[TSAVJason]

So going back to the power output for a second, does the "500 mW guaranteed" mean that is what is exactly being provided nothing more nothing less, or that it is 500 mW minimum but capable of delivering even more?

I ordered the DCA stealth which is low impedance (23 ohm), low sensitivity (86 db/mw).Dan clark himself recommends minimum 500mW @ 32Ω. So I'm wondering if the current output would be enough to get flagship level performance and authority, aside from being loud enough.

Until a McIntosh dealer has a DCA Stealth to try with the MHA200 it’s not likely you’ll know for sure. We should be receiving our Stealth order today or tomorrow so maybe we can assist with your question.

 

[qboogie]

What about the "500 mW guaranteed" statement, can you comment on that Jason?

 

[TSAVJason]

What about the "500 mW guaranteed" statement, can you comment on that Jason?

Yes you will receive a full 500 mw. Autoformers are a great way to insure power across many impedance’s. McIntosh is famous for this tech

 

[Crowbar44]

So going back to the power output for a second, does the "500 mW guaranteed" mean that is what is exactly being provided nothing more nothing less, or that it is 500 mW minimum but capable of delivering even more?

I ordered the DCA stealth which is low impedance (23 ohm), low sensitivity (86 db/mw).Dan clark himself recommends minimum 500mW @ 32Ω. So I'm wondering if the current output would be enough to get flagship level performance and authority, aside from being loud enough.

A constant 500mW into any load is MORE than enough to drive almost any headphone. They reason that a non-autoformer, “conventional” 500mW amp can seem anemic is that load of a headphone can change during transients with certain music and the amp can run out of power at these times, impacting the sound. This is a non-issue for the MHA 200, as no matter how the load of the headphone changes, the MHA will always give you 500mW. Most manufacturers make up for the drop in power with load changes by just adding more power. This can be effective, but it’s a brute force approach, and is frankly cheaper than manufacturing fancy custom wound transformers like McIntosh does. Folks who are “worried” that the MHA “only” provides 500mW are totally missing the point. Comparing the “constant 500mW into any load” MHA 200 to a conventional 5W amp is an apple to oranges comparison…at least when it comes to power.

 

[qboogie]

Thanks for explaining. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of the autoformer feature of this amp to see if it will play well with my headphone collection. I would love for it to outperform my formula S / Powerman when it comes to low impedance/low sensitivity cans like the 1266 TC and soon the DCA stealth. If it really is as good as the reviews state, then it might just replace the FS/P stack but I won't be confident about that until I do my own listening. I'm trying to calculate how much current the MHA200 can deliver into the 1266 TC. From the Formula S, it's about 206 mA.

 

[TSAVJason]

Thanks for explaining. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of the autoformer feature of this amp to see if it will play well with my headphone collection. I would love for it to outperform my formula S / Powerman when it comes to low impedance/low sensitivity cans like the 1266 TC and soon the DCA stealth. If it really is as good as the reviews state, then it might just replace the FS/P stack but I won't be confident about that until I do my own listening. I'm trying to calculate how much current the MHA200 can deliver into the 1266 TC. From the Formula S, it's about 206 mA.

It’s a fair concern. Some cans really demand a lot of current to get them to a proper level depending on user listening levels. I can’t provide a comparison between your gear for 2 reasons. First I don’t sell your brand so I’m not allowed to comment and second I don’t have one to make a fair comparison with. We will be receiving our DCA Stealth shipment today so I can give you some opinion later this afternoon or tomorrow depending on my schedule.

 

[TSAVJason]

Ok all you potential DCA Stealth that have asked if the McIntosh MHA200 has enough power to get it sounding great. INDEED IT DOES.

I set the MHA200 on 32 ohms, the gain control to 2/3 position just past the unity detent and it got up and played music effortlessly. I won’t comment yet on SQ because the Stealth is fresh out of the box but I’ll comment tomorrow after they’ve got 30 hours or so on them.

 

[Crowbar44]

Ok all you potential DCA Stealth that have asked if the McIntosh MHA200 has enough power to get it sounding great. INDEED IT DOES.

I set the MHA200 on 32 ohms, the gain control to 2/3 position just past the unity detent and it got up and played music effortlessly. I won’t comment yet on SQ because the Stealth is fresh out of the box but I’ll comment tomorrow after they’ve got 30 hours or so on them.

Thanks Jason...VERY interested in the pairing of the DCA Stealth and MHA-200 as it's on my list. In particular, a comparison to the open Utopia and Empy would be appreciated. I think many of us would opt for the closed Stealth if the SQ equals that of other open TOTL cans (I know I would!). Dogma/bias says that closed cans will always sound worse - I guess we'll see!

 

[TSAVJason]

Thanks Jason...VERY interested in the pairing of the DCA Stealth and MHA-200 as it's on my list. In particular, a comparison to the open Utopia and Empy would be appreciated. I think many of us would opt for the closed Stealth if the SQ equals that of other open TOTL cans (I know I would!). Dogma/bias says that closed cans will always sound worse - I guess we'll see!

As a lot of people know, I am a Utopia owner/user. I also enjoy attributes of the empyrean. I have time in my schedule tomorrow to sit with these 3 cans and provide what details I can based on my listening preferences.

 

[Audio Addict]

As a lot of people know, I am a Utopia owner/user. I also enjoy attributes of the empyrean. I have time in my schedule tomorrow to sit with these 3 cans and provide what details I can based on my listening preferences.

Do you have the new empyrean elite for a comparison?

 

[TSAVJason]

Do you have the new empyrean elite for a comparison?

They are supposed to arrive today

 

[TSAVJason]

Do you have the new empyrean elite for a comparison?

On the burn in desk now

 

[Audio Addict]

On the burn in desk now

Now you also need to include the new CRBN in your comparison

 

[TSAVJason]

Now you also need to include the new CRBN in your comparison

Com’n Steve, really? It doesn’t allow me to use the same amplification ….. so how do I make a fair comparison?? Any ideas?

 

[Audio Addict]

Com’n Steve, really? It doesn’t allow me to use the same amplification ….. so how do I make a fair comparison?? Any ideas?

I just meant compare the sonic signature of the CRBN to the other headphones. I know you would probably use the BHSE. Are they at the level of the CRBN or 009S.