[warrenpchi]

I have one of the first units along with the Positive Feedback reviewer...the issue is a touch overstated...can you feel the pot move ever so slightly if you torque on it (which you really shouldn't do) well yes...is it "loose", absolutely not.

I should note that my unit doesn't have any play in the knob. Just lucky I guess?

I have a set of OG Clears on the way...expecting good things - I'll report back.

I'd be very interested in hearing what you think of that pairing!

Thank you Jason and Warren for a kind coverage for the MHA-200 amp. I was wondering if either of you have tested this amp with the abyss 1266-TC ? I was wondering if this amp has enough power for the TC's ?

I haven't, sorry.

 

[TSAVJason]

So I’ve learned, tested and understand the “Unity Gain” feature on the MHA200 amp much better now. The idea is all, of the more current devices, like preamps, CD, phono preamps, streamers, DAC’s from McIntosh are also preamps. So for example you could have a McIntosh C2700 preamp with all your digital and analog plugged into it. You could then use the 2nd set of outputs from the C2700 as the pre and the MHA200 then is just the main amp. On their website they left this open ended in a way that did and didn’t make sense. But this particular configuration could be brilliant for the user that has 2 outputs on their preamp, 2 channel or theater rig enabling lots of sources and applications. This is rather brilliant and works really well with McIntosh gear for many reasons. So I apologize from my old school reaction initially. I won’t name the dac I initially tried this feature with. Next up! Tube rolling ..... let’s see what she can do

 

[TSAVJason]

I should note that my unit doesn't have any play in the knob. Just lucky I guess?



I'd be very interested in hearing what you think of that pairing!



I haven't, sorry.

They are all the same and to be fair to the very pickiest of picky people there is a tiny bit of play but nothing that is not correct. So it’s a non-issue. My only complaint (not really a complaint) is even though it’s aluminum it feels very light to the touch.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Nope! It is a production unit. It is not a defect or deficit to the amp. It is the type of pre VC they are using. It is a non-issue. If you want to understand this attribute and you have a McIntosh dealer nearby with any of the preamps that have an EQ in front, it’s the same type of knob as the EQ knobs with the same exact feel

Can you please Name a few McIntosh preamps with EQ in front, for my own research.

 

[TSAVJason]

Can you please Name a few McIntosh preamps with EQ in front, for my own research.

Sure! maybe the new C53 or previous C52.

 

[TSAVJason]

Ooof do you ship to Europe?

Sorry that’s not allowed otherwise I’d be happy to

 

[ThanatosVI]

Sure! maybe the new C53 or previous C52.

Thank you, McIntosh preamps look amazing.
EQ, Tubes and headphone out on most.

Maybe I get one on the Distant future

 

[ThanatosVI]

I finally found the time to watch the great Video and actually started thinking of how to redistribute my gear to have some additional space.

Maybe I can still fit it in, the size of it is really a benefit here. I read the size before, but that side by side, made it so much more apparent, how small it actually is.

What are the Standard tubes it gets delivered with?
They are branded McIntosh, but that is only a branding right?
And can you replace the 12BH7A with 6SN7 when using an adapter?
I know one is Noval the other Octal but electrically I heard they were identical.

Off topic:
Do you know if McIntosh intends to use the Design of the 70th Anniversary gear in future products?
Aesthetically they are my favourite.

 

[TSAVJason]

I finally found the time to watch the great Video and actually started thinking of how to redistribute my gear to have some additional space.

Maybe I can still fit it in, the size of it is really a benefit here. I read the size before, but that side by side, made it so much more apparent, how small it actually is.

What are the Standard tubes it gets delivered with?
They are branded McIntosh, but that is only a branding right?
And can you replace the 12BH7A with 6SN7 when using an adapter?
I know one is Noval the other Octal but electrically I heard they were identical.

Off topic:
Do you know if McIntosh intends to use the Design of the 70th Anniversary gear in future products?
Aesthetically they are my favourite.

Yes the 70th look is very cool. I don’t know for sure but we did have a discussion on a Special Edition so it’s possible.

good question on tube compatibility. I’ve only tried the Mullard and Siemens so far. The OE tubes are Svetlana

 

[ThanatosVI]

Yes the 70th look is very cool. I don’t know for sure but we did have a discussion on a Special Edition so it’s possible.

good question on tube compatibility. I’ve only tried the Mullard and Siemens so far. The OE tubes are Svetlana

That sounds very interesting, you will keep us posted if any special Editions will come in the future, right?

Regarding the tube compatibility I also wrote an email to McIntosh Support today.

 

[rsbanner]

For me...the looks are a big selling point - along with the custom wound transformers that can be matched to the impedance of different headphones...it will be nice to have an amp that can theoretically drive a wide variety of can's from 300 Ohm Senns to 40 Ohm planars...

Hopefully it sounds as good as it looks...

I just wish I could afford it...

 

[TSAVJason]

That sounds very interesting, you will keep us posted if any special Editions will come in the future, right?

Regarding the tube compatibility I also wrote an email to McIntosh Support today.

im curious how they respond. Tube rolling isn’t something they readily support ..... not that you shouldn’t but it isn’t something they explore.

yes I always try to keep headfiers apprised of new cool stuff as much as I’m allowed to.

 

[Crowbar44]

So I’ve learned, tested and understand the “Unity Gain” feature on the MHA200 amp much better now. The idea is all, of the more current devices, like preamps, CD, phono preamps, streamers, DAC’s from McIntosh are also preamps. So for example you could have a McIntosh C2700 preamp with all your digital and analog plugged into it. You could then use the 2nd set of outputs from the C2700 as the pre and the MHA200 then is just the main amp. On their website they left this open ended in a way that did and didn’t make sense. But this particular configuration could be brilliant for the user that has 2 outputs on their preamp, 2 channel or theater rig enabling lots of sources and applications. This is rather brilliant and works really well with McIntosh gear for many reasons. So I apologize from my old school reaction initially. I won’t name the dac I initially tried this feature with. Next up! Tube rolling ..... let’s see what she can do

I suspected as much...had a feeling that the "feature" was designed to integrate the MHA200 into the rest of a McIntosh ecosystem. I get the impression that McIntosh owners tend to have all Mc gear and don't "mix and match" as much. I suspect the outstanding esthetics of their gear, in addition to the great sound, is one reason.

 

[Garak]

Thank you Jason and Warren for a kind coverage for the MHA-200 amp. I was wondering if either of you have tested this amp with the abyss 1266-TC ? I was wondering if this amp has enough power for the TC's ?

I can't imagine that it can even come close to driving the 1266 to their full potential. They may get "loud enough" but that's not really a good measure, especially for that kind of TOTL headphone. I'm trying to figure out if it's enough to drive the Diana V2 and I'm like 95% sure the answer is no. The McIntosh only has 500 mw of power, so it would need to have very high current (similar to Formula S, though that also has about 3x more power than the McIntosh at @47ohm).

I'm going to demo it locally soon and bring the Diana but I have doubts.

 

[TSAVJason]

I can't imagine that it can even come close to driving the 1266 to their full potential. They may get "loud enough" but that's not really a good measure, especially for that kind of TOTL headphone. I'm trying to figure out if it's enough to drive the Diana V2 and I'm like 95% sure the answer is no. The McIntosh only has 500 mw of power, so it would need to have very high current (similar to Formula S, though that also has about 3x more power than the McIntosh at @47ohm).

I'm going to demo it locally soon and bring the Diana but I have doubts.

I believe Hifi Insider has spent considerable time with the 1266 on the MHA200. Pose your questions to him. Possibly he can chime in to being a better understanding to this combo. I found very little if anything lacking