McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York MHA100 Headphone Amplifier Owner’s Manual 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS! PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT. 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3.
Thank You Your decision to own this McIntosh MHA100 Headphone Amplifier ranks you at the very top among discriminating music listeners. You now have the best. The McIntosh dedication to precision performance assures many years of musical enjoyment. Please take a short time to read the information in this manual. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all the features and functions of your new McIntosh.
General Information, Connector and Cable Information Connector and Cable Information General Information 1. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MHA100. 2. Apply AC Power to the MHA100 and other McIntosh Component(s) only after all the system components are connected together. Failure to do so may cause a malfunction of system operations as the Microprocessor’s Circuitry inside the components is active when AC Power is applied. 3.
Introduction and Performance Features Introduction Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh standards of excellence in the MHA100 Headphone Amplifier. The Power Amplifier section of the MHA100 will drive Headphones or a pair of quality Loudspeakers to a high level of performance. The flexible Preamplifier section provides connections for various input sources, including Digital sources and music streaming from the Internet via an USB Computer connection.
Dimensions Dimensions The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your MHA100. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the MHA100 into cabinets. Front View of the MHA100 11-1/2" 29.2cm 5-3/8" 13.7cm 5-9/16" 14.1cm Side View of the MHA100 14-5/8" 9/16" 1.4cm 37.1cm 12-5/8" 32.1cm 4-11/16" 4.3cm Rear View of the MHA100 10-13/16" 27.5cm 29/32" 1.8cm 1-1/2" 3.8cm 8" 20.3cm 6 9-1/2" 24.1cm 1-11/16" 4.
Installation Installation The MHA100 Headphone Ampifier is designed to be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its feet. The required ventilation requirements are shown. Always provide adequate ventilation for your MHA100. Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life for any electronic instrument. Do not install the MHA100 directly above a heat generating device, such as a Power Amplifier. Allow at least 6 inches (15.3cm) above the top, 5/8 inches (1.
MHA100 Rear Panel Connections RIGHT OUTPUT connections for an 8 ohm Loudspeaker LEFT OUTPUT connections for an 8 ohm Loudspeaker DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS for components with Digital Optical, Coaxial and Balanced Digital (AES/EBU)Outputs sending digital audio signals Main Fuse holder, refer to information on the back panel of your MHA100 to determine the correct fuse size and rating Connect the MHA100 power cord to a live AC outlet.
Notes 9
Connecting Components The MHA100 has the ability to automatically switch power On/Off to McIntosh Source Components via the Power Control connection. The connection instructions below, together with the MHA100 Connection Diagram on the next page is an example of a typical audio system. Your system may vary from this, however the actual components would be connected in a similar manner. For additional information refer to “Connector and Cable Information” on page 4.
Connecting Components 3. Rotate the Output Terminal Post clockwise until it is finger tight. Refer to figure J. Then using the McIntosh Wrench, rotate the top of the Output Terminal one quarter of a turn (90° ). Do not over tighten. Refer Figure J to figure E. 4.
System Thru Connections System Thru Connections The MHA100 can also be part of an existing Audio or Audio/Video Sound System. The MHA100 allows connection of Headphones for private listening. It can also drive Loudspeakers in a second room. The MHA100 becomes active when the Main Preamplifier or Audio/Video Controller is On. In the example below, the MHA100 will go On/Off when the OUTPUT 2 function of the Preamplifier is activated using the Power Control 2 connections. 1.
External Power Amplifier Connections External Power Amplifier Connections The MHA100 has the ability to drive an External Power Amplifier. In the example below, the MHA100 automatically switches the External Power Amplifier On/Off via Power Control function. 1. Connect Audio Cables from the MHA100 PREAMPlifier OUTPUT jacks to the External Power Amplifier IN (Left and Right) jacks. 2.
Remote Control Push-Buttons Adjusts or Selects the active TRIM function also manually tune down the dial with contemporary McIntosh Tuners Directional Push-buttons Up, Down, Left and Right Adjusts or Selects the active TRIM function also manually tune up the dial with contemporary McIntosh Tuners Press to activate TRIM Mode Scrolls through TRIM Functions Scrolls through TRIM Functions Decreases the volume level Increases the volume level Selects the desired INPUT LED illuminates during the time a
How to use the Remote Control How to use the Remote Control The supplied Remote Control performs the various Operating Functions for the MHA100 Headphone Amplifier. Note: Refer to the “How to Operate” Section of this manual for additional information. Back and Next When using an optional contemporary McIntosh Tuner with the MHA100, select the next Station Preset by press the : Push-button. Select the previous Station Preset by pressing the 9 Push-button.
LED indicates when the Right Channel Amplifier POWER GUARD circuit activates LED indicates when the Left Channel Amplifier POWER GUARD circuit activates Meter indicates the Left Channel Output of the amplifier Meter indicates the Right Channel Output of the amplifier IR Sensor receives commands from a Remote Control VOLUME Control allows adjustment of the listening level for both channels. Also used to activate the HXD and Profiles Modes along with selecting a given Profile.
Setup How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh MHA100 has been factory configured for default operating settings that will allow immediate enjoyment of superb audio without the need for further adjustments. If you wish to make changes to the factory default settings, a Setup Feature is provided to customize the operating settings using the Front Panel Display.
