complin Posted January 19, 2014 Report Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Edited January 19, 2014 by complin Quote
complin Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) CES McIntosh revealed that it is developing its own headphone range to go with the MHA100 headphone amplifier ($5000). Shown in prototype form at the CES show were the flagship MHP1000 over-ear headphones that will go on sale in the first half of 2014 for around $2000. More affordable models will be added to the range in due course. Edited January 19, 2014 by complin Quote
Torpedo Posted January 19, 2014 Report Posted January 19, 2014 I've read about the MHA100 amplifier, there's a report about it at Innerfidelity and a video by Tyll. It looks very impressive, an all in one which may fit a lot of requirements. With a speaker output it may even be usable to drive Stax amp with an energizer like the SRD-7 pro. I wish they post some listening impressions. I like how it looks. There's that thing about McIntosh stuff Quote
n3rdling Posted January 19, 2014 Report Posted January 19, 2014 A rebadged Beyer for $2000, no thanks. Quote
spritzer Posted January 19, 2014 Report Posted January 19, 2014 At least it's a nice looking Beyer... Quote
Torpedo Posted January 19, 2014 Report Posted January 19, 2014 Indeed. Problem is that the DAC-amp is $5000 Quote
complin Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Posted January 19, 2014 The headphones look a bit like circumaural Grado's on a german frame (beyer/senn) Apparently the amplifier has 50 watt output for speakers which begs the question is it just an integrated amp with a headphone socket (i.e. Leben) ? Quote
Torpedo Posted January 19, 2014 Report Posted January 19, 2014 This looks like SS. The selectable power output plus selectable impedance looks a very interesting couple of features to get any headphone sounding good. I don't care for the crossfeed, and not that much for the DAC, but this can be good to have on a single all-in-one "small" system. Quote
Dusty Chalk Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 Hopefully Tyll'l be sent a sample. Quote
DefQon Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 Last company I'd expect to get into the headphone-dom, McIntosh if you're reading this please stick to your amp's and preamp's please. Quote
tin ear Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 Good thing you're not advising them on their business strategy. Quote
GeorgeP Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 A rebadged Beyer for $2000, no thanks. Yeah, I too thought it was pretty clear that Beyer had a hand in its design and manuafacture. Quote
Torpedo Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 I really don't see how this Is anywhere near this Inquiring minds would be grateful to be instructed Quote
jpelg Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 A rebadged Beyer for $2000, no thanks. Yeah, I too thought it was pretty clear that Beyer had a hand in its design and manuafacture. I think it's pretty clear that the unit shown in the pic from CES is a prototype. I'd bet that the final version won't look like that, other than the nameplate. McIntosh has historically not been a me-too company. They also are pretty adamant about in-house development & manufacture. I hope the headphones models will adhere to a similar ideal. Otherwise they will be just overpriced copies. Quote
Hopstretch Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 Inquiring minds would be grateful to be instructed He's talking about the headphone not the amp. Quote
Torpedo Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 Oh silly me. Since the beginning I was just focused on the amp, the phones stood absolutely unnoticed Definitely they look like Beyers. Quote
Audiojunkie Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) I hear the new headphones cranked up the Teslas! Edited January 20, 2014 by Audiojunkie Quote
Dusty Chalk Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 I don't have a problem with them getting into the statement headamp market, but if the phones are just going to be rebadged something elses, they should pull out, before we get another Lexicon/Oppo style fiasco. If they actually put some thought into it and make audible improvements, however, and I wouldn't put it past them... Quote
complin Posted January 21, 2014 Author Report Posted January 21, 2014 This has been going on for decades so nothing new about this in audio I don't have a problem with them getting into the statement headamp market, but if the phones are just going to be rebadged something elses, they should pull out, before we get another Lexicon/Oppo style fiasco. If they actually put some thought into it and make audible improvements, however, and I wouldn't put it past them... Quote
Dusty Chalk Posted January 21, 2014 Report Posted January 21, 2014 Yeah, but just because it isn't something new, doesn't mean I can't still disapprove of it. Pre-emptively, even. 1 Quote
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