The MHA100 is the first dedicated headphone amplifier from McIntosh and takes advantage of unique McIntosh technologies to yield the best possible personal listening experience regardless of the headphones you use. It employs a new adaptation of our unique Autoformer technology to produce three headphone impedance ranges of 8-40, 40-150 and 150-600 ohms so that every headphone - from ear buds to studio quality phones - will receive the optimal McIntosh sound.
It features our new Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) to allow high quality recordings to image like conventional speakers in your headphones, bringing new depth and spatiality to your music. Four digital inputs allow the McIntosh Digital Engine to decode your digital music at up to 32 bits and 192kHz for maximum analog fidelity and enjoyment; two analog inputs are also available.
Love to listen to your headphones while working on your computer? Compared to our other amplifiers, the MHA100 is more compact and fits great on a desk, allowing you to enjoy your music while working. Its smaller size gives you additional flexibility to locate it almost anywhere in your space.
50 watt stereo speaker outputs are included for when you want to enjoy your favorite speakers instead of your headphones; Power Guard® will prevent clipping that could damage your headphones or speakers. Tone controls include a 5 Step Bass Boost Control for further customization. The entire unit is housed in a beautiful polished stainless steel chassis that not only compliments the classic glass front panel, knobs and brushed aluminum end caps, but also any room decor. Contact your local dealer to learn more.
MHA100 shown with McIntosh MHP1000 headphones (sold separately).
"The soundstage this amp presents through headphones is big and lifelike, and its accuracy and clarity across the frequency spectrum are reference-level good." - Tone Audio
"Nirvana from the first moment." - Tendances Électroniques & Design
What does the MHA100 do that other DACs or headphone amps don't? "In short, it allows any headphones to be themselves." - HiFi Critic
"Delivers the sonic quality for which McIntosh is so revered." - Robb Report
"A headphone amp worthy of the McIntosh legacy... The MHA100 is a reference-level, musically engaging headphone amp/DAC combo from top to bottom." - Audio360.org
"Perhaps the finest headphone amplifier currently in production." - The Pro Audio Web Blog
"Superb in every sense, offering a level of sonic grip and musical authenticity that is spell-binding. It always makes the most of the material on offer, regardless of source or genre." - Audio Video SA
HEADPHONE OUTPUT SPECIFICATIONS
HEADPHONE POWER OUTPUT
High Selection: 1W
Normal Selection: 250mW
HEADPHONE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
8-40 Ohms
40-150 Ohms
150-600 Ohms
ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
POWER OUTPUT PER CHANNEL
50 Watts
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE
8 Ohms
RATED POWER BAND
20Hz to 20kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION
0.005%
INTERMODULATION DISTORTION
0.005% maximum, if the instantaneous peak power is 100 watts or less per channel with both channels operating for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz
DYNAMIC HEADROOM
1.5dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
SENSITIVITY (UNBALANCED)
300mV
SENSITIVITY (BALANCED)
600mV
MAXIMUM INPUT SIGNAL (UNBALANCED)
8V
MAXIMUM INPUT SIGNAL (BALANCED)
16V
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
105dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE (BALANCED / UNBALANCED)
25K/25K
DAMPING FACTOR
>150
PREAMPLIFIER OUTPUT
3V (8V maximum)
PREAMPLIFIER OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
500 Ohms
VOLTAGE GAIN
36.5dB
POWER GUARD
<2% THD with up to 16dB overdrive at 1kHz
CONNECTIVITY
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
BALANCED INPUT
1
UNBALANCED INPUT
1
DIGITAL AES/EBU INPUT
1
DIGITAL COAXIAL INPUT
1
DIGITAL OPTICAL INPUT
1
DIGITAL MCT (DIN) INPUT
0
DIGITAL USB INPUT
1
PREAMPLIFIER OUTPUT
1
DIGITAL AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS
DIGITAL AES/EDU INPUT SAMPLE RATE
16-bit, 24-bit - 32kHz to 192kHz
DIGITAL COAXIAL INPUT SAMPLE RATE
16-bit, 24-bit - 32kHz to 192kHz
DIGITAL OPTICAL INPUT SAMPLE RATE
16-bit, 24-bit - 32kHz to 192kHz
DIGITAL MCT (DIN) INPUT SAMPLE RATE
N/A
DIGITAL USB INPUT SAMPLE RATE
16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit - 32kHz to 192kHz
CONTROL
TONE CONTROLS
5 Step Bass Boost Control: 0 to +12.5dB (in 2.5dB steps) @ 40Hz
POWER CONTROL INPUT
1
POWER CONTROL OUTPUT
1
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
OUTPUT METERS
Yes
VACUUM TUBE OR SOLID STATE
Solid State
POWER REQUIREMENT
120V 50/60Hz, 1.5A
STANDBY POWER REQUIREMENT
<0.25 Watts
OUTPUT AUTOFORMER
Yes for Headphones
WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D)
11-1/2" (29.2cm) x 5-9/16" (14.1cm) x 18" (45.7cm)
WEIGHT
26.5 lbs (12 kg)
SHIPPING WEIGHT
32.5 lbs (14.8 kg)
Product Literature
MHA100 Headphone Amplifier Brochure (2.83 MB) Download
User Documents
MHA100 Headphone Amplifier Owner's Manual (9.36 MB) Download
Important - Safety - Additional Operation Information Guide (4.91 MB) Download
Tech Tips: Preferred Computer Settings to Play DSD & DXD over McIntosh USB Input (2.58 MB) Download
Software Updates
