[doggiemom]

...move gently on the gain control.

The woman who cleans our house every couple of weeks is big on dusting. She unintentionally turned the volume knob on the MHA200 up to max last time she was here dusting, and I didn't realize it so just plopped my headphones on and started playback.... Ouch! At least now I know that the amp can get plenty loud!

 

[cykin]

Oh thanks I am using SPL Phonitor X as my preamp using XLR and impedance for headphone is set at 600 for HD800S.. if I put MHA200 volume to about 2 o'clock I only need to go about 50% on my preamp... is this setting ok?

do you like 600ohms more than 250ohms for HD800s ?

 

[qboogie]

The woman who cleans our house every couple of weeks is big on dusting. She unintentionally turned the volume knob on the MHA200 up to max last time she was here dusting, and I didn't realize it so just plopped my headphones on and started playback.... Ouch! At least now I know that the amp can get plenty loud!

Whoa. I'm sorry for your ears. If you watch the Z reviews video (say what you will about his content) on the mha200, he uses a piece of sticky tack to secure the volume knob so that doesn't accidentally become ear splitting

 

[Crowbar44]

OK...so my MHA-200 has developed significant static in the left channel on startup...it goes away once the amp in warmed up after 30 min...

I suspect a bad tube...

Question...do the tubes just "pull out" on the MHA-200? Any special considerations when pulling tubes?

Plan to swap the left and right tubes to see if the static switches channels...

Many thanks all!

 

[cykin]

OK...so my MHA-200 has developed significant static in the left channel on startup...it goes away once the amp in warmed up after 30 min... <== same with me, but sometimes left or right. goes away after a while

 

[u2u2]

OK...so my MHA-200 has developed significant static in the left channel on startup...it goes away once the amp in warmed up after 30 min...

I suspect a bad tube...

Question...do the tubes just "pull out" on the MHA-200? Any special considerations when pulling tubes?

Plan to swap the left and right tubes to see if the static switches channels...

Many thanks all!

First time out the tubes will be on the very tight side. Just work them slowly up with a little patience and an eye to keeping them aligned so you don’t bend the pins. I suggest a little Deoxit or similar on the pins when you reinstall them. Makes it much easier and that alone may solve the problem. I am on my second MHA200 and third set of OEM tubes… 2 X red plates and now static as well. Power tubes every time so I would check those first. On the plus side, if you need to replace any tubes there are many good performing and affordable tubes available for this amp.

 

[rreynolds]

OK...so my MHA-200 has developed significant static in the left channel on startup...it goes away once the amp in warmed up after 30 min...

I suspect a bad tube...

Question...do the tubes just "pull out" on the MHA-200? Any special considerations when pulling tubes?

Plan to swap the left and right tubes to see if the static switches channels...

Many thanks all!

They're easier to take out if you add a little wiggle, same with inserting them in. Rolled some NOS RCA's in place of the stock tubes.

 

[louis9]

same here, i heard static on my HD800s when the volume at 0, not on abyss 1266 though

 

[xtiva]

same here, i heard static on my HD800s when the volume at 0, not on abyss 1266 though

I had exact same issue with HD800, only on the right hand side. Though when removing the RCA/XLR cable, the noise went away.

 

[Yesthereisgasinthecar]

hello, wanted to be my first tube amp… I have Hugo2, Hifiman Ananda. I fell in love with mcintosh. But I don't have that much money yet, I'm considering a cheaper option - xDuoo TA-26 And eventually Macintosh in future. do you think this will be a good option for dac hugo2?

Absolutely. I personally do not care for the SE headphone out on my Hugo 2 with headphones (IEMS seem fine) and use tube amps to warm the sound up a bit. Buy what you can afford, enjoy the music along the way, and the aspirational gear will eventually come.

 

[TSAVJason]

Whoa. I'm sorry for your ears. If you watch the Z reviews video (say what you will about his content) on the mha200, he uses a piece of sticky tack to secure the volume knob so that doesn't accidentally become ear splitting

ouch!

 

[Crowbar44]

They're easier to take out if you add a little wiggle, same with inserting them in. Rolled some NOS RCA's in place of the stock tubes.

Yup - it turns out one of the 12BH7a's went bad. When I swapped the 12BH7a's from left to right, the static moved from left to right...though once the amp is warmed up for about 30 min, the static is almost completely gone.

Stock tubes are about 6 months old...but full disclosure, I accidently left the amp running continuous sound via a video game for around a week a few months ago - so I'm not completely surprised a tube went bad...

I have a new set of stock 12BH7a's on order from McIntosh...of note, McIntosh only warranty's tubes for 60 days...

Does anyone know who makes the stock 12BH7a's for McIntosh? Suspect I could probably save $20 a tube going that route...

Cheers

 

[TSAVJason]

Yup - it turns out one of the 12BH7a's went bad. When I swapped the 12BH7a's from left to right, the static moved from left to right...though once the amp is warmed up for about 30 min, the static is almost completely gone.

Stock tubes are about 6 months old...but full disclosure, I accidently left the amp running continuous sound via a video game for around a week a few months ago - so I'm not completely surprised a tube went bad...

I have a new set of stock 12BH7a's on order from McIntosh...of note, McIntosh only warranty's tubes for 60 days...

Does anyone know who makes the stock 12BH7a's for McIntosh? Suspect I could probably save $20 a tube going that route...

Cheers

JJ makes the tubes you are asking about.

 

[Crowbar44]

JJ makes the tubes you are asking about.

Thanks Jason - interestingly, can't find a price online for the JJ 12BH7A that is cheaper than what McIntosh is charging...guess I'll stick with stock.

 

[TSAVJason]

Thanks Jason - interestingly, can't find a price online for the JJ 12BH7A that is cheaper than what McIntosh is charging...guess I'll stick with stock.

Probably because McIntosh is their biggest client so they price match to keep McIntosh happy. The 12BH7a doesn’t really affect the sound so that tube value from nearly any supplier is very likely going to keep the MHA200 sound signature in tact.