[qboogie]

I only spent a few minutes with the 1266. My best answer is the MHA200 seemed to make the 1266 sound bigger in its sound stage with improved definition over most amps I’ve head the 1266 on. Of course I’ve heard the 1266 on more expensive amps that performed very well also.

Would you say it drives the Abyss with authority, especially the bass? In the video, it seems like the MHA200 was good with the HEDDphone but speculated that it wouldn't be synergistic with the Susvara.

 

[TSAVJason]

Would you say it drives the Abyss with authority, especially the bass? In the video, it seems like the MHA200 was good with the HEDDphone but speculated that it wouldn't be synergistic with the Susvara.

I can’t respond to this. We are not a HiFiMAN dealer any longer

 

[warrenpchi]

He’s not just a Sony fan boy

Lol, nope, but I'll bet A Sony is gonna be in the signal chain somewhere!

 

[Crowbar44]

Okay, I'm a little happier now.

I was just on the phone with @TSAVJason about something completely separate. He's been reaching out to his old friend John Hinkle at McIntosh about the MHA200, and just passed on a great tip! Turns out, there's a way to disable the auto-off feature.

Turning off the auto-off:

1. With the MHA200 already on, hold down the power (standby) button for ~5 seconds.
2. The tubes' green LEDs will go off and go back on three times to confirm that auto-off is now disabled.
3. This setting will be retained through power cycles, until you turn the auto-off back on.

Turning the auto-off back on (why???):

1. Again, with the MHA200 already on, hold down the power (standby) button for ~5 seconds....
2. The tubes' green LEDs will go off and go back on two times to confirm that auto-off is again enabled.
3. Likewise, this setting will be retained through power cycles, until you change it.

I've verified the procedure with my MHA200 here. @Crowbar44, can you test this as well when you get a chance? Thanks!

It's a good thing that this feature in included, because I was starting to read threads like this: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ower-amp-5v-with-a-non-mac-preamp-12v.803289/

Yup...I can confirm that the procedure to turn off the auto-off works....

However...I'm turning it back on ... gotta save those tubes!

 

[Crowbar44]

For those who haven't seen it - here's a direct link to Jason and Warren's video review:

 

[TSAVJason]

Yup...I can confirm that the procedure to turn off the auto-off works....

However...I'm turning it back on ... gotta save those tubes!

Tubes don’t have an exact life expectancy for sure. But generally McIntosh products even when used hours a day should give you at minimum a 3-4 years of tube life before it’s tube death or performance reduction and can last up to 2 -3 times that. I don’t think you should worry too much about tube life on your MHA200...... enjoy!

 

[warrenpchi]

Yup...I can confirm that the procedure to turn off the auto-off works....

Thank you sir!

However...I'm turning it back on ... gotta save those tubes!

Oh, stop pretending you're not gonna try rolling tubes soon!

 

[TSAVJason]

Thank you sir!



Oh, stop pretending you're not gonna try rolling tubes soon!

I am ..... tomorrow

 

[warrenpchi]

 

[TSAVJason]

Yup but I gotta give it a try

 

[warrenpchi]

Yup but I gotta give it a try

Lol, I know.

Though, for anybody that's curious, I'd like to point out that the stock tubes are very, very good in and of themselves. I'll get around to tube rolling some day, but I don't feel like it's lacking in any way as-is.

 

[Crowbar44]

Thank you sir!



Oh, stop pretending you're not gonna try rolling tubes soon!

Lord help me...if I keep hanging out here on Head-Fi with you...I probably will

 

[TSAVJason]

Lol, I know.

Though, for anybody that's curious, I'd like to point out that the stock tubes are very, very good in and of themselves. I'll get around to tube rolling some day, but I don't feel like it's lacking in any way as-is.

No doubt There is no good reason other than I’m flipp’n curious

 

[TSAVJason]

Lord help me...if I keep hanging out here on Head-Fi with you...I probably will

Welcome to the Land O Warren he’s an instigator. I do enjoy how he draws pictures with words that (sometimes ) are easy to understand and relate to

 

[Crowbar44]

Lol, I know.

Though, for anybody that's curious, I'd like to point out that the stock tubes are very, very good in and of themselves. I'll get around to tube rolling some day, but I don't feel like it's lacking in any way as-is.

I'll second this! I believe that the stock McIntosh tubes are built in Russia by New Sensor, and screened and selected for quality. This is a company that has been building tube amps for over 50 years, and they're still standing with a lot of institutional knowledge.

I say this with peace and love , but tube rolling and cables aren't really my jag - though I can respect folks who go down this route. My brother tells me repeatedly that he can't hear the difference between my ATH-M50's and LCD-2f's...I think he's crazy (or deaf), so I can respect folks who think I'm crazy for not being able to hear the difference between power cables