McIntosh MHA 150 – High End Stereo Equipment We Buy

McIntosh is one of the most dependable brand names when it comes to high-end audio systems. For years the brand has been recognized by audiophiles throughout the world as equipment that delivers clear and consistent quality in music. McIntosh is probably best known for its amplifiers and preamps, but the company produces many other components and parts for stereo and home theatre.

What are the specs for the McIntosh MHA 150?

Headphone Power Output High Selection:
1W Normal Selection - 250mW
Headphone Output Impedance:
8-40 Ohms 40-150 Ohms 150-600 Ohms
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
Dimensions:
(W x H x D) 11-1/2" (29.2cm) x 5-7/8" (14.9cm) x 14-5/8" (37.1cm)
Weight:
26.5 lbs (12 kg)

What else to know about the McIntosh MHA 150?

"Once I got over that mental hurdle, I could hear the MHA150 for what it is – a superbly capable source and headphone amplifier. It drives the Meze Empyrean with an authority I only associate with the best in class (at this price point). Transient response, bass texture, imaging, and treble refinement are simply superb - and on a level that I’ve experienced only from the very best headphone amps to grace my review system- the Niimbus US4+, the Pass Labs HPA-1 and the Cayin HA300. Note that those are typically dedicated headphone amplifiers without integrated DACs or speaker-amp functionality, yet their prices aren’t far off from the versatile MHA150. All up, an interesting development that I didn’t anticipate. Five decades down the line and we get the McIntosh MHA150- a marvel of versatility. Its headphone amplifier is more than price-competitive at its US$5000 asking but also gives us an excellent DAC plus a very decent loudspeaker amplifier for an all-in-one solution that demands hard work to find its audible compromises. Minimizing cable clutter and the risk of hardware mismatches, the MHA150 is an easy choice for all but the most difficult to drive headphones and/or demanding speakers in larger rooms. Let’s talk value. The MHA150 is certainly not cheap. Yet when we adjust the MAC1700’s 1969 MSRP of US$599 MSRP for inflation, we get US$4200. That’s not far off the price of the MHA150, despite the new model having a more robust feature set, excellent onboard D/A conversion, increased power in the speaker amp, and a vastly superior headphone output. Now that’s what we call progress!" - Darko.Audio

Brief History of McIntosh

Long mapped-to Binghamton New York – the current headquarters and manufacturing center for McIntosh Labs – not many people know the brand was originally launched outside of the Nation’s Capital in Silver Spring Maryland, in 1949. In 1956, the brand built their original facility in New York, according to the official brand website.

Other McIntosh Products We Often Buy

Typically, StereoBuyers purchases mostly used amplifiers, especially the vintage amps and high-end McIntosh models such as the MC202 or MC252, and the C220 preamp, for example. We have also purchased many pre-owned tuners from McIntosh over the recent years, including the MR67 and MR78 models, for example.

StereoBuyers has purchased tens of thousands worth McIntosh brand equipment since 2014, with individual buys ranging from $100 to well over $50,000. If you are moving, ready to upgrade, or have McIntosh equipment you do not or will not be using, why not contact us today to find out if it is worth good money?

If you are interested in selling your used McIntosh equipment to us in the greater NYC area or Colorado, please click here to fill out a Free Quote Form and we will get back to you. If we agree on terms, we come to meet you where you want, and pay cash.

The following images show actual McIntosh equipment purchased by StereoBuyers.