Firmware Version Input Renaming The MHA100 functionality is controlled by internal software that is known as Firmware. The MHA100 has two different Firmwares, one is the “System Firmware” (responsible for the basic operation of the MHA100) and the other known as USB Audio Firmware (responsible for the “USB Connection and Conversion” of a Digital Audio Signal from the Computer). The Version of the Firmwares in the MHA100 can be identified at any time by utilizing the Setup Mode. 1.
Setup, con’t Record any changes made to the various default Input Names in the following chart for future reference. 8. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert back to its normal display. Input Renaming Default Input Name New Input Name UNBAL BALANCED SPEAKER SIZE Large Figure 13 2. Rotate the OUTPUT Control until the Front Panel Display indicates “SPEAKER MODE, Small”. Refer to figure 14.
Setup, con’t Power Mode, con’t active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL until the Setup Menu item “POWER MODE, Auto Off: On” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 17. POWER MODE Auto Off: On Figure 17 2. Rotate the OUTPUT Control until “POWER MODE, Auto Off: Off” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 18. POWER MODE Auto Off: Off Figure 18 3. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert back to its normal display.
How to Operate the MHA100 How to Operate the MHA100 Power On and Off The Red LED beside the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the MHA100 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the MHA100, press the STANDBY/ON Push-button on the Front Panel or press the (Power) Push-button on the Remote Control. The MHA100 will go through a brief startup initialization, with the Front Panel Display indicating the last used input and volume setting.
How to Operate the MHA100, con’t After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to indicate the Input Selection and Volume Level. BALANCE The Channel Balance while listening can vary with different program sources. When using Loudspeakers the room acoustics and listening positions also can effect the Channel Balance. Use the Balance Trim Function as needed to achieve approximately equal listening volume levels in each channel. To adjust the Balance perform the following: 1.
How to Operate the MHA100 1. Momentarily press the Front Panel INPUT Control to enter the TRIM Mode. Then rotate the INPUT Control until “MONO / STEREO” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 62. MONO / STEREO Stereo Figure 62 MONO / STEREO Mono Figure 63 After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to indicate the Input Selection and Volume Level. Input Trim Settings Input Name Figure 64 METER BACKLIGHT Off Figure 65 2. Rotate the OUTPUT Control to change the Mode to “Mono”.
How to Operate the MHA100, con’t To un-MUTE the Audio press the MUTE Pushbutton on the Remote Control, adjust the Volume level or change Inputs. Headphones Jack Connect a pair of dynamic headphones to the Headphones Jack with a 1/4” (6.3mm) stereo phone type plug for private listening. Note: Use the OUTPUT Control to select the correct impedance range. Headphone HXDTM The MHA100 Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXDTM ) improves the sound localization for Headphone Listening.
How to Operate the MHA100, con’t choices available, the correct impedance and power output for the Headphones that will be used for listening. Refer to figures 72 thru 78. 2. If desired, select the HXDTM Mode by momentarily press the the VOLUME Control. The HXD Icon located above the Headphone Jack will illuminate Green. Refer to figure 71. 3. If desired, select the amount of TRIM Bass Boost by momentarily pressing the INPUT Control.
How to Operate the MHA100, con’t Profile Mode, con’t 14. To store the renamed Profile into memory press and hold in the VOLUME CONTROL until the Front Panel Display indicated “SAVE PROFILE, Profile Saved”. Refer to figure 81. SAVE PROFILE Profile Saved Figure 81 15. To exit the Profile Rename Mode momentarily press the VOLUME Control. DELETING PROFILES There are two ways to Delete Profile(s), delete one saved Profile or delete all saved Profile Names. In the first example one Profile will be deleted.
How to Operate the MHA100, con’t performance. For the best performance, the volume control on the MHA100 should be set to 70%. The Volume Control on the Main Preamplifier or Audio/ Video Controller should be used to adjust the listening volume level. Digital Inputs When a Digital Input (Optical, Coax or AES/EBU Connection) on the MHA100 is selected the Front Panel Display will indicate the Sampling Frequency when a signal is present “48K”. Refer to figure 102.
Figure 108 Figure 109 Windows Sound Settings For proper operation of the McIntosh MHA100 via the Computer USB Connection, it is required to make changes to Windows Sound Settings: 1. Click on the “McIntosh ICON” (located in the Windows notification area on the right side of the taskbar) or click on the Windows “Show hidden icons”, then select the “McIntosh ICON”. Refer to figures 115, 116 and 117.
How to Operate the MHA100, con’t SAMPLE RATE: The Sample Rate pull down Window indicates the Sample Rate choices of the connected McIntosh MHA100. It also communicates the selected choice of Sampling Rate to the active Windows Playback Program. Note: In general, when the original music is recorded at a higher Sampling Rate, the result is usually more detail in the music. However, this higher rate results in consuming larger amounts of storage space.
Amplifier Specifications Amplifier Specifications Loudspeaker Power Output 50 watts is the minimum sine wave continuous average power output per channel, both channels operating Sensitivity (for rated output) 300mV unbalanced 600mV balanced Headphone Power Output 1 watt - High Selection 250mWatts - Norm Selection Intermodulation Distortion 0.
Packing Instructions Packing Instructions In the event it is necessary to repack the equipment for shipment, the equipment must be packed exactly as shown below. It is very important that the four plastic feet are attached to the bottom of the equipment. Failure to do this will result in shipping damage. Use the original shipping carton and interior parts only if they are all in good serviceable condition.
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, NY 13903 www.mcintoshlabs.com The continuous improvement of its products is the policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who reserve the right to improve design without notice. Printed in the U.S.A. McIntosh Part No.