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I'm considering a McIntosh MHA200 to drive my LCD-X, LCD-2, and AKG K412 headphones. I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion.
If the MHA200 has good macro and microdynamics and high-end extension (and musical detail retrieval) then I'll be happy with the sound.
But I'm a bit suspicious of McIntosh prices. They have a great reputation and cult following, but has that allowed them to overcharge for underperforming hardware?
My understanding is that McIntosh amps are "lush" and "musical" and
"forgiving." They brag they've been using this "Unity Circuit" thing for 80 years, but really, I would expect it's better to advance your technology over time. Perhaps this gives them a signature sound, but is it a colored sound?
Follow Ups:
It pains me to admit this, but...Been auditioning a Topping DX 9 DAC/Headphone Amp combo. For the asking price (Which is on sale at Apos currenty), the performance is remarkable.
It sports the AKM 4499EQ DAC,and has six different discrete amp sections, all of which sound very good.
It can compete quite well with the high end stand alone DACs and Headphone Amps. I would have not believed it if someone had told me this, but actually having it in house and auditioning the unit has relucantly forced me to revise my opinions.
I realize you like the tube sound, but this unit sounds very close to reference grade.
YMMV
" Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you"
Satchel Paige
Edits: 04/02/25 04/02/25
Maybe it's amazing, but I'm happy with my server and DAC so I will probably look for an amp without having to pay extra for the DAC in order to keep it simple. What do you think about the Topping headphone amp (no DAC)?
My digital section is
- Aurender N100 server
- via USB to a Gustard U18 DDC
- via coax to a Gustard R26 DAC
Everything has premium power cords and fuses. Cabling (PC, USB and Coax) is custom by Igor Kuznetsoff who does some of the best cabling I've heard. Very high resolution and musical. Distributed parallel capacitance is my power conditioning, over 300 uF spread throughout the house with ERS paper in the capacitance boxes to further dissipate RFI.
I doubt any $1000 amp/DAC can compete with this, but I can't say never, of course.
Late to the conversation, but Schiit has some marvelous headphone-only amps that come without a DAC. Its amazing what you can get for your money.
I believe their top headphone amp is solid state. Is that correct? I'm normally a tube guy. Do you think I would like it?
Later this week I'm trying out a Woo WA6-SE which is not only tube, but SET. A friend has gifted it to me. I heard some amps my friend designed, 2A3 based SET headphone amps. I think I've drunk the SET Koolaid.
They do have the Lyr headphone amp which can run with or without a 6SN7 tube. I had a Lyr 3 (the immediate prior model to the current version) and thought it a fantastic class A tube amp (which I also used as a preamp until I switched some gear around.) They also have some discontinued headphone amps with tubes you may be able to find used: Mjolnir & Valhalla.
Your system looks fine to me. Headphones are a very personal choice, much more so than speaker setups. My high end headphone amp is a Aurouasound HEADA, which is a wonderful SS amp that many audiophiles think it sounds like a high end tube amp, only with solid bass.
Having said that, check out this video. I have to admit that I think he's bang on here.
Technology has advanced. I also have a PS Audio DSD MK 1 DAC, along with an Aurouasound HEADA headphone amp. When level matched, one would be hard pressed to discern the differece beteen the high end setup and the DX9, Believe me, I would not have belived this before hearing this for myseelf.
The headphones used for comparison are high end cans.
" Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you"
Satchel Paige
I'd put LTA, Manley and Schiit on your shopping homework list.
Gsquared
you ought to audition the Pass Labs HPA1. It has been universally praised.
Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone
Thanks, but given that I can't try everything, and given that I love good tube sound, I'm going to stick with tube amps. I currently have a custom 12AU7 input/FET output headphone amp and I want to get back to pure tube.
Woo audio and Bottlehead should be on the list. And Manley and add in Black Ice audio. Wave theory did a great youtube review of Fosgates last audio piece before he passed which was the Black Ice flagship dac/amp
Cut to razor sounding violins
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