Jump to content
IGNORED

New McIntosh Portable DAC Headphone Amp MHA50


Recommended Posts

I've been sitting on this one, waiting to publish it. This looks really cool. Shipping expected in October and a suggested retail price of $700 USD..

 

 

 

EMBARGOED Press Release: Not for publication until September 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM EDT/14.00 UTC 

 

McIntosh Announces MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier

 

Listen to your music with McIntosh sound quality no matter where you go. Your headphones will thank you.

 

MHA50 with MHP1000 black background.jpgBinghamton, NY – September 27, 2017 McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for over 65 years, is proud to announce the MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier.

 

Nearly everyone walks around with most if not all of their music library in their pocket or bag where it’s readily accessible via a pair of headphones. While convenient, it likely doesn’t sound as good as it could. The new handheld MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier from McIntosh can make your music sound its best – and likely better than you’ve ever heard it before – through your headphones. 

 

The MHA50 includes wired inputs for Apple® iOS devices as well as Android devices that are compatible with USB On-The-Go technology plus Mac® and Windows® computers. It can also wirelessly connect to these devices via Bluetooth® 4.1 with aptX™ technology that ensures you receive the highest possible sound quality from your Bluetooth source device. Featuring a high-performance 32-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), it decodes music files from almost any digital source and outputs audio that is superior to what your device alone can produce. It supports 32-bit/192kHz hi-res audio, DSD256 and DXD384 files as well as asynchronous USB audio. Its 3,000 mAh rechargeable battery provides up to 6 hours of playback on a single charge when connected via Bluetooth; playback can last even longer when using the wired connections. 

 

Comparably sized to smartphones, the MHA50 is compact and lightweight for easy portability with a beveled case that fits comfortably in your hand or pocket. Its sleek design features a glass front panel with a touch sensitive volume control knob inspired by the classic knobs found on countless McIntosh products. It’s built primarily from durable extruded aluminum which also has some inherent noise shielding properties to help block external interference. Two gain settings allow the MHA50 to work with all types of headphones from small in-ear models to large over-ear studio type designs like the McIntosh MHP1000 Headphones (sold separately); it can drive headphones with impedances ranging from 8-600 ohms. Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) brings added dimension to your music in a natural sounding way and can be easily turned on and off depending on your preferences. All audio is output via a gold plated 3.5mm jack. This jack can also connect to a pair of powered desktop speakers, allowing the MHA50 to serve as a desktop DAC. 

 

The MHA50 comes complete with three USB adapter cables to connect various devices, a leather carrying case, and a wall mount charger with USA plug and adapters for Europe and Japan.

 

Pricing and Availability


Orders for the MHA50 can now be placed with Authorized McIntosh dealers with shipping expected to begin in October.

Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded): $700 USD

 

About McIntosh


Founded in 1949, McIntosh Laboratory is known for offering distinguished quality audio products, superior customer service and the ultimate experience in music and film. All McIntosh products are handcrafted at the Binghamton, NY factory by over 150 employees with a passion for music and the McIntosh heritage. McIntosh continues to define the ultimate home entertainment experience for discriminating consumers around the world, with the iconic “McIntosh Blue” Watt Meters globally recognized as a symbol of quality audio. Since its inception, McIntosh has been powering some of the most important moments in music history and pop culture. From President Lyndon Johnson’s inauguration speech to Woodstock to the infamous Grateful Dead “Wall of Sound,” McIntosh has not only witnessed history, it has shaped it. With McIntosh, customers have the ability to create their own premium audio experience – and truly live their music. Visit www.mcintoshlabs.com to learn more.

###

MHA50 black background with accessories.jpg MHA50 desktop.jpg MHA50 with MHP1000 coffee shop.jpg MHA50 with MHP1000 iPhone marble.jpg

MHA50 with MHP1000 iPhone wood01.jpg

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

Link to comment

This looks excellent ... on paper at least. At a surprisingly reasonable price for the marque, if the sound is commensurate.

Main System: NAS or QOBUZ > BlueSound Node 2i > Schiit Gungnir MultiBit > PYST XLR > Schiit Mjolnir 2 or Gilmore Lite MK2

 

Office System: iMac > Audirvana > Schiit EITR + Audiophonics LPS25 > Metrum FLINT NOS DAC (DAC TWO chips) > Schiit Magni 3+ > Aeon Flow Open

 

Loudspeaker System: NAIM Muso Gen 2

Link to comment
31 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Comparably sized to smartphones, the MHA50 is compact and lightweight for easy portability with a beveled case that fits comfortably in your hand or pocket.

 

Beveled objects the size of a smart phone do not fit comfortably in a pocket.  Moreover they rock sitting on a table and require two hands to change any setting on the top panel.    Certainly looks difficult to mate with a smart phone or mount out of the way on a laptop.  Design wise the usefulness appears less than stellar.  Maybe it has some magic surface adherent flat strip on the bottom and a gyroscopic ability to resist changes of axis.  Or is a great solution poorly packaged.   

 

Have you laid hands on a production model yet Chris?  

Link to comment

It looks to have a pretty wide flat surface on the back so hope fully it is stable.  I would, most likely, be holding it in my hand when making adjustments so the curved sides might fit well. Have to actually check one to see how it is weighted, etc.  I'll see if / when my local dealer is getting one. 

Link to comment

This looks cool, with great specs, and if the DAC sounds as good as the recent McIntosh DACs I have heard, it should sound pretty damned good.

 

I may need one of these too.  There really is no end to the things I need to buy is there.

 

edit: just looked at the price, at $700 bucks I will have it.

 

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=lifestyle&ProductId=MHA50

 

edit: again.  I wish there was a way to hook these things up to an automobile stereo and use the DAC in the device.

 

This will make streaming TIDAL Hi FI a whole new experience on iPad or iPhone.

No electron left behind.

Link to comment

Would be interesting what this would sound like used as a main DAC in a home system. The portable Chords were good enough that they ended up selling to people for home use as a good mid priced DAC, and Chord responded by putting out table top versions.

Main listening (small home office):

Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments.

Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three .

Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup.
Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. 

All absolute statements about audio are false :)

Link to comment
  • 1 year later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



×
×
  • Create New...