, a pair of SOTA horn or other high efficiency speakers and a digital source. You'll have a total sound system of the highest quality.
 
Then, its a McIntosh. Built like a tank it will last the average buyer a lifetime. AND it will hold it's value long after today's rav's won't bring a few cents on the dollar if that.
 
Plus look at it! It has that classic beauty that will be the optical centerpiece in any system it resides, both today and 30 years from now.
 
Do I sound like I'm in lust, yet I am.  Maybe one day I'll own a piece of Mc gear.

 

[Fido2]

Has anyone tried the HE6 on the MHA100 speaker taps?

 

[musicman59]

Has anyone tried the HE6 on the MHA100 speaker taps?

I did while I owned the HE-6. It powers them perfectly fine. Actually the difference in sound out of the speakers tabs compared to the headphones jack with the am set at High Output and High Impedance is minimal.
I both cases it sounds great. My pint of comparison is driving the HE-6 with a Aleph 3 and Threshold T50 that I owned previously.

 

[Sal1950]

If I was still living in a stereo world I swear I'd do whatever it takes to get the $ together to own one. Along with a pair on the new Klipsch LaScala II's and you'd create audio nirvana.
Unfortunately I now live in a full 5.2 world add will never afford the system costs x 2.5 to build a world class system.

 

[BlindMomentum]

My HiFiMan HE-1000's will be arriving in a day or 2 and I'll be auditioning them with the MHA100 at a local store. Beyond excited
 
Also expecting the Senn HD800 S in the next month. This amp seems right about end game for both of these cans and I'll obviously post my impressions /thoughts 

 

[bmichels]

I heard the MHA-100 with an external TOL DAC and I found it VERY good and engaging, but... how good is the DAC inside ?  
 
Can it do the job properly or is an external DAC necessary to use the MHA-100 to it's full potential ?