[grokit]

This looks great, but for out of my Yggdrasil it sounds like I will want to wait for that next model.

 

[Crowbar44]

Hello-

New member here. I am currently considering a dedicated headphone amp and the Mc 200 is certainly at the top of my list.

So might I ask what may it offer with Audeze LCD 3's beyond my c1100? Of course I realize mileage will vary depending on listening conditions and preferences. Just looking for some pre -audition opinions.
BTW, really have enjoyed this thread, drama and all

Listen in Good Health!

Best,

John J

Hmmm...so haven't heard the c1100 pre-amp, and don't know how much effort McIntosh put into the headphone portion - maybe Jason can weigh in (if he's not exhausted by this thread yet!). However, it looks like it has selectable headphone load impendences just like the MHA200, so it looks like some care was taken with the headphone out - but I can't find out how much power is output via the hp jack. It does have some cross feed, which I haven't heard - but some people love cross feed, some don't.

My 2 cents (not having heard the c1100) is to not bother with the MHA200 - seems like the c1100 kinda has a built in MHA200...

 

[ThanatosVI]

Hmmm...so haven't heard the c1100 pre-amp, and don't know how much effort McIntosh put into the headphone portion - maybe Jason can weigh in (if he's not exhausted by this thread yet!). However, it looks like it has selectable headphone load impendences just like the MHA200, so it looks like some care was taken with the headphone out - but I can't find out how much power is output via the hp jack. It does have some cross feed, which I haven't heard - but some people love cross feed, some don't.

My 2 cents (not having heard the c1100) is to not bother with the MHA200 - seems like the c1100 kinda has a built in MHA200...

I'd ask Jason for his opinion, but it seems that the MHA200 isn't necessarily a huge upgrade.
I'd wait for the MHA300 and use the c1100 until then.

 

[J2Ordan]

CrowBar & Thanatos-

Thank you for your replies. Yes, the headphone section of the 1100 is very good and quite pleasing to my ears. Sitting tight on a headphone amp for now sounds lie a good idea.

As an aside...

Over the past month or so, I have put together two DIY cables for the LCD 3's. The original was too short and an inexpensive extension degraded the sound. Both utilize microphone cable, Carnare and Morgami and are 17 feet in length.Total cost less of than $40 US each). Completed the Morgami today and so far really like it.

Best,

John

 

[TSAVJason]

I'd ask Jason for his opinion, but it seems that the MHA200 isn't necessarily a huge upgrade.
I'd wait for the MHA300 and use the c1100 until then.

Or use the C1100 as a preamp to the MHA200 as a main amp. That would definitely not suck! In fact it would be a hifi monster.

 

[J2Ordan]

Jason-

Appreciate your input.

Currently, balanced output 1 of the 1100 feeds a pair of MC 75's (for mids/highs) that bi-amp to a 275 for the woofers. So...
I surmise, it'd be correct to use the 200 on balanced output 2 of the 1100? This would then allow all sources available on the 1100 to play through the MPH 200. Trigger cables sould also be eliminated to allow the user to select either speakers or headphone manually without firing up tubes needlessly. (?)

Thanks,

John

 

[TSAVJason]

Jason-

Appreciate your input.

Currently, balanced output 1 of the 1100 feeds a pair of MC 75's (for mids/highs) that bi-amp to a 275 for the woofers. So...
I surmise, it'd be correct to use the 200 on balanced output 2 of the 1100? This would then allow all sources available on the 1100 to play through the MPH 200. Trigger cables sould also be eliminated to allow the user to select either speakers or headphone manually without firing up tubes needlessly. (?)

Thanks,

John

yes exactly and drive the amp rather than unity put it at about the 2 o’clock, as high as 3:00 position. Depending on your cans, at about 40 on your 1100 you should be in McIntosh heaven

 

[meomap]

Jason,

From your shop, did you ever try connect any DAP ( sp2000, iBasso DX220Max or DX300MAX ) Line Out to the MHA200?

Use it as digital player but with amp from MHA200.

If anyone tries at your shop, any feedback?

 

[J2Ordan]

Good Info Jason.

Autumn is a beautiful time in upstate NY. A ride to Audio Classics for an audition may well be forth coming.

Thank you for taking the time to be an additional source in this decision making process.

