[Quadfather]

I think it pairs well with nearly every easy to drive headphones. It doesn’t get loud on harder to drive headphones like the 1266 and similar headphones

My two favorite headphones are Meze 109 Pro and Shure SRH1540 headphones

 

[TSAVJason]

My two favorite headphones are Meze 109 Pro and Shure SRH1540 headphones

You’ll hear those 2 in a new way!

 

[pongiverse]

Hi guys,
I am looking to upgrade headphone for my MHA200 set up. I am currently using the original Audeze LCD2 in my main set up. I also have the HD800, Grado RS2 and Hemp V2.

I am primarily connecting the amp with my turntable set up (ear834p phono) and occasionally using benchmark 1 pre dac for tidal streaming.

Any recommendations on good headphone pairing that would be noticeable improvement on my existing set up would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SteveZissou77]

One year anniversary for my setup.

McIntosh MP100 Preamp connected via XLR to my MHA200 in a pure analogue setup configuration.
My main headphones are Sony MDR-Z1R.

I had a few different tube amps before, most recently a Feliks tube which I enjoyed with no complaints.

I upgraded simply because I was smitten with the reviews, aesthetics and I bought into the McIntosh unit pairing.

So far, it has provided all I hoped for, and even more. I love the sound, I love what it does for my Z1Rs in terms of width and detail and I enjoy powering up both every single time. I recently upgraded my vinyl cartridge and I was so impressed with how clear the changes came though that I had to swap back and forth a few times. My favorite vinyls are better and more defined than ever.

For digital source I have a Qutest (connected to a Roon M2 Mac Min) with a different (better) power-unit connected . Worst part about this setup is that it transform the digital source in such a nice way that I started appreciating the digital a lot more than I have before which means where I was at a 80-20 split between vinyl and digital before, it's almost 50-50 now. Maybe some of the credit goes to the Qutest. I upgraded from a Mojo at the same time as getting the MHA200.

As a fun fact the MP100 has an excellent USB (best ADC I have tried out of MANY) out that I feed into the mac mini and with the software Airfoil Sattelite I can stream my vinyl via AirPlay and Chromecast (without further audio degredation than AirPlay and Chromecast imposes as per their respective standards). It's the polar opposite of the pure analogue system that was my main priority when I paired the two units but I just love that I can do alle three things - pure analogue from vinyl to MHA, highest quality digital from roon to qutest to MHA and MP100 to Mac Mini to AirPlay (even remotely controlled from my phone).

Sound quality
9.7 out of 10 - You always have to leave room for a tiny bit of improvement

Features
8.8 out of 10 - I'm not at all bothered with the volume knob but it's not GREAT, a volume remote would have been really nice!

Value for money
9 out of 10 - McIntosh charges more of a premium than I feel the build quality actually delivers on (the MHA200).

Bottomline
As someone who is/was always looking and reading this past year I have found myself just being 100% happy with what I have. Money no object I dont think I would want another setup - I'm sure there are better stuff out there but not a pairing as compact and cool.

 

[vo_obgyn]

I've had my MHA-200 for a few years now and currently I am experiencing distortion - it sounds like a "rub" like the sound you hear when you rub your thumb and finger together close to your ear.

The distortion can be heard from either side while the music is playing or not. It is intermittent but can be heard more than 50% of the time. It persists even if new tubes are added and even when a different headphone or input is selected. Changing cables do not make a difference as well.

Would it be a good idea to send it in to McIntosh for service at this point? I have also made sure that there is no RF interference nearby.

Thanks

 

[TSAVJason]

I've had my MHA-200 for a few years now and currently I am experiencing distortion - it sounds like a "rub" like the sound you hear when you rub your thumb and finger together close to your ear.

The distortion can be heard from either side while the music is playing or not. It is intermittent but can be heard more than 50% of the time. It persists even if new tubes are added and even when a different headphone or input is selected. Changing cables do not make a difference as well.

Would it be a good idea to send it in to McIntosh for service at this point? I have also made sure that there is no RF interference nearby.

Thanks

McIntosh carries a 3 year warranty so yes, either take it to your dealer to get warranty service or call McIntosh to get a repair ticket number and send it back for repair

 

[vo_obgyn]

McIntosh carries a 3 year warranty so yes, either take it to your dealer to get warranty service or call McIntosh to get a repair ticket number and send it back for repair

Thanks Jason. It looks like I purchased the unit in October 2021, so it is still under warranty.

