Wish McIntosh gave some user guidance on operating limits...
For those inclined to run long hours, like myself, I have started running through smart plugs monitoring power consumption. Just to get a feel for it.
The MHA sips power at a steady 32 watts. It takes about four hours, yes 4 hours, to get fully warmed up and stabilized (temp, not sound wise). Low power consumption with a large mass and surface area. Add on a Chord Qutest or other efficient DAC, plus an efficient source and you can run this thing for the consumption equivalent of less than a standard light bulb. Low power consumption, cheap tubes, equal running costs that leave funds for other upgrades.
If the manufacturer doesn't give operating limits, it probably means they over-spec'ed the capacitors for temperature and time. The only worry would be tube life, which is an understood, finite limitation.
Ken Zelin from McIntosh made some comments on the control during the Zoom Session linked above. Those comments suggest a rather unique part so someone with Googling skills might be able to ID it. The detent, shaft size and the like...
I watched it also. He seemed to concede that it wasn't optimal and they hoped to find a superior part in the next revision. To be honest, I didn't find his explanation terribly edifying or encouraging.
I watched it also. He seemed to concede that it wasn't optimal and they hoped to find a superior part in the next revision. To be honest, I didn't find his explanation terribly edifying or encouraging.
Agreed and please take my next two paragraphs as nit-picking.
I liked his honesty, and am glad to hear they're having the kind of business success he claims after COVID. As a business owner, I would advise him not to say things like "it is a good problem to have" in front of customers who might not have that same appreciation for economic growth. All the McIntosh customer cares about is getting a quality product in a reasonable amount of time.
Admitting they couldn't build the volume knob to not be wiggly in order to make way for a pre-amp feature is a little odd on a headphone amp. Although I have not received my MHA200 yet, it gave me a little pause on this amp I am waiting for. That thought was deepened when he said they might fix it on the next version without stating how they might rectify things for those of us who bought the first version. If the Jerry-rig felt rings fix it, hey, I'm all about Machiavelli - the end justifies the means - if it works, I don't care how it got there.
He did finish an auto show with a ton of talking before joining the Zoom session. I'm in the car business (my company makes technology for it) and have done my share of event speeches. I'm sure he was drained.
All in all, I'm glad I watched that Zoom session and thank Jason for making it happen! The initial lead-up presentation was educational. Ken's explanations for why they did things helped to reinforce why I love the McIntosh brand.
I wish there was a bigger audience for the session. You could tell Jason was itching to mix it up and get farther in the details. I, unfortunately, couldn't adjust my schedule to make it live.
I have power tubes on the way from TheTubeStore. Paid for overnight. Were supposed to arrive this morning but UPS has bumped them a day even though they arrived in Concord Friday. Tracking glitch I hope. If you are in the T O area still, dare I ask if your unit is from BBR? If it is that means their entire stock had power tube issues.
McIntosh is all over your issue. Unfortunately your dealer says they can’t or haven’t been able to duplicate the issue. The McIntosh team called me this morning asking me my opinion and if I had seen any issues similar. I’ve given them what I think they should be looking for and I hope it works out for you soon
Agreed and please take my next two paragraphs as nit-picking.
I liked his honesty, and am glad to hear they're having the kind of business success he claims after COVID. As a business owner, I would advise him not to say things like "it is a good problem to have" in front of customers who might not have that same appreciation for economic growth. All the McIntosh customer cares about is getting a quality product in a reasonable amount of time.
Admitting they couldn't build the volume knob to not be wiggly in order to make way for a pre-amp feature is a little odd on a headphone amp. Although I have not received my MHA200 yet, it gave me a little pause on this amp I am waiting for. That thought was deepened when he said they might fix it on the next version without stating how they might rectify things for those of us who bought the first version. If the Jerry-rig felt rings fix it, hey, I'm all about Machiavelli - the end justifies the means - if it works, I don't care how it got there.
He did finish an auto show with a ton of talking before joining the Zoom session. I'm in the car business (my company makes technology for it) and have done my share of event speeches. I'm sure he was drained.
All in all, I'm glad I watched that Zoom session and thank Jason for making it happen! The initial lead-up presentation was educational. Ken's explanations for why they did things helped to reinforce why I love the McIntosh brand.
I wish there was a bigger audience for the session. You could tell Jason was itching to mix it up and get farther in the details. I, unfortunately, couldn't adjust my schedule to make it live.
Well it was my first TSAV zoom meeting so I wasn’t expecting too many to be on with us but you are right, I was hoping for more customer feedback for Ken to address or take back to McIntosh for discussion. I am however, already in some meetings about what will likely be an MHA300 in the future. It’s obvious they want to make products for headphone users that really kick ass ….. I for one hope they get it done! I’m a big McIntosh fan
Well it was my first TSAV zoom meeting so I wasn’t expecting too many to be on with us but you are right, I was hoping for more customer feedback for Ken to address or take back to McIntosh for discussion. I am however, already in some meetings about what will likely be an MHA300 in the future. It’s obvious they want to make products for headphone users that really kick ass ….. I for one hope they get it done! I’m a big McIntosh fan
It’s coming up on “batch” (as you refer to it) number 4. Not to diminish what Ken said but …..
I’m not so sure his answer wasn’t off the cuff rather than a factory researched response.
McIntosh is all over your issue. Unfortunately your dealer says they can’t or haven’t been able to duplicate the issue. The McIntosh team called me this morning asking me my opinion and if I had seen any issues similar. I’ve given them what I think they should be looking for and I hope it works out for you soon
Thanks for the assistance and info. Dealer called about an hour after you posted and had some ideas from McIntosh to try. Problem is, the power tubes showed up Monday evening and I put them in. Been playing the amp ever since and it is working perfectly. Problem solved (knocking on wood...). In a happy place now.
The volume knob on the McIntosh reminds me of when Soichiro Honda made his first Formula 1 engine and it couldn't finish a race. Having had so much success in motorcycle engines, it never occurred to the design engineering team that engine oil was not staying at the bottom of the crank case as the car cornered through turns. On a motorcycle, this was never a problem since the engine leans into the turns, but a car doesn't do that.
I think McIntosh will understand that a headphone amp is not a 2-channel speaker amp that has a fixed gain and no volume knob. Certainly the first several ticks from 7-9 o'clock on the MHA200 volume knob are pointless since the amp is silent until at least 10 o'clock. But almost no one will have a problem with lack of power after 1 o'clock if you can still keep your hearing.
Hopefully consumer focus group feedback can influence design changes for the MHA300.
Just a note: I like and respect the HeadAmp GS-X Mini for what it can do. Very nice amp. After buying the MHA200, I've listened to the Mini about 1 hour in the last month.
Hello everyone, I am interested in MHA200 but am a bit hesitant due to the volume knob at this moment. Also, have any of you compared the Monolith by Monoprice Liquid Platinum Balanced Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli to MHA200? Thank you.
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