#1
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MHA100 as a preamp?
Hey guys,
Does anyone have experience with the MHA100 as a preamp? If so, how does it perform? I thought about picking up the MHA for a desktop system but may want to add an external amp at some point. Maybe a MC275, MC152, or MC302. The latter being overkill, I'm sure. I need some blue meters in my life! |
#2
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I think it all comes down to your priorities.
If your priority is headphones, go with the MHA100 and use it as a preamp. I can't speak to its performance in that duty; but, I expect it would do well (but not as well as a dedicated preamp). If you expect your priority to shift to driving a power amp, then I'd say go with a dedicated preamp and use the headphone stage. The C2300, C2500, C48, and C50 all have headphone stages and will do quite well for headphone listening (but not as well as a dedicated headphone amp). I don't do any critical listening on headphones; I use headphones purely for "background music" while working. So, I don't even have a proper headphone amp--I just drive an upgraded pair of IEMs straight from my Macbook Pro. |
#3
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nalthien,
Thanks for the reply. You're right, of course, and I probably need to think about my use case. Right now I listen to speakers roughly 80% of the time. The rest of the time is spent with Sennheiser HD800s. I am a little concerned that any benefit of going with the separates would be negated by the suboptimal listening environment. Maybe I'll go track down my closest dealer and do some auditioning. |
#4
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If 20% of your listening is with the headphones, I don't personally see that as enough to justify going with a dedicated headphone amp--especially not one at the price point of the MHA100.
Check out any of the C-line preamps--I think you'll be happier. |
#5
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The MHA is also a 50 watt integrated, but I really don't know how well it performs as a speaker amp compared to the separates. But considering my setup is near-field at relatively low spl, that may be enough power for me to get by. I'm going to try to hit up a dealer within the next week.
Exciting times ahead! |
#6
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Quote:
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#7
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I know that McIntosh shares similar components with their other models and also share the same sound signature too. Which of the McIntosh preamps would your say havs similar sound/component specs as the MHA100? Considering using it is also as a preamp. Currently have a c45 in my main system an want to see how 'close' musically it is as a preamp.
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