McIntosh – MHA50 Portable Headphone Amplifier

Take the Fabled McIntosh Sound with You Anywhere: MHA50 Portable Headphone Amplifier Supports DSD256 and DXD384, Includes 32-Bit DAC and Rechargeable Battery, Weighs Just Half a Pound

The MHA50 portable headphone amplifier lets you take the fabled McIntosh sound anywhere. Featuring a 32-bit DAC, wireless aptX Bluetooth connectivity, and wired inputs for iOS and Android devices – as well as for Mac and Windows computers – this 2.7″ x 6.1″ x 0.6″ dynamo supports high-resolution audio up to DSD256 and DXD384. Its rechargeable battery lasts up to six hours and its powerful headphone amplifier can drive all day.

MHA50 decodes music files from almost any digital source and outputs audio superior to what your device alone can produce. It practically covers the entire spectrum: 32-bit/192kHz high-res audio, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DXD352.8, DXD384 files and asynchronous USB audio included. A generous 3,000mAh rechargeable battery provides up to six hours of playback on a single charge when connected to a source device via Bluetooth; playback can last even longer when using the wired connections.

Comparably sized to smartphones, MHA50 is lightweight for easy portability and touts a beveled case that fits comfortably in your hand or pocket. Its sleek design features a glass front panel with a touch-sensitive volume control knob inspired by the classic knobs found on countless McIntosh amplifiers, preamplifiers,​ and other products. It’s built primarily from durable extruded aluminum, which has inherent noise-shielding properties to help block external interference. 

Two gain settings allow MHA50 to work with all types of headphones, from small in-ear models to large, over-ear designs. MHA50 can drive headphones with impedances ranging from 8-600 ohms. McIntosh’s Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD) brings added dimension to your music in a natural-sounding way and can be easily turned on and off depending on your preferences. All audio is output via a gold-plated 3.5mm jack that connects the MHA50 to your headphones. This jack can also connect to a pair of powered desktop speakers, allowing MHA50 to serve as a desktop DAC.

MHA50 comes complete with a luxurious leather carrying case, a Lightning to USB-A cable for Apple devices, a USB micro-B to USB micro-B cable for Android devices and a USB micro-B to USB-A cable for Mac and Windows PCs. A wall-mount charger with USA plug and adapter for Europe and Japan is also included. Like all Music Direct products, the McIntosh MHA50 Portable Headphone comes with the 100% Music Direct Satisfaction Guarantee.

“It’s definitely aimed at the audio purist and would probably appeal to audio buffs that refuse to compromise on sound quality wherever they go. No doubt they’re the kind of people who have an expensive audio system at home and would like the same high quality when traveling away from home. The MHA50 enables them to do that…. If music is your passion, you’ll absolutely love this amazing-sounding piece of kit.”
—Mark Sparrow, Consumer Tech, Forbes