McIntosh MHA150 2-Channel Headphone Amplifier

The MHA150 Headphone Amplifier is a worthy successor to the critically-acclaimed MHA100. MHA150 contains the same feature set and performance standards but adds a new 2nd generation digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that provides support for DSD and DXD files to give you access to the latest in digital music.

Like MHA100, MHA150 continues to take advantage of unique McIntosh technologies to create the best possible personal listening experience regardless of the headphones you use. McIntosh’s Autoformer technology, found in their large mono and stereo amplifiers, has been adapted to produce three headphone impedance ranges of 8-40, 40-150 and 150-600 ohms so that every headphone will receive the legendary McIntosh sound quality and performance.

For enjoying DSD and DXD files, the USB input accepts PCM signals up to 32-bit/384kHz and supports DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 along with DXD 352.8 kHz and DXD 384 kHz. McIntosh’s proprietary MCT input has also been added to the MHA150; when paired with the MCT450 SACD/CD Transport​, it offers a secure DSD connection for playback of the high definition audio on SACDs. 

For connecting digital devices, an optical and coaxial input are included along with the USB and MCT inputs; two analog inputs are also available. Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) brings added dimension to your music in a natural sounding way but can be turned off depending on your preferences. MHA150 is smaller than McIntosh’s other amplifiers, giving you additional flexibility to locate it almost anywhere in your space. It’s the same width as the MB50 Streaming Audio Player and the two can be combined to start building a complete system.

MHA150 is powerful and versatile enough to drive a pair of quality desktop or small bookshelf speakers​ via its 50 watt stereo speaker outputs. McIntosh’s patented Power Guard® technology is included and will prevent clipping that could damage your headphones or speakers. A 5-step bass boost control allows for further sound 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 virtually any room decor. ​

FEATURES

• Supports DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DXD 352.8kHz, & DXD 384kHz
• Uses autoformer to produce 3 headphone impedance ranges of 8-40, 40-150 & 150-600 ohms
• Headphone crossfeed director (HXD) images quality recordings like conventional speakers
• Power guard
• 50w stereo speaker terminals
• Compact size for placement flexibility
• 6 Inputs: 4 digital, 1 balanced, 1 unbalanced
• 1 preamp output
• 1 headphone jack (1⁄4”)
• 1 USB input at 32-bit/384kHz
• 1 MCT input for SACD playback from MCT450 transport
• Handcrafted at McIntosh’s Binghamton, New York factory

TECHNICAL SPECS

• Headphone Power Output
  
• High Selection: 1w
• Normal Selection: 250 mW
• Headphone Output Impedance
• 8 – 40 ohms
• 40 – 150 ohms
• 150 – 600 ohms
• Power Output Per Channel: 50w
  
• Speaker Impedance: 8 ohms
  
• Rated Power Band: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  
• 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 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  
• Dynamic Headroom: 1.5 dB
  
• Frequency Response
• +0, -0.5 dB: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• +0, -3 dB: 10 Hz to 100 kHz
• Sensitivity
• Unbalanced: 300 mV
• Balanced: 600 mV
• Maximum Input Signal
• Unbalanced: 8 V
• Balanced: 16 V
• Signal To Noise Ratio: 105 dB
  
• Input Impedance: 25 K
  
• Damping Factor:  >150
  
• Preamp Output: 3 V (8 V maximum)
  
• Preamp Output Impedance: 500 ohms
  
• Voltage Gain: 36.5 dB
  
• Power Guard: <2% THD with up to 16 dB overdrive at 1 kHz
  
• Headphone Output: 1/4″ high drive with headphone crossfeed director (HXD)
  
• Balanced Input: 1
  
• Unbalanced Input: 1
  
• Digital Coaxial Input: 1
  
• Digital Optical Input: 1
  
• Digital MCT (DIN) Input: 1
  
• Digital USB Input: 1
  
• Preamp Output: 1
  
• Digital Coaxial Input Sample Rate: 16-bit, 24-bit – 32 kHz to 192 kHz
  
• Digital Optical Input Sample Rate: 16-bit, 24-bit – 32 kHz to 192 kHz
  
• Digital MCT (DIN) Input Sample Rate: 16-bit, 24-bit – 32 kHz to 192 kHz
  
• Digital USB Input Sample Rate: 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit – 32 kHz to 384 kHz
  
• Tone Controls: 5-step bass boost control: 0 to +12.5 dB (in 2.5 dB steps) @ 40 Hz
  
• Power Control Input: 1
  
• Power Control Output: 1
• Output meters
  
• Vacuum Tube Or Solid State: solid state
  
• Power Requirement: 120 V 50 / 60 Hz, 1.5 A
  
• Standby Power Requirement: <0.25w
  
• Output Autoformers: for headphones
  
• Dimensions: 11-1/2″w x 5-7/8″h x 18″d 
  
• Weight: 26.5 lbs

USER MANUAL

• Owner’s Manual