MCINTOSH MHA200 VALVE HEADPHONE AMP

McIntosh has released a compact valve headphone amplifier, the MHA200, which has both balanced and singleended inputs and outputs and the ability to switch its output transformer taps to best-suit the impedance of the headphones being used.

The MHA200 uses 12AT7 valves to amplify the incoming audio signal and 12BH7As to provide the power to drive the output to the headphones via a pair of McIntosh’s ‘Unity Coupled Circuit’ output transformers. These transformers have four settings: 32–100 , 100–250 , 250–600 , and 600–1,000 so you can select the one that best-matches the impedance of the headphones you’re using. Headphones can be connected via 3-pin balanced XLR connectors for dedicated left/right balanced output; a 4-pin balanced XLR connector for balanced stereo output; and a 6.35mm unbalanced stereo headphone jack.

“The McIntosh MHA200 is designed for discerning headphone enthusiasts who demand the most from their headphones,” said Philip Sawyer, of Synergy AV, which distributes McIntosh in Australia. “The switchable output transformer windings ensure the full power of the MHA200 is available irrespective of the impedance of the headphones, while its versatile connectivity options allow for nearly all headphone types to be connected to enjoy an extraordinary personal listening experience.”

Available now, the McIntosh MHA200 valve headphone amplifier sells for $4,995 (RRP).