John

 

[TSAVJason]

Jason,

From your shop, did you ever try connect any DAP ( sp2000, iBasso DX220Max or DX300MAX ) Line Out to the MHA200?

Use it as digital player but with amp from MHA200.

If anyone tries at your shop, any feedback?

I haven’t tried it. I’ll ask the team to see if they have.

 

[TSAVJason]

Good Info Jason.

Autumn is a beautiful time in upstate NY. A ride to Audio Classics for an audition may well be forth coming.

Thank you for taking the time to be an additional source in this decision making process.

John

Say hello to Steve Rowell for me

 

[cykin]

I can offer up that it has more than enough juice for my HD800 and HD820 yet handles my Focal Elears, Stellias, and Utopias at the other end of the scale with aplomb. Presumably the 800S ought to fit right in.
My main amp of almost six years is a WA22. Love the Woo and tube rolling with it.
The MHA200 and WA22 are both running off the same pre amp so I now move back and forth through the day with ease.
The McIntosh gives all of the satisfaction of the Woo without needing a tube inventory. Gives a closer impedance match with four levels vs high/low. It is more economical in its space needs, uses a third the energy, and if you want spare tubes top tier NOS ones are dirt cheap compared to the Woo.
Overpriced Amp/Toy? Not compared to many other quality electronics from North America or Europe.

Hi,

How do you think about Naim HE? does it have a big improvement adding MHA200? Thank you.

 

[ABQ2]

OK, after a three month wait I finally got it yesterday. First impressions? McIntosh sound is good, not breathtaking. Funky volume control? Same as everyone else, even though it’s the McIntosh MP100 phono stage through Mogami balanced cable into the 200. Would have thought that the Mac-Mac combo might solve that but no.



So let me first say that from my limited experience the sound is not better than the headphone output of my Marantz PM8006 integrated amp. Different, yes. Better, no. The Mac sound is richer, more robust. I’ll get used to it and probably prefer it with time. The Marantz emphasizes detail over the Mac.



Having never been accustomed to the Marantz detail I may have ended up valuing it more. From stylus to ear I have the Marantz TT15S1 with Audio Technica AT OC9XML moving coil cartridge, the MP100 phono stage, the 200 and Focal Utopia phones. I think that equals or exceeds the Mac MT5 using the similar Clearaudio table.



My first impression of the 200 is probably spoiled by the huge improvement I got by switching to the Utopia phones. I have noticed improvement with every step I have made but none come close to the Utopias. That being said I will stick with the Macs and get accustomed to their rich signature sound. The detail that is emphasized by the Marantz TT15 is somewhat overwhelmed by the richness of the Macs. Still there and I don’t have to strain to hear it. Still there, just not in Spades.



Volume control? Disappointed as expressed by most on this string. Deal breaker? Nope. A different Ohmic value pot would probably solve that at the expense of some other capability but I doubt it would harm the 200/Utopia combo. Maybe someone will experiment with this and find a DIY to solve this problem. But it’s not that bad. It’s easy to want a volume you can’t get with the knob, just a little too loud or a little too soft, not exactly where you want to be. But the overall sound is good enough for it to be a keeper.

 

[J2Ordan]

ABQ2-

Good write up on your impressions. Given your comments (and those of others) on the volume control, the MHP 200 appears to be more a headphone amp first and pre amp second.

As far as its sound signature vs the Marantz, there is also the element of solid state vs tube that may be a factor in the overall equation.

Might is be possible to run the Marantz through the MPH 200? This would make the 200 an amp and the Marantz its pre-amp.

Enjoy the Hunt!

John

 

[Newsee]

Jason,

From your shop, did you ever try connect any DAP ( sp2000, iBasso DX220Max or DX300MAX ) Line Out to the MHA200?

Use it as digital player but with amp from MHA200.

If anyone tries at your shop, any feedback?

I was trying a McIntosh MHA200 with T+A Solitaire P. While the shop was organizing a dac I quickly listened to the chain from my Hiby R8 DAP SE line out. It was just one song, the "Alone" from Beyries. The magic might be caused by the MHA200 (my first encounter with a proper tube amp), but I really liked the sound. The bass was so spacey. Actually I liked it even more than from the Burson Conductor 3R preamp out afterwards. It felt somehow more organic.

Now I am very excited to hear how the Empyrean pairs with the MHA200.