As expected, Macintosh!When I tried the latest headphone amplifier, it was so wonderful that I sighed (1/2)

Macintosh / MHA200 (396,000 yen, tax included)

　Isn't there a lot of people who have more time at home due to telework due to corona?Due to that effect, the sales of audio equipment seem to be strong.In particular, sales of ZOOM conferences for earphones and headphones have become commonplace, so sales have risen.I also got headphones for home work, but I always wanted to manage the sound quality a little more, so the long -established audio brand in the United States, "Mcintosh", the latest headphone amplifier MHA200 (396,000 yen).I decided to try it.

Macintosh's first tube headphone amplifier reminiscent of a masterpiece of the past

Macintosh / MHA150 (715,000 yen)

　Macintosh was established in 1949 by Frank H. Macintosh.It is also known for the fact that many masterpieces have been produced in the world.However, the headphone amplifier is the first MHA100 that appeared in 2014.After that, the successor model was released with MHA150 (715,000 yen) equipped with 50W speaker output per channel.Both aircraft were models using transistors for amplifying elements, and also equipped with USB -compatible D/A converters.

Macintosh / MHA200 (396,000 yen)

　However, the MHA200 introduced this time is a model that uses a vacuum tube for the first amplifier amplifier for the company's headphone amplifier.The exterior is a tube -type amplifier MC240 and MC275 from the company, and the size is 15..6cm, depth 23.2cm smaller than the conventional model that was a full -concept.A slightly wider desk can be said to be a size that can be placed next to a laptop.

Uses 12AT7 and 12BH7A, a twin three -pole vacuum tube as an amplification element

　The circuit configuration is a full -fledged one of the Unity Coupled method, which uses 12AT7 for the first stage of voltage amplification and 12BH7A for headphones output.The person who pinched in this combination is an audio enthusiast, and is a familiar circuit configuration in the company's tube ball amplifier.Of course, the output transformer that is proud of Macintosh is also installed.

Input terminal

　The input terminal has one analog imbalance / balance each system.There is no digital input such as USB input.There is no input switching, and it seems that simultaneous connection is not possible.This time, I watched it with a balance connection.The power inlet is a 2 -pin specification of the glasses type.

Place output terminals and various knobs

From left, impedance switching knob, power switch, volume knob

　On the other side, various knobs, switches, and headphones output terminals are available.The knob on the left is an output impedance switching knob with 32Ω, 100Ω, 250Ω, 600Ω, and 4 positions.By the way, the output is 500mW per channel.

　The push -type power switch is used, and when the button is pressed, the vacuum tube is illuminated with a green LED from below.Apparently it will automatically become power -off when the silence state continues for a long time.Since the vacuum tube has a lifespan, the auto -power -off function is nice.

　The volume knob comes with a center click.If you match the center click, it will be unity gain when connected to an external preamplifier, making it easier to use.The feeling of the volume knob is a very smooth feeling, like the equalizer of the Macintosh preamplifier.It seems that a good feeling is transmitted through the fingertips.

Output terminal

　The headphone output terminal has an unbalanced standard stereo jack, as well as a balance output with XLR4 pin and XLR3 pin x 2.It is nice to be able to enjoy high -quality sounds due to balance connection.

Bottom of the body

Where the bottom is opened

　If you open the back cover and look inside, you can see the imadoki's macintosh -like base, called a red WiMA condenser on the green base.According to the familiar eyes of the surface implementation board, the base of this unit, which is lined with accelerators, makes you feel nostalgic.There is also a USB-B terminal on the board, which seems to be for rewriting the firmware for control.

The rear panel is a nasty thing

　クラシカルなマッキントッシュロゴのフロントパネルに対し、The rear panel is a nasty thingになっています。