 

[Lépine]

w

You’ve probably noticed how incredible the mids are on the MHA200. They certainly don’t need any help from a silver or hybrid cable. But that is more a personal preference IMO

I personally love Kimber Kable products. I can’t say in good conscience that you would hear a $1400 difference. McIntosh always seems to please more listeners on copper. Just an observation

Hello Jason,

You're always great for getting advice. TheSourceAV is a great place to visit and bring home something that adds more smiles every time.
I decided after three years of enjoying the MHA200 to go for the KS1136 XLR Interconnects. Go big or go home

 

[TSAVJason]

Hello Jason,

You're always great for getting advice. TheSourceAV is a great place to visit and bring home something that adds more smiles every time.
I decided after three years of enjoying the MHA200 to go for the KS1136 XLR Interconnects. Go big or go home

Good for you, I’m happy you’re enjoying your MHA200.
Thx for the compliment …. I try my best to advise based on actual performance data but some things are prone to a great deal of subjectivity.

 

[gonzalo05]

Good for you, I’m happy you’re enjoying your MHA200.
Thx for the compliment …. I try my best to advise based on actual performance data but some things are prone to a great deal of subjectivity.

What's a good fairly priced power cable for the MHA200? Thanks.

Good for you, I’m happy you’re enjoying your MHA200.
Thx for the compliment …. I try my best to advise based on actual performance data but some things are prone to a great deal of subjectivity.

 

[TSAVJason]

What's a good fairly priced power cable for the MHA200? Thanks.

It’s got a bigger connectors on them than you’d expect but the Tributaries 6P C7 (I think) is my favorite. I like it because it really did show a noticeable lift in the ease of energy. Almost any brand of consequence like AudioQuest and so on will help but that one by tributaries stands out more like it’s worth the investment out of the maybe 8 brands I’ve tried.

We sell them, I think we have them on “in store” sale but you can just call Wayne at the store he’ll give you the sale prices. We do have other options like the AudioQuest

 

[gonzalo05]

It’s got a bigger connectors on them than you’d expect but the Tributaries 6P C7 (I think) is my favorite. I like it because it really did show a noticeable lift in the ease of energy. Almost any brand of consequence like AudioQuest and so on will help but that one by tributaries stands out more like it’s worth the investment out of the maybe 8 brands I’ve tried.

We sell them, I think we have them on “in store” sale but you can just call Wayne at the store he’ll give you the sale prices. We do have other options like the AudioQuest

Thank you for your quick response. I will try and stop by on one of my days off. I really appreciate the help.

 

[TSAVJason]

Thank you for your quick response. I will try and stop by on one of my days off. I really appreciate the help.

No worries! Look forward to seeing you

 

[OnlySoMany]

I've had my MHA-200 for a few years now and currently I am experiencing distortion - it sounds like a "rub" like the sound you hear when you rub your thumb and finger together close to your ear.

The distortion can be heard from either side while the music is playing or not. It is intermittent but can be heard more than 50% of the time. It persists even if new tubes are added and even when a different headphone or input is selected. Changing cables do not make a difference as well.

Would it be a good idea to send it in to McIntosh for service at this point? I have also made sure that there is no RF interference nearby.

Thanks

Probably a tube issue, or some level of interference. Tube amps are different. Have you isolated the amp?

 

[Lépine]

First hour with the brand new KS-1136. Whoa this is going to need some burn in.

1) Very detailed and extremely bright, but very smooth.
2) Extreme sub-bass, noticeably attinuated.
3) Upper bass so tight, never heard anything like this level of upper bass mid bass improvement (or simply the lower octivas are now much quieter so less hazy bass. Impressive how tight it got.

Have to turn down the volume, the treble is intense. I'll hook up a solid state power amp and hope these will become fuller sounding. Theres potential, just hope it changes enought to take advantage of the hyper details or else, this will be the first time I have seriously considered using EQ.

Great for acoustical string instruments, but wow a little painful to listen to for percussion instruments and brass instruments.
With the right music, it's like switching to open back headphones from closed back. Really amazing sound stage. Just need it to mellow a bit.

Update 4 hours later: Doesn't take long for the cable to burn-in.
I don't know if I can recommend spending $4,000 for a meter of this interconnect, but it definitely makes my Kimber Kable Silver Streak and HERO sound like garbage. I'm really impressed with what this interconnect sounds like. I didn't realize how much more information is coming out of the M-Scaler until now.