[m8o]

I have no complaints. Compared to we'll regarded dacs of yesteryear at least; the DACs in my Arcam dv139 and Adcom GDA-700, and a modern one, the m9xx. Switching inputs between the source's analog out and spdif leaves me struggling to note differences.

I have read, whether this thread or the other for this amp, that there is an audible performance step with totl dacs in the mix. But I'm eager to grok by just how much that is. And if another multi-thousand dollar investment would rock my world, or give microscopic returns.

So, it becomes apparent I'm another with the same question.

 

[m8o]

If I was still living in a stereo world I swear I'd do whatever it takes to get the $ together to own one. Along with a pair on the new Klipsch LaScala II's and you'd create audio nirvana.
Unfortunately I now live in a full 5.2 world add will never afford the system costs x 2.5 to build a world class system.

totally off topic. But I got all that: Lascala II + Heresey speakers as part of my current 5.1 system; and customize Martin Logan 2ch system too with the passive xovers removed, ARC Classic 150 and other ARC amps, and Perreaux gear; and full M&K 150 flagship 5.1 system.


And .... Haven't listened to any of it in years vs. all my various hp thru this amp.

Admittedly that has a lot to do with living more of the year in an apartment than my house the last few years. But, really not missing those high end speaker based systems much either.

 

[Sal1950]

totally off topic. But I got all that: Lascala II + Heresey speakers as part of my current 5.1 system; and customize Martin Logan 2ch system too with the passive xovers removed, ARC Classic 150 and other ARC amps, and Perreaux gear; and full M&K 150 flagship 5.1 system.


And .... Haven't listened to any of it in years vs. all my various hp thru this amp.

Admittedly that has a lot to do with living more of the year in an apartment than my house the last few years. But, really not missing those high end speaker based systems much either.

I love my HP but only very rarely would I chose listening to them over the wonderful dimensionality of my speaker system, not to mention the physical impact of a good speaker systems bass. For me the HP's are only a acceptable alternative when I need great sound that won't disturb others.
I didn't include the fact that my new retirement digs is a small modular home whose living room area is about 10 x 16, couldn't even get my LaScala's on the floor in here. Made me cry to sell them after over 30 of ownership, purchased new in June 1978.
Good news is the horn tweetered, highly efficient Hsu HB-1 MK2's x 5, plus dual STF-2 sub-woofers provides a reasonable facsimile of my Klispch system in this small room.

 

[nordkapp]

Now if they would just make a purist HP amp (- the dac and speaker outs), I could see myself likely dropping down the necessary coin. Sigh......One time owner of MC202, MC252 and C42.

 

[IceClass]

I'm beginning to think we need to start a separate thread for folks who wish the MHA100 were a completely different product.

 

[m8o]

Don't know if past participants in thus thread will see this, but I'll try...

Anyone with the MHA100 have experience with the Grace m920 too, as DAC only? Is it as DAC only ( not caring about its head amp section ) a worthy upgrade to the DAC in the mha100?

Personally I don't have a problem with the mha100's dac. But so many feel "it's not the best", so it has me thinking. And thinking about getting in on the drop at massdrop for the m920; but not if its just a side-grade.

 

[tunes]

Is it possible to output the DAC of the MH100 to a dedicated headphone tube amp like a Zana Deux or ALO Studio 6 to have the best of SS and tubes without buying another DAC?

 

[musicman59]

Is it possible to output the DAC of the MH100 to a dedicated headphone tube amp like a Zana Deux or ALO Studio 6 to have the best of SS and tubes without buying another DAC?

The MHA100 has a Single Ended preamplifer output. Normally it is not recommended to have two volume controls daisy chained but according to the  MHA100 manual you can do it but you need to set the volume of the MHA100 at 70%. Below is a copy of the paragraph in the manual.
 
"System Thru Operation When the MHA100 is connected to a Main Preamplifier or Audio/Video Controller (as illustrated on page 12) it is important to maximize the combined performance. For the best performance, the volume control on the MHA100 should be set to 70%. The Volume Control on the Main Preamplifier or Audio/ Video Controller should be used to adjust the listening volume level."
 
In your case the Zana or ALO would be what they are referring to Preamplifier or Audio/Video Controller.

 

[EVOLVIST]

I finally got to audition one of these guys today. I was not impressed. Too edgy, with a digital sheen. That's plugging my HD800s into the HP section and using the internal DAC. I will say, however, that the presentation was as if I were going in balanced with my headphones. It was very spacious and nice. It was not that it totally sucked, though! I just expect that for $4500 I'd get a little less digital glare. This was a well broken in unit, too.
 
I'm giving McIntosh a pass on the DAC side, simply because they've just started hitting this particular market. I'd be very interested to see what they do in the future.

 

[m8o]

Interesting, never heard digital glare from someone. Has me wondering if you can hear things I can't, which is very likely, or if the source and recording contributed to what you heard.

 

[musicman59]

  I finally got to audition one of these guys today. I was not impressed. Too edgy, with a digital sheen. That's plugging my HD800s into the HP section and using the internal DAC. I will say, however, that the presentation was as if I were going in balanced with my headphones. It was very spacious and nice. It was not that it totally sucked, though! I just expect that for $4500 I'd get a little less digital glare. This was a well broken in unit, too.
 
I'm giving McIntosh a pass on the DAC side, simply because they've just started hitting this particular market. I'd be very interested to see what they do in the future.

The USB input of the DAC IMO is not the best. The coax input is better but in general terms the DAC is not at the level of others in the market. As a headphones amplifier I really like it but I have to say I am feeding the analog signal out of my Bricasti M1 SE.

 

[leftside]

I would have purchased one if they didn't include the DAC.

 

[EVOLVIST]

I would have purchased one if they didn't include the DAC.

Yeah, the DAC killed it for me. Otherwise, it seems that a ton of good work went into the HP section. Too flight!

 

[m8o]

Has anyone come across a review that did measurements [a bench test] of this device's dac and posted squarewave and sinewave measurements; the way stereophile and others usually do with a review? Haven't found one.

 

[WayTooCrazy]

Can't find an MHA-150 thread. Weird. I'd be sure some of you guys may upgrade or something. Keeping an eye on the McIntosh MHA-150 for upgrade next year (summer time) or possibly going with something else, would prefer the Mac though.