McIntosh MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier

[TSAVJason]

I had a similar thought. Though i’d trade the meter for tone controls.

If I had a dollar for everytime I’ve heard that one it would have paid a down payment on one. cheers

 

[dolstein]

If I had a dollar for everytime I’ve heard that one it would have paid a down payment on one. cheers

As a dealer, I hope you'll pass on these comments to McIntosh. Perhaps they'll listen to you. I wish they had crowdsourced this decide. It would have generated a lot of attention and provided them with valuable feedback. I wonder whether anyone on the design team actually uses a portable USB DAC/headphone amp,

As it is, I'm a bit torn. I've been a fan of McIntosh gear for some time, but it's generally been a long distance affair, since I've never been able to afford their products. Finally they come out with a product I can afford, but it's missing a few key features. I just purchased a set of AptX HD compatible headphones. If the MHA50 were AptX HD compatible, I'd probably buy it - even if it lacked MQA decoding, which is another feature that's sadly missing.

 

[TSAVJason]

As a dealer, I hope you'll pass on these comments to McIntosh. Perhaps they'll listen to you. I wish they had crowdsourced this decide. It would have generated a lot of attention and provided them with valuable feedback. I wonder whether anyone on the design team actually uses a portable USB DAC/headphone amp,

As it is, I'm a bit torn. I've been a fan of McIntosh gear for some time, but it's generally been a long distance affair, since I've never been able to afford their products. Finally they come out with a product I can afford, but it's missing a few key features. I just purchased a set of AptX HD compatible headphones. If the MHA50 were AptX HD compatible, I'd probably buy it - even if it lacked MQA decoding, which is another feature that's sadly missing.

As an engineer I can influence future products but unfortunately this one is done. However as a dealer I’m pleased you sent this. It reinforces what I’ve been telling them for the past 3 months. Thx

 

[bbyer]

Good idea but not much to discuss since only the McIntosh Group engineers and I are the only people that have played with the final version ....Mid to Late October is the production and shipping schedule. There have been a few dealers that have seen the pre-production. We will be showing it at RMAF this year.

Good luck with your thread!!

How did you showing of the McIntosh amp go at RMAF? I'm curious to hear the reactions but have yet to see anything online beyond press releases.

 

[TSAVJason]

How did you showing of the McIntosh amp go at RMAF? I'm curious to hear the reactions but have yet to see anything online beyond press releases.

I only showed the working piece to a few. We’ll see what they have to say when they post. I know Hifiinsider saw the non-working version but that doesn’t help much lol

 

[bbyer]

I only showed the working piece to a few. We’ll see what they have to say when they post. I know Hifiinsider saw the non-working version but that doesn’t help much lol

In your opinion - Is it worth holding off on buying a Chord Mojo which seems to be on sale everywhere to see what mac has to offer?

 

[TSAVJason]

In your opinion - Is it worth holding off on buying a Chord Mojo which seems to be on sale everywhere to see what mac has to offer?

Hmmm so the McIntosh does things the Mojo doesn’t but the Mojo can be a more serious player if you’re thinking of adding the Poly to it. I love the McIntosh but maybe I’m leaning more toward the Mojo. The MHA50 is really cool from the size and clean output perspective. I’m out of the office and can’t remember but I think we have a good price on the Mojo too. Alan Lin formally of Questyle is our NEW Personal Audio Manager. Give him a shout and see if our price and policies can earn your trust and business. His name here is @TSAVAlan

 

[doggiemom]

Has anyone received this yet? Looking forward to impressions. Also, does this require a camera kit for iPhone listening?

 

[TSAVJason]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I've been burned by a few "iPhone compatible" cables and such that stop working with a new iOS update or require a $30 Apple camera kit adapter that starts cutting out after 4 months of use.......... is this MFI certified? I'm stuck with an iPhone because of work, so this is very interesting indeed.

It works great with my iPhone 7+

 

[TSAVJason]

Has anyone received this yet? Looking forward to impressions. Also, does this require a camera kit for iPhone listening?

No consumer has one yet. They’ve been held back on shipping waiting one of the cables it scheduled to come with. It does not require the camera kit

Cable kit is complete now we wait on Apple certification

 

[doggiemom]

Hallelujah! I've spent $120 on camera kit adapters over the last year and a half and I am done with them! Thanks for the info, Jason.

 

[bbyer]

Any word on what’s happening with the release of the new McAmp?

 

[TSAVJason]

Any word on what’s happening with the release of the new McAmp?

Yes! Unfortunately we are waiting on the slowest company on the planet Apple . They have not provided the certification that allows McIntosh to release the unit.

 

[bbyer]

They are probably afraid of canabalizing the CCK cable market! Lol

Mojo sounds great but I too have grown tired of the CCK working intermittently.

Hopefully release happens before another cable/adapter purchase. I’m thinking when the McAmp is released it’s going to just work without the quirky Chord issues.

 

[TSAVJason]

They are probably afraid of canabalizing the CCK cable market! Lol

Mojo sounds great but I too have grown tired of the CCK working intermittently.

Hopefully release happens before another cable/adapter purchase. I’m thinking when the McAmp is released it’s going to just work without the quirky Chord issues.

We have it here. I’ve not discovered